Kyocera America Launches TASKalfa Color Multifunctional Product

Kyocera Mita America Launches the TASKalfa Color Multifunctional Product Series with the Unsurpassed Performance, Ultra Reliability and Superior Image Quality That Businesses Demand

Exceptional Image Quality and Enhanced Productivity Expertly Delivered Through a
Class-Leading 300,000-Page Rated Drum Yield

Fairfield, NJ – December 8, 2008 – Kyocera Mita America, Inc., one of the world’s leading document solutions companies, today announced the launch of the TASKalfa® 500ci series of Color Multifunctional Products (MFP). Designed for today’s demanding businesses, the TASKalfa 500ci color MFP series combines exceptional color printing, scanning, copying and optional faxing, along with easy-to-use features that maximize efficiency and streamline tasks.

The TASKalfa 500ci series, features a bold new black and silver exterior, delivers power, performance, quality and ultra-reliability, in four new models: the TASKalfa 500ci (40 pages per minute (ppm) color/50 ppm black); TASKalfa 400ci, (40 ppm color/40 ppm black); TASKalfa 300ci (30 ppm color/30 ppm black); and the TASKalfa 250ci (25 ppm color/25 ppm black).

Kyocera’s long-life technology, known to deliver the ultra-reliability that businesses demand, helps reduce required service intervention while maximizing performance in every environment. The TASKalfa 500ci series is built with Kyocera’s long-life consumable technology, including the company’s Amorphous Silicon (ASi) drums, thus delivering maximum business “uptime” through a class leading 300,000 page preventive maintenance (PM) schedule. This incredible PM cycle creates longer intervals of time between required service visits and helps minimize maintenance costs for end-users.

The exceptional and consistent image quality of the new TASKalfa 500ci series is the result of a new color engine by Kyocera, featuring 8-bit color output and incorporating Kyocera’s new micro-particle toner.

“Kyocera understands the importance of quality color imaging and streamlined document workflow solutions, so we purposefully aligned our R&D efforts to build every possible enhancement into this new series,” said Michael Pietrunti, president and CEO, Kyocera Mita America. “We are confident our dealers and their end-users will clearly recognize the value of the TASKalfa 500ci series – no matter the size or complexity of their imaging needs. TASKalfa raises the bar for the industry, and will be a successful solution by which Kyocera will be measured by for some time.”

All models incorporate a vibrant 8.5-inch color touch screen control panel, standard duplex and can include up to a 4,100 sheet paper capacity with the ability to accommodate heavier paper stock (up to 120 lb Index), all with advanced finishing and paper handling options.

The TASKalfa 500ci and 400ci comes standard with two 160GB Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and the 300ci and 250ci features a standard 80GB HDD. The TASKalfa series offers the choice of two optional document processors, Dual Scan or a Reversing Automatic Document Processor. With speeds up 100 images per minute, the optional dual scan document processor reads double-sided pages in a single pass for maximum productivity. In addition, the TASKalfa 500ci series offers several standard scanning destinations, including Scan-to-E-mail, Scan-to-Folder (SMB), Scan-to-FTP, Scan-to-USB, WSD scanning (Windows® Vista) and TWAIN scanning, with resolutions ranging from 200-600 dpi.

The 500ci series offers an optional Super G3 fax/network fax for high-speed document delivery. Each model boasts solid monthly duty cycles (200,000 for the 500ci, 160,000 for the 400ci, 130,000 for the 300ci and 100,000 for the 250ci), and comes standard with a USB host interface for convenient print-from and scan-to any USB drive in PDF, JPEG, TIFF and XPS file formats – all via the touch screen control panel.

Security and Performance Delivered

The TASKalfa 500ci series offers cross-platform compatibility, connecting to virtually any environment including Windows®, Mac and Linux, with the drivers, tools, utilities and software options to optimize workflow and help guarantee performance in any business.

This comprehensive suite of value-add solutions assists in document creation and output via Kyocera’s KX Driver and PRESCRIBE Solution for on-demand color and black & white document creation; advanced document workflow solutions such as KYOcapture; and flexible network and device management tools such as KMnet Viewer and PrintQ Manager. For those businesses with heightened security or compliance requirements, the 500ci series comes standard with Secure Print and Security Watermark capabilities. An optional Data Security Kit is also available which provides security overwrite and encryption for printing, copying and scanning, ensuring that highly confidential and critical information is never compromised.

The TASKalfa 500ci series also integrates with several third-party solution providers, such as Equitrac, a leading cost accounting and recovery software. In addition, Kyocera’s document workflow solutions such as KYOcapture and KYOcapture Express integrate with many of the industry’s leading document management systems, including SentryFile, LaserFishe, Documentum, and Microsoft SharePoint.

Introducing TASKalfa – Kyocera’s New Product Brand

Kyocera’s new TASKalfa product brand mark, which means that every end-user’s need – or task – is always a top priority, is also defining a new global, strategic direction for future Kyocera MFP solutions.

This “#1 Priority” mission has been the inspiration behind the advanced technology features that Kyocera has incorporated within its new TASKalfa 500ci series, as well as the stimulus for a new global branding initiative and the company’s bold move in designing the product line’s new sleek black and silver exterior.

“There is true excitement behind the TASKalfa 500ci series and our new brand, as we undeniably advance Kyocera’s respected position and engineering reputation in the global marketplace,” said Peter Hendrick, vice president, marketing, Kyocera Mita America. “With TASKalfa, business users can trust that their imaging needs will be done right, the first time, every time, with a low total cost of ownership, ultra-reliability, and technical excellence they’ve come to expect from Kyocera.”

Pricing and Availability

The TASKalfa 500ci, 400ci, 300ci and 250ci are available today through authorized Kyocera Mita dealers at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $16,460, $12,955, $9,950 and $8,915 respectively. To find the nearest dealer, or for more information, please visit Kyocera’s web site: www.kyoceramita.com/us.

# # #

ABOUT KYOCERA MITA AMERICA
Kyocera Mita America, Inc. (www.kyoceramita.com/us), headquartered in Fairfield, N.J., is a leading provider of computer-connectable document imaging and document management systems, including network-ready digital MFPs/printers, laser printers, color MFPs/printers, digital laser facsimiles, and multifunctional and wide format imaging solutions. Kyocera Mita America is a group company of Kyocera Mita Corporation. Kyocera Mita Corporation is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. Kyocera Mita America, the first document solutions company with third-party certified sales data, has earned numerous honors for its products’ high performance, reliability and cost efficiency. Kyocera Corporation’s consolidated net revenues exceeded $10 billion for the year ending on March 31, 2008.

RICOH Review of THE AFICIO MP C2050/MP C2550 COLOR

New Series Offer High Quality Color at a Low Total Cost of Ownership

West Caldwell, NJ, December 3, 2008 – Ricoh Americas Corporation, the leading provider of digital office equipment, today announced the launch of the Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 color multifunction products (MFPs). Designed for small and medium sized businesses, the MP C2050/MP C2550 Series provides the features typically reserved for more expensive MFPs at an affordable price.

Furthermore, the MP C2550 has gone through extensive testing at Buyers Laboratory and it was recently awarded the company’s “Highly Recommended” rating and Certificate of Reliability.

In today’s fast paced business environment, color documents are vital in obtaining a competitive advantage. The Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 delivers 20 pages-per-minute (ppm) and 25 ppm for full-color and black & white output respectively, and offers resolution of up to 1200 dpi, giving organizations the boost they need in the marketplace. In addition, color documents look more professional with vibrant images due to Ricoh’s new PXP™ toner. Businesses can enhance productivity and reduce costs simultaneously with the Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 Series as it saves paper by printing two-sided documents at nearly 100% of the simplex speed.

Smaller organizations and workgroups can reduce the costs associated with maintaining four separate devices by consolidating to these MFPs, which offer several document management functions and high-quality color output in one device. The Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 Series also allows organizations to develop finished documents in-house, streamlining production expenses. An optional Internal Finisher with Hole-Punch capabilities enables users to tailor the Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 to their specific needs without utilizing extra floor space.

“In today’s economic climate, businesses do not want to sacrifice quality for price, and with the Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550, they don’t have to,” said Michael Hunter, director, Product Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “The MP C2050/MP C2550 Series offers companies a secure way to produce high-quality color documents at a low total cost of ownership, all of which our customers have come to expect from Ricoh products.”

