Digital Ink has announced a strategic partnership with Durst Software and Solutions, bringing advanced Open Software capabilities to print service providers across the GCC, Middle East, and North Africa.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in supporting the region’s growing demand for digital transformation in print – enabling businesses to connect systems, automate workflows, and deliver more efficient, scalable production environments.
The partnership is built around Durst’s Open Software Initiative (formerly Smart Factory), a comprehensive software ecosystem designed to modernise printing workflows and streamline operations from end-to-end.
Across the MENA region, print businesses are evolving rapidly. Demand spans a wide range of applications – from large and wide-format to labels, packaging, and commercial print – all requiring faster turnaround times, greater flexibility, and improved efficiency.
As the market continues to expand, so does the need for smarter, more connected production environments that can support this growth.
Chris Minn, CEO & Founder of Digital Ink, commented:
“ The region is expanding and growing at a fast rate. There is such excitement around digital signage, AI, software automation, and robotics. Bringing lightning-fast, streamlined print processes with minimal touchpoints to the territory is exactly where we see the opportunity. Digital Ink looks forward to working with companies like Durst to unlock this potential for our market. ”
Matthieu Delessard, Sales Manager & Business Developer at Durst added:
“The printing industry is changing, and software needs to be as flexible as the production itself. We launched the Open Software Initiative to give the industry exactly that: a modular, cloud-ready software ecosystem, open to any printer, any brand and open to connect to other systems. This open environment built on proven Durst technologies, combined with the deep understanding of local market conditions from Digital Ink, will highly benefit the printing companies in the Middle East / GCC.”
Print businesses are no longer just competing on output quality or price – they are competing on experience.
Across the region, demand for digitalised procurement and seamless workflows is accelerating. Customers expect faster turnaround times, greater transparency, and more personalised interactions throughout the buying process.
Durst’s Open Software Initiative ecosystem is designed to meet these expectations by connecting every stage of production – from order intake through to output – into a single, streamlined environment.
By reducing manual touchpoints and improving visibility across operations, print providers can deliver more consistent, efficient, and scalable services.
Durst brings a global reputation for engineering excellence, particularly in digital printing hardware, alongside a growing portfolio of software solutions designed to optimise the entire production lifecycle.
Through the Initiative, these capabilities extend beyond individual machines, creating a connected ecosystem that integrates workflows, enhances data-driven decision-making, and supports long-term operational growth.
Digital Ink complements this with deep regional expertise across the GCC and wider MENA market. With a strong understanding of the print landscape – from independent providers to large-scale commercial operations – the agency is uniquely positioned to help translate Smart Factory into real, actionable value for businesses in the region.
Durst Group provides smart, easy-to-use tools designed to optimise the printing process from pixel to output.
Its modular software suite allows businesses to adopt solutions at their own pace – whether as standalone tools or as part of a fully integrated ecosystem covering print-on-demand, prepress, production, ERP, and analytics.
Durst Lift ERP, for example, is a cloud-based system built specifically for print, designed to automate processes, improve transparency, and create a more efficient, paperless production environment.
Together, these technologies form the foundation of the Open Software Initiative approach – enabling print businesses to streamline operations, reduce complexity, and unlock new levels of productivity.
As the print industry continues to evolve, the need for connected, automated, and data-driven production environments will only increase.
To find out how Open Software Initiative can be applied to your business, visit our site and get in touch to discuss your requirements.
