Connect 2011: Previewing EFI’s Newest Innovations

In Las Vegas, just before and during ISA Expo, EFI held its 12th annual Connect
Users Conference at the Wynn hotel. In addition to a broad array of educational
sessions, user group meetings, speakers, and exhibitors, the 1000 conference
attendees were able to see demonstrations and test drive in the lab area the latest
EFI products before their official release.

For print providers working in wide format, one of the highlights was the
introduction of the EFI Vutek GS3250LX, a new production-level UV printer utilizing
“cool cure” LED technology. The LED-lamp technology allows the machine
to consume less energy, increases uptime and requires less maintenance, and
expands the range of substrates that can be printed on, EFI reports.

The printer features an 8-color inkset (CMYKcmyk) + white, a selectable dual
resolution of 600 or 1000 dpi, and a print speed up to 2400 sq ft/hr in Fast-5
(4-color+white) mode (1200 sq ft/hr in 8-color+white mode). The GS3250LX can
accommodate flexible or rigid substrates up to 126.5 in. and up to 2-in. thick; it is
also multi-roll capable (two 60-in. rolls). Other features include: instant on/off ;
a precision alignment fence of accurate board alignment; an enhanced Fiery XF
4.5 RIP; and more. Options include a heavy-duty unwinder, extension table, and
small-depth extension table. EFI reports that Vutek GS2000 machines will be
able to be upgraded to LED technology in the future.

A highlight of the lab area was the Digital Workflow Experience, showcasing
an integrated workflow from submission to output. The demo followed a job from
EFI Digital StoreFront Web-to-print solution, to EFI Pace and EFI Monarch print
MIS systems, to Fiery XF production RIP, and then to an EFI Vutek printer.
“This year’s lab area had the largest diversity of demos and products across
our portfolio ever shown at Connect, a perfect match to our largest-ever group of
customer attendees,” says Frank Mallozzi, EFI’s senior vice president of worldwide
sales and marketing.

Conference attendees could see and become familiar with an array of other
new products and technologies as well, including:
• A new PrintStream Fulfillment module for Pace and Monarch;
• The recently launched EFI Radius Small Business Edition and the latest version
of Radius Enterprise Edition;
• The upcoming version of EFI Pace, highlighting Vutek, Fiery print servers,
and Fiery XF integration, scheduling enhancements, a new mobile Web application,
and a new Outlook plug-in;
• A preview of the forthcoming edition of EFI Monarch;
• A preview of the next version of EFI Digital StoreFront; and
• The company’s Jetrion 4830 and the Rastek H652 printers, along with proofing
products, including the newest versions of Colorproof XF and Fiery XF.