Digital Print 360 » Copiers

Xerox Extends Black-and-White Print Dominance with Productivity, Finishing Enhancements

Editor — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:36:06 +0000

ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 11, 2010 – Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) continues to strengthen its position as the worldwide leader in digital black-and-white production printing, today unveiling a host of productivity and finishing enhancements for its award-winning Nuvera® portfolio.

“Xerox leads the worldwide high-end black-and-white market with more than 75 percent of all production class cut-sheet shipments,” said Angele Boyd, IDC group vice president, imaging/output document solutions. “The company is well positioned to maintain or extend its leadership position by constantly upgrading its Nuvera family of devices.”

Xerox’s Nuvera portfolio, spanning from 100 to 288 images per minute, delivers high-quality prints and increases productivity. The 10 new productivity improvements and finishing options are designed to streamline production and expand the scope of black-and-white printing jobs. By boosting the range of professionally finished applications that can be created – such as manuals, brochures, booklets and calendars – print providers can take on a wider range of jobs and move them quickly through the shop.

Among the new offerings are:

* Plockmatic Pro 30 Booklet Maker – provides an affordable

30-sheet booklet maker configured to produce professional-quality booklets at rated speed, including the option to add color covers and inserts.

* Dual Xerox Tape Binder – allows the print engine to utilize both

finishers within the same job; users can alternate the delivery of print sets and unload while the job runs.

* C.P. Bourg High Capacity Elevator – assists users to easily

offload finished material by raising the stack of paper to a constant level, enhancing productivity through ergonomics.

Additional features make it easier to tape bind, stack, stitch, fold, trim, cut and complete professionally finished documents.

Many of the new enhancements will be on display in the Xerox stand at IPEX 2010, Hall 7, May 18-25 in Birmingham, U.K.

Availability and pricing

The enhancements are compatible with select Xerox Nuvera models currently installed in graphic communications and in-plant environments.

The new offerings are available for order taking and installation starting on July 1. Availability and pricing may vary by geography.

Toshiba e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool Optimizes Color Reproduction Quality

Editor — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:01:50 +0000

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS), today proudly announced the introduction of the Toshiba e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool, a proprietary software suite designed to optimize the already highly-praised, industry-leading color reproduction quality of Toshiba color products that support International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles. The e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool, combined with the ES1000 spectrophotometer, enables the creation of ICC device output profiles. The resulting profile can then be used, along with the e-BRIDGE controllers internal color management, to maximize vibrancy and fidelity.

“The Toshiba e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool was integral in helping the award-winning e-STUDIO6530c, our fastest and most advanced color product to date, receive such high-accolades at the IPA Digital Print Forum earlier this year,” said Rory Fox, senior product manager, TABS. “This study exhaustively examines and compares large production presses. The e-STUDIO6530c was the only system under scrutiny designed primarily for general office use, and the results proved that our competitively-priced office product with an EFI Fiery Controller, did well in all the tests when compared with production presses that are priced anywhere from $300,000 to $1 million retail.”

The ability to print outstanding color images within one’s own office reduces the need to outsource short-run, on-demand printing, and can save businesses significant costs, while simultaneously increasing office productivity. Variance in temperature, humidity, substrates and many other variables all affect image quality. For example, a device in the mile-high city of Denver will require a different profile than a city in Louisiana to achieve the same level of color fidelity. The e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool allows businesses to make the most of their e-STUDIO color device regardless of the environment, or the media.

The software package includes four separate applications allowing for: color data printing; data measurement; data integrity viewing; profile building; and profile viewing.

· Target Reader – The Target Reader application is used to manage the creation and measurement of characterization targets that are used in the development of custom profiles. Target Reader consists of two main areas: Measure Targets and Average Targets. Measure Targets help you manage the measurement of the characterization targets and the creation of characterization data files that are used to build custom profiles. Average Targets are used to analyze data from multiple characterization data files to produce one that is an average of all.

· Data Viewer – One of the primary factors affecting the quality of an ICC profile is the quality of the characterization data used. After measurement, the user can view the data in several ways using the Data Viewer application. It is important to detect any possible errors in color measurements prior to completing the profile construction process.

