Software Imaging :: Timeline

1990 : Software 2000 Enabled First Photo-imaging Inkjet Printer

Software 2000 technology enabled the first photo-imaging inkjet printer – the EPSON Stylus Color.

Key Events

EPSON Stylus Color Shipped
EPSON Stylus Color shipped with Software 2000's PrintMagic technology and kicked off the desktop digital photo revolution. Photo-imaging on inkjets was born.
High Speed Vector Driver for EPSON GQ-3500
Developed high-speed vector driver for the EPSON GQ-3500 Laser Printer and licensed to EPSON. Supports Ventura Publisher; a DOS based desktop publishing package and delivers average page speeds of 90 seconds per page versus 20 minutes per page when compared with the original EPSON driver developed by a 3rd party.

1991 : Developed First 24-bit Color Driver for Windows 3.0

Developed the first 24-bit color driver for Windows 3.0.
Licensed advanced laser and inkjet printer drivers to Canon.

Key Events

24-bit Color Driver for Windows 3.0
Developed the first 24-bit color driver for Windows 3.0. Licensed a variant of this to Canon supporting the CLC-10 bubble jet copier. This was a ground breaking development which went on to be the cornerstone of Software 2000's Windows driver technologies.
Full Scalable Font Driver for CaPSL
Developed the first full vector graphics/scalable font drivers for CaPSL, an advanced page description language proprietary to Canon inkjets and laser printers. CaPSL drivers supporting MS-DOS, Digital Research GEM and Ventura Publisher were licensed to Canon along with a Lotus 1-2-3 CaPSL driver which required the development of a PostScript to CaPSL converter.
Two-phase Color Inkjet Printer Driver for EPSON Stylus
PrintMagic was used to develop a two-phase color inkjet printer driver for the EPSON Stylus Color printer including high-speed printing, high quality photo printing and an innovative user interface. Today virtually all raster drivers copy this original model.

1992 : Licensed Printer Drivers to HP

Licensed printer drivers to HP for their DeskJet 500 printer.
Expanded customer base to include Ricoh and Fujitsu.

Key Events

HP DeskJet 500
HP licensed drivers for their DeskJet 500 printer.
400 dpi PCL5 Drivers Licensed to Ricoh
Windows PCL5 drivers extended to support 400 dpi and continuous tone. Technology is licensed to Ricoh.

1993 : Developed First PostScript Drivers for Windows Outside of Adobe

Developed the first PostScript drivers for Windows outside of Adobe.
Developed the first "generic" PCL5e laser printer driver for Windows.

Key Events

Compaq
Compaq licensed PostScript printer drivers.
First "Generic" Windows PCL5e Laser Printer Drivers
Included support for the HP-GL/2 vector printer language. Brother licensed printer drivers.

1994 : Launched First Hi-Fi Print Driver Technologies

Launched first Hi-Fi Print Driver/Technology SDK – PrintMagic™.
Delivered first drivers based on custom technologies for Windows NT.

Key Events

PrintMagic Released
First major print technology SDK; PrintMagic is launched and makes it easier for all players in the market to take part in the photo-inkjet revolution.
Page Description Language Printer Drivers for Windows NT
Delivered first page description language drivers for Windows NT from any third-party.
Printer Drivers for IBM OS/2
Multi-XGA drivers developed for Windows 3.1 and OS/2 2.x. Licensed to IBM and shipped in-box for OS/2 2.x.

1995 : Entered the Digital Copier Space

Entered the digital copier space by licensing driver technologies to Xerox and Océ.
Opened US office to strengthen relationships with North American customers.

Key Events

US Office Opens
US office opened to strengthen relationships with North American customers.
Océ Licenses Job Ticketing Interface
Job Ticketing interface licensed to Océ for use in their PostScript drivers. Forerunner of CDA configured user interface.
PostScript & PCL Printer Drivers for XEROX
Licensed advanced PostScript and PCL drivers to XEROX for use with digital copiers.
Lexmark
Worked closely (thanks to new US office) with Lexmark on their desktop inkjet printers.

1996 : Launched CDA Driver Development Kit

Launched the CDA Driver Development Kit for laser printers.
Developed enhanced halftoning and color management technology.

Key Events

CDA Shipped
A modular development environment for page description drivers. CDA set new standards on innovation for modular development systems. Licensed to numerous OEM customers including EPSON, Ricoh, Canon, Sharp, XEROX and many others.
Enhanced Halftoning and Color Management for PrintMagic
Developed enhanced halftoning and color management system for PrintMagic. Supports photo-color inkjets (multiple intensity halftoning) – significantly ahead of its time. Licensed to XEROX, EPSON, Sharp, Lexmark and other OEMs.
PCL5c Printer Drivers for Windows 9x & Windows NT
Developed and delivered the first PCL5c drivers for Windows 9x and Windows NT. Technology licensed to HP supporting the new HP Color LaserJet(s).

