drupa 2000, Dusseldorf, Germany (May 18, 2000) (Nasdaq: ADBE)--Adobe Systems Incorporated today showcased in technology demonstrations at drupa 2000 the newly released Personalized Print Markup Language (PPML), an electronic printing standard created to increase the use and proliferation of digital printing in personalized print applications.

PPML is an open, interoperable, device-independent standard created by the Print On Demand Initiative (PODi), a non-profit organization whose membership includes numerous leading technology companies, including Adobe. At drupa, Adobe and other PODi members, including Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (EFI), Pageflex, Inc., and Xerox, are featuring one of the first practical applications of PPML in a demonstration that highlights the standard’s flexibility, relevance and impact.

"An open standard such as PPML is essential for the broad adoption of digital printing," said Susan Altman Prescott, senior director of marketing, Print Publishing Solutions, Adobe. "The PPML technology demonstration at drupa illustrates the strong commitment by Adobe and other PODi members to develop solutions based on this standard. Moving forward, we’re committed to defining an Adobe PDF-based PPML profile that will enable wider interoperability between vendors and seamless access to Adobe PDF workflows in production environments."

Showcasing the PPML Standard at drupa 2000
drupa attendees can see one of the first applications of the new PPML standard during demonstrations in the Adobe (Hall 6, No. A24), NexPress (Hall 2, No. FG S 01) and Xerox (Hall 18, No. A01) booths. The demonstrations illustrate the use of PPML through the creation of a customized version of the 60-page "Adobe and Partner Solutions 2000" Guide—which includes information on over 100 companies. Using Adobe’s imaging technology and PPML/PDF interpreter engine, EFI’s Fiery® EX2000 variable data server, Pageflex’s Persona variable content publishing application, and Xerox’s DocuColor 2060 Digital Color Press, attendees enter a name to personalize the materials, then select only the companies from which they want to receive additional information. The Xerox color printer outputs a four-page customized Solutions Guide containing only information on the requested companies.

About PPML
PPML is based on the Web-friendly XML (eXtensible Markup Language) structure and is designed to enable the widespread use of personalized print applications by providing a common means to handle reusable objects and promote flexibility at the object level.

The release of the PPML open standard marks a significant breakthrough in digital color printing by expanding the custom printing market from high-end presses to include standard print technology for delivering personalized, on-demand, smaller print runs. With PPML-based solutions, companies can reach their customers on an individual basis with timely, targeted information tailored to specific interests and needs, delivered through any medium from print to the Internet. Information is always current because documents can be created on the fly from information stored in a centralized database. Personalized printing reduces costs by eliminating many standard printing processes and by doing away with unnecessary inventory and waste associated with outdated documents.

About PODi
PODi is a non-profit strategic marketing and educational initiative focused on evangelizing the opportunities in digital printing technology and services. PODi promotes a greater awareness about the applications and benefits of digital color printing through the publication of articles, independent research, industry seminars and special events. The organization is comprised of numerous technology companies, including Adobe Systems Incorporated, Agfa Division, Barco Graphics, EFI, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi-Koki, IBM Printing Systems Company, Indigo, Mediaflex.com, Minolta, NexPress, Oce Printing Systems USA, Inc., Pageflex, Inc., Scitex Digital Printing Inc., Tektronix, Inc., U.S. Postal Service, Varis Corporation, Xeikon USA, and Xerox Corporation. For more information about PODi, please visit www.podi.org.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com) builds award-winning software solutions for Web and print publishing. Its graphic design, imaging, dynamic media, and authoring tools enable customers to create, publish and deliver visually rich content for various types of media. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Adobe is the third largest PC software company in the U.S., with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion.