Lyra Hires Industry Expert Joel Mazza

Newton, MA - September 28, 2009 - Lyra Research, the digital imaging authority (www.lyra.com), announces that it has hired Joel Mazza as director of business development. In this position, Mazza is responsible for managing the new business development function for Lyra's advisory services, as well as supporting its consulting and multiclient growth initiatives.

Commenting on his new position, Mazza said, "I am very excited to join Lyra. Lyra is highly regarded in the digital imaging industry and I look forward to introducing potential clients to the benefits and rewards of Lyra's services. I also welcome the chance to use my sales, marketing and industry knowledge to help enhance Lyra's existing service offerings and implement new programs to meet clients' ever-changing needs."

Prior to joining Lyra, Mazza served as a sales and marketing consultant for Technology Partners, a startup remote disaster recovery and data protection firm. During his tenure at Technology Partners, he structured the company's sales and marketing process and its CRM system, and he spearheaded its sales efforts. From 2006 to 2008, Mazza served as director of field sales for ColumbiaSoft Corporation, a developer of enterprise document-management solutions. His primary responsibilities included new business development, sales, and territory management for the Eastern United States, as well as Canada, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. He also oversaw the development of ColumbiaSoft's AEC market, bringing on major accounts in engineering, construction, and real estate management.

In addition to his technology sales background, Mazza has vast digital imaging industry sales and product management experience. He spent six years (2000-2006) with InfoTrends, a strategic research and consulting firm, in a variety of research, sales, and management roles, including a position as a director in the Workgroup Document Solutions Group. His client base at InfoTrends included several Global 1,000 and Fortune 500 multinational businesses such as Canon, Fuji Xerox, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Océ, Seiko Epson, and Toshiba. Prior to joining InfoTrends, Mazza served as a product manager at both Electronics for Imaging (EFI) and Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.


"Joel brings extensive new business experience to Lyra," said Frank Stefansson, CEO and executive vice president of Lyra Research. "This experience, coupled with his digital imaging industry sales and product knowledge, makes him an ideal addition to our team. We are confident in his ability to help Lyra achieve its growth objectives and effectively showcase Lyra's industry-leading research and services to our client base."

Sponsorship Opportunities
Mr. Mazza can be reached at jmazza@lyra.com or 860-918-6824.
Lyra Research: The Digital Imaging Authority
Lyra Research collaborates with imaging industry decision makers worldwide, enabling clients to strengthen their market position and achieve profitable growth. Lyra's expert analysts and editors help clients devise and implement creative solutions to business challenges, arming them with competitive intelligence, strategic and tactical advice, news and analysis, and market forecasts.


Since 1991, Lyra's custom research and consulting, advisory services, award-winning journals, and innovative events have set the standard for analysis of imaging hardware, consumables, and digital photography markets.

Visit www.lyra.com to learn more about how Lyra can be your strategic business partner.

Kyocera FS-1128mfp Spec Review

- Kyocera now offering two new desktop A4 b/w laser MFPs.

Details:- FS-1128mfp (base MSRP of $1371) and FS-1028mfp (base MSRP of $1020)
- Both are 30ppm
- FS-1128mfp comes with document feeder
- 1200x1200dpi
- 300 sheet paper capacity standard
- Auto duplex
- Can add two 250 sheet drawers
- PCL & PostScript print drivers
- 667MHz processor

With standard network printing, copy, color scanning and Fax functions, this highly efficient desktop letter/legal multifunctional printer is small, compact and quiet. The standard document processor feeds reliably and improves your productivity. Designed with ultra reliable ECOSYS technology the 30 ppm FS-1128MFP is a MFP that small business and workgroups can rely on everyday. And with its long life drum, toner and easy to replace toner container you will enjoy a low total cost of ownership compared to typical all in one models.

Note from Art:

Seems like a laser printer with a scanner added to the top and wallaa you have an MFP! Toner is rather high at .0122 based on 5% coverage, however the mainteance kit yield of 100K is awesome and .00175 is very good. Keep in mind that if your coverage is more than 5% your yield per toner and yield per maintenance kit come will come down and your cost will increase. 5% is not alot of coverage on the page. Something else to point out with all laser engines; if you do more one and two prints even though the coverage is 5%, the cartridges will not get the expected yields.