1997 : First Color 24-bit raster driver for Windows NT

Developed the first color 24-bit raster driver for Windows NT.
Expanded digital copier OEM customer base to include Canon and Toshiba.

Key Events

First 24-bit Color NT Raster Driver
Developed and delivered Canon CLC10 driver for Windows NT. This was the first 24-bit color NT raster driver. Licensed to Canon.
Canon Digital Copiers
Canon licensed CDA-based drivers for digital copiers and lasers.
Toshiba
Toshiba licensed CDA-based drivers for digital copiers and lasers.

1998 : Launched PrintMagic Raster Printer Driver Development System

Updated PrintMagic to support Windows NT4.
Licensed PrintMagic to HP for use with their DeskJet line of printers.

Key Events

PrintMagic NT for Windows NT4
Updated PrintMagic to support Windows NT4. Innovative driver development system.
HP Licensed PrintMagic
HP licensed PrintMagic for use with its DeskJet line of printers, providing advanced host-based rendering up to bit depths of 32-bits per pixel.
PostScript 3
Delivered advanced PostScript 3 drivers simultaneously with Adobe.
Advanced Job Finishing
Advanced job finishing delivered to customers. Similar functionality not delivered in competitive products until four years later.

1999 : Opened Japan Office

Opened Japan office to strengthen relationships with Far Eastern customers.
Beat competitors to market with high-speed Color GDI laser printer drivers for Minolta QMS.

Key Events

Japan Office Opened
Japanese office opened to strengthen relationships with Far Eastern customers.
High-speed Color GDI Laser Printer Drivers
Delivered high-speed color GDI laser printer drivers in advance of competition. Licensed to Minolta QMS and other OEMs.
Macintosh Capabilities
Company expanded its support of non-Windows operating systems by investing in dedicated Macintosh skills & expertise.
On-line Ordering Patent
On-line ordering of consumables from a driver invented and patent filed.
Xerox Driver Agreement
Xerox expanded its use of Software 2000 technology to include PCL XL drivers and PrintMagic NT.
Sharp Digital Copiers
Sharp used CDA to create PCL and PostScript drivers for their AR-160/200/300/400 series of multi-function digital copiers.

2000 : Full Range of Full-color PDL and Raster Drivers for Windows 2000

Beat competitors to market with a full range of full-color PDL and raster drivers for Windows 2000.
Entered the wide format market through a technology licensing deal with Océ.

Key Events

Océ Wide Format
High speed monochrome and color devices enabled by PrintMagic.
Full Set of Drivers for Windows 2000
Delivered a complete suite of page description and raster color drivers for Windows 2000 in advance of competitors and OEMs. Licensed to CDA DDK customers.
Canadian Office Opened
Company opened an office in Vancouver, Canada, extending its Macintosh capabilities while adding application development strength and retail experience.
Harlequin/Global Graphics
Harlequin licensed Software 2000's enhanced Error Diffusion technologies for use with their RIP solutions.

2001 : Launched Multi-platform Sorcerer Driver Development Kit

Launched the multi-platform Sorcerer Driver Development kit for raster laser, inkjet, and wide-format printers.
Beat competitors to market with Windows XP support – customers used this advantage to steal market share.

Key Events

Sorcerer Ships
PrintMagic was supplemented with Sorcerer as the premier multi-platform driver development kit for raster devices. First multi-platform driver solution targeting Windows NT and Windows 9x. Development environment is innovative and unlike any existing systems. Linux and Macintosh OS 9/X support added later.
Windows XP Drivers
Development of Windows XP drivers in advance of XP shipment and in advance of OEMs and competitors. Software 2000 customers use this early market availability to take market share from their competitors.
Konica Chose Software 2000 for PostScript
Konica used CDA to create PostScript drivers for its IP range of digital copiers.

2002 : Single Source Development Environment for CDA

Released a single source development environment for CDA, allowing drivers for multiple operating systems to be built from a single source code.
Launched its first specialty applications product, InkSaver, through retail channels world-wide.

Key Events

Single Source Development
Single source environment for CDA delivered for OEM customers. Allowed development for Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP from single source code.
InkSaver Launched
First major Speciality Application product, InkSaver, launched through retail channels world-wide.
Strategic Technology Agreement with Ricoh
Ricoh and Software 2000 sign a technology agreement for the use of the CDA Driver Development Kit.
Oak Technology Licensed Sorcerer
Oak Technology licensed the Sorcerer Driver Development Kit to create multi-platform raster laser drivers for their Quatro controllers.

2003 : Signed Landmark Agreement with Microsoft

Signed a landmark agreement with Microsoft to support and maintain Unidrv on their behalf.
Launched ColorCore, a set of standalone halftoning and color management technologies for integration into software RIPs and host-based raster printers.

