DIGITAL digest

BOCA RATON, FL—Just prior to Graph Expo 2008, Océ North America, Production Printing Systems, invited industry journalists and analysts down to its Florida facilities for a tour of the newly opened Customer Experience Center and to get a company update. Mal Baboyian, president, commented that the center was an example of the strategic investments the company planned to continue making, despite the challenging business climate.

“You can’t stand still, even in a down economic time,” Baboyian said. He explained that Océ will have three areas of focus going forward—development and innovation within its core business, extension of its reach into new markets and expansion of market coverage. Digital book printing is one of the hottest opportunities and is transforming the industry, added the company exec.

Display areas in the center cover the company’s entire product line, from electrophotographic (EP) and ink-jet document printing systems to wide-format ink-jet printers and software.

A new MICR ink option via a fifth DigiDot head, set for delivery in early 2009, and multi-level printing with variable dot sizes were already being demonstrated on the center’s high-speed JetStream color ink-jet press. Three models—JetStream 750, 1500 and 3000—were added to the product family at Drupa, boosting the line’s top speed to 2,865 ipm (letter-sized).

At that time, the company was still on track to deliver the first ColorStream 10000 color electrophotographic presses before the end of the year, Baboyian noted. Rated at a maximum 172 ipm in color, this model offers a higher image quality and is intended for graphic arts applications. 

During the event, it was announced that Strahm Automation and Mailing Services in Kansas City, MO, had agreed to acquire a ColorStream 10000 to streamline its operations by getting away from warehousing pre-printed color shells for the production of statements, invoices and customer correspondence.

Also in the offing is a new Graphic Arts Alliance Program intended to help offset printers’ transitions to digital services and to help existing digital shops sell better. Current Océ customers are taking part in the development of the program, which is expected to provide members with online resources, regional seminars and a customer advisory council.

TransPromo Application Development Services (TADS) is another component of Océ’s professional services. The manufacturer is working in partnership with NEPS LLC and Art Plus Technology to assist customers with the development and execution of transpromo programs.

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