At 30ppm per minute, it's fast! The monthly volume rating of 20K per month is a joke! The system will duplex print because of the document feeder will not duplex copy a two sided original. Here's point that you need to keep in mind, the total cost of the unit is a little over $1,300 more or less. The Document feeder can hold 50 pages, document feeders are larger systems can run $1,000 or more, thus if you are planning on getting one of these and your need is to copy through the feeder alot, you can expect jams and maintenance with these type of document feeders.


-=Cheers=-

Muratec MFX-1950 "Spec Review"

Muratec is now shipping the Muratec MFX-1950 featuring:

- A4 b/w laser MFP
- Base MSRP of $2295
- 20ppm top speed
- 80 sheet document feeder
- 600x600dpi
- 500 sheet paper drawer and 50 sheet stack bypass
- Can add second 500 sheet drawer for $330
- Up to 24lb. bond paper only
- print from local PC via USB via host based printing
- optional PCL print driver for $550
- optional 10/100BaseT port for $480
- fax board
- second fax line for $650
- TWAIN scan only
- Auto duplex
- Two line LCD display
- 16,000 page toner yield
- 20,000 page drum yield
- 23 second warmup time
- 12 second first copy out time
- Optional scan to email/SMB/FTP for $499

-=Cheers=-

Muratec MFX-3550 "Spec Review"

Muratec announced pricing for the new MFX-3550.

Details:- Desktop A4 monochrome MFP
- Actually made by Samsung of Korea
- Top speed of 35ppm
- Base MSRP of $1695 (expected street pricing of $799 to $999)
- 250 sheet second paper cassette for $295
- Toner/drum cartridge yield of 10,000 pages based on 5% coverage

OEM Samsung (Korea),Coding System MH/MR/MMR/JBIG,Modem Speed 33.6,TX speed 3 spp
Print Speed (PPM) 35,FCOT (seconds) 10, Quick Scan Speed - Paper Capacity 300
Max. Paper Capacity 550,Document Feeder (pgs) 50,One-touch dialing -
Speed dialing 200 ,Group Dialing Yes,Dual Lines No,Polling Yes,
Standard Copier Memory 128MB,Max. Copier Memory 384MB,Standard Fax Memory 4MB
Max. Fax Memory 4MB,Max Original 8.4 X 14",Max Output 8.4 X 14"
Document Mem. Back-up 72 hours,Broadcasting Yes,Dimensions 18" X 18.3" X 17.1"
Weight (in pounds) 41.45,Copier Standard,Fax Machine Standard,Internet Fax Standard
Network Fax Standard,PC Fax Standard,Network Printing Standard,PC Printing Standard
Network Scanning Standard,PC Scanner Standard,Network Interface Std. Ethernet
Interface Type 10/100 BaseT,Recording Method Laser,Cassette Paper Wt. 16-24 lb
Supported Bypass Media Letter, Legal, Lefger, Half-Letter, Executive, Monarch, COM # 10, Postcard, OHP,Duplex Printing Standard,Duplex Scanning No

Drum Yield Included in toner,DHCP Compliant Yes,Network Protocol TCP/IP,Max Compression JBIG,Address Book 200 Locations,Scan Resolution 4800 * 600 dpi
Grayscale 256 levels,Interface Standard USB/Ethernet,Scan to E-mail Standard
File Formats PDF, TIFF, JPEG,Scan to Folder Standard,TWAIN Compliant Yes
Scan Boxes(Local) -,Print Resolution 600 * 600 dpi
Page Description Language Standard PCL 5e & 6, PostScript 3
OS Support Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Mac OS 10.3, 10.4, Various Linux
Print Alignment Upper Left Corner
Duplex Print Speed 1-99
Warm-up Time 20 Seconds
Enlargement/Reduction 25-100% ADF, 25-400% FBS
Copy Resolution 600 X 600 dpi
Image Combination Standard-2-in-1, 4-in-1 & Card Copy
Electronic Sorting Standard
Flatbed Scanner 8.5" x 11"


-=Good Selling=-

Equipment Leasing Update

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index reported that new business volume of declined by 35.1% as compared to same period in 2008.