Organizations of all sizes must meet security standards and compliance regulations. Providing numerous levels of authentication that allow administrators to confirm user identity and control access to color printing, scanning and other functions, the Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 helps businesses meet or exceed these requirements. Among the beneficial security features are Locked Print, which prevents confidential documents from unauthorized viewing, and the DataOverwriteSecurity System (DOSS) option that automatically overwrites the hard drive. Another option, HDD encryption, enables businesses to protect valuable data in the event that the hard drive is stolen.

The MP C2050/MP C2550 Series expedites important document communications with customers, colleagues and other business partners efficiently with several Scan-to functions, including Scan-to-Email, Scan-to-FTP and Scan-to-Folder. A new feature, the Scan-to-Media function, allows users to store scanned documents directly to a USB memory device or SD memory card, for instant portability.

The Aficio MP C2050/MP C2550 Series is equipped with an 8.5” full-color W-VGA display for easy navigation. In addition, the Series supports a number of third party
solutions, including GlobalScan NX and the Card Authentication Package, which enables users to efficiently and effortlessly complete tasks.

The suggested retail price for the Aficio MP C2050 and MP C2550 is $5,800 and $7,500 respectively. The Aficio MP C2030 will join this series in mid-January, offering a basic feature set that includes TWAIN Scanning, Faxing and Printing in Windows environments. To learn more about Ricoh’s full line of products, please visit www.ricoh-usa.com.

Print Audit Green for "Eric the Office Worker"

So, you just bought a shiny new Color "Green" MFP. You know the system, your salesperson touted the "Green" features such as default auto off, default power save mode, default duplex copying, the small carbon foot print and scan2distribute.

So, what good is all of this if you can't control printing? Did you know that the average employee prints 34 pages a day and 17% of those pages are never used?

Do you think that "Eric the Office Worker" knows the cost per page of every MFP and printer in the office? What stops "Eric the Office Worker" from printing a 50 page color report to an ink jet printer (that can have a per page cost as high as 60 cents a page), just because he did not want to walk to the Color MFP that prints at .08 cents per page. Well, the idea of "Eric the Office Worker" not taking the short walk just cost you an extra $26 from one employee. Think of the abuse when you have 50 employees and this happens more than once a day.

Rules based printing, what does this mean to "Eric the Office Worker", well the next time "Eric the Office Worker" prints a report he will get a pop up alert on his pc that directs him to print green to this device (meaning the device with the lowest per page cost). Plus the fact that all of management will know when and where "Eric the Office Worker" is printing. So, if "Eric the Office Worker" does not print responsibly he could have a new "Green" job cutting the grass around the office!

Did you know that Print Audit Green on the average reduces your printing by 15%? Taking a closer look, I have a client who produces 200,000 prints each month on their MFP's. A 15% reduction would lower those pages to 170,000. So, that's 30,000 (that's more than 3 trees a day you are saving from the mill) less sheets of paper at .008 for a savings of $240. Then 30,000 less meter clicks per month at .01, this will be a savings of 300.00. Overall savings is $540 per month, cost to implement Print Audit Green in their environment (about 50 users) would be $146.25 per month. Savings WOO YAA of $393.75 per month.

Here's some more cool facts about Print Audit:

Understand your environmental impact

•Monitor 100% of the printing in your environment to spot abuse and waste.
•Learn who is printing to where and when.

Reduce unnecessary printing and waste
•Cut waste through the knowledge that all printing is being monitored.
•Decrease abuse by forcing duplexing, and restricting color printing.

Create green-friendly and cost-conscious users
•Utilize printing limits or redirect users to use more efficient devices.
•Educate users of the costs and environmental impact of each print job they print.

Not once in the last 10 years did a customer every present a print or copy report to me on an appointment. Thus, showing that the average company has no idea of how many pages are copied, printed, and scanned. Nor do they have any idea of the cost associated with their volume and hardware. How the heck can you be in business and not know this? Print Audit should be in every office, even if it's only used at the end of the year to review how many pages were used and what the cost was per page.

Did you know that you can enable Print Audit Green Software for less than 10 cents per day per employee?

-=Good Selling=-

Duplexing Duplicators, Rise of the “Green” RICOH DX 4640PD Duplicator.

Duplexing Duplicators, Rise of the “Green” RICOH DX 4640PD Duplicator.

Death of Duplicators was an article I read many years ago. I too thought the technology was dead. However, it seems “Green” Duplicators are now the “in thing” . You may ask how the heck can a duplicator be Green? Well, they can and I’ve outlined one particular system in this blog. Others may ask what is a digital duplicator? If, so you can go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_duplicator .

Ricoh introduced a Duplexing Duplicator (RICOH DX 4640PD) a few months ago, that’s right it will print both sides of the paper (letter size) in one pass, thus saving paper and trees. In fact this “Green” Duplicator can print 240 images per minute (ipm), which almost doubles the speed of any current duplicator on the market today.

The RICOH DX 4640PD also utilizes these “Green” Features Quick Start Up Technology, Power Saving Sleep Mode and uses NO HEAT to fix the image onto the paper! In fact this system uses a “cold process” to dry the ink. Thus electric consumption is decreased which enables a cost saving to the customer. Think of this, this system is ready to make prints after only 15 seconds, about the time it take too put on original on the glass or send a print job to the system.

So, who the heck needs a “Green” Duplicator? Schools, Large Churches, Health Care Providers, Faith Based Organizations, Colleges, and Hospitals can benefit from using less paper! That’s right two bring home flyers can now be printed on the same piece of paper in a single pass. How about forms, tests, charts, NCR forms and reading material they all work too right. How about companies that need thousands of bi-lingual forms or instructions? Can you image having an old duplicator that did one million pages a year can be cut to five hundred thousand, that’s a savings of 100 boxes of paper and a heck of a few trees.

If you have an old duplicator that can print up to 11x17, and you only print letter size documents, did you know that you are wasting half of the plate material? By acquiring a new “Green” Duplicator such as the RICOH DX4640PD you could cut your plate costs in half and help save resources!

Duplicators can also print in single or dual color and print onto virtually any type of media, so if you didn’t think a duplicator was for you, think again.

-=Good Selling=-

Gestetner Digital Duplicator DX Series - The most amazing home videos are here

Océ North America Introduces Desktop Color Printing Performance

TRUMBULL, CONN. September 22, 2008 – Océ, an international leader in digital document management, introduced today the Océ cx2100, a desktop color MFP with the ability to copy, print, scan and fax. This powerhouse desktop device, available from the Océ North America Document Printing Systems division, provides users with a wide range of features and functions while taking up a small amount of space. The Océ cx2100 is an all-in-one office assistant that features rich, full-color laser output. Providing the ultimate in flexibility, the Océ cx2100 comes standard with a variety of features so that businesses can obtain maximum productivity.

"At Océ, we’re focused on meeting customer demands for a full selection of color MFP devices, and the Océ cx2100 adds the low speed color MFP they’ve been asking for," said Tom O’Neill, Director of Product Marketing, Océ North America, Document Printing Systems. "Full color printing and scanning along with an assortment of features, including standard wireless network connectivity, and the space-saving design of the Océ cx2100 make for an outstanding color laser desktop solution." The introduction of the Océ cx2100 allows users to maximize productivity and efficiency without sacrificing space.

Extraordinary versatility

Because busy users require a wide variety of document delivery methods, the Océ cx2100 provides a mixture from which to choose. The small footprint of the Océ cx2100 allows the device to be placed directly on the desktop and with a standard 250 sheet tray that is easily adjusted for letter or legal sized paper and a multipurpose tray ideal for letterhead and envelopes, users can print all the items that they need for their demanding work day. The Océ cx2100 comes standard with USB, Ethernet and 802.11b/g wireless connectivity and network scanning to an assortment of destinations to include scan-to-image, email, OCR, FTP and USB ensures efficient and timely document sharing or archiving for maximum productivity.

Solid performance

To obtain the ultimate in performance and productivity, print and copy speeds remain constant in full color and black & white at 21 ppm for printing and 17 ppm for copying. For high quality color prints that users can rely on for attention grabbing excellence, laser quality printing at up to 2400 x 600 dpi resolution delivers crisp detail and vivid color. With standard auto-duplexing, a 50 sheet ADF and an 800 sheet maximum paper capacity, the Océ cx2100 is able to keep up with active business environments. Standard high speed Super G3 faxing that can be programmed with up to 40 one-touches and 300 speed dials make for easy hard copy delivery.

