EFI, Jetrion Industrial Inkjet Systems

Several new wide-format printers are featured from Canon, EFI, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Océ and Screen (USA).

At the INTERQUEST Digital Printing in Government and Higher Education Forum speakers from government and university in-plants discussed best practices at their operations. In between, principals from INTERQUEST—the market and technology research and consulting firm that organized the event—presented trends and research results.

When University of Alabama President Dr. Witt took the Crimson Tide's reins in 2003, enrollment stood at 19,000. His aggressive growth initiative has resulted in a nearly 100 percent enrollment increase to 35,000 this past fall. In an age of multi-channel marketing, it was the humble yet time-tested success of printed recruiting materials that played a significant role in the population surge at Tuscaloosa, Ala.'s legendary 180-year-old institution.

EFI has introduced PrintMe Mobile, a mobile printing software solution that does not require users to download software to their Apple, Android, Blackberry or other tablets and smartphones to print on any networked printer. IT departments can install PrintMe Mobile and deliver mobile printing on any printer connected to the network in as little as 20 minutes.

In September, the National Government Publishing Association met for the 34th time, bringing together government in-plant managers from as far away as Alaska, Vermont, Arizona and Mississippi. Though attendance was lower than usual, the conference was a nonstop festival of knowledge and information, with presentations on lean manufacturing, proving the value of your in-plant and how to re-engineer government mail.

IN A CLASSIC "Peanuts" comic strip, Schroeder confronts Charlie Brown with scores of numbers to illustrate the ineptitude of their eternally winless baseball team. He builds quite a case, and when he finally finishes recounting the team's blundering exploits, Charlie Brown offers a curt reply.

With just a two-color offset press and a Xerox DocuColor 2045 for producing color work, University of Regina Printing Services was outsourcing a lot of jobs. But after installing a Kodak NexPress 2500 SE digital press, the in-plant started printing that work in-house.

JUDGING BY the number of in-plant managers walking the Graph Expo show floor last month, there are quite a few in-plants itching to leave the recession behind and get busy adding equipment. The show gave them plenty to ogle, too, particularly in the inkjet arena.

Electronics For Imaging, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, announced it has acquired privately-held Prism Group Holdings. Prism, with headquarters in Australia, is a provider of MIS/ERP software products for the printing and packaging industry, including Prism WIN MIS and Prism QTMS automated shop floor management and work in progress tracking software.

At last month’s In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association conference in Charleston, Washington State Printer Jean-Luc Devis took to the stage under heavy applause to accept IPMA’s prestigious Management Award on behalf of the State of Washington’s Department of Printing (PRT). The award was especially satisfying for the 97-employee in-plant given the pressure it has been facing from politicians calling for its closure.