CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - May 8, 2008) - Schawk Digital Solutions, Inc. (SDS), a
division of Schawk, Inc. (
NYSE:
SGK) and a leader in the development of
content-centric technology and solutions, announced today that it has
entered into a strategic relationship with Integrated Color Solutions
(ICS). The first yield of this relationship is a jointly developed solution
utilizing ICS's core Remote Director monitor proofing and approval
technology. The technology was developed exclusively for integration with
the upcoming 2.2 release of BLUE, SDS's graphic life cycle management
software.
"After an in-depth review of leading monitor proofing and approval
technology providers, we selected ICS as our partner," said David
Frederick, senior vice president and global managing director of SDS. "ICS
demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of our market, our business
requirements, the demands and challenges facing our clients today, and
Schawk's rigorous requirements, especially in the color and consumer
products packaging space."
Added Frederick, "With Remote Director's color-accurate monitor proofing
capabilities, BLUE becomes an even more powerful graphic life cycle
management tool, delivering greater value, flexibility, and efficiency to
our global clients."
Using the new BLUE 2.2 online proofing module with Remote Director, users
can collaborate on color-accurate proofs in real-time or work at their own
convenience, allowing agencies, brand owners, publishers, premedia
companies, and printers to communicate with the utmost efficiency and
accomplish in hours what has traditionally taken days. Proofs can be
shared, marked-up, reviewed, and revisions re-posted all before a paper
proof can be picked up for delivery. And, as the first monitor-based
proofing system to be Color Certified, Remote Director guarantees that its
proofs match the color certification data sets used in current proofing
systems. (ICS Remote Director is Color Certified to all industry die sets
for industry specifications, including GRACoL (
www.gracol.com) and SWOP
(
www.swop.org).
"Because Remote Director limits the need for paper-based proofs, this
digital environment speeds the review and revision process, reduces proof
printing and shipping costs, and provides an environmentally sustainable
workflow," said Jeff Silverman, president and CEO of ICS. "Monitor proofing
is particularly useful for clients in highly regulated industries, such as
pharmaceutical and consumer products, because changes to assets can be made
in real time. We are excited to be working with SDS on collaborative
technology solutions that enhance business processes."
BLUE is a web-based enterprise software suite designed to provide a single
access point for project and workflow management, online proofing, digital
asset management, and comprehensive e-reporting to help companies create
consistent and compelling brand experiences.
BLUE 2.2's new Remote Director module offers companies the following
functions and benefits:
-- Multiple language support
-- Quick, accurate, local display of proofs without download or email
-- Multiple page viewing
-- Quick zoom loupe tool so that users do not have to zoom the entire
page
-- Real-time synchronization so that others can immediately see all
annotations, comments, and sign-offs
-- Fewer format requirements for files to be proofed
-- More accurate display of spot colors
-- Color correction evaluation for both CMYK and spot colors
-- Cross-platform (Macintosh and Windows) support, allowing the software
to convey accurate color in any mixed-use environment
-- Ability to work on proofs individually in static sessions, communicate
with other project personnel via automatic e-mail notification, or work in
a dynamic, real-time workgroup session with other project stakeholders
-- Full integration with BLUE's digital asset management, key performance
indicator reporting, and workflow management components
BLUE 2.2 is scheduled to be released midsummer 2008.
Schawk Digital Solutions (SDS), a subsidiary of Schawk, Inc., is a leader
in the development of content-centric technology and solutions. SDS serves
the consumer products company, retail, pharmaceutical and media and
entertainment industries with software and services that help these
companies create compelling and consistent brand experiences. By aligning
workflow technology with strategic business objectives, SDS products such
as BLUE, MPX, MediaLink, Envision, RPM (Retail Performance Manager), and
CPM (Campaign Performance Manager) empower companies to transform their
business process workflows to achieve a competitive advantage in the
marketplace. Headquartered in Chicago, SDS has offices in Los Angeles,
London and Singapore. For more information about SDS, visit
www.schawkds.com.
Schawk, Inc., (
NYSE:
SGK), is the leading provider of brand management
services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with
consumers to create deeper brand affinity. With a global footprint of more
than 60 offices, Schawk helps companies create compelling and consistent
brand experiences by providing integrated strategic, creative and
implementation services across brand touch points. Founded in 1953, Schawk
is trusted by many of the world's leading organizations to help them
achieve global brand consistency. For more information about Schawk, visit
http://www.schawk.com.
Integrated Color Solutions (ICS) pioneered accurate monitor proofing
technology in 2000. Today, ICS is the only provider to offer the full
range of proofing capabilities -- from the simplest to the highest end
color-accurate applications -- in real time, on any mix of computing
platforms and workflows, at any location in the world. Digital imaging and
color science excellence are the hallmarks of ICS's research and
development team, responsible for several existing and pending ICS patents.
The resulting technologies combine superior imaging with flexibility,
practicality, and easy integration with the many hundreds of workflows in
existence -- making ICS the first choice of users and vendors alike.
ICS is a privately held company with offices in New York City and Carlsbad,
CA. In addition to selling directly via a worldwide distribution network,
several OEM and integration partners have incorporated the same core ICS
monitor proofing technology found in Remote Director in their own various
workflow components and systems. For more information about ICS, visit
www.icscolor.com.
Contact Information: AT SCHAWK DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
David Frederick
(847) 827-9494
david.frederick@schawk.com
FOR SCHAWK, INC.
Patti Soldavini
(973) 527-8103
patti.soldavini@anthemww.com