Digital BW, The Print

I have an Epson 2400 on order and will be using it to print black and white most of the 
time. It was recommended by the seller that to covert digital files to black and white, the 
NIK Color EFEX software was the way to go. The other suggestion to get good results was 
to employ a RIP, in this case one by Colorbyte called Imageprint ( which will be supporting 
the 2400 soon).

I am still new at this so if anyone can let me know if these two pieces of software would do 
the job or cheaper alternatives are available that will work with the 2400 I would 
appreciate it very much.

Grant