Trading update for the quarter ending 31 March 2014

Cambridge (UK) Friday 25 April 2014 (08.30 CEST) – GLOBAL GRAPHICS SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG), a developer of software platforms for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications, provides a trading update for the first quarter of the financial year ending 31 December 2014.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • major contract signed with office printer manufacturer
  • number of gDoc platform partners increases to twelve, one of which is Staples

KEY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following information is unaudited.

  • Revenue for the quarter was EUR 2.213 million (2013: EUR 1.880 million), representing an increase of 17.7% over the same period in 2013.
  • Adjusted operating profit for the quarter was EUR 0.123 million (2013: EUR 0.360 million loss).
  • Cash deteriorated during the quarter to EUR 0.846 million because of timing differences between some revenue recognised near the end of the quarter and receipts for that revenue not being due.  Significant receipts are due during the quarter ending 30 June 2014 and a stronger cash balance is expected to be restored.  The Company continues to have no outstanding debt, so no interest payments or capital repayments are required to be made.

Segment sales analysis for the quarter ended 31 March:

In thousands of euros
     2014
     2013
Print segment
     2,018
     1,257
eDoc segment
     195
     623
Total revenue
     2,213
     1,880

The increase in print segment revenue for the quarter is primarily from the new contract that was announced on 4 March 2014.

A one-off amount of EUR 0.512 million for under reported royalties from prior years was included in the quarter ending 31 March 2013.  Excluding that revenue, the eDoc segment showed a 75.7% increase in revenue during the quarter over the same period in 2013.

MANAGEMENT’S COMMENTS
Gary Fry, Global Graphics’ Chief Executive Officer, comments, “We are very pleased to have announced our recent contract to license Harlequin technology to a global manufacturer of office printing devices.  We believe that similar opportunities exist for this technology and that this type of contract is repeatable.  Therefore, we have made strategic appointments in Asia and Japan to support this anticipated growth.

“We also see more opportunities in high-speed digital production printing, where we remain a dominant player, and we have been working with a new partner in digital labelling and packaging.

“With regard to our digital document technology, namely the gDoc platforms, the number of partners we have signed has grown to twelve, all of whom are working on building and promoting gDoc-based solutions. One of our newest partners is Staples for whom we created a solution to significantly enhance the functionality and user experience for their in-store printing and binding services across 1500 outlets in North America.
“We expect 2014 to mark a significant growth period for Global Graphics, largely due to the new contract we have secured in the office printing market. This opens up opportunities for us to invest sensibly and strategically in new areas of growth.”

ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING
The Company’s annual general meeting will be held at 13:00hrs (Central European Summer Time) on Friday 16 May 2014 at Andlinger & Co, Avenue Louise 326, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.  Details of the proposed resolutions and proxy form can be found on the investor section of the Company’s website at http://www.globalgraphics.com/investors/annual-shareholders-meeting/.

ANALYST MEETING
Global Graphics will hold an analyst meeting at 14:30hrs (Central European Summer Time) on Friday 16 May 2014 at Andlinger & Co, Avenue Louise 326, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.  

RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING 30 JUNE 2014
The Company expects to publish its condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ending 30 June 2014 on Tuesday 19 August before market opening.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics

Global Graphics (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.  

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding the Company’s growth, funding, expansion plans and expected results for future periods.
 
Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Although management believes that their expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to them, they cannot assure any reader that the expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, any reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
 
In any event, these statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update neither any of them, neither to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, nor to reflect new information nor the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Cambridge (UK) 23 April 2014 (18:00 CEST): Global Graphics SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) announces details of its Annual General Meeting.

The Annual General Meeting of Global Graphics SE will be held at Andlinger & Co, Avenue Louise 326, 1050 Brussels, Belgium on Friday 16 May 2014 at 13:00 hrs (local time) for the following purposes:

Ordinary business
To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions which will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions:

1. To receive the Company’s annual financial statements and consolidated accounts for the financial year ended 31 December 2013.
2. To reappoint KPMG LLP as auditor to hold office from the conclusion of this meeting until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the Company at which financial statements are laid.
3. To authorise the members of the Company’s administrative organ (the “Directors”) to determine the remuneration of the auditors.
4. To re-elect Johan Volckaerts as a Director.
5. To re-elect Gary Fry as a Director and Chief Executive Officer.
6. To appoint Guido Van der Schueren as a Director and Chairman of the Board.
7. To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the year ended 31 December 2013.
8. To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which will take effect immediately after the end of the Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2014.

