London & New York – July 2, 2003 – Easypress Technologies, the leading developer of XML solutions for QuarkXPress, today announced that Sotheby's, one of the world's two largest auctioneers of fine arts, antiques and collectibles, has selected Atomik Roundtrip as a key component of its new global catalogue system.

Atomik Roundtrip is new XTensions software that enables full, bi-directional XML support within QuarkXPress - the industry leading page layout software. By implementing Atomik Roundtrip, Sotheby's will, for the first time, be able to use XML as the content format for both their print and Web catalogues, of which they produce over 300 different catalogues every year.

"Atomik Roundtrip provides us with the ability to produce our catalogues using contemporary technology but with the flexibility we require given our highly dynamic business." said Steve Spink, Sotheby's Content Systems Programme Manager. "We searched extensively for tools that enable XML Import into QuarkXPress and found Atomik Roundtrip to be the only credible solution on the market."

XML - the format of choice
A critical decision for Sotheby's was the choice of file format they would use to deliver content from their Oracle database to QuarkXPress for producing the print catalogue. Having considered in particular RTF (Rich Text Format) or the option of direct database connectivity, XML (eXtensible Markup Language) was selected as the preferred format to meet their requirements.

"XML enables us to separate the structure of the content from its presentation but still have the flexibility to include basic styling information in the XML if we choose." said Spink. "With XML and Atomik Roundtrip, all of the advanced styling and layout control can happen in QuarkXPress."

“It gives designers control”
Sotheby's catalogues require a high degree of design input and are particularly tactile and visual. It was therefore important that the design was in no way compromised by the new XML workflow.

"The product really works for designers because it gives them control." continued Spink. "They don't need to speak with the IT department just to change styling. They have all of the advantages of working with structured content but coupled with the design flexibility of a page layout tool."

Global Rollout
With the new catalogue system replacing eight other systems in use at Sotheby's global offices, one concern for Sotheby's was selecting a supplier that could meet a global rollout requirement. Atomik Roundtrip is being implemented at 7 locations around the world. The initial rollout is in London and New York with installations in Italy, France, Hong Kong, The Netherlands and Switzerland to follow. This is being facilitated through Easypress Technologies' local partners where appropriate. The New York implementation is being performed by Easypress Technologies' U.S. partner, Database Publishing Consultants Inc..

Pricing and availability
Atomik Roundtrip is available direct from Easypress Technologies and resellers and system integrators worldwide. The suggested retail price for a single user licence of Atomik Roundtrip 1.5 is £3,495, $4,495 or Euro 5,495 depending on the country of purchase. The suggested retail price for a 5-user licence of Atomik Roundtrip 1.5 is £9,950, $16,119 or Euro 15,423 depending on the country of purchase. Further pricing for 10, 50, 100 and 500 user licence packs are available upon request. For fully functional demonstration versions of Atomik Roundtrip, please visit www.easypress.com.

About Atomik Roundtrip
Atomik Roundtrip enables you to place XML at the heart of your workflow. By providing full bi-directional XML support for QuarkXPress and preserving XML structures within QuarkXPress documents, Atomik Roundtrip delivers true integration for cross-media publishing. Atomik Roundtrip enables users to import XML into QuarkXPress and faithfully re-export it. With a single click, users can update the QuarkXPress document if the source XML file(s) change and update the source XML file(s) if the QuarkXPress document changes. This ensures consistency across all media, efficient reuse of content and rapid updates of timely information. Atomik Roundtrip is the first such product to deliver this level of XML support within QuarkXPress.

About Easypress Technologies
Easypress Technologies (www.easypress.com) develops easy-to-use cross-media publishing software that empowers publishers to create, manage and publish content in multiple media, efficiently and profitably. Its flagship products include Atomik Roundtrip – software that provides full, bi-directional XML support for QuarkXPress and Atomik Xport – automated QuarkXPress to XML conversion software. The company has an extensive publishing client list including FT Business, Time Out, Roularta Media Group, Harvard Business School Publishing, Jane’s Information Group, Euromoney and Centaur Communications. Easypress Technologies is based in London, UK and is privately held.

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© Copyright Easypress Technologies 2003. All rights reserved. Easypress, Atomik, AtomikXT, Atomik Enhancer, Atomik Xport and Atomik Roundtrip are trademarks of Easypress Technologies. All other company and product names are the property of their respective owners. Easypress Technologies is the current trading name of Internet Advertising Limited.

Contacts:

Gavin Drake
Easypress Technologies
Tel: +44 (0)20 7608 6692
Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 6696
Email: gavin.drake@easypress.com

Matthew Weigman
Sotheby’s, New York
Tel: +1 (212) 606 7176
Fax:
Email: