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Serif was founded in 1987 by a small team of software engineers who wanted to create the first low-cost
alternative to the high-end Desktop Publishing (DTP) packages that were then the preserve of professional users.
Microsoft Windows was in its infancy, but, correctly predicting that it would become widespread among PC
users, Serif used this as the platform to develop a low-cost easy-to-use DTP package that would provide
most of the functionality of the expensive high-end software that dominated the market.
That was the beginning. Here are some of the key moments from Serif's history since then:
1990
Serif PagePlus 1 is launched as the first sub-£100 DTP package for Windows 3.0 and a head-on challenge to high-end products.
1993
PagePlus 2 is launched in Spring following two years of dedicated effort to create the first low-cost DTP to provide full colour printing support. Enthusiastic press reviews quickly confirm PagePlus as one of the best values in any software category.
1994
Serif PagePlus 3 is launched to great acclaim as the press say that it provides "80% of PageMaker for 20% of the price". New products, including DrawPlus, a simple drawing and graphics package, are added to the range and marketed as a Publishing Suite.
1996
Serif is bought by Allegro New Media, a US company quoted on the NASDAQ small cap market. The new parent company subsequently acquires Software Publishing Corporation - the makers of the Harvard Graphics presentation software - as part of its strategy to build its range of visual communication products. This acquisition leads to Allegro renaming itself Software Publishing Corporation Holdings, Inc., before finally becoming Vizacom, Inc. in late 1999.
PagePlus 4 and DrawPlus 3 are released for the new Windows 95 operating system.
1997
The release of PagePlus 5 introduces Web publishing features that open up a whole new and exciting world for Serif’s customers. PagePlus users are able to dabble in website design, without any knowledge of complicated HTML code, and transform their paper publications into great Web content with absolute ease.
1997 also sees Serif's UK operations move to larger premises in June to provide much needed new office and warehouse space.
1998
DrawPlus 4 launches and is soon declared a powerful player in its category. Packaged as part of the Serif Design Studio it quickly becomes one of Serif's best selling retail packages.
1999
The launch of PagePlus 6 is soon followed by a completely re-written version of PhotoPlus that immediately challenges established competitors in the digital image-editing market and is acclaimed for offering "unprecedented power and usability for the price".
2000
The release of DrawPlus 5 adds charting and auto-dimensioning tools along with professional print and Web capabilities to a product that is already praised as "one of the best thought out and easiest to use drawing programs around".
The new millennium also sees the results of a completely re-engineered version of Serif's flagship DTP package. Building on the legacy of features that have already made it a magnet for awards and the best-selling DTP product in its market, the new PagePlus 7 offers huge benefits from the latest software development technologies. This completely redesigned version gives users faster and more sophisticated authoring tools, new document types and a range of new design tools.
2001
PhotoPlus 7 continues to add to Serif's reputation as the company that works hard to ensure all computer users benefit from cutting-edge technologies usually reserved for professionals. Powerful image extraction, autotrace and editable layer effects are among the high-end features that Serif is the first to incorporate into a program affordable to everyday PC users.
Serif's senior management successfully complete a management buyout on March 31, returning the Serif companies to British ownership after its former parent company decides to restructure its operations.
Subsequent months see the release of 3DPlus 3, DrawPlus 6, WebPlus 7 and PagePlus 8 as Serif continues its growth, expanding its European development and sales operations and relocating its US operations.
2002
PagePlus 8 PDF Edition is introduced, making Serif’s flagship program a much more flexible publishing package, giving users the ability to share documents in PDF format by email, view them online, or share them for printing on another computer.
Keeping abreast of new technologies and the explosion of multimedia use at home and in business, Serif launches WebPlus 8, ImpactPlus 4 and MediaPlus, bringing complex design projects within the reach of everyday computer users and giving them an easy way of organising their many multimedia files.
Injecting a bit of fun into 2002, Serif releases PopArtPlus and MontagePlus, ideal gifts for anyone trying to achieve movie poster effects with their own images, easily and affordably.
After successfully promoting a selection of PC gadgets to complement its existing software range, Serif launches a dedicated gadget
website specifically to meet the growing demand from its customers for gadgets and gifts.
2003
Serif enters the exciting world of movie-editing with the introduction of MoviePlus and DVDPlus, also giving their customers a helping hand with the Learn to Make Movies CD. DrawPlus 7 is released with new PDF and multipage layout options for greater flexibility of use and once again Serif aim to help users get the best out of the program with the new Learn to Draw CD.
Serif finishes 2003 on a high, scooping no less than 8 awards for PagePlus 9 after its release in November. Widely acclaimed throughout the computing press, awards come from Computer Shopper, Computer Buyer, PC Pro, PC Utilities, PC Format, PC Advisor, PC Answers and Broadband World.
2004
MediaPlus 2, ImpactPlus 5 and PhotoPlus 9 are released at the start of a busy year for Serif. Version 9 of WebPlus is also launched after two years in development and immediately receives praise for being both extremely easy to use and a great introduction to Web design for anyone who doesn’t want to learn complicated HTML code.
And there’s another reason for Serif to celebrate in 2004 – PagePlus hits another landmark as Serif’s flagship desktop publishing package reaches version 10. The latest PagePlus boasts much-requested new features such as BookPlus and, of course, all the traditional tools that have already made it a firm favourite with everyone wishing to achieve complex DTP projects, easily and affordably.
2005
Serif kicks off its new releases for 2005 with a brand new version of MoviePlus. MoviePlus 4 represents a big step forward, providing unlimited tracks, drag ‘n’ drop filters & transitions and many more features, enabling digital video enthusiasts to create advanced movie projects with ease. The release of PhotoPlus 10 Studio Pack offers even more value for money than ever with the inclusion of AlbumPlus 4, Serif’s excellent digital media management tool.
Later in the year the release of PanoramaPlus 2 answers requests from customers for a powerful, yet easy-to-use image-stitching application. PagePlus reaches version 11 and is released to a flurry of awards from the computing press. The introduction of PDF editing breaks new ground among dedicated desktop publishing packages. PagePlus 11 becomes the perfect tool for advanced business and educational use, whilst retaining its trademark ease-of-use for the home computing contingent.
Another highlight for Serif in 2005 is the launch of SerifExtra!, a new section of the Serif website dedicated to offering customers specially selected software and hardware items from other manufacturers. Serif’s website also receives a comprehensive makeover in 2005, making it easier than ever for Serif customers to access a wealth of news and product information, new customer support resources, online order tracking and much more.
2006
The long-anticipated release of DrawPlus 8 gets Serif off to a great start in 2006, winning an impressive five awards from the computing press. Already a firm favourite in the education sector, for ICT, Art & Design and Design & Technology subjects, DrawPlus offers a versatile and exciting way for everyone to create realistic drawing and painting effects on their PC.
Summer brings new versions of MoviePlus and WebPlus. While MoviePlus 5 introduces built-in DVD authoring, WebPlus 10 enables Serif customers to create fully interactive, E-Commerce enabled websites without any knowledge of HTML.
Serif turns its attention to digital imaging enthusiasts towards the end of the year with the release of PhotoPlus 11 Studio Pack and PanoramaPlus 3. These two releases round off a great year that really has enabled Serif customers to broaden their horizons with a wide range of multimedia and graphical tasks on their PCs.
See In the News for more information about our latest developments and announcements.
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