· Profile Builder – This application initiates the construction of the ICC profile and provides additional settings that allow the user to change parameters, providing further customization prior to profile building.

· Profile Viewer – This application assists in verifying the integrity, accuracy and performance of the ICC color profile.

The Toshiba e-BRIDGE Color Profiler Tool has an MSRP of $499. The ES-1000 Spectrophotometer has an MSRP of $1,299. For more information on Toshiba software solutions, copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers, toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call (800)-GO-TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.
About Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc.

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers, and toner products throughout the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS has five divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division; the Toner Products Division; the Document Solutions Engineering Division; the International Division; and Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of TABS, that operates a network of wholly-owned office equipment dealers throughout the United States.

Named the most favored manufacturer ten times by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba’s entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are markers for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the “Manufacturer of the Year” eight times by Marketing Research Consultants (MRC), and has twice been named to the CIO 100 for being among the top 100 “bold” (2008) and “agile” (2004) companies in the world.

TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world’s 97th largest company in terms of sales. Ranked by Fortune magazine as the eighth Most Admired Electronics Company in the World, Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2008 was approximately $67.9 billion. For more information on Toshiba copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers or toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call (800)-GO-TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.

Toshiba Announces Printer Parts Optimization Program

Editor — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:21:46 +0000

Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) announces its Printer Parts Optimization Program, which provides dealers with one-stop shopping for printer parts at a significant cost savings with its TABS Advance Exchange Program. The program offers a full range of alternative printer parts including OEM, refurbished and aftermarket. Dealers can now order all printer parts, including Managed Print Services parts and Toshiba-branded printer parts, directly through Toshiba’s iStore.

By accessing TABS’ internal FYI portal, dealers can easily fulfill all their printer and service parts, machines, supplies and accessories needs in one stop. With the Advance Exchange Program, Toshiba dealers can better support customers by offering remanufactured service parts for Toshiba printers, as well as all Lexmark and HP printers, at a significant cost savings, and with same day shipping. All remanufactured parts are fully tested, warranted and certified to offer the same quality and performance of a new OEM part, but at a significantly lower price, which can then be passed down to the customer. Technical support is provided, free of charge, by a team of engineers who are available to help troubleshoot and triage.

“We have seen a tremendous response from our dealers since this program’s inception in August,” said Tom Walter, director of Aftermarket Sales, Marketing and Operations, TABS. “More than 50 percent of our Eastern Region dealers and 33 percent of our overall dealer population have enrolled in the Printer Parts Optimization Program, and the feedback from these dealers has been extremely positive. We look forward to helping all of our dealers take advantage of these cost-savings and the convenience this program will provide in their day-to-day operations.”

Once dealers place their orders through FYI, products are then managed by Depot America, which refurbishes parts, fulfills the orders, and ships the products.

To participate in the TABS Advance Exchange Program, dealers must register via FYI, the dealer intranet or for more information, contact TABS Aftermarket Parts Support Team at parts@tabs.toshiba.com or (800)866-4361, ext. 6919.

Konica Minolta’s Universal Printer Driver Optimizes Printing Efficiency

Editor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:56:30 +0000

November 2, 2009 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and
networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announces the launch of the Konica Minolta Universal Print Driver (UPD), a single printer driver for all networked printers. Offering a common interface to handle printer selection throughout a network, automatically detecting and identifying Konica Minolta and all other manufacturers’ printers and MFPs, the UPD offers a full range of functionality thereby increasing overall business efficiency.

With a single user interface (UI) Konica Minolta’s UPD offers various benefits for both IT administrators and users in small to large workgroups alike. Eliminating the need for installation of separate drivers for each networked device, the UPD simplifies complex capabilities by condensing all integrated tasks into a single driver core. The UPD also enables operators to easily add new devices to the current configuration so they are up and running quickly without loss of productivity. Additionally, the UI offers full functionality including layout, finishing and quality for all pre-installed devices.