Special business
In order to reinstate authorities for own share purchases and issuing and allotting new shares that were previously granted to the Company whilst it was registered in France that were lost when the place of registration was transferred to the UK, to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions which will be proposed in the case of Resolutions 9 and 11 as Special Resolutions and in the case of Resolution 10 as an Ordinary Resolution:

9. That the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of section 701 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to make one or more market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of ordinary shares of €0.40 each in the capital of the Company (ordinary shares) provided
that:

  • the maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares authorised to be purchased is 1,000,000 (representing 9.72% of the issued ordinary share capital);
  • the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share is the par value of the shares;
  • the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for an ordinary share is an amount equal to the higher of (i) 105% of the average closing price for an ordinary share as derived from NYSE Euronext Brussels for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which that ordinary share is purchased, and (ii) the amount stipulated by article 5(1) of the Buy-back and Stabilisation Regulation 2003;
  • this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company, or, if earlier, at the close of business on 16 August 2015 unless renewed before that time; and
  • the Company may make a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority before the expiry of the authority which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the expiry of the authority, and may make a purchase of ordinary shares in pursuance of any such contract.

10. That, in substitution for all existing authorities conferred on the Directors, in accordance with section 551 of the Act the Directors be and they are generally and unconditionally authorised to exercise all powers of the Company to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act), or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of €2,000,000, provided that this authority shall expire on the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting in 2015, or, if earlier, at the close of business on 16 August 2015, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot such equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred by this resolution had not expired.

11. Subject to the passing of Resolution 10 of the notice of meeting, that, in substitution for all existing authorities conferred on the Directors, the Directors be and they are empowered pursuant to section 570 of the Act to allot equity securities either pursuant to the authority conferred by Resolution 10 above or by way of a sale or transfer of treasury shares as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, sale or transfer provided that this authority shall expire on the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting in 2015, or, if earlier, at the close of business on 16 August 2015, save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted, sold or transferred after such expiry and the Directors may allot, sell or transfer equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred by this resolution had not expired.

A copy of the complete notice and other supporting information, including explanatory notes and the proxy form,
is available for download from the investors section of the Company’s web site at:
http://www.globalgraphics.com/investors/annual-shareholders-meeting/.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.

Contact

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics publishes 2013 annual report and financial statements

Cambridge (UK), 23 April 2014 (18.00 CEST): Global Graphics SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) announces it has published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2013.

The full document is available for download from the investors section of the Company’s web site at:  http://www.globalgraphics.com/investors/annual-financial-reports/

Should you wish to receive printed copies please send an e-mail to investor-relations@globalgraphics.com or make your request in writing, for the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, to 2030 Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6DW, UK.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics

Global Graphics (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.

Contact

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Dopez votre productivite en impression variable

Les concepteurs et utilisateurs de documents imprimés en données variables peuvent accélérer la production de leurs travaux VDP grâce à un nouveau guide, qui explique ce qu’il y a lieu de faire, et de ne pas faire, pour optimiser les PDF en vue d’un traitement plus rapide et plus efficace par les frontaux numériques (DFE).

« Do PDF/VT Right™: How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing » est un mémento paru aujourd’hui, qui dispense des informations et des conseils objectifs à toute partie concernée par des projets VDP : graphistes, donneurs d’ordres, chefs de fabrication, conducteurs de presse, prestataires imprimeurs ou développeurs de frontaux de presses numériques. Cet opuscule gratuit est une publication de Martin Bailey, directeur de la technologie de Global Graphics et principal expert britannique auprès des comités ISO chargés de l’actualisation et du développement des formats PDF et PDF/VT. Un certain nombre d’éminents fournisseurs actifs dans le secteur de la VDP ont parrainé l’ouvrage, dont DirectSmile, Global Inkjet Systems, HP Indigo, la division Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions d’HP et Screen. Le contenu étant totalement indépendant des fournisseurs, le guide a également été validé par des associations sectorielles telles que PODi et Xplor.

L’incidence des PDF mal construits sur les calendriers de production est devenue d’autant plus préoccupante pour les prestataires de services d’impression, que les applications en VDP remportent de plus en plus de succès. Les travaux en VDP étant en outre créés par une kyrielle d’intervenants utilisant les logiciels les plus divers — du graphiste au chef de campagne marketing en passant par le spécialiste de la gestion des données — un certain nombre de flux complexes se sont mis en place. En même temps, les travaux VDP eux-mêmes ont gagné en richesse et en complexité, entraînant des exigences supplémentaire en termes de puissance de traitement des DFE, et provoquant des ralentissements de la presse numérique. Ainsi, un retard d’une demi-seconde à chaque page d’un travail qui en compte 10 000, tiré à la cadence de 120 pages/minute, ajoute une demi-heure de temps de production. Pour une commande d’un million de pages à 5 200 pages/minute, un dixième de seconde en plus par page rallonge le temps total de traitement de 24 heures.

