Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is investing in the German software company Neo7even, based in Siegen, in a move to gain a foothold in the multi-channel publishing growth segment. It aims to use Neo7even software to open up new business options for print shops, enabling them to offer their customers media-neutral publishing services, for example in print and online, on a wider scale in the future. The new portfolio ties in closely with the Prinect print shop workflow from Heidelberg and is being gradually integrated into this.

"We view this investment as a further key milestone in expanding the range of innovative digital solutions for our customers," said Heidelberg CEO Dr. Gerold Linzbach. "This opens up new business opportunities for print shops and for Heidelberg."

Heidelberg now offers print shops a solution that enables media-neutral data processing (multimedia asset management). With Neo7even software, users can store all the data for a project centrally in a neutral format on a database and publish it in a standardized way on various media channels (multi-channel publishing). Any changes need to be made at only one point in the system, thereby ensuring multi-channel publishing is efficient and cost-effective.

Software manufacturer Neo7even has 50 employees and is based in Siegen, Germany. It specializes in the development, sale, and implementation of multi-channel publishing systems.

As well as the graphic arts industry, the software has so far also been available in sectors such as retail. Sales in the graphic arts industry are set to be expanded in the future as a result of the Heidelberg investment. To achieve this, Heidelberg will be starting immediately with the phased international launch and sale of Neo7even's existing portfolio and its integration in the Prinect print shop workflow. Neo7even will also be continuing to provide support for the existing customer base using the established contacts on all markets.

As part of the expansion of digital and software business, Heidelberg is bringing together the activities in these areas. The software portfolio relating to the Prinect print shop workflow is being combined with the existing Digital business area headed by Jason Oliver. The reorganization will also drive forward the recently agreed partnership with Fujifilm. The main focus here will be on innovative products based on inkjet technologies for the digital print market. This will involve working with Fujifilm to develop and market pioneering digital printing solutions for industrial packaging and commercial printing additionally to the Heidelberg sheetfed offset portfolio.

"We view digital business as a highly promising growth market for Heidelberg. To expand our share in this further, we're investing in new business applications and collaborating with innovative partners. We've also now brought together all the relevant elements in the company to enable us to operate in an even more targeted way," said Linzbach. "Digital printing systems, too, can only be marketed successfully with an optimally designed workflow. Our Prinect software is thus key to success. Overall, we estimate potential annual sales of over EUR 200 million for Heidelberg in digital business - including presses, consumables, and relevant software - within the next three years."