Advanced technology

Complete with standard PCL®6 and PostScript®3 compatibility and Windows Vista® drivers, the Océ cx2100 makes it easy for businesses to take advantage of the latest technologies that are usually reserved for higher end devices. The secure function lock allows administrators to set levels of access to certain features of the device for up to 25 users. The built in USB direct interface enables PDF and JPEG print-from or scan-to a USB flash memory device.

Environmental features

The Océ cx2100 allows businesses to maintain sustainable business processes with a series of energy and environmentally conscious features. The Océ cx2100 is approved for recycled paper use and is ENERGY STAR® certified while short warm-up times promote the use of energy saving sleep mode and standard auto-duplexing saves paper.
Availability The Océ cx2100 is now available from Océ direct sales offices. A variety of acquisition plans are available including sale, lease or rental. For more information, please visit http://www.oceusa.com/.

About Océ Océ N.V. is a leading international provider of digital document management technology and services. The company’s solutions are based on Océ’s advanced software applications that deliver documents and data over internal networks and the Internet to printing devices and archives -- locally and around the world. Supporting the workflow solutions are Océ digital printers and scanners, considered the most reliable and productive in the world. Océ also offers a wide range of display graphics, consulting and outsourcing solutions.

Océ employs around 24,000 people, with 2007 revenues of approximately $4.6 billion, operates in more than 90 countries and maintains research and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania and Singapore. Océ North America is headquartered in Trumbull, CT, with additional business units in Chicago, IL; New York City; Boca Raton, FL; Salt Lake City, UT and Vancouver, BC. North American revenues represented approximately half of Océ’s worldwide business in 2007, and employment is currently 11,000. For more information about Océ, visit www.oceusa.com. Outside the U.S., consult http://www.oce.com/.

"Océ" and the Océ logo are registered trademarks, of Océ-Technologies B.V. All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their owners, and are respectfully acknowledged.

Okidata 3641 Color MFP "Print Shop in A Box"

Can't be, Naw one system can't be everything to a Print Shop right? Well, the Okidata 3641 foots the bill and it's a "Print Shop in A Box"!

I recently had this system on a demonstration with the Oki3641 at a local P4P (Print4Pay) Account in New Jersey. The customer has an older Ricoh 6513 (fiery) and a Canon 3220 (fiery). Our customer was actually using both of these units for color output the 3220 for speed and the 6513 for thick stock and high quality. Well, the oki3641 performed awesome! From thick stock (170lb index) to gloss stock and a stock I've never seen before, the stock was very thick and is stock that artist use to paint watercolors. The quality of color was awesome on all stocks.

Color was consistent from page one to five hundred, feeding different stocks was not and issue. A couple of outstanding features is that the iko will take 13x19 paper through the by-pass, plus it has a pull down exit tray that allows thick stock to come out flat and not curl (just what the doctor order).

The end is that the customer can eliminate the Ricoh and the Canon and just rely on the Oki3641 for all of his color requirements! Listed below is a few bullet points about the Oki3641.

• Has a high duty cycle, rated at 150,000 per month. Although I have it in applications that run 50,000 color prints per month with out issue.
• All toners, drums and maintenance kits can be changed by the end user. This leads to less down time.
• The color output is spectacular. Rivals anything on the market under $50K. The retail on this unit is $19,000.
• Uses micro-fine spherical toner to get high quality output.
• Can handle 12/18 out of each of the 4 draws. Up to 110lb index in the draws.
• The Multi-purpose tray can handle up to 170lb index and 12.9” x 48” paper for banners.
• Have seen some applications where a book binder is doing 5,000 sheet runs of cloth sheets thru the multipurpose tray. This does lead to premature wear of drums and fuser, however the output looks great.
• Since the 3641 is versatile, dealers usually place it in accounts that there main copier line is giving them trouble. Most of the time the 3641 is able to solve the issue and save the account.
• Some dealers are attaching a 1,000 sheet envelope feeder to the 3641 and marketing it with variable data software for envelope printing. This is an untapped market, where there is a lot of interest in print for pay.
• Comes standard with Fiery. Uses the latest OS from Fiery system 8, which allows the end user to customize properties screen in the print application.
• The Oki 3641 Fiery comes standard with Spot-on, Hot Folders, Auto trapping, Variable data printing.
• Has Send-me built in. This is Fiery’s version of e-copy. Send me is the front end of a document management system.
• You can add an OCR connector to Send-Me and it will allow you to do OCR at the machine. This saves on licensing fees. In addition it gives you search able PDF documents and a hidden text layer.
• It also copies. Although it does not have program keys, and First Copy Out Time is about 9 sec. It can be used in walk up copy environments.