“By implementing our Universal Print Driver, IT professionals can significantly reduce administration time and costs while concurrently
streamlining their printing operations,” said Kevin Kern, Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “As businesses continue to look for ways to remain competitive, the ability to manage growing workloads in less time, while not compromising quality or efficiency, is a key concern and one that this solution directly aims to address. Konica Minolta’s new UPD further evidences efforts to ensure that users can always count on Konica Minolta to deliver the cutting edge innovation they need.”

The UPD combines multiple print drivers to meet the needs of networks comprised of new and legacy devices from several manufacturers. Individual Child Drivers connect to model-specific Konica Minolta MFPs and Common Child Drivers connect to other Konica Minolta models and 3rd-party devices. Most recent Konica Minolta MFPs and desktop printers will enjoy full print functionality, while older Konica Minolta devices and third-party printers will also have a basic range of functionality. All devices also benefit from automatic detection and identification.

Konica Minolta’s UPD is also the only printer driver to feature a specific search filter enabling the user to search by feature set. Necessary
printing attributes, such as color, 11” x 17” or letter-sized paper and duplex printing, can simply be typed into the search field and the filter will show all matching devices.

About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop. For the second consecutive year, Konica Minolta was recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys. For more information, please visit www.CountOnKonicaMinolta.com.

Konica Minolta Launches Four New Color MFPs

Editor — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:37:12 +0000

September 21, 2009 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions
U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today launched the next wave of color multifunctional printers (MFPs – print, copy, fax, scan all-in-one system) in the award-winning bizhub® product line. These new color systems, which include the bizhub C452, bizhub C360, bizhub C280, and bizhub C220, are designed to meet the diverse needs of small- to
mid-sized office workgroups, both for color as well as black and white environments, from end-users needing only occasional color or have graphic output requirements to those that mainly generate monochrome output. They can handle a heavy workload with their robust and efficient productivity features, and offer the same functionality and features at different speeds, ranging from 45 pages per minute (ppm) to 22 ppm.

These full-color MFPs offer color-specific tools for the art professionals such as unique Pantone colors, advanced queue management and/or need for additional processing speed, as well as Fiery® support for broader and more specific color requirements. By producing the same robust productivity of a black and white device, the new office systems are an ideal replacement
for current monochrome users seeking an efficient, high quality replacement to transition to color output.

“Customers requiring a versatile MFP can rely on our newest color systems to deliver not only high impact color and image quality, but also the flexibility to handle a variety of output needs,” said Kevin Kern, Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. “Thanks to our exclusive Emperon® Print System, our end users will be able to count on Konica Minolta to achieve excellent image quality as well as compatibility with multiple environments that will easily meet the diverse needs of today’s ever-changing workplace.”

Fast color and cost-effective black-and-white output, industry leading warm-up time and first copy time are just a few of the features that make these devices stand out and showcase how end-users can count on Konica Minolta for all of their digital imaging needs. Furthermore, these devices are designed to protect the environment with Konica Minolta’s exclusive Simitri® HD color polymerized toner, Energy Star compliancy, low operating noise, low emissions, lower temperature fusing for less power consumption, easily recyclable toner bottles/cartridges and plastic parts. In addition, for total flexibility, users can leverage BluetoothTM wireless printing, a standard-front panel USB connector for conveniently saving files to and printing from a USB thumb drive, USB memory printing with document preview,
and the ability to import/export files via USB memory to and from
individual user boxes.

“These next-generation MFPs will offer customers seamless connectivity by supporting a variety of networking needs with high performance, image quality and reliability as well as low TCO,” said Keith Kmetz, IDC Vice President, Hardcopy Peripherals Solutions and Services programs. “We anticipate customers will want to leverage the bizhub C452, C360, C280 or C220 for the same quality and cost-effectiveness of a monochrome device coupled with the ability to leverage color when it’s needed.”

The user profile for the new bizhub color MFPs includes a diverse target list. For example, a management team interested in an innovative product as the catalyst for increased office productivity and creativity, or organizations looking to maintain a sophisticated look and feel in their office will enjoy having one of the new MFPs in their workplace.

