Print ePS and CAI Software have merged to create Graphic Communications, a CAI Division, bringing new scale and investment to the print sector. Doug Surrett, GM and chief commercial officer, spoke to Jan Arreza to explain what the move means for the future of the business and for its customers.
Mergers in the software and technology space often spark as many questions as they do opportunities, and the recent combination of Print ePS and CAI Software is no exception.
For many in the print and graphic communications sector, the announcement raised some curiosity – what does this mean for existing customers? Will operations change? And how will this reshape the future of workflow, automation and innovation across the industry?
Now operating as Graphic Communications, the merger brings together two established leaders with deep roots in commercial print, publishing and graphic communications, and follows a broader realignment within eProductivity Software – separating the print and packaging businesses so each can focus more clearly on their respective markets.
For Print ePS, joining forces with CAI Software represents a strategic step designed to strengthen scale, investment capacity and long-term product development without disrupting the day-to-day experience for customers and partners.
At a time when printers are navigating rising costs, tighter margins and accelerating expectations around automation and AI, stability and innovation are more important than ever. Graphic Communications aims to deliver both – maintaining the leadership, teams and platforms users rely on, while unlocking new opportunities for smarter workflows, deeper integrations and faster innovation cycles.
In this Q&A, we speak with Doug Surrett, GM and chief commercial officer of Graphic Communications, about how the merger came together, what this means for the business moving forward, and where new opportunities are expected to emerge – from AI-driven workflows to product development and the future of CONNECT.
There seems to be some confusion about the recent merger. Just to clarify the situation to the market – how did it come about, and will it be business as usual?
The origins of the merger sit within a broader evolution of the business. EFI previously spun off its software division to create eProductivity Software, which operated two distinct businesses: Print ePS, focused on commercial and graphic communications solutions; and ePS Packaging, focused exclusively on packaging including corrugated, folding carton, flexibles and label solutions.
As part of a strategic realignment, those two businesses were separated. Print ePS has now combined with CAI Software to form Graphic Communications, a CAI Division, bringing together two established leaders with complementary strengths and a shared focus on serving the print and graphic communications market. ePS Packaging, meanwhile, will continue independently and will revert to operating under the ePS name, remaining fully dedicated to the packaging sector.
For customers, partners, and employees of Graphic Communications, it is very much business as usual. The same leadership, teams, products, and support structures remain in place, now backed by CAI Software’s broader scale, resources, and investment capacity. The merger is designed to strengthen long-term innovation and stability, not disrupt day-to-day operations.
Are there any major changes to operations?
There are no major operational changes as a result of the merger. Day-to-day operations, customer support, product delivery, and partner engagement remain unchanged. The intent of the merger was not disruption, but rather to strengthen what already works.
Any future changes will be additive, focused on improving innovation velocity, scalability, and long-term value for customers and partners, rather than altering existing workflows or relationships.
Has the transition gone smoothly?
The transition has gone smoothly and as planned. Customers and partners have experienced continuity across leadership, account management, and support teams, which was a deliberate priority from the outset.
By keeping teams and processes intact while aligning at the corporate level, the merger has avoided disruption and ensured stability, allowing everyone to remain focused on delivering value to customers.
What are some of the new opportunities this new merger will bring for Graphic Communications' clients, employees and partners?
The merger creates meaningful new opportunities across the ecosystem:
Clients benefit from increased investment in innovation, including automation, AI-driven capabilities, and expanded integration across platforms, while retaining the solutions they trust.
Employees gain access to a broader organisation with expanded career paths, global scale, and long-term investment in people and technology.
And, partners benefit from a stronger, more scalable organisation that enhances joint go-to-market opportunities without changing existing agreements or programs.
Overall, the combination strengthens Graphic Communications’ ability to deliver long-term value as part of a diversified manufacturing software leader.
The merger brings with it increased investment across the combined portfolio. What has this been used for so far?
Increased investment capacity has already been directed toward accelerating innovation across the Graphic Communications portfolio, particularly in areas such as AI-powered estimating, scheduling and automation tools; enhanced workflow efficiency and data-driven insights; and continued development of core MIS platforms and integrations.
In the short term, customers can expect incremental product enhancements and AI-enabled capabilities already in pre-release or active development. Longer term, the industry can expect more frequent innovation cycles, deeper technology integration, and solutions that address increasingly complex production and business challenges across graphic communications.
This merger is only for the Print ePS part of eProductivity Software. What happens with ePS Packaging?
As part of the transaction, ePS Packaging will operate as an independent software company, now ePS, remaining fully focused on delivering packaging-specific solutions to that market. Graphic Communications continue to partner and resell ePS solutions, and will host its CONNECT conference jointly in 2026, in Las Vegas.
Customers and partners working with ePS will continue to do so independently.
Speaking of CONNECT, it’s not long now until the event – what should we be looking forward to from the 2026 edition?
CONNECT 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions of the event to date. We are particularly excited to be returning to Wynn Las Vegas, a venue that long-time attendees will associate with many successful CONNECT events in years past. This year’s format is sure to strike the ideal balance between honouring the CONNECT legacy and reflecting the realities of today’s print and packaging businesses.
The agenda for this year’s CONNECT has been carefully curated to deliver value for businesses of all sizes and in every market segment. Attendees can look forward to in-depth sessions exploring productivity, automation, and AI-enabled workflows, alongside hands-on learning and meaningful face-to-face discussions.
How is it looking in terms of attendance?
Under a month out from the event itself, attendance is looking very positive, and we’re seeing a healthy mix of returning CONNECT attendees alongside a number of new faces, which we feel is a great indicator of CONNECT’s relevance and value.
The move back to a February timeframe has also been well received, making the event more accessible for many more businesses. Overall, we’re expecting CONNECT 2026 attendance levels to facilitate valuable networking experiences without losing the focused and high-quality interactions that CONNECT is all about.
For those yet to register, why should they attend, and how can CONNECT benefit their business and operations?
CONNECT is about delivering actionable value, not just a series of presentations. Attendees will walk away with practical insights into the best ways to optimise their technology investments, how to supercharge their efficiency, and what steps they can take to remain agile in any market conditions.
Beyond our comprehensive agenda, CONNECT 2026 will offer direct access to peers facing similar challenges, as well as to many industry experts and solutions partners. We would say to those yet to register, if you’re looking to futureproof your operations, sharpen your workflow, and learn from others within your market, CONNECT is the perfect event for you.
This article was first published in the January-February 2026 edition of Print21, page 24.