-=Good Selling=-

Xerox Invents Reusable Paper that Uses UV Light for "Ink"

Now this is really cool, and makes sense. Which leads me to a few questions:

• How much would the paper cost?


• How much do the printers cost?


• How many times can I use the same sheet of paper?


• How much will I glow at night from using the paper and printer?
  

(NaturalNews) Xerox subsidiary Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) has developed a type of paper that, combined with a special printer, can print documents that erase themselves after a day so that the paper can be reused.

Xerox says that 25 percent of all documents get recycled the same day they are printed, and that 44.5 percent are intended only for a single viewing. Using the new printer and paper for one-shot documents like daily menus, work summaries and office memos could vastly reduce paper and energy use, the company said.

"Think of the Google map you printed to get here," PARC Area Manager Eric Shrader said at a product demonstration. "Thirty years ago, we said the future was paperless."

"Despite our reliance on computers to share and process information, there is still a strong dependence on the printed page for reading and absorbing content," said Paul Smith, manager of Xerox's new materials design and synthesis lab.

The new paper is coated with a chemical that turns dark upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In order to create a document, the printer simply bombards the paper with UV radiation in the appropriate places.

While the "ink" will eventually fade on its own, after 16 to 24 hours, the printer can also be used to erase a page and print something new. Tests by Xerox found that if it was not torn or crumpled, a single piece of paper could be put through the print-and-erase cycle hundreds of times.

According to Shrader, it takes 204,000 joules of energy to create a new piece of paper and 114,000 to recycle one. Printing onto a normal sheet of paper uses about 2,000 joules.

It takes only 100 joules to print one page of the special erasable paper. If the printer also has to erase the prior image, printing uses about 1,000 joules of energy.

The erasable paper and ink are available in a variety of colors. Xerox expects to take the new product commercial within the next few years.

Sharp Partner Marketing Program Validates Print Audit 5 Embedded

I for one would love to the chance to add widgets with the Sharp OSA technology. The technology is awesome and others will have to follow Sharp's lead with OSA technology. I had heard at the Sharp Dealer Show that they had these systems set up as Kiosks, where people would check in and then their Dealer Badges were automatically printed!!!!

Calgary, Alberta - September 18, 2008 - Print Audit and Sharp Electronics Corporation have joined forces through the Sharp Partner Program, ensuring that Print Audit 5 Embedded is fully compatible with Sharp OSA-enabled devices. This new alliance will pair the unique features of Print Audit's print management software solution, Print Audit 5 Embedded, with Sharp OSA-enabled multifunction peripherals (MFPs), creating a seamlessly incorporated workflow.

Tightly integrated with Print Audit 5, Print Audit 5 Embedded is a comprehensive print management solution that allows organizations to analyze, reduce and recover costs related to walk-up copying, printing, scanning, and faxing. Sharp OSA technology extends MFP applications to numerous vertical business categories and helps businesses to improve productivity, reduce operational costs and target specific business needs.


"This is a key and mutually beneficial alliance that not only showcases the best features of both companies' products and services, but also illustrates our continued commitment to meeting the needs of our customers," said John MacInnes, President and CEO of Print Audit. "Sharp shares our dedication to excellence, quality, and innovation, and we look forward to working together to provide our customers with the best print management solutions available."

"Print Audit is leveraging the open, flexible development capabilities of Sharp OSA technology to create innovative document management solutions for users of Sharp OSA-compatible MFPs," said Tom Davis, Vice President Marketing Applications Development, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "Print Audit 5 Embedded gives an organization the ability to save money and time by providing a seamless solution for managing walk up MFP use."

