Successful meeting challenges members to push the boundaries of print and graphics production with Dalim Software solutions.

Highlights:

• The 2006 North American Dalim Software Users Organization Annual Meeting was held at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, February 16-17, 2006.
• Keynote addresses were presented by Kin Wah Lam, Digital Development Director at Time Inc., and Hal Hinderliter, Director of the Graphic Communication Institute at the California Polytechnic State University,
• Other agenda highlights included a greeting from Dalim Software CEO, Carol Werlé; a pre-IPEX presentation about Dalim Software product and technology developments; and discussions about JDF Integration.
• Users can visit the DUO web site at www.dalimusers.com, for presentation downloads and photos.

Kin Wah Lam of Time Inc. and Hal Hinderliter of Cal Poly challenged Dalim Software Users Conference attendee attitudes about embracing change through technology, a theme that was prevalent during the recently concluded US Dalim Software Users Organization (DUO) meeting, held February 16-17 at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. Presentations also included a corporate membership address and business outlook from Carol Werlé, Dalim Software CEO, a product and technology update, JDF update, user success stories, and technology sessions.

DUO provides an unbiased collaborative channel of communications between Dalim Software users, Dalim Software, and their authorized resellers, where ideas and knowledge are freely exchanged for the benefit of all involved. The organization establishes and expands the general and advanced technical understanding of Dalim Software products, learns of new product and service developments, suggests enhancements, and provides both the membership and Dalim Software GmbH. a means of direct inter-communication. To this end, the organization conducts an annual meeting, offers an electronic forum (forum.dalim.com), and recruits new members, among other activities.

Kin Wah Lam, Digital Development Director at Time Inc., offered attendees an overview of Time Inc.'s successful efforts implementing a monitor-based softproofing system for four weekly titles. He also provided a quick, tongue-in-cheek look into the current information flow at Time Inc., intimating where JDF workflows would be helpful. He challenged the group by providing a "Top Ten" list of ideas to assure a successful place with future technology - and Time Inc. - concluding with the statement "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" means you're due for a change."

Hal Hinderliter, Director of the Graphic Communication Institute at the California Polytechnic State University, provided a definitive rationale for specifying the printing industry's critical requirements for color displays. A solid case was built, as he explained the deficiencies of monitor standards, and the print industry's lack of "influence" with monitor manufacturers. Thus, he discussed the efforts of Cal Poly, along with experienced consultants, scientists and vendor support to develop a new industry standard entitled Specifications for the Application of Image Displays (SAID), qualifying the accuracy of computer display systems.

Other presentations included:

• An opening address from Carol Werlé, where the Dalim Software CEO discussed plans to extend product JDF interoperability, expand product feature sets, and stronger support hotlines, among other activities
• A demonstration of JDF integration by Jacques Thiebauld, Dalim Software chief scientist and long-time member of the CIP4 Advisory Board
• A presentation outlining pre-IPEX product and technology updates
• A discussion of making ICC-based color management work with DALiM TWiST
• Technology presentations of tips and tricks using Dalim Software products and how to use the Tcl programming language to customize solutions within DALiM TWiST
• User success stories from The Press of Ohio and Brown Printing

"This was the first time that the agenda and logistics for our meeting were truly prepared by DUO members, rather than relying on others," comments Scott Tully, DUO president. "We were thrilled to have two industry leaders, Kin Wah Lam and Hal Hinderliter, accept our invitation to deliver Keynote Addresses. It lent tremendous credibility to our user group and Dalim Software solutions. They offered ideas that will motivate us throughout the year."

"We have already heard from exit comments that DUO members were very pleased with the organization, content, and location of this year's event," adds Lee Edberg, DUO vice president. "We are already discussing ways to expand content, provide a full two-days" worth of material with break-out sessions, and consider "sister" properties to the Scottsdale Resort."

Presentations and photos of the event are available for users at www.dalimusers.com.