Electronics For Imaging, Inc (EFI) EFI Connect 2020 conference, which the printing industry eagerly awaits every year, was held in Wynn Las Vegas, January 21-24, 2020. The event, one of the printing industry’s longest running and most successful user conferences, entered its 30th year with valuable information sharing, discussion and networking. EFI customers, along with EFI partners and industry trade media, witnessed thought-provoking discussion from industry leaders, along with new tech advancements designed to drive digital print production efficiency and profitability.
EFI Connect’s 120+ conference sessions and slate of general session keynotes delivered key insights and learning for customer success in everything from technology innovation to management and marketing strategy. The conference’s keynote sessions included Jeff Jacobson in his first Connect conference as Chairman and CEO. Connect also features a special fireside chat keynote presentation with former EFI CEO Guy Gecht.
Jacobson said; “EFI Connect has a significant focus on addressing our customers’ needs, and we will be sharing with our customers details on our even stronger emphasis on service and integration efficiency, along with our latest technology innovations. Connect is a key venue for us at EFI as a way to receive and assimilate essential feedback from them, ensuring we stay in-synch with critical customer needs”.
EFI executives Gabriel Matsliach, senior vice president and general manager, EFI Productivity Software; Toby Weiss, senior vice president and general manager, EFI Fiery; and Ken Hanulec, vice president of worldwide marketing, EFI, are also giving general session presentations highlighting the new evolving trends for customer success and the technological innovations EFI is creating to address them. Attendees from all over the world learn the best ways to use EFI’s portfolio of production and industrial inkjet, integrated MIS/ERP workflow and Fiery DFE products.
New evolution of the integrated printing workflow
The range of EFI products at this year’s conference included advanced, productivity-enhancing solutions coming to market for EFI’s leading print and packaging MIS/ERP technology portfolio. Connect 2020 also featured the worldwide debut of the new EFI VUTEk® D3r mid-volume, roll-to-roll superwide-format printer, and new cloud-based solutions for digital print management.
Connect attendees learnt about the latest advancements in integrated print and packaging workflows; including EFI Productivity Suite offerings for automated business and production management. Advanced, end-to-end workflow support for short-run label printing in the EFI Packaging Suite. Faster estimating in the EFI Midmarket Print Suite, along with improved inventory control for display graphics roll media.
Real-time mobile device estimating using EFI iQuote and RFQ spreadsheet import capabilities in the Enterprise Commercial Print Suite becomes possible. New Business Intelligence capabilities and with an overhauled, simplified user interface for the EFI Corrugated Packaging Suite. An automated job creation application programming interface for short-run jobs; and connectivity to advanced EFI Process Shipper workflows with the EFI Publication Print Suite. Engagement-based campaign targeting tools in EFI MarketDirect Cross Media; and the new MarketDirect PackCentral solution for packaging eCommerce and campaign management.
The new workflow enhancements EFI is bringing to market help print and packaging companies operate more efficiently; and make smarter decisions through the use of data. For one EFI customer that has upgraded to new EFI solutions for the EFI Packaging Suite, Montreal-based Netpak; the latest workflow solutions from EFI can have significant positive impacts. Netpak Chief Operating Officer Georges Berbari said of his company’s Packaging Suite improvements had important positive effects.
EFI Connect’s exhibit area also featured new technology for digital print management; including EFI IQ – a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that tracks and monitors printer utilisation; as well as ink and substrate usage, giving users more capabilities to optimise their operations. IQ features include EFI ColorGuard – an award-winning solution; that standardises the verification process to ensure; consistent, accurate colour on printers using EFI Fiery® digital front ends (DFEs).
EFI Connect 2020 introduced the new range of medium roll to roll printers
The new, 138-inch wide VUTEk D3r printer launched at Connect – and a 205-inch wide D5r model; form a new mid-range, roll-to-roll printer line that helps sign and display graphics customers drive more volume with high-end work. The new roll-to-roll printers offer outstanding smoothness in shadows; gradients and transitions and precise and sharp 3-point size text with a true resolution of up to 1,200 dots per inch.
Their LED curing capabilities ensure not only cost savings but also a more environmentally sound printing solution; consuming less energy and enabling the use of thinner, heat-sensitive substrates.
The printers leverage many of the advanced capabilities from EFI’s highly successful VUTEk 3r+ and 5r+ printers; offering a mid-range solution with an even wider variety of high-value applications with white and clear ink.