Le principal objectif de ce guide, dit Martin Bailey, est de « promouvoir une maxime simple : ne demandez pas au flux d’impression d’en faire plus qu’il n’en faut, si aucun bénéfice n’en découle pour le graphiste, le service marketing ou le destinataire de l’imprimé. L’intention n’est pas de brider la liberté du concepteur dans sa recherche d’effets visuels — il s’agit juste de veiller à ce que sa création puisse être codée le plus efficacement possible dans un fichier PDF. »

Le guide est organisé de manière à ce que les lecteurs puissent retrouver aisément des informations concises, pratiques et surtout applicables, pertinentes pour le rôle qu’ils remplissent dans les projets VDP. Les deux premiers chapitres, par exemple — « Why PDF for VDP? » (Pourquoi le PDF pour la VDP ?) et « Why optimization matters » (En quoi l’optimisation est importante) — font la synthèse des questions clés pour les lecteurs moins avertis. La matière se fait ensuite plus technique, abordant une approche davantage pratique, couvrant des sujets tels que l’optimisation des images (par exemple, par l’alignement de leur résolution effective sur celle de la presse numérique) et celle des transparences.

Monte Rose, directeur du R&D, Solutions médias, de Quad Graphics, réserve bon accueil à Do PDF/VT Right™, et décrit les défis auxquels les imprimeurs VDP sont bien trop souvent confrontés : « Nous avons tous vu des fichiers, que le RIP finit bien par traiter à la longue, mais pas nécessairement dans les temps impartis. Avec la VDP, ce cas de figure se fait plus fréquent — des fichiers qui contiennent trop de polices, trop de calques ou trop d’images. Le RIP doit faire le tri, dans un laps de temps toujours plus étroit, pour soutenir la vitesse nominale de la presse. Bref, tout cela prend du temps et coûte de l’argent, avec le risque supplémentaire de gâcher le travail. Ce Guide est tout ce dont nous avons besoin pour éviter que ce genre de choses ne se produise. En le lisant, on comprend mieux pourquoi les problèmes surviennent, et l’on apprend à les prévenir. »

Tom Bouman, responsable de la stratégie, Flux/Frontaux numériques, de la division Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions d’HP, abonde dans ce sens : « Dans un monde en pleine transition de l’offset vers l’impression numérique, nous constatons que beaucoup d’utilisateurs n’ont pas un solide bagage en traitement des données, mais qu’ils sont néanmoins qualifiés en arts graphiques. Le fait d’utiliser PDF ou PDF/VT leur permet de s’adapter plus facilement à la VDP, avec des formats et outils dont ils sont familiers, plutôt que de devoir recommencer à zéro avec quelque chose de tout à fait différent. Les conseils et recommandations de Do PDF/VT Right™ leur facilitent la transition, pendant qu’ils explorent de nouvelles possibilités de différenciation de produits. »

« Au fur et à mesure que les agences créatives s’emparent de la couleur variable, nos équipes d’assistance sont de plus en plus régulièrement confrontées à des problèmes imputables à des données variables mal préparées », dit Tim Taylor, VP Solutions & Technologie, de Screen Europe. « La VDP en couleur ne progressera que si les presses jet d’encre peuvent aller plus vite. Le timing était donc parfait pour un guide simple de la préparation des fichiers. En suivant quelques règles de base, il est possible de transformer l’imprimabilité d’un travail sans compromettre l’intégrité du design. »

Nick Geddes, CEO de Global Inkjet Systems : « Nous croyons que PDF et PDF/VT sont les formats de fichiers dominants qui vont émerger dans de nombreuses applications d’impression jet d’encre industrielles. Il est important que nos clients OEM, ainsi que les utilisateurs finaux de leurs systèmes, soient pleinement informés des avantages et opportunités offerts par la technologie PDF. Aussi sommes-nous heureux de soutenir cette initiative. »

Autres expressions du soutien sectoriel au Guide :
« Des PDF mal créés peuvent étrangler un flux de production. Il est par conséquent crucial pour le personnel de savoir comment ils peuvent optimiser celui-ci. Ce Guide sera un superbe outil pour eux », Kaspar Roos, InfoTrends.

« Les retards imprévisibles peuvent être catastrophiques pour les travaux à faible marge et/ou à haut volume, caractéristiques des applications d’entreprise/transactionnelles. Dans certains cas, du personnel supplémentaire doit être affecté au diagnostic et proposer des solutions de rechange pour les travaux à problèmes en matière de VDP », Mike Rodriguez, consultant couleurs indépendant et ancien directeur de RR Donnelley États-Unis.

« À présent que le secteur a clairement adopté ce nouveau standard, les flux conformes PDF/VT vont optimiser et gérer efficacement une large diversité de travaux d’impression de données variables », Harry Raaphorst, DG de DirectSmile.

