Contact Information: FOR SCHAWK DIGITAL SOLUTIONS Dave Frederick (847) 827-9494 david.frederick@schawk.com FOR SCHAWK, INC. Patti Soldavini (973) 527-8103 patti.soldavini@anthemww.com
Schawk Digital Solutions Introduces BLUE 2.1
New Features in Graphic Life Cycle Management Software Suite Include Enriched Integration Capabilities
| Source: Schawk, Inc.
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - April 9, 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 the release of
BLUE 2.1, its flagship graphic life cycle management software suite.
The release of BLUE 2.1 provides greater functionality, enhanced features,
and increased flexibility for seamless third-party platform integration to
strengthen system collaboration. Because most global organizations use
enterprise resource planning systems to ensure consistency throughout their
project life cycle management operations, BLUE has been redesigned to
enhance synchronization with global software systems such as SAP. The
ability of BLUE 2.1 to integrate more deeply with systems like SAP allows
Schawk's clients to realize greater overall supply chain cost efficiencies
and marketing effectiveness.
"This latest version of BLUE offers an even more powerful workflow solution
for managing graphics in highly regulated, process-centric organizations,"
said Mark Bradford, senior director of global enterprise product strategy
and development.
Essentially, BLUE 2.1 allows clients to initiate a project in a solution
like SAP, create downstream sub-processes in BLUE, and then synchronize the
updates made in BLUE with SAP throughout the project. Through this
integration process, BLUE ensures that clients have the most accurate,
up-to-date project information available in their operating systems,
thereby delivering greater efficiency and productivity.
In addition to these enhanced integration capabilities, BLUE 2.1 also
offers reporting plug-ins for more in-depth Key Performance Indicator
reporting and a new, high-performance file transfer engine. High-resolution
graphic files can be uploaded or downloaded in high-latency or
low-bandwidth environments. This capability provides greater access for
global project personnel and allows for quicker file sharing.
"File transfer reliability and performance is critical in a global workflow
context. BLUE's new hi-res file transfer capabilities can be utilized in
the most challenging environments, helping companies improve the quality of
files and their speed to market," noted Bradford.
"The recent upgrades to BLUE lay the foundation for future enhancements
that will greatly improve our clients' graphic life cycle management
processes," said David Frederick, senior vice president and global managing
director of Schawk Digital Solutions. "Schawk's 54 years of experience with
consumer products company packaging workflows informs our ability to create
software products like BLUE that provide all types of organization with
superior workflow and graphics life cycle management tools."
The BLUE software suite is designed to provide dynamic and scalable project
management, workflow management, online proofing, enterprise digital asset
management, and comprehensive e-reporting while achieving immediate,
real-time access to active projects to help clients create consistent and
compelling brand experiences.
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 consistent and compelling 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 consistent and compelling
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