Esko-Graphics' Customers to Receive New Product Previews

CARMEL, IN and BATAVIA, OHIO—The two user group associations devoted to Esko-Graphics products, the Artios Users Group International (AUGI) and the Association of Esko-Graphics Users Group (AEG) announce that their 2005 annual meetings will be held during May 15-18 and May 12-14 respectively at The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

AEG meeting focuses on Scope

During the AEG annual meeting, members will have an opportunity to participate in training sessions, roundtable discussions, seminars and hands-on labs. As always, the days will be full of valuable information and the evenings will be full of entertaining ways to network with industry colleagues and Esko-Graphics personnel. Attendees will have an opportunity to offer suggestions for improvements to Esko-Graphics' solutions and learn new tips to help improve their workflows and maximize their efficiency.

Following pre-meeting educational sessions, Kim Graven-Nielsen, CEO of Esko-Graphics will commence the meeting with an update on the state of Esko-Graphics. A look to the future development of the company and products is also planned. This introductory session precedes an overall presentation of the Scope workflow concept with a focus on presenting the value for customers - the packaging buyers at large consumer product goods companies and retailers. Sessions will include reviews of components such as BackStage, WebCenter, PackEdge, DeskPack and other system technologies. Adobe Systems will also be participating in the program.

New for 2005 are a number of interesting activities. A breakfast roundtable, 'Marketing Your Esko-Graphics System', will help members sell the benefits of their Esko-Graphics Scope systems to their own customers, the packaging buyers. A Digital Flexo Track offers topics geared specifically for this growing segment of the industry.

A popular repeat from last year is Access Esko, a live, interactive production facility that takes users from concept to design on to preflight, normalization then to output and onto the shelf. At Access Esko users can get a hands-on look at all of Esko-Graphics' latest products, with the opportunity to spend one-on-one time reviewing their workflow with an Esko-Graphics professional service consultant.

"I feel that one of the most valuable things about the meeting is seeing first hand some of the newest technologies being introduced. At AEG, you can speak directly to the developers and ask them "what if" questions", comments John Schultz, American Color.

Esko-Graphics users interested in attending can register online at www.aeg.esko-graphics.com

Focus on structure at the AUGI annual meeting

During the three and a half day AUGI event, members - of structural designers, graphic specialists, manufacturing personnel and information technology experts - participate in seminars, condensed training courses and computer labs, all staffed by Esko-Graphics personnel. The AUGI annual meeting allows members the chance to affect the software that they use every day by suggesting refinements to the tools. Members will discuss Esko-Graphics software such as ArtiosCAD, WebCenter, CAD-X and SpecLink, with the opportunity to recommend new features that might be included in upcoming releases of both Esko-Graphics software and Kongsberg cutting tables.

New this year is the Demo Room Open House, an informal after-hours gathering in the demo room and outer lobby where attendees can mingle among the displays in the demo room.

All product seminars are designed to help users better understand ArtiosCAD and its related products. During these sessions users suggest changes to the existing software. After all suggestions have been collected, participants vote on the various suggestions and provide feedback to the Esko-Graphics development team. The mix of seminars is designed in three categories:

* Basic: Basic use of tools and their functions.

* Journeyman: Basic features along with more in-depth explanation and use.

* Advanced: Features that are less commonly used, but demonstrate the strength and power of ArtiosCAD.

"From our perspective, 90% of the benefit of AUGI membership is attending the annual meeting. Members and Esko-Graphics developers work together to suggest the ways to improve products into the future," remarks Roger Rigby, AUGI Chairman. "With focused user input, everyone who attends can come up with a unified consensus - and understand why."

AUGI members are invited to register online at www.augi.org.