Foster
City, Calif. - October 10, 2000 - Electronics For
Imaging, Inc. (EFI) (NASDAQ:
EFII) has signed a global OEM agreement to distribute
its revolutionary eBeamT Internet appliance with edding/Legamaster,
the specialist marker pen, writing implement, and visual
communications products manufacturer.
The eBeam system converts any whiteboard into a digital
workspace, allowing users to capture meeting notes and
diagrams in real time on their personal computer. The
system features two receivers that are fixed to the top
corners of any whiteboard and a set of four-pen sleeves
to hold dry-erase whiteboard markers. Once captured, words
and images can then be edited, emailed, printed, and shared
in real-time across the world.
Edding/Legamaster is marketing a customised version of
the eBeam product, featuring a new edding marker specifically
designed for the eBeam sleeve. The edding group operates
worldwide and has manufacturing sites and offices in Germany,
The Netherlands, Belgium, and France and subsidiaries
in the UK and Japan.
EFI and edding/Legamaster view the eBeam distribution
agreement as the first stage of a long-term strategic
alliance. Looking ahead, the companies have plans to extend
the eBeam range with the introduction of new products,
which feature both EFI and edding/Legamaster technologies.
"The Whiteboard is the number one collaboration tool in
the world," said Stephen Dubois, Managing Director, EFI
Europe. " eBeam leverages its popularity and revolutionises
the way this tool is used, by Web-enabling it and facilitating
the collaboration of dispersed workgroups. Both companies
are dedicated to helping customers increase connectivity
and digital transfer of data via internal and external
networks. Each companies' R&D teams are working together
and we are committed to providing new and innovative productivity
enhancing solutions."
The eBeam system is available in English, French, German,
Italian and Spanish versions. Weighing only 500 grams,
eBeam can easily be transported in a laptop bag or briefcase
and takes about three minutes to set up. Meeting notes
can be exported in most popular formats for easy insertion
into documents, spreadsheets, e-mail, and Web pages.
Edding/Legamaster is planning to hold a product launch
for its customised eBeam product at Orgatec, the International
office products trade fair, which is being held from October
19 -24 in Köln, Germany.
About edding/Legamaster
Founded in Hamburg in 1960, edding today is a global company
with well-known brands. The Group develops, manufactures
and sells not only marking and writing implements under
the edding name, but also products for visualisation,
presentation and conferences under the Legamaster name.
The
edding range includes a wide selection of marking and
writing implements both for private and commercial end-users.
The high quality of edding's products coupled with the
company's constant stream of innovative developments mean
that the edding name has become synonymous with leadership.
The Legamaster brand offers commercial end-users
an extensive range of products for visual communication,
including not only individual solutions such as whiteboards,
planning media and flipcharts, but also complete conference-room
solutions, such as digital presentation media, wall-rail
systems and structured presentation equipment. "Legamaster
- we make communication visible" fully captures the expertise
behind the Legamaster name.
The edding Group currently employees about 500 staff in
Germany (headquarters), the Netherlands, Belgium, England,
France, Italy, Greece and Japan. edding and Legamaster
products also enjoy a successful market presence in many
other countries through holdings (Argentina) or independent
sales partners. The company's budgeted turnover for the
year 2000 is in excess of DEM 200 million.
About Electronics For Imaging
Electronics For Imaging (www.efi.com)
is the world leader in enabling networked printing solutions.
EFI technology allows copiers, printers, and digital presses
to be shared across work groups, the enterprise, and the
Internet. The results are greater productivity, improved
document management, seamless networking, and the assured
quality of color and black-and-white images. The company's
OEM partners look to EFI to deliver products that help
grow sales and reduce costs associated with internal development
and support. Competitive, feature-rich solutions, such
as the Fiery® and EDOXT brands of networked image processors
and the eBeamT brand of Web-enabled whiteboard systems,
are an outgrowth of our determination to offer OEMs and
end-users alike the highest assurance of innovation, quality,
reliability, and support. The company employs more than
800 people and maintains 22 offices worldwide.
Additional information regarding EFI may be obtained by
calling the company directly at (650) 357-3500 or through
public sources, including the company's SEC filings.
Statements contained in this press release, which are
not historical facts, are forward-looking statements subject
to risks and uncertainties as discussed more fully in
the company's filings with the SEC, including its most
recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.
EFI, the EFI logo, Fiery, the Fiery logo,
Fiery Driven, the Fiery Driven logo, and other terms and
product names as indicated in this release are registered
trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and
certain other foreign jurisdictions.
Fiery
Prints, Fiery Z4, Fiery X4, EDOX, eBeam, and other terms
and product names as indicated in this release are trademarks
of Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
All
other terms and product names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.
Media
Representatives Contacts:
Melissa Prusher
MRB Public Relations, Inc.
732-758-1100
mprusher@mrb-pr.com
