Digital Print Show

On Demand Conf. and Expo is set to take center stage next month, May 16-18, at the Philadelphia Convention Center with the latest in digital printing technology and workflow. Now in its 11th year, the event will feature for the first time a major showing by software giant Microsoft. The company will sponsor a pavilion that will highlight advances in the next version of Microsoft Office, code-named “Office 12,” Windows SharePoint Services, Windows Rights Management Services and the new XPS Document format in the upcoming release of Windows Vista.

Another anticipated event is the debut of a custom-built motorcycle commissioned by Xerox to promote its Nuvera line of monochrome digital printers—although Xerox would neither confirm nor deny that time frame. The product's two-year “birthday” coincides with the event. The Nuvera-inspired bike is being built by the father-and-son team of Arlen and Cory Ness of Discovery Channel fame (shown with previously built bikes and Nuvera printer). To track the bike's progress, go to www.nu-ness.xerox.com.

The company has invested more than $400 million in the technology, which boasts some 300 patent registrations and delivers 4800×600 dpi output. Xerox also celebrates the 15th anniversary of the DocuTech this year, the machine that launched digital black & white production as a serious business for many operations.

While many exhibitors are focused on planning for next month's Ipex show in Birmingham, U.K., it is presumed that new digital arrivals seen there or introduced since the last On Demand show will appear in Philadelphia. This would include the latest high-volume platforms from Canon, digital presses from Screen and announcements to a press group being made by Océ in Poing, Germany late last month. Last year's On Demand event, the first in Philadelphia, drew a surprisingly robust crowd of more than 21,000 technology and business attendees. www.ondemandnewsline.com