Pageflex®, a division of Bitstream Inc. (NASDAQ: BITS, www.bitstream.com) and a leading developer of enterprise variable publishing and web-to-print solutions, and Canon Europe (NYSE: CAJ), a world leader in digital imaging technology, have announced a pan-European agreement that strengthens Canon’s variable data solution offerings. The agreement gives users of Canon’s digital production equipment, such as the flagship imagePRESS C7000VP, the ability to provide their customers with powerful customized communications through variable data printing (VDP), web-to-print storefronts, and cross-media marketing campaigns, including personalized URLs, microsites, and HTML email.
Bitstream, which first introduced variable data software 10 years ago, is now an Alliance Partner within the Canon Workflow Program. The agreement means that Canon Europe’s customers have access to Bitstream’s Pageflex portfolio of products. These include Pageflex Persona™, the only desktop variable data application that can generate variable communications in both print and HTML email formats, as well as Pageflex Storefront, an award-winning customizable online portal that allows customers to order personalized documents from a branded storefront.
Chas Blanchard, Professional Solutions Marketing, Canon Europe said: “Print doesn’t operate in a vacuum – it’s increasingly likely to be part of a cross-media marketing campaign. Bitstream’s Pageflex is a welcome addition to the burgeoning Canon Workflow Program as it gives imagePRESS users the ability to offer integrated marketing campaigns and secure new revenue opportunities. ROI is the principal consideration for any marketing director, which makes personalization all the more attractive as it can increase response rates by a fifth and increase overall revenue by nearly a quarter.”
Bitstream’s CEO, Anna Chagnon said: “This agreement with Canon Europe gives us the opportunity to increase our market share in Europe. The imagePRESS products deliver exceptional image quality and are therefore perfectly suited to deliver cutting-edge personalized print campaigns. However, the ability to use Pageflex products to also supply other elements of a campaign - personalized URLs, microsites, and HTML email – transforms print specialists into multi-media communications providers. We are very excited to partner with Canon Europe and look forward to developing strong relationships with its customers.”
The Canon Workflow Program includes alliances and partnerships with a number of suppliers of leading solutions including, Objectif Lune, DirectSmile, EFI and X-Rite. The program also includes exclusive software solutions including the JDF-compliant workflow software, iW PrePress Manager (iWPPM), which was developed over three years and has a total of 82 patents, and NT-ware’s print management solution uniFLOW Output Manager.
About Pageflex
Pageflex offers unparalleled design control with powerful graphic design features created specifically for variable publishing. The platform produces rich, creative, award-winning document designs that look like they were given the individual attention of a graphic designer but were, in reality, created on-the-fly with Pageflex variable publishing technology.
About Bitstream
Bitstream Inc. (NASDAQ: BITS) is a software development company focused on bringing unique software products to a wide variety of markets. The company’s core software products include award-winning fonts and font rendering software, mobile browsing and messaging software and variable data publishing and Web-to-print software for personalized marketing. For more information about Bitstream please visit www.bitstream.com.
Bitstream and MyFonts.com are registered trademarks or service marks, and Pageflex, the Bitstream logo and ThunderHawk are trademarks, of the Company. Other technologies and brand names are used for information only and remain trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
About Canon Europa
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for individuals and businesses.
A subsidiary of Canon Inc. of Japan, Canon Europa is the operational headquarters for Canon in Europe and is based in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Canon Europa supports the activities of the entire Canon in Europe organization, including all the national sales organizations based in countries throughout Europe. The main focus for Canon in Europe business activity is in two clearly defined markets: Business Solutions (developing IT products, solutions and services for both the office and professional print environments) and Consumer Imaging (Input solutions: photography, video and digital camera; and Output solutions: Bubble Jet Printers). Canon Europa employs almost 500 people in Amsterdam. Further information about Canon Europa is available at: www.canon-europa.com