« J’ai rencontré beaucoup de défis liés à la réception de PDF mal produits pour des documents à données variables. La différence peut se chiffrer en jours de traitement supplémentaires, quand le travail n’est pas purement et simplement abandonné ! Tout système ou standard susceptible d’aider à normaliser les fichiers fournis ne peut être que bénéfique pour le secteur », John Charnock, DG de Print Research International, et ancien directeur technique du groupe St Ives, Royaume-Uni.

« Global Graphics a produit un guide d’une valeur inestimable. Ses nombreuses recommandations pratiques et explications techniques vont être immensément utiles », Tony Hodgson, directeur de PODi Europe.

Un exemplaire gratuit de « Do PDF/VT Right™: How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing » peut être téléchargé à partir de la page www.globalgraphics.com/doPDFVTright.

-FIN-

Iconographie : les photos de Martin Bailey et de la couverture du Guide, ainsi qu’une infographie sont disponibles sur simple demande auprès de ruth@splashpr.co.uk T: +44 (0)1580 241177 M: +44 (0)7767 261883

Attachés de presse :
Global Graphics : Jill Taylor. Tél. : +44 (0) 1223 926489 E-mail : jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com
Amériques : Irv Press. Tél. : + 1 508 384 0608 E-mail : irv@press-plus.com
Reste du monde : Ruth Clark, Splash!PR. Tél. :+44 (0)1580 241177 E-mail : ruth@splashpr.co.uk

Editors notes

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics

+44 1223 926489
Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Turbo charge your variable print productivity

 Designers and users of variable data print can speed the production of VDP jobs thanks to a new independent guide to the “dos and don’ts” of optimizing PDF files for the fastest, most efficient processing by digital front ends (DFEs).

‘Do PDF/VT Right™: How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing’ is a concise guide published today that provides objective information and advice to anyone with a stake in VDP:  graphic designers, print buyers, production managers, press operators, owners of PSPs, and digital press DFE developers. The free guide is edited by Martin Bailey, chief technology officer for Global Graphics and the primary UK expert on the ISO committees that maintain and develop PDF and PDF/VT. A number of leading vendors in the VDP sector have sponsored the guide, including DirectSmile, Global Inkjet Systems, HP Indigo, HP Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions and Screen. The content is completely vendor-independent which is why the guide is also endorsed by the PODi and Xplor industry associations.

The impact of poorly-constructed PDF files on production schedules has become a significant issue for print service providers as VDP becomes more popular.  With a range of people — from graphic designers to marketing campaign managers and data management experts — using a variety of software to create VDP jobs, a number of complex workflows have evolved.  At the same time, VDP jobs themselves become richer and more complex, placing additional demands on the processing power of the DFE and slowing down the digital press:  a delay of half a second on every page of a 10,000-page job running at 120ppm adds 30 minutes to the whole job, while for a job of a million pages at 5,200ppm an extra tenth of a second per page adds 24 hours to the total processing time.

Martin Bailey says the main aim of the guide is “to promote one simple maxim: don’t ask the print workflow to do more work than it needs to if there’s no benefit for the designer, marketing department or recipient of the printed piece. There’s no intention of reducing the freedom of the designer to achieve the visual effects they want to — just to ensure their design can be encoded into a PDF file as efficiently as possible.”

The content of the guide is organized so that readers can easily find concise, practical and, importantly, actionable information relevant to their role in VDP projects.  The first two sections, for example — “Why PDF for VDP?” and “Why optimization matters” — provide an overview of the key issues for less technical readers.  The content then turns more technical for those with a more “hands-on” involvement, covering topics including optimizing images (for example, by matching the effective image resolution to the output resolution of the digital press), and optimizing transparency.

Monte Rose, R&D manager for media solutions at Quad Graphics, welcomes Do PDF/VT Right™ and describes the challenges VDP printers face far too often:  “We have all seen files that will ‘RIP’, but not necessarily in a timely fashion.  With VDP files we see it more frequently — files with too many fonts, too many layers, or too many images.  The RIP has to sort the bits out within an ever-shrinking window of time to meet print engine speed.  It takes time, costs money and introduces risk of messing up the job.  This Guide is just what’s needed to stop these things happening.  Anyone who reads it will come away with a good understanding of why problems arise, and how to prevent them.”

Tom Bouman, Strategy Manager, Workflow/Digital Front Ends, at HP High Speed Inkjet Web Press Solutions, says: “In a world transitioning from offset to digital printing we find that many users don’t have a strong background in data processing but are skilled in graphics arts.  Using PDF or PDF/VT makes it easier for them to adapt to VDP using formats and tools they’re familiar with rather than starting over with something completely different. Do PDF/VT Right™ provides guidance to ease their transition while they explore new product differentiation.”

