BusinessWire
January 24, 2006 08:31 AM US Pacific Timezone

Global Graphics and Destiny Collaborate to Make Interpretation For Microsoft's XPS Document Format Available on Embedded Controllers

CENTREVILLE, Va. & CAMBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2006--Global Graphics (EURONEXT:GLOG) is collaborating with the Destiny Technology Corporation of Taiwan to integrate Global Graphics' XPS RIP into Destiny's proprietary embedded controllers, adding support for Microsoft's new XML Paper Specification (XPS). The agreement expands upon the technology partnership that already exists between the two companies whereby Destiny licenses Global Graphics' PostScript(R) and PDF technology as part of its embedded platform to Independent Hardware Vendors (IHVs). The addition of Global Graphics' XPS RIP to this platform will shorten product development cycles for IHVs who wish to add support for the XPS document format into their ranges of copiers, printers and multi-function peripherals to support Microsoft's Vista(TM), the next version of the Windows operating system scheduled for availability at the end of 2006.

Microsoft drew upon Global Graphics' experience in print and page description language (PDL) technology when, in 2003, they chose Global Graphics to provide consultancy and proof of concept development services for XPS. Global Graphics provided consultation on the XPS specification and developed a prototype XPS RIP which it first demonstrated at WinHEC (Windows Hardware Engineering Conference) in April 2005. The Company has just released its fifth revision of XPS RIP technology, to support the evolving XPS specification, and has made it available to IHV partners under its Early Adopter Program which was introduced in September 2005.

"IHVs that are ready to market with XPS compatible solutions will have significant advantage over their competitors", says Jim Freidah, chief operations officer of Global Graphics' Software "The XPS document format will be an integral part of Vista(TM), and applications that generate XPS documents, such as Office 12, are already being developed. "

"Our agreement with Destiny means that IHV customers can obtain our core XPS RIP technology as part of Destiny's embedded controller providing end-users with the enhanced image quality and performance benefits that XPS will bring over the current GDI path. This expansion of our technology partnership with Destiny also enables IHVs to source technology that interprets multiple page description languages (including PCL, PostScript, PDF and XPS) natively from one supplier. Native interpretation is considered the recommended route for implementing support for XPS because of image quality and performance advantages "

"We feel that by extending our relationship with Global Graphics to include XPS, Destiny will be able to offer XPS along with our existing PS and PCL interpreters and capitalize on opportunities when Vista is released" says Paul Yin, president of Destiny Technology Corporation. We look forward to working with Global Graphics to develop and market world-class, cost-effective XPS solutions."

The XPS Document format is a paginated, fixed-format, representation of electronic documents and is based on XML- and the new graphics architecture that Microsoft is developing alongside Windows Vista. As an open, cross-platform document format, XPS allows users to create, share, print and archive documents. ,When combined with the new print subsystem, its capabilities as a new page description language mean that it will offer significant improvements in fidelity and increased performance in rich graphics content that users increasingly demand.

Destiny is a leading player in the office digital printing market and is experienced in producing color imaging hardware, firmware and software solutions for original equipment manufacturers with a strong customer base in Asia. The company has a software center in China and has access to quality board manufacturing facilities in China.

Global Graphics has a long history of providing cross-platform, high-performance software that allows businesses to create, share, store and print documents. The Company's software technology is integral to products produced by printer manufacturers, document companies, and systems integrators worldwide. The Company's broad technology portfolio includes: Raster Image Processors that convert text and images into printable form; software for document conversion and manipulation; and, components for digital workflows and color management.

Notes to Editors

About Global Graphics

Global Graphics (http://www.globalgraphics.com) is the technology expert for open document and print solutions committed to the continuous development of industry standards. It is a leading developer and supplier of sophisticated high performance RIPs, PDF document, workflow and color solutions to Independent Hardware Vendors, Independent Software Vendors, system integrators and resellers. These partners include the world's leading vendors of digital pre-press systems, large-format color printers, color proofing systems, workgroup copiers and printers, desktop inkjet printers and software applications. Customers include: HP, KonicaMinolta, Sharp, Agfa, Kodak and Quark. Global Graphics is a subsidiary of Global Graphics S.A. (Euronext:GLOG)

About the Destiny Technology Corporation

Destiny Technology Corporation of Taiwan is a key technology provider for the worldwide digital imaging document markets. Since it was founded in 1986, Destiny has been a leading provider of Monochrome and Color Laser Printing solutions, and Multifunctional office products. Its imaging technologies include Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), SoC (System-on-a-chip), controller board design, firmware and software. Meanwhile, Destiny provides a complete networking solution of Printing and Multifunctional devices and Color Management. Destiny's technologies help its customers speed up the time-to-market and reduce cost. Destiny's headquarter office is located in Taipei, Taiwan. It has engineering development centers in Beijing and Guangzhou, China and marketing center in Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit its web site at www.destinyembedded.com.

Trademarks

Global Graphics, the smarter alternative, Harlequin, the Harlequin logo, are trademarks of Global Graphics Software Ltd. which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions. All other brand and product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.