In addition to ensuring that Print Audit 5 Embedded is fully compatible with Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs, the alliance will also allow Sharp dealers to take advantage of other Print Audit products that are designed to help dealers sell more hardware and increase their post sales revenue. For example, dealers have the ability to perform comprehensive print assessments using Print Audit Assessor while Print Audit 5's rules-based features provide the ability to restrict printer usage and redirect high-cost jobs to more efficient devices.

The added value of these distinctive Print Audit 5 features has helped Print Audit's partnered office equipment dealers bring in $450 million in additional hardware sales.
For more information on Print Audit 5 or to download a free trial, visit

http://www.printaudit.com/

For more information on the Sharp Partner Program, visit http://www.sharp-partners.com/

About Sharp Electronics Corporation

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit digital audio products, SharpVision projection products, Insight Microwave Drawer appliances, Plasmacluster air purifiers, and Notevision multimedia projectors. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at http://www.sharpusa.com/

About Print Audit Established in 1999 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Print Audit is the fastest growing print management company in the world. By providing businesses with innovative and practical print management software solutions, the company has helped customers recapture over $79 million in printing and photocopying expenses while saving an estimated 90,000 trees a year. Print Audit has offices located in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

For more information about Print Audit, please contact:

Angela Onstine
Public Relations Representative
Print Audit - North America
877.41.AUDIT (28348)
aonstine@printaudit.com
http://www.printaudit.com/

For locations outside North America, please contact:

Print Audit - Europe
+44(0)1483 726206
http://www.printauditeurope.com/
inquiry@printauditeurope.com

Print Audit - South Africa
+086 110 5777
http://www.printauditsa.com/
info@printauditsa.com

Print Audit - ANZ
+612 940 48500
http://www.printauditanz.com/

Print Audit - America Latina
+55(21)2220 0939
http://www.printaudit.com.br/
Informacoes em Portugues:
suporte@printaudit.com.br
Informaciones en Espanol:
espanol@printaudit.com.br

Ricoh Production Printers Gets High Marks From Users

I see a lot of stuff come across and my the life of me, did Ricoh actually provide a list of P4P accounts for IA to conduct their survey?


Ricoh Production Printers Gets High Marks From Users

Ricoh Production Products Ranked Best in Industry According to Industry Analysts Survey. Ricoh's 70 Plus PPM Monochrome Devices Receive High Marks From Print for Pay Customers.
WEST CALDWELL, NJ, September 17, 2008 -- Ricoh Americas Corporation announced today that its production family of 70 plus pages per minute (ppm) monochrome products were rated best overall by print for pay customers in a survey conducted by Industry Analysts, Inc. These products, marketed by Ricoh's Production Printing Business Group (PPBG), were recognized by Office Products Analyst, a leading industry trade magazine published by Industry Analysts, Inc., as part of its annual Print for Pay survey.

Survey Methodology

The annual Print for Pay survey is a culmination of two months of extensive interviews with nearly 250 commercial printers and publishing houses to gauge the products and solutions they use day in and day out. Ricoh had a strong showing in several areas, including Best Overall Monochrome Production - 70 Plus; Productivity, Stability of Connectivity, Image Quality, Reliability, Ease of Connectivity, Ease of Use, and Total Cost of Ownership. The products tied for first in the Features category. The Ricoh production monochrome line virtually swept the monochrome production category, beating out competitors like Canon, Xerox and Konica Minolta.

"Print for pay customers are extremely dependent on the performance and quality of the products they use and therefore are the best critics when it comes to document management devices," said Andy Slawetsky, president, Industry Analysts, Inc. "Ricoh's commitment to innovation and its customers is demonstrated by the overwhelmingly positive response to its production printing devices."

Ricoh's PPBG specializes in high-volume production devices for in-plant, graphic arts and data center customers. Products include 70+ ppm multifunction products (MFPs) and finishing equipment. While some specific products were not listed in the Print for Pay survey, the production line as a whole demonstrated superior functionality and usability for commercial and publishing customers.

"Ricoh takes pride in creating innovative products that provide the latest technological solutions for commercial printing businesses that depend on productivity, quality and low total cost of ownership," said Carl Joachim, vice president of Marketing, Production Printing Business Group of Ricoh Americas Corporation. "Being recognized by Industry Analysts, Inc. only further validates the quality products customers have come to expect from Ricoh."