“As more creative agencies embrace variable color our support teams regularly have to deal with issues arising from badly prepared variable data,” says Tim Taylor, VP Solutions & Technology, Screen Europe. “Color VDP is only going to increase as inkjet presses get faster, so the timing is perfect for a simple guide to file preparation.  By following a few basic rules you can transform the ‘printability’ of a job without any need to compromise on design integrity.”

Says Nick Geddes, CEO, Global Inkjet Systems: “We believe that PDF and PDF/VT are the emerging dominant file formats in many industrial inkjet applications. It is important that our OEM customers and their system end users are fully informed about the benefits and opportunities offered by PDF technology so we are pleased to support this initiative.”

Further industry support for the Guide:
“Improperly created PDFs can choke production workflows. Therefore it is crucial for production personnel to know how they can optimize production. This Guide will be a great tool for them,” Kaspar Roos, InfoTrends

“Unpredictable delays can wreak havoc with low margin/high volume jobs often found in business/transactional applications. In some cases extra staff must be maintained to diagnose and provide workarounds for problem jobs in the VDP arena,” Mike Rodriguez, independent color consultant and former director at RR Donnelley USA

“Now the industry has clearly embraced this new standard, PDF/VT enabled workflows will optimize and efficiently manage a wide variety of variable data printing jobs,” Harry Raaphorst, MD, DirectSmile

“I have experienced many challenges when receiving badly-produced PDFs for variable data documents. The difference can be from days of additional processing to not processing them at all! Any systems or standards that help standardize files that are supplied will be a huge benefit to the industry,” John Charnock, MD, Print Research International and former Group Technical Director, St Ives, UK.

“Global Graphics has produced an invaluable guide. Its many practical recommendations and technical explanations will be immensely useful,” Tony Hodgson, Director for PODi Europe.

To download a free copy of ‘Do PDF/VT Right™ How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing’ go to www.globalgraphics.com/doPDFVTright

-ENDS-

Images: Images of Martin Bailey, the Guide cover and an Infographic are available on request from ruth@splashpr.co.uk T: +44 (0)1580 241177 M: +44 (0)7767 261883

Press contacts:
Global Graphics: Jill Taylor. T: +44 (0) 1223 926489 E: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com
Americas: Irv Press. T: + 1 508 384 0608 E: irv@press-plus.com
Rest of World: Ruth Clark, Splash!PR. T:+44 (0)1580 241177 E: ruth@splashpr.co.uk

Editors notes

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics

+44 1223 926489
Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Der Produktivitätsturbo fur ihre variablen Druckanwendungen

 Designer und Anwender erhalten mit dem unabhängigen Leitfaden über empfohlene Vorgehensweisen zur Erstellung von PDF-Dateien im Bereich des variablen Datendrucks jetzt die Möglichkeit, Dateien für eine schnelle und effiziente Verarbeitung in digitalen Frontends (DFE) zu optimieren und damit VDP-Aufträge zu beschleunigen.

„Do PDF/VT Right™: How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing“ (PDF/VT richtig gemacht: So erstellen Sie problemlose PDF-Dateien für den variablen Datendruck) ist ein umfassender Leitfaden, der im Umfeld des VDP tätigen Personen objektive Informationen bereitstellt. Zur Zielgruppe gehören z. B. Grafikdesigner, Käufer von Druckerzeugnissen, Produktionsmanager, Druckmaschinenbetreiber, Eigentümer von PSPs und DFE-Entwickler im Digitaldruck. Der kostenlose Leitfaden wird von Martin Bailey, Chief Technology Officer bei Global Graphics und führender Experte Großbritanniens in den ISO-Gremien für die Entwicklung von PDF- und PDF/VT-Standards, herausgegeben. Die Erstellung wurde von mehreren führenden Anbietern im VDP-Sektor finanziell unterstützt, darunter DirectSmile, Global Inkjet Systems, HP Indigo, HP Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions und Screen. Die Inhalte des Leitfadens sind vollständig anbieterunabhängig. Aus diesem Grund wird der Leitfaden auch von den Branchenverbänden PODi und Xplor empfohlen.

Die Auswirkungen schlecht entworfener PDF-Dateien auf Produktionsabläufe sind mit der wachsenden Nutzung von VDP zu einem erheblichen Problem für Anbieter von Druckservices geworden. Die an den Abläufen beteiligten Personen – von Grafikdesignern über Marketingkampagnenmanagern bis hin zu Datenmanagementexperten – setzen zur Erstellung von VDP-Aufträgen unterschiedliche Softwareprodukte ein, sodass sich eine Anzahl komplexer Workflows entwickelt hat. Gleichzeitig sind die VDP-Aufträge immer umfassender und komplexer geworden, was die Verarbeitungsleistung der DFEs vor neue Herausforderungen stellt und den Digitaldruck verlangsamt: Verzögerungen von nur einer halben Sekunde pro Seite bedeuten bei einem 10.000-Seiten-Auftrag, der mit 120 Seiten pro Minute ausgeführt wird, eine Verlängerung der Druckzeit um 30 Minuten. Bei einem Auftrag über eine Million Seiten mit 5.200 Seiten pro Minute führt eine zusätzliche zehntel Sekunde pro Seite zu einer Verlängerung der Gesamtverarbeitungszeit um 24 Stunden.

