News Archive 2009

Vision Graphics Upgrades Internet Bandwidth

December 8, 2009—As part of its ongoing commitment to provide world-class performance for its customers, Vision Graphics has upgraded its Internet connection to a 20-megabit fiber-optic link in Loveland and a 20-megabit microwave link in Denver. The new connections are four times faster than the previous 5-megabit bandwidth.

Vision uses a secure, encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) to integrate their Denver and Loveland locations. This enables both plants to operate under a single integrated job management and prepress system. With the increased bandwidth, Vision can efficiently create proofs and plates and schedule production in either location.

The increased bandwidth also benefits customers using Vision’s InSite online prepress portal. Depending on the customer’s connection speed, upload of a 100 MB file to Vision’s InSite server can now occur in less than one minute. Review and approval of InSite jobs now happens even faster than before.

Vision Graphics Completes PCI DSS Compliance

December 3, 2009—The Payment Card Industry (PCI) requires sofware vendors and others who develop payment credit applications that store, process, or transmit card data as part of authorization or settlement to have a detailed security assessment by a Payment Application Qualified Security Assessor (PA-QSA). The purpose of the assessment is to validate that the software or application is handling data in accordance with the Payment Application Data Security Standards (PA-DSS). With expertise in PCI assessments, forensic incident response, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, security appliances, PTS, PA-DSS application security assessments, training, and consulting; SecurityMetrics is one of only a few companies that hold credentials for all aspects of PCI.

The core of the PCI DSS is a group of principles and accompanying requirements, around which the specific elements of the DSS are organized:

Build and Maintain a Secure Network

Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters

Protect Cardholder Data

Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks

Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program

Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications

Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data

Regularly Monitor and Test Networks

Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes

Maintain an Information Security Policy

Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security

For more information on PCI Compliance, please visit www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

Vision Graphics Receives Silver Member Status in Colorado Environmental Leadership Program

September, 2009—The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a statewide voluntary environmental recognition and reward program administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Sustainability Program. Vision Graphics is honored and pleased to be recognized by the ELP for the second time for its environmental programs and initiatives.

The ELP consists of three tiers, Bronze, Silver and Gold. An entity awarded to the Silver Tier of the Environmental Leadership Program must have committed to developing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS) within an agreed upon timeframe, not to exceed three years, in addition to meeting the requirements for “beyond compliance” activities and programs. In addition, an entity is nominated to the Silver Tier of the Environmental Leadership Program for making significant achievement(s) in improving the environment of Colorado. The areas of achievement, which must be beyond compliance, may include one or more of the following:

Improvement in air quality;
Improvement in water quality;
Reducing water usage;
Reducing energy use (e.g. an Energy Star Achievement);
Solid and/or hazardous waste reductions;
Implementing pollution prevention actions;
Land use improvements or protection;
Environmental education, outreach or mentoring; and/or,
Other innovative measures that benefit the environment.

The next step is the Gold Tier. In order to apply to the Gold Tier of the Environmental Leadership Program, Vision Graphics must have in place a fully operational, facility specific environmental management system (EMS) and have completed one full cycle within that EMS. Also an internal audit and third party review of the EMS in a documented fashion must be completed, in addition to meeting the requirements for "beyond compliance" activities and programs.

Vision Graphics Receives G7 Master Printer Certification

G7 Master Printer August 31, 2009—The IDEAlliance G7 Master Qualification program identifies Printing Companies, Prepress Service Providers and Agencies who have been trained to use the G7 Proof-to-Print Process and can consistently produce proofs and/or print to the G7 Method. The G7 Master Qualification Seal means that the company uses the most modern technology, techniques, proofing, press controls and standards required to produce a close visual match from proof to print.

G7® is a Method defined by the Print Properties and Colorimetrics Working Group of IDEAlliance. Initially G7 was developed by the IDEAlliance GRACoL Working Group. But as adoption of G7 grew, it became clear that the application of this method that enables printers to reproduce a similar visual appearance across printing types and substrates should be addressed by a group with reach beyond the focus on sheetfed offset printing that is unique to the GRACoL working group. Today, through the PPC Working Group, experts from across the spectrum of printing disciplines contribute to this important IDEAlliance Methodology.

G7® specifies the components of an image that define a similar "visual appearance" to the human eye.

To do this, the G7 Method:

Defines a colormetric definition for gray balance
Specifies gray balance in the midtones, image weight and image contrast from the highlights to the shadows which are the factors that determine likeness of the visual appearance of an image

See Vision Graphics' G7 Certificate of Excellence and visit www.g7global.org for more details about this selective certification.

