EFI DirectSmile Software Users Attend First DirectSmile Cross-Media User Conference in Berlin

BERLIN—September 11, 2014—Slightly over 100 EFI DirectSmile cross-media customers gathered Aug. 27-28 in Berlin, for the first ever EFI DirectSmile user conference. Users from 15 countries on three continents met to share ideas, find inspiration and get insights for the development of their cross-media business, as well as gain in-depth technical know-how on the solution. DirectSmile users also had the chance to give feedback on the current and future development of the software. Among them were printers, advertising agencies and marketing service providers.

Clothilde Vazeux from Swiss publisher Stämpfli said, "It was simply fantastic! It was enriching to meet so many professionals from all over Europe that work on the same topics as we do. I will keep contact and profit from a strong network of specialists. This conference has to happen again."

Tobias Flores, the conference’s chairman, couldn’t agree more. "It is absolutely amazing, that even after just a few hours you saw customers from Sweden talk to users from the United States, and French users to people from Singapore, all who never met before," he said. "This is exactly what we wanted to achieve—turn individual cross-media users into a true community."

The first day of the event included seminars on the latest EFI DirectSmile software as well as on the changing media landscape. Keynote speaker Magnus Kristiansen, a user from Norway, proved to be a special highlight, giving fresh insights into the new requirements all communication providers are facing today.

On the second conference day, users could choose between in-depth technical expertise in the Cross Media Campaign Lab, including how to build a Facebook application, or they could join the Business Track on selling and marketing cross-media campaigns. During this session, EFI DirectSmile users Manfred Senn from Mapro in Switzerland, and Mikael Kuniholm from EO in Sweden, shared case studies from their regions.

"The demands of our customers are so diverse because their campaigns made with our solution are so diverse," remarked Christoph Clermont, director of engineering at EFI DirectSmile. "Listening very closely to what our customers say is absolutely essential for the decisions we take for the future development of the software."

Lucy Swanston from British advertising agency Nutshell Creative said, "For me, it was a validation that we are taking our business in the right direction. Talking to so many industry peers, I’m more convinced than ever that there is a huge demand for multi-channel communication, and there´s just one platform that does it, and that´s DirectSmile."

Filip Buyse, general manager of EFI Web-to-print Solutions, also commented: "We received a very positive response from DirectSmile users about the value of the EFI DirectSmile VDP and cross-media solutions and how they are driving growth and expansion for their business. It is testimony to EFI’s strategy to bring more value to marketing service providers, from ad agencies to print service providers."

EFI Connect 2015
EFI believes strongly in user conferences as a great tool to build communities of users who exchange ideas, help decide product direction, and learn about integration. Now in its 15th year, Connect gives EFI customers from around the world a unique educational opportunity to make their businesses more efficient, profitable and competitive. Going forward EFI plans to merge the EFI DirectSmile conference into Connect, which in addition to partner exhibits, includes EFI's most-advanced technologies, such as EFI Wide-Format and VUTEk printers, EFI Fiery print workflow products and EFI Productivity Software MIS/ERP, Web-to-print and eCommerce software.

Connect 2015 will take place at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas, Jan. 20-23. For more information or to register, please go to www.efi.com/Connect.

About EFI
EFI is a worldwide provider of products, technology and services leading the transformation of analog to digital imaging. Based in Silicon Valley, with offices around the globe, the company's powerful integrated product portfolio includes digital front-end servers; superwide, wide-format, label and ceramic inkjet presses and inks; production workflow, Web-to-print, and business automation software; and office, enterprise and mobile cloud solutions. These products allow users to produce, communicate and share information in an easy and effective way, and enable businesses to increase their profits, productivity, and efficiency.

Source: EFI.