Martin Bailey sieht das Hauptziel des Leitfadens darin, den Beteiligten ein einfaches Leitprinzip ins Bewusstsein zu rufen: „Vermeiden Sie zusätzliche, nicht erforderliche Verarbeitungsschritte im Druck-Workflow, wenn diese nicht mit einem Vorteil für den Designer, die Marketingabteilung oder den Empfänger des Druckerzeugnisses verbunden sind. Die Absicht liegt dabei nicht in der Einschränkung der Freiheit des Designers, die von ihm gewünschten visuellen Effekte zu erreichen. Es soll lediglich sichergestellt werden, dass das Design so effizient wie möglich in die Codierung einer PDF-Datei umgesetzt wird.“

Die Inhalte des Leitfadens sind so organisiert, dass Lesern genaue, praktische und – am wichtigsten – auch konkret umsetzbare Informationen zur Verfügung gestellt werden, die für ihre Rolle in VDP-Projekten relevant sind. Die ersten beiden Abschnitte – „Why PDF for VDP?“ (Warum PDF für VDP?) und „Why optimization matters“ (Warum es auf Optimierung ankommt) – vermitteln weniger technikorientierten Lesern beispielsweise einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Probleme. Der Inhalt wird anschließend technischer und richtet sich an Personen mit konkreter Beteiligung an den Arbeitsabläufen. Zu den behandelten Themen gehören die Optimierung von Bildern (z. B. durch Anpassung der effektiven Bildauflösung an die Druckauflösung der Digitaldruckmaschine) und die Optimierung der Transparenz.

Monte Rose, F&E-Manager für Medienlösungen bei Quad Graphics, begrüßt Do PDF/VT Right™ und beschreibt die Herausforderungen, denen sich VDP-Drucker so oft gegenübersehen: „Wir alle kennen Dateien, die zwar durch den RIP (Raster Image Processor) laufen, dafür aber zu lange benötigen. Bei VDP-Dateien kommt dies häufiger vor – Dateien mit zu vielen Zeichensätzen, zu vielen Ebenen oder zu vielen Bildern. Der RIP muss die Dateien in einer immer kürzeren Zeit verarbeiten, um mit der Geschwindigkeit der Druckmaschine mitzuhalten. Diese Dateien nehmen mehr Zeit in Anspruch, kosten Geld und tragen das Risiko in sich, den Auftrag nicht rechtzeitig zu erledigen. Der Leitfaden setzt genau an der richtigen Stelle an, um derartige Probleme zu vermeiden. Jeder, der diesen Leitfaden liest, wird ein gutes Verständnis dafür entwickeln, warum Probleme entstehen und wie sich diese vermeiden lassen.“

Tom Bouman, Strategiemanager, Workflow/digitale Frontends, bei HP High Speed Inkjet Web Press Solutions, dazu: „In einer Welt, die sich im Übergang vom Offset- zum Digitaldruck befindet, sehen wir uns der Situation gegenüber, dass viele Anwender kein fundiertes Hintergrundwissen im Bereich der Datenverarbeitung mitbringen, sondern eher im Bereich des Grafikdesigns qualifiziert sind. Die Nutzung von PDF oder PDF/VT vereinfacht die Umstellung auf VDP mit Formaten und Tools, mit denen sie vertraut sind, sodass sie sich nicht in einen gänzlich unbekannten Bereich neu einarbeiten müssen. Do PDF/VT Right™ stellt einen Leitfaden zur Verfügung, um ihnen die Umstellung auf die neue Technologie zu erleichtern und gleichzeitig die neuen Möglichkeiten kennenzulernen, die diese bietet.“

„Immer mehr Kreativagenturen nutzen die Möglichkeiten variabler Farbdaten. Dies führt dazu, dass unsere Supportteams sich mit Problemen auseinandersetzen müssen, die infolge schlecht vorbereiteter variabler Daten entstehen“, so Tim Taylor, VP Solutions & Technology, Screen Europe. „VDP in Farbe wird mit der Entwicklung schnellerer Inkjet-Druckmaschinen immer mehr an Bedeutung gewinnen. Der Zeitpunkt ist daher genau richtig dafür, einen einfachen Leitfaden zur Dateivorbereitung herauszugeben. Wenn Sie einige wenige grundlegende Regeln befolgen, können Sie die „Druckbarkeit“ eines Auftrags erheblich verbessern, ohne Abstriche beim Design machen zu müssen.“