Other data:- receivable over 30 days increased by 18.2%
- charge-offs increased by 56.1%
- credit approvals now at 65.5% as compared with 73.3% last year
- 47% of leasing companies reported decrease in transactions


-=Good Selling=-

New Xerox Document Centre models "In Review"

Fuji, maker of most Xerox MFPs, announced that it will launch a slew of new models that incorporate a new design and color them. Tentative details on the new Xerox Document Centre models:

- main body is still off-white plastic, but center of unit, including shell around keyboard and paper output area will be in dark blue, called the “3D Box” design
- large full color LCD, with large buttons and icons for functions
- entire LCD turns red when a problem occurs
- motion video on LCD to guide end user in paper jam removal
- access Internet from LCD
- will incorporate the new Xerox “ball with X on it” logo
- Models numbers now being used in Japan for new color MFPs are C2270, C3370, C4470 and C5570 :
- 22ppm, 33ppm, 44ppm and 55ppm top speeds respectively
- All use LED printhead instead of Laser
- 4 tandem OPC drum design
- Emulsion Aggregate (EA) polymerized toner
- some models have built-in LCD, others have LCD on armature to left side
- All have “hole in the middle” design
- Advertised as offering 1200x2400 dpi (actual is 600x600dpi for top speed, and then 1200x1200dpi in half speed mode)
- only 600x600dpi in copy mode
- Does NOT offer true 8 bits per pixel image quality
- Built-in print controller
- PCL & PostScript print drivers
- 1.5GB RAM
- 40GB hard drive
- USB and 10/100/1000BaseT ports
- USB port is located on front control panel for easy access for end user to print from thumb drive, or scan to thumb drive
- Optional fax board
- Fuser uses induction heating instead of fuser heat lamps
- auto duplex standard
- Comes standard with two paper drawers
- User can add two more paper drawers, and/or side mount LCT (letter size only)
- paper path is up the left side of the unit, and output to the right
- maximum paper size of 12”x18” from bypass
- Up to 256gsm from paper drawers, and up to 280gsm from bypass
- Document feeder holds up to 100 originals and scans up to 70opm
- Finishing options include:
- internal stapling finisher
- side-mounted stapling finisher
- hole punch
- booklet making with tractor feed output

-=Good Selling=-

Epson WorkForce 610 "Spec Review"

Epson today launched its latest inkjet AiO in the WorkForce 610, a $199 4-in-1 model that is targeted to the micro and SOHO business segments. The new model is expected to start shipping later this month and will first be offered exclusively at BestBuy.com and Amazon.com outlets.

Laser quality up to 2x faster
Maximum 38 ppm black/color
Laser quality 15 ppm/9.3 ppm
Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking
Extra High-capacity black and High-capacity color cartridges
Uses up to 70% less power1
PC Fax – directly from PC
Manual 2-sided printing
Smudge, fade & water resistant
2-year limited warranty with registration

Get Faster Print Speeds than the Competition with Epson’s WorkForce Printers for Small Business

-=Good Selling=-

Panasonic KX-MB3020 "Spec Review"

Panasonic is launching a new desktop A4 b/w laser MFP, the KX-MB3020 offering:

- base MSRP of $499 (this is now the lowest priced device in its class)
- 35ppm top speed
- Copy/scan/print/fax
- Scans in color and b/w
- Auto duplex standard
- 520 sheet paper cassette
- Document feeder
- No info released on cost per page
- weighs only 21lbs.

Notes from Art:

At 21lbs. you can be sure that this unit will not last! How long? That's a great question! It is sticker shock to see a system of this speed resell for $499. But can it really handle an average volume of 5,000 pages per month for three years? Me thinks, NOT!, but don't take my word for it go out and get one and see if you spent your $500 wisely. Really, at $499 if the thing broke after 13 months would you pay to have it repaired at $150 per hour? Again, ME THINKS NOT, don't let the cheap price fool you, there's and old saying that the thought of a cheap price is long forgotten after poor performance!..

-=Good Selling=-

Print Audit Launches New Training And Installation Services

Print Audit’s new professional services provide dealers and end-users with installation and configuration assistance, technical training and sales courses

CALGARY, ALBERTA (July 2009) – Deploying a new print management solution can help businesses save resources, increase efficiency and improve their bottom line. However not all companies have the time and technical resources to deploy and configure Print Audit’s solutions on their own. To help with this, Print Audit is launching a variety of new training and installation services for both equipment dealers and end-users.

