EFI and Esko have signed a letter of intent to bring a combined workflow solution to market that will enable companies to produce packaging with a single integrated workflow. The collaboration will connect EFI Fiery digital front ends (DFEs), Esko workflows, and EFI ERP/MIS solutions.
EFI and Esko will also enhance their existing integration between Fiery DFEs and the full platform of Esko workflow tools as well as EFI's ERP/MIS and Web-to-print products.
"By combining the expertise and technology we believe that together we will offer a great solution for companies that want to enter packaging, as well as those packaging companies that already have an Esko workflow and want to get into digital printing," said Bernard Zwaenepoel, senior VP, Software Business, Esko.
The first of the new offerings is being showcased at Drupa with integration between Esko Automation Engine, EFI Packaging Productivity Suite and Fiery. This integration is planned for release at the end of 2016. The EFI Fiery DFE combined with the Esko automation platform and additional integration into EFI's Productivity Suite is planned for release in 2017.