Nick Geddes, CEO, Global Inkjet Systems: „Wir sind der Überzeugung, dass PDF und PDF/VT für viele industrielle Inkjet-Anwendungen die zukünftig dominierenden Dateiformate sein werden. Es ist wichtig, dass unsere OEM-Kunden und ihre System-Endanwender vollständig über die Vorteile und Gelegenheiten informiert sind, die die PDF-Technologie ihnen bietet. Wir freuen uns daher darüber, diese Initiative unterstützen zu dürfen.“

Weitere Empfehlungen für diesen Leitfaden aus der Branche:
„Nicht korrekt erstellte PDFs können Produktions-Workflows verzögern. Es ist daher für Mitarbeiter in der Produktion von entscheidender Bedeutung zu wissen, wie sie die Produktion optimieren können. Dieser Leitfaden bietet ihnen eine großartige Hilfe dabei“, Kaspar Roos, InfoTrends

„Unvorhersehbare Verzögerungen können bei Aufträgen mit niedriger Gewinnspanne/hohem Volumen, wie sie in Geschäfts-/Transaktionsanwendungen häufig zu finden sind, katastrophale Auswirkungen haben. In einigen Fällen ist zusätzliches Personal erforderlich, um problematische Aufträge im VDP-Bereich zu analysieren und Workarounds zu entwickeln“, Mike Rodriguez, unabhängiger Color Consultant und früherer Geschäftsführer bei RR Donnelley USA

„Dieser neue Standard hat sich in der Branche eindeutig durchgesetzt. PDF/VT-fähige Workflows ermöglichen eine Optimierung und effiziente Verwaltung einer Vielzahl von Aufträgen mit variablen Druckdaten“, Harry Raaphorst, MD, DirectSmile

„Ich habe mich schon häufig mit schlecht erstellten PDFs für variable Datendokumente herumschlagen müssen. Die Auswirkungen reichten von mehreren Tagen zusätzlicher Verarbeitungszeit bis hin zu Situationen, in denen eine Verarbeitung schlicht nicht möglich war! Jegliche Systeme oder Standards, die dazu beitragen, gelieferte Dateien zu standardisieren, werden mit erheblichen Vorteilen für die Branche verbunden sein“, John Charnock, MD, Print Research International und früherer Group Technical Director, St Ives, Großbritannien.

„Global Graphics hat einen wertvollen Leitfaden erstellt. Die vielen praktischen Empfehlungen und technischen Erklärungen sind immens hilfreich“, Tony Hodgson, Geschäftsführer bei PODi Europe.

Eine kostenlose Kopie von „Do PDF/VT Right™ How to make problem-free PDF files for variable data printing“ erhalten Sie unter www.globalgraphics.com/doPDFVTright

-ENDE-

Bildmaterial: Bilder von Martin Bailey, das Titelblatt des Leitfadens und eine Infografik erhalten Sie auf Anfrage von ruth@splashpr.co.uk T: +44 (0)1580 241177 M: +44 (0)7767 261883

Pressekontakte:
Global Graphics: Jill Taylor. Tel.: +44 (0) 1223 926489 E-Mail: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com
Amerika: Irv Press. Tel.: +1 508 384 0608 E-Mail: irv@press-plus.com
Restliche Welt: Ruth Clark, Splash!PR. Tel.: +44 (0)1580 241177 E-Mail: ruth@splashpr.co.uk

Editors notes

Contact

Jill Taylor/Global Graphics

+44 1223 926489
Jill.Taylor@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics amends its financial reporting calendar for 2014

Cambridge (UK), 4TH March, 2014: Global Graphics SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) a developer of software platforms for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications, now expects to release financial information during 2014 on each of the following dates, before market opening. The revised calendar is necessary because the process of completing the annual report as a newly formed UK based SE with newly appointed UK auditors is taking longer than originally expected.

 

Wednesday 23 April  2014

Annual report and accounts for the year ending 31 December 2013

Friday 25 April 2014

Trading update for the three months ending 31 March 2014 (as previously published)

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ending 30 June 2014

Friday 17 October 2014

Trading update for the quarter and nine months ending 30 September 2014 ( as previously published)

Scheduled analyst meeting in 2014
A meeting with the Company’s analysts is scheduled for Friday 16 May 2014 in Brussels (Belgium).

2014 shareholders’ meeting
The Company expects to hold its annual general meeting on Friday 16 May 2014 in Brussels (Belgium).  The meeting’s timing, venue, and final agenda will be provided in due time in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory provisions.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics

Global Graphics (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is a leading developer of software platforms on which partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications.  Partners include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa.

