OKI Printing Solutions Announces Strategic Partnership with EFI; New C

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2005--Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6703) and Oki Data Corporation, subsidiary of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., today announced a strategic partnership with EFI(TM) (Nasdaq: EFII), the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing.
    The partnership is designed to boost performance on the new C9800 Series products from OKI Printing Solutions, which include the company's first digital color MFP and digital color printer series. The new products include the feature-enhancing EFI(R) Fiery(R) system software, which delivers an easy-to-use powerful suite of color precision and advanced workflow controls to support a wide range of corporate and graphic arts applications.
    "We have a history of color leadership, and this partnership with EFI reflects our commitment to taking it to unprecedented levels of excellence," said Mikihiko Maeno, President and CEO, OKI Data Corporation. "We are pleased to boldly enter the MFP space, and eager to show customers how, with OKI Printing Solutions products powered by EFI, they can bring extraordinary quality color in house, boosting their productivity and reaping substantial savings."

    Key features of the Fiery controller for C9800 Series products from OKI Printing Solutions include:

Enhanced Productivity

New Fiery intelligent processing software accelerates the processing of documents and ensures the fastest printing possible on PDF, Microsoft Office(R) (particularly Microsoft PowerPoint(R)) and large image files. Even when printing resolutions of up to 1200 dpi, Fiery technology virtually eliminates waiting time at the printer.

The award-winning Fiery Command WorkStation(TM) sets the standard in centralized print job management with an intuitive interface and a variety of sophisticated, productivity-enhancing tools. The familiar, consistent interface means seamless integration into OKI Printing Solutions environments.

Additional Fiery productivity enhancement tools include:

-- Fiery NetWise(TM) for seamless connectivity to all popular network platforms;

-- Fiery WebTools(TM) for easy downloading and scanning jobs;

-- Fiery FreeForm(TM) for flexible variable data printing capabilities;

-- Optional Fiery Impose(TM) for merging and assembling documents;

-- Optional Hot Folders available on the GA (graphic arts) range for automated batch processing of PostScript and PDF files

Color Management/Great "Out of the Box" Color

Fiery ColorWise(R), industry-leading color management software, offers built-in intelligence for producing consistently precise colors from all applications, platforms and file formats. Advanced functionality includes auto trapping for layering graphics and Spot-On(R) color technology for color accuracy, supporting corporate-branded colors (available on the GA range).

Authentic PostScript

In addition to PCL, the Fiery controller includes an EFI/Adobe co-developed PostScript interpreter that processes (RIPs) the print job. Fiery office accelerator technology enables the printing of Adobe PostScript 3(TM) and native PDF files with a level of accuracy and color rendering that emulators cannot achieve.

Improved Security

To secure information, Fiery system software provides formidable digital solutions. Fiery security features for the C9800 Series include IP Filtering to control access to the printing device and Port Blocking to control access to the Fiery through remote management.

    "We are pleased to see the legion of OKI Printing Solutions customers join the 12 million EFI Fiery users around the world who have made Fiery the industry's print server of choice," said Guy Gecht, EFI CEO. "EFI and OKI Printing Solutions share a number one objective of delivering products that drive customer success. EFI provided end-to-end integration for new OKI Printing Solutions C9800 line, set to have a terrific market impact. The new line, which includes color printers capable of full-color speeds up to 36 pages per minute, has been designed so that customers will experience increased productivity that will save them time and money as they produce outstanding prints."
    The partnership will be emphasized internationally when, on May 13, Fred Rosenzweig, EFI President, will join Mikihiko Maeno, President and CEO, OKI Data Corporation, in Tokyo for the Japanese launch of new OKI Printing Solutions products.

    About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

    Founded in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. With the corporate vision, "Oki, Network Solutions for a Global Society," Oki Electric provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its info-telecom system business, semiconductor business and printer business. All three businesses functions as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies that satisfy a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit Oki's global web site at www.oki.com

    About Oki Data Corporation

    Founded in 1994, Oki Data Corporation is Japan's printer/MFP manufacturer, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Oki Data Corporation provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its printers and Multi-Function-Peripherals. Through its business activities, Oki Data Corporation satisfies a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit Oki Printing Solutions' website at www.okiprintingsolutions.com

    About EFI:

    EFI (www.efi.com) is the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing. EFI's award-winning technologies offer document management tools from creation to print, including high fidelity color and black and white Fiery(R) print servers that can output up to 2000 pages per minute; powerful production workflow and print management information software solutions for increased performance and cost efficiency; and an array of business-critical enterprise and mobile printing solutions. EFI maintains 22 offices worldwide.

    OKI Reg. Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Energy Star Reg. T.M. U.S. EPA, Single Pass Color T.M. and design Reg. T.M., Oki Data Corp., Adobe PostScript 3 T.M. Adobe Systems, Inc., Microsoft Office and Microsoft PowerPoint Reg. T.M. Microsoft Corp. EFI, Fiery, Command Workstation, ColorWise, and Spot-On are registered trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: In the United States: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Naomi Takeuchi, +01 408-737-6479 press@oki.com or Domus Public Relations for Oki Data Americas, Inc. Damien Woods, +01-215-772-2816 dwoods@domus1.com or EFI Gayle LeDoux, +01-650-357-3938 gayle.ledoux@efi.com or In Japan: Oki Data Corporation Kazuhiro Tanaka, + 81-3-5445-6164 tanaka775@oki.com or In Europe: For Oki Europe, Ltd. Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster Darrel Connell/ Leisa Stewart, + 44 (0) 20 7022 4000

KEYWORD: JAPAN INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Oki Data Corporation

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