Vision Graphics Acquires 125 years of Experience in Denver

DENVER, CO, July 13, 2009—John Jobin, John Acton, Charlotte Kulcsar and Barbara Mossman together have joined the Vision Graphics team in Denver. We are very happy to have this level of expertise and skill join our solid team of professionals. We will service their sales in our two state-of-the-art plants in Loveland and Denver.

This bring our sales force up to 18. In this tough economy, a company must very carefully and strategically grow their employed base. A team of this magnitude will generate the need to continually grow our organization, which is our plan in Colorado.

Vision Graphics, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Keyline Graphics in Denver, Colorado

DENVER, CO, April 3, 2009—Vision Graphics, Inc. announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Denver, Colorado printer Keyline Graphics, Inc.

Mark Steputis, President and owner of Vision Graphics, said, “With the completion of this acquisition, Vision Graphics continues to expand our strong regional and national footprint. Our growing Denver-based clientele will now be able to enjoy all the benefits of our fully color-managed and quality-controlled processes. The reputation for quality that has made Vision Graphics, Inc. a highly-respected global brand will now be enhanced by this expansion into Denver.”

The 21,000-square-foot Denver facility will be branded with the Vision Graphics, Inc. name and will continue to operate out of the current convenient location at 750 Canosa Court. The 47,000-square-foot facility in Loveland, CO will remain in full production, resulting in a 68,000-square-foot Colorado manufacturing powerhouse.

Vision Graphics to Aquire Keyline Graphics in Denver, CO

DENVER, CO, March 3, 2009—Vision Graphics, Inc. announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Keyline Graphics, Inc. located in Denver, Colorado. The transaction is expected to be completed within 30 days and the present management team led by Del Baker will remain with the company following its completion. Other terms were not disclosed.

Keyline Graphics was founded by Del Baker in 1985 and is today one of the leading sheetfed printers in the Rocky Mountain region. Operating from a 21,000 square foot facility just minutes from the heart of Denver, the company offers high-quality commercial printing and marketing support services. Keyline Graphics is an award-winning company committed to excellence.

Mark Steputis, President of Vision Graphics, said, “I’m proud to be in a position to acquire a first-class business with such an excellent reputation. Keyline Graphics represents an ideal opportunity for Vision Graphics to continue expanding our strong regional and national footprint, while giving the salespeople at Keyline the opportunity to grow their business partnerships by leveraging the significant technological and strategic advantages of the combined companies.”

“The Denver facility will be branded with the Vision Graphics, Inc. name and will continue to operate out of the current convenient Keyline location. Our growing Denver-based clientele will enjoy local, fully color-managed and quality-controlled manufacturing services. The reputation that has made Vision Graphics, Inc. a highly respected global brand will be enhanced by this expansion into Denver.”

Del Baker said, “We are pleased and excited to be joining such a fine organization as Vision Graphics and look forward to the many enhancements and services that we will be able to offer our loyal customers. In addition, this offers a wonderful chance for our personnel to experience many excellent growth opportunities...”

Vision Graphics Appoints New Vice President of Sales and Business Development

Paul Borkowski, VP Sales & Business Development LOVELAND, COLORADO, Jan 12, 2009—Vision Graphics, Inc., the leader in sheet-fed printing and digital imaging services in the Rocky Mountain region, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Borkowski to the position of Vice President of Sales and Business Development. The appointment of Mr. Borkowski strengthens Vision Graphics’ executive management team, which also recently promoted Bill Jones to Vice President of Marketing Services and Tony Spandrio to Vice President of Production.

As Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Mr. Borkowski will be responsible for managing the national sales team, with an emphasis on new client acquisition and customer satisfaction. Mr. Borkowski is also focused on development of additional industry sectors and new business opportunities.

“One of our primary objectives is to raise customer awareness of the many environmentally-responsible programs and initiatives that Vision Graphics offers,” said Mr. Borkowski. “We also feature new special-effects print processes that we feel will be very attractive to the design community.”

Mr. Borkowski has 30 years of experience in leading and developing customer-facing teams, and has been responsible for sales, business development, professional services and customer support throughout North America.

“Paul will be an extraordinary asset to our team as we continue our rapid growth,” said Mark Steputis, President and CEO of Vision Graphics. “The skills and talents that Paul brings to this position will result in a more effective, efficient sales force and customer relationships that are better than ever.”

Prior to joining Vision Graphics, Mr. Borkowski held a senior sales position at manroland, Inc. He holds a BS degree in Print Management from Rochester Institute of Technology. Mr. Borkowski lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife Ulla and three children.