Print Audit’s professional services are designed to minimize inconvenience, expedite deployment and to allow company employees to focus on their regular tasks and projects during the transition. Organizations are now able to schedule remote or onsite technical assistance from a Print Audit professional services team member.

Print Audit is also offering online and onsite training classes to IT staff and office equipment dealers. Technical courses provide professionals with the tools needed to effectively plan and implement Print Audit’s solutions. Sales coaching courses arm dealers with strategies to identify hidden opportunities, beat out competitors and increase revenue from both new and existing customers.

"One of Print Audit's fundamental goals is to make our print management tools as intuitive and easy to use as possible," said John MacInnes, President and CEO of Print Audit. "Each company we work with is different and has unique needs. With these new services, companies that prefer to be guided through the software deployment process can now have onsite access to Print Audit’s award winning support team."

Please refer to Print Audit’s Installation and Training Services brochure for more information:

http://www.printaudit.com/downloads/pdf/Print_Audit_Installation_and_Training_Services_Brochure.pdf


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 $150 million in printing and photocopying expenses while saving an estimated 190,000 trees a year. Print Audit has offices located in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada and the United States.

For more information on Print Audit, visit www.printaudit.com.

Follow Print Audit on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/printaudit

eCopy PaperWorks Simplifies Document Management

eCopy PaperWorks Simplifies Document Management for the Busy Office Worker

West Caldwell, N.J., August 4, 2009 – Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment, today announced that it will offer eCopy’s advanced desktop document imaging software, PaperWorks™. Replacing the eCopy Desktop™ solution, PaperWorks is a more robust version that allows users to easily scan, merge and modify documents, connect with other business software applications they utilize daily, and communicate with the back office applications for improved document workflow management.

PaperWorks offers great scanning capabilities from Ricoh desktop and network printers, scanners and multifunction devices as well as the ability to convert electronic and paper documents into text-searchable, secure PDFs that can be saved to and retrieved from any system or network folder. Additionally, users can view and edit scanned and electronic document image files with PaperWorks. Inserting bookmarks, adding headers, footers, notes and electronic signatures along with annotating pages using drawing and text tools are among the modifying options available. Furthermore, users can burn-in changes, which can be both an efficiency and security benefit. Other security features include the ability to permanently remove confidential information with blackout and whiteout tools, encrypt documents before sending them over a network and apply password protection to control who can print, copy or edit a document.

Combining information is another helpful feature that PaperWorks provides. In instances when documents stem from different sources, such as e-mail, fax or electronic file, PaperWorks lets the end-user combine these into a secure, searchable, common file format. With the simple drag and drop functions, users can rearrange content within the merged file as well. PaperWorks also enables the integration of documents into business process workflows. Using the optional eCopy PaperWorks Software Development Kit (SDK), this software solution can assimilate with back-end business applications. Additionally, eCopy PaperWorks Connectors for Microsoft® SharePoint®, EMC® Documentum, Autonomy iManage WorkSite®, and Open Text eDOCS DM™, provide several benefits including the ability to deliver, store, and retrieve electronic and scanned information from document management systems.
“eCopy PaperWorks builds on the outstanding value eCopy software has already delivered to Ricoh MFP customers,” said Ron Potesky, senior vice president, Corporate Communications, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “It helps office workers to make better utilization of their time and energy by providing advanced tools to scan, merge, modify and connect documents to the applications used to run the organization.”

For more information on eCopy PaperWorks offered by Ricoh, please visit www.ricoh-usa.com.

About eCopy

eCopy™, Inc. is an innovative provider of open and flexible solutions that transform paperwork into paper that works. eCopy, Inc. is a global company headquartered in the United States, with subsidiaries in Japan and the UK, offices in Germany, France, Scandinavia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.ecopy.com or join the conversation at eCopy’s Document Imaging Blog at http://documentimaging.typepad.com/.

About Ricoh Americas Corporation

Ricoh Americas Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 73-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2008 sales in excess of $20 billion.
Ricoh Americas Corporation 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.

Ricoh Americas Corporation directly or through its network of authorized dealers markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America.
Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.ricoh-usa.com.
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All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Note from Art: I'll be testing this product tonight and will give the reviews 2morrow!

-=Good Selling=-