IBM Announces Comprehensive Business Communications Software

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today the worldwide availability of the Coginord Mapping Suite software system. Mapping Suite provides a complete, personalized business communication solution that encompasses document design, print management, and multi-channel document delivery. With the use of Mapping Suite software, companies can gain unmatched capability to create, repurpose and synthesize document data from multiple sources, format this data into personalized communications, and distribute the resulting documents using a wide variety of print and electronic methods.

"Nearly every enterprise, large and small, is looking at reinventing business communications -- reducing cost, increasing the effectiveness and personalization of documents, and expanding electronic modes of distribution," said Karen Fukuma, vice president of production print solutions for IBM Printing Systems. "Mapping Suite is comprehensive document middleware aimed squarely at doing just that."

Produce professional, personalized documents

Mapping Suite has three integrated modules to address the task of creating advanced, personalized business documents and reports. Mapreport is a graphical report builder that enables clients to pull together new reports or documents from a wide set of data inputs -- including IBM DB2® and Oracle databases, ERP application data sources, XML data, and text files, among others. Mapdraw is an advanced document composition system for the design of complex, personalized documents. Mapoffice is a mapping module that connects correspondence with data in order to produce automated, customized letter applications.

With these comprehensive document design and production capabilities, clients can reduce costs, save time and implement one-to-one marketing initiatives, without the limitations of preprinted forms. Mapping Suite can help reduce development time and cost for new document applications and reengineer documents produced by ERP and legacy applications. It can also help clients respond to new legal or regulatory requests. Mapping Suite can move document ownership to business process owners, allowing IT departments to focus on what they do best -- application and systems.

Communicate as you need to communicate

Employees, suppliers and customers want it their way when it comes to document formats and delivery preferences. With Mapping Suite, clients can send information using a wide variety of print and non-print delivery channels. Print channels include IBM's Advanced Function Presentation™ (AFP™), PCL, PDF, and a wide range of thermal print formats. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) printers can also be supported. Non-print channels include fax, Web and e-mail, as well as routing to document archival. Users can also segment documents by recipient and specify a different delivery channel for each recipient.

Leverage existing business processes and IT infrastructures

Unlike other specific "point" solutions, Mapping Suite's core premise is integration, both among its modules as well as with the data, application, and output environments in which it is adopted. In addition, Mapping can be implemented on a wide range of server platforms, including IBM System i™, System p™, and System x™ systems as well as other servers running the Linux® or Windows® operating systems. In addition, Mapping Suite can integrate with other output system components such as IBM Print Services Facility (PSF) and Infoprint Manager print serving software, IBM IPDS™ printers, and IBM DB2 Content Manager archive/retrieval.

Note: IBM is a worldwide remarketer of Mapping Suite, a software product set that is licensed, warranted and supported by Coginord.

About IBM Printing Systems Division

For more information on IBM's comprehensive output management offerings, contact an IBM sales representative or visit www.ibm.com/printers