Key Events

Microsoft Agreement
Agreement with Microsoft, to support and maintain Unidrv, announced.
ColorCore Launched
Driver Technologies product, ColorCore, launched for host-based RIPs and host-based raster device drivers.
Japan Office Expanded
Software 2000 expanded its Japanese operations, increasing its local sales and customer support capabilities.
64-bit Technology
64-bit technology developed and integrated into Sorcerer and CDA for OEMs. Competitive offerings still not fully available by 2006.
Roland Wide Format
Wide format devices enabled through Sorcerer drivers. Cutters enabled through application plugin driver extensions.
Strategic Partnership with TECO in Taiwan
TECO Image Systems licensed CDA and Sorcerer Driver Development Kits to create PCL and raster drivers for their range of MFP devices.
Seiko Epson Licensed CDA
Seiko Epson licensed the CDA-based drivers creating multi-platform drivers for their EPL range of high performance laser printers.
ShipRight & DeskSets
Developed and licensed a range of high-value extensions to our CDA DDK, including ShipRight and DeskSets.

2004 : Software 2000 Became Software Imaging

Software 2000 began trading as Software Imaging.
Expanded position as a supplier to the wide-format market through agreements with ColorGATE and Xaar.

Key Events

Software Imaging
Software 2000 began trading as Software Imaging.
Stochastic Screening for Laser Printers
Advanced Stochastic Screening delivered for laser printers. ColorGATE license Error Diffusion, Stochastic Screening and Better Ordered Screening and demonstrate wide-format application in commercial/industrial printing.
Xaar License Signed
Xaar, a market-leading inkjet technology company, licensed ColorCore and Sorcerer for integration into their industrial printing systems.
Better Ordered Screens
Better Ordered Screens generator and screen system delivered to OEM customers in ColorCore.

2005 : Software Imaging Worked With Microsoft on the Windows Vista XPS Print Path

After two years of development, Software Imaging publicly announced its work with Microsoft on the Windows Vista XPS print path (then known as Metro).
Launched Embedded ColorCore, offering on-board printing technology for raster devices.

Key Events

Embedded Systems Expertise Expands
Software Imaging invested in the expansion of its embedded printing technology portfolio.
Embedded ColorCore Launched
First major Embedded Systems product, Embedded ColorCore, launched for integration with on-board printer controllers.
XPS Filter Pipeline
After two years of development, Software Imaging was able to publicly discuss its work with Microsoft on the Windows Vista XPS print path (then known as Metro) at WinHEC and DriverDevCon.

2006 : Demonstrated First XPS to Raster Ripeline for Windows Vista

Demonstrated the first XPS to raster pipeline for Windows Vista.
Launched TonerSaver application into the global enterprise market.

Key Events

XPS/Raster Solution Launched
XPS to raster pipeline developed for Windows Vista and demonstrated by Microsoft at WinHEC in USA as the first demonstration of quality XPS printing.
Intel Mac launched
Software Imaging responded quickly with the addition of Mac OS X universal binary support to Sorcerer.

Fastest (office) Inkjet for Riso
Riso enabled their ultrafast new sheet-fed inkjet printer using Sorcerer.

TonerSaver Launched
Launched TonerSaver, a specialty applications product for the enterprise and print service provider markets.
PrintSec Launched
Patented secure printing technology, PrintSec, launched for vector devices.
ManageRight Launched
Patented driver management solution, ManageRight, launched for vector devices.

2007 : Launched PrintMagicXPS, Sorcerer 3 and EasyPrint

Launched PrintMagicXPS, the first XPS renderer to take full advantage of the Windows Vista premium print path.
Launched latest version of Sorcerer, adding full support for the creation of Windows Vista XPSDrv drivers for inkjet, wide-format, and raster laser devices.
Licensed Sorcerer DDK to Marvell.

Key Events

PrintMagicXPS Launched
Software Imaging released PrintMagicXPS, the first XPS renderer to offer 16-bit/channel workflow to the device and take full advantage of the Windows Vista premium print path.
Sorcerer 3 Launched
Software Imaging launched the latest version of it's Sorcerer DDK, adding full support for the creation of Windows Vista XPSDrv drivers for inkjet, wide-format, and raster laser devices.
EasyPrint Launched
Software Imaging released the EasyPrint Mobile Printing System, a complete mobile printing SDK that makes it easy for phone manufacturers and application developers to bring a true laptop-like printing experience to mobile phones.
Marvell Licensed Sorcerer Driver Development Kit
Marvell licensed the Sorcerer DDK in order to reduce their time-to-market by streamlining driver development.
Camelot Security Printing Agreement
Software Imaging's secure printing technology is used by Camelot to secure its National Lottery FastPay system.

2008 : Management Buy Out

Directors Peter Lismer, Adam Guy, and Kevin Jampole completed a Management Buy Out to ensure continued independence and leadership in the printing and imaging market.

Coming Soon