Contact

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics signs major contract with a global manufacturer of office printing devices

Global Graphics SE (NYSE Euronext: GLOG) a developer of software platforms for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications, has announced today that it has signed a contract to license its Harlequin® technology to a global manufacturer of office printing devices to drive their single function, multi-function and production printers.

The revenue resulting from this new contract will be in the range of US$7 million to US$9 million during the term of the multi-year contract.  The impact on revenue in the financial year ending 31 December 2014 is expected to be between US$3 million to US$4 million with no significant increase in expenses.

Editors notes

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) Global Graphics is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.  Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.comGlobal Graphics is a trademark of Global Graphics SE which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.  All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact

Graeme Huttley, CFO
Global Graphics
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics appoints VP of Sales

Global Graphics SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG), a leading developer of software platforms used to create digital printing and digital document solutions, has appointed Justin Bailey as VP of sales.

Mr Bailey has over 25 years’ experience in the document imaging and print markets, having worked in both direct and partner sales channels.

He spent 17 years working for Canon in the UK during which time he worked in the sales team that pioneered the early sales of colour laser systems into the graphic arts, pay for print and office markets. From an early stage at Canon Mr Bailey realised that selling software solutions had the potential to increase profitability. One of the solutions with which he had greatest success was the document scanning application, eCopy.

Mr Bailey soon became eCopy’s first non-US employee, founding their EMEA business which grew to represent approximately 30% of the company revenue. During this time Mr Bailey was involved in broadening the reach of eCopy’s technology platforms so that most leading brands of multi-function office printers (MFPs) had eCopy solutions to sell via their channel. He also was instrumental in growing the eCopy partner ecosystem, extending the reach of the eCopy solution by integrating it with a broad portfolio of content management systems and other enterprise applications.

In 2009 eCopy was acquired by Nuance and Mr Bailey’s sales team responsibilities were extended to include the Equitrac, Safecom, and Copitrak imaging systems for MFPs, as well as desktop applications for OCR (optical character recognition) and PDF, and the Omnipage Development platform.

He joins Global Graphics’ senior management team and reports to Gary Fry, Global Graphics’ CEO.

Commenting on the new appointment, Gary Fry said, “Justin’s track record speaks for itself.  He has joined us at a time when the alignment of our products and strategy is showing increasing success. Adding Justin’s talent will contribute significantly to us growing our business together.”

Editors notes

Note to editors:
A photograph of Justin Bailey is available on request to jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

About Global Graphics
Global Graphics (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) Global Graphics is a leading developer of software platforms on which our partners create solutions for digital printing, digital document and PDF applications. Customers include HP, Corel, Quark, Kodak and Agfa. The roots of the company go back to 1986 and to Cambridge University, and, today the majority of the R&D team is still based near this iconic university town. There are also offices near Boston, Massachusetts and in Tokyo.  Additional information is available at http://www.globalgraphics.com

Contact

Jill Taylor, Global Graphics
Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 926489
Jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Global Graphics SE appoints new Chief Financial Officer and publishes financial reporting calendar for 2014

Cambourne (UK), 7th January, 2014: Global Graphics SE (NYSE-Euronext: GLOG) announces today that following the transfer of the Company’s registered office to the UK and subsequent resignation of Alain Pronost, Graeme Huttley has been promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer with effect from 1 January 2014.  As a Chartered Management Accountant and member of the Company’s senior management team, Graeme has served as the Company’s Finance Director since 2001, leading and managing the Company’s Finance, IT and Manufacturing teams.

CEO, Gary Fry, said "I would like to thank Alain for making the Company’s transition to the UK as smooth as possible and for his many years of dedicated service to the Company.  I wish him well with his future endeavours.  I would also like to congratulate Graeme on his promotion to CFO.  His experience and knowledge of the business will help to continue the tradition of diligent and competent financial management of the Company."

Financial reporting calendar for 2014
The Company expects to release financial information during 2014 before market opening on each of the following dates:

Friday 14 March 2014
Annual report and accounts for the year ending 31 December 2013
Friday 25 April 2014
Trading update for the three months ending 31 March 2014
Friday 25 July 2014
Condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ending 30 June 2014
Friday 17 October 2014
Trading update for the quarter and nine months ending 30 September 2014

Scheduled analyst meeting in 2014
A meeting with the Company’s analysts is scheduled for Friday 25 April 2014 in Brussels (Belgium).

2014 shareholders’ meeting
The Company expects to hold its annual general meeting on Friday 25 April 2014 in Brussels (Belgium).  The meeting’s timing, venue, and final agenda will be provided in due time in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory provisions.

Editors notes

Contact

Jill Taylor
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926489
Email: jill.taylor@globalgraphics.com

Graeme Huttley
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1223 926472
Email: graeme.huttley@globalgraphics.com