signs US coup for its members

The agreement will provide Printing Industries members with customised access to the joint resources of PIA and one of the world's leading centres for graphic communications research and education, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF).



Printing Industries ceo, Philip Andersen, said the agreement was an important part of a strategy to provide managed information services direct to its member companies. "Our industry research has confirmed that the volume and co-ordination of information, particularly via e-mail, is a major management issue for most industry organisations," he said.



"We have committed to the development of a centralised, internet-based information repository to co-ordinate industry information and our agreement with Printing Industries America and its Graphic Arts Information Network (GAIN) representing the combined resources of PIA and the GATF is an important milestone in this development."



Andersen said the agreement would see Printing Industries members receive the latest business and technical information from US printing industry resources. "This is one of our most important new member benefits and an major step in providing more technically oriented benefits," he said.

Joe Kowalewski, national communication and technical services manager Printing Industries, said the service would initially cover technical and sectoral information with strong emphasis on digital technology.

"Also included are sector specific areas such as binding along with industry trends, business management and sales and marketing information," he said.

"These categories, particularly the technical areas, will be progressively expanded as part of our overall information provision project to include a wide range of sector specific information categories."

"Our members will have access to industry icon Frank Romano and his Digital Printing Report covering the areas of Computer to Plate, Digital Imaging Press through to Digital Printer and Press. Articles, research and opinions from leading identities including Charles Pesko, MD of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures are part of this content.

"The Print e-business Report, the Monthly newsletter of the E-Business Council on new workflows and e-business in the printing industry, is included along with Digital Impact, the Quarterly newsletter of the Digital Printing Council.

"PDF Pointers, digital design guides, the Binders Edge and Binders Bulletin, consultant articles, Flash Reports on key industry topics, Printing Industry Financial Executives reports and publications and sales and marketing information are also part of the new service."

Kowalewski said members would also have access to white papers, high level economic and market research and the flagship journal GATFWorld.

He said a range of reports will be on show at PrintEx on Printing Industries stand number 200 along with other new services being launched during the event. Members will begin to receive their first reports via e-mail next week.

Sample reports can also be downloaded from Printing Industries website

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