Industry Analysts, Inc. (IA, Inc.) is a market research and product testing firm specializing in the imaging industry. Founded in 1974, IA, Inc. provides "real-world" third party testing and evaluations, market research and focus groups, from offices in Rochester, New York and Fairfield, New Jersey.

The Office Products Analyst is one of the longest running imaging-industry publications. Published by market research and consulting firm, Industry Analysts, Inc. (Rochester, NY), the OPA conducts thousands of end-user and office equipment dealer surveys each year.
The Production Printing Business Group (PPBG)of Ricoh Americas Corporation is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art, high-speed production systems that provide efficient document workflows with high-volume production printing and finishing. Incorporating superior engineering, reliable technology, and extensive software and finishing options, PPBG helps production centers cost-effectively modernize and streamline their operations to meet today’s rapid turnaround and high-quality demands.

Ricoh Americas Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 72-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2007 sales in excess of $19.4 billion, a 7.3 percent increase over the previous year. The company is a leading provider of document solutions. Ricoh’s fully integrated hardware and software products help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents.

MFP Wars "Rise of the A4's"

Not since Minolta incorporated the first zoom lens in a copier will there be a more sweeping change in the MFP landscape! I've been on this kick for over two years, when HP launched the first A4 MFP!

Whats Hot!!! A4 MFP devices, what is an A4 MFP? A4 actually represents the paper size that can be reproduced on the system. A4 devices will print, copy, fax and scan letter & legal size. A3 devices will print, copy, fax and scan letter, legal and ledger size.

Gartner predicts that A4 print centric devices will emerge as the preferred device for distributed print needs in a report dated December of 2007. Heck, I could have told then that back in 2006. Make no bones about it A4's are here to stay and A3's will be a niche market for some manufacturers, what I really can't figure out is why companies like Ricoh, Xerox, Canon, KonicaMinolta and a few others have ignored this tremendous opportunity to garner clicks?

So, who has A4 devices (35ppm and above) on the market now? As of right now there are only a handful. HP and Samsung have thier own devices, while Muratec, Xerox and Nashua have relabeled the Samsungs. Samsung recently introduced a 55ppm and a 40ppm color A4 MFP. Word on the street is that Muratec will be picking up both of these boxes.

In May of 2007, Sharp announced that they will bring to market an entire line of A4 devices code named Frontier. Kudos, they will be the first manufacturer to have a complete line. In talking to a friend at SBS, I was told that these devices are ready to go and just waiting for the initial launch.

So, whats not to like about A4, well its certainly not the price. An A4 45 ppm system that will copy, print, scan and fax can be purchased for under $5,000. Compare that to a traditional A4 device will run you twice that!

Some have asked where the sweet spot is for A4 vs A3 devices. As of right now, A3 devices have a much lower cost per page. The sweet spot depends on where your monthly volume falls, as of right now 10,000 or less a month will save you money over the traditional A3 (even with the lower cost per page).

Speaking about lower per page costs, I've said it before and will say it again. The first manufacturer that comes to market with and A4 with the cost per page of an A3 device will dominate the market. Savvy reps will instantly sell the TCO advantages, with that the HP and Samsung devices will be short lived. Typically, an A4 device will have a mono cost per page around .015 compared to current A3 devices that average .009. It's not uncommon to see A3's at even lower cost depending on the monthly volume. The higher the volume the lower the cost per page.

Here's an except from a brochure for a popular A4. "When compared to the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of a general A3 multifunctional TCO, at an average of 10,000 pages per month, can result in one of the lowest running costs in its class.

Infotrends reports, “We believe that the role of workgroup A4 MFPs will grow strongly, pulling A4/letter size pages away from A3 copiers and MFPs, thereby weakening the demand for these larger devices,” commented Bob Leahey, an Associate Director at InfoTrends. “A3 devices will remain vital in the U.S., but the push by major suppliers of workgroup A4 alternatives is having an effect on decision-making regarding office equipment purchases at U.S. companies. Because of this impact and other factors, A3-format technology will represent a declining share of the installed base of U.S. office equipment over the next several years.”

All hail the rise of the A4!