Contact: Tim Sexton, VP Marketing / Michelle Cowan, Marketing Coordinator
ZBE, Incorporated, 1035 Cindy Lane, Carpinteria, CA 93013 USA
Phone: (805) 576-1600; fax: (805) 576-1601
Email: info@zbe.com

November 23, 2004 - Carpinteria, CA- ZBE Incorporated has just released WorkStream, Version 2.1, a more powerful and advanced version of the digital print production and workflow solution that integrates imaging lab operations with their digital studio / photographer customers. This upgrade includes new user-handy features that help maximize digital imaging workflow and enhance productivity. WorkStream now supports alpha blending, which enables exciting and sophisticated multi-image composite template designs for lab customers. Users can also expect greater speed and power from WorkStream for faster image loading and color management usability. In addition, WorkStream now reads LZW TIFF files (which greatly reduces the size of TIFF templates) and allows scanning of images directly into the program for improved workflow. WorkStream V2.1 also delivers new performance options, more display info and greater software intelligence and organizational properties for enhanced productivity.

WorkStream complements ZBE's Chromira 30 and 50 RA4 digital photographic printers including all of the new Chromira 5x models, but now also comes with WorkStream RE, which provides an automated interface to just about any printer in the industry. WorkStream will increase your profitability and decrease the demands on your time. Plus, WorkStream's lab-studio integration characteristics will help labs print images just the way their customers want - the first time.

WorkStream is comprised of two independent, yet integrated software applications, WorkStream IA (Imaging Automation) for imaging labs and WorkStream DS (Digital Studio) for digital studios and photographers.

ZBE's WorkStream software has many key benefits for a variety of imagers. Especially valuable for portrait/social labs is a fast drag-and-drop package creation feature, with a generous selection of package units. For volume-production imaging labs, WorkStream IA (Imaging Automation) streamlines order finishing by integrating job and order grouping with efficient image nesting and paper management options. WorkStream will also provide quick automation of composite templates, allowing an unlimited potential of new imaging products from simple logos to posters, calendars and greeting cards. An intuitive and powerful suite of VCNA-style image-editing controls, with real-time on-screen soft proofing and integrated color management, speeds image production. This powerful suite of image editing controls include on-screen cropping, sizing, rotation, global color, saturation, contrast, and sharpness control. Sophisticated retouching is provided via a seamless integration with PhotoShop.

WorkStream DS (Digital Studio) runs in the photographer's studio. WorkStream DS is used to prepare images and orders that will be printed at the photo lab. All aspects of the order can be

entered directly by the photographer including image color corrections, cropping and composition, retouching and product selection. WorkStream DS automatically generates an
order archive and database for your studio. Orders prepared in WorkStream transfer seamlessly to the photo lab for automated production. A key benefit of WorkStream DS is that it allows the lab's customers to efficiently transfer precisely prepared, cropped, and edited final orders and image files via the Internet or CD to a WorkStream I.A. imaging lab.

ZBE, Incorporated is headquartered in Carpinteria, CA, USA and has been serving professional imaging needs since 1980. For information on how to download WorkStream, go to www.zbe.com.