Pricing and Availability
The newest color bizhub MFPs are available now through Konica Minolta’s North American direct sales and authorized dealer sales channels. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the bizhub C452 is $21,858; the bizhub C360 is $13,613; the bizhub C280 is $10,315; and the bizhub C220 is $9,165.

EFI Launches High Performance Fiery Server Designed for Ricoh Black-and-White

Editor — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:17:05 +0000

Sept. 13, 2009 – EFI™ (Nasdaq: EFII), a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, and Ricoh Americas Corporation today launched a new high performance Fiery® server for the Ricoh Pro 907EX, Pro 1107EX, and Pro 1357EX Digital Imaging Systems, delivering more than double the performance of previous platforms to greatly improve productivity and increase the profit potential of print providers. This latest technology combination exceeds the rigorous demands of black and white production printing, providing exceptional quality and unmatched throughput. The Fiery server, named EB1357, features the latest variable data printing (VDP) tools, centralized control and management, and seamless workflow integration, allowing print providers to expand their menu of services while getting the best return on their investment through increased performance.

The powerful architecture of the Fiery server shortens turn-around times, enabling print providers to surpass even the highest customer expectations. Greater productivity is achieved with “out of the box” visual workflows that enable operators to more easily set-up jobs. Advanced queue management capacity eliminates bottlenecks and minimizes downtime, while the RIP-while-Print® technology allows one page to be printed while subsequent pages are processed, resulting in faster job throughput for higher efficiency.

“The Fiery name stands for consistent, professional-quality digital printing and with this launch we’re extending our leadership in the black and white production market,” said John Henze, vice president of marketing, Fiery division, EFI. “Our latest Fiery server for Ricoh delivers a powerful and flexible platform for managing complex print environments with distributed operations, and with different operator skill levels that are common in the print production arena. The robust features and improved processing speed of this Fiery server, coupled with recent advancements in the Ricoh series of imaging systems, allow users to meet tight deadlines and outstrip high customer expectations.”

Hede Nonaka, executive vice president, Marketing & DSSD, Ricoh Americas Corporation, said: “Built upon proven technology, the new Ricoh Pro EX series exhibits high productivity, versatile finishing, and increased durability. We’re once again pleased to have a Fieryserverat the helm, ensuring superior image quality, outstanding performance and seamless workflow management.”

The VDP workflow of the Fiery server delivers the most flexible and scalable solution available to the market today, enabling companies to produce complex jobs with ease. The Fiery server interoperates with third party vendors and other EFI solutions, ensuring rapid integration, seamless workflow, and low cost of ownership.

The new Fiery server for Ricoh includes advanced make-ready tools and an intuitive user interface that enable less experienced operators to perform complex document functions efficiently and inexpensively. EFI Impose and EFI Compose software products are also available as options for the Fiery server.

For more information, please visit www.ricoh-usa.com and www.efi.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.

About EFI

EFI (www.efi.com) is a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation. EFI’s award-winning solutions, integrated from creation to print, deliver increased performance, cost savings and productivity. The company’s robust product portfolio includes Fiery® digital color print servers; VUTEk® superwide digital inkjet printers, UV and solvent inks; Rastek™ UV wide-format inkjet printers; Jetrion® industrial inkjet printing systems; print production workflow and management information software; and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 23 offices worldwide.

Xerox 700 Digital Color Press Generates Profits for Print Providers Worldwide

Editor — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:14:34 +0000

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2009 – Xerox Corporation’s (NYSE: XRX) 700 Digital Color Press is significantly expanding print volume and revenue for thousands of global print providers in its first year on the market. Profitable applications include photo books, brochures, direct mail pieces, catalogs, calendars and postcards.

Revenue-producing successes with the Xerox 700 include:

Commercial print provider generates new business– Coast Litho (C.L. Printing, Inc.), based in Oakland, Calif., produces short-run proofs for graphic designers, variable data postcards, full-color restaurant menus and custom artist exhibit brochures. The Xerox 700 has brought in new customers and driven digital revenue from previous offset-only customers.

Photo print shop jumps into digital printing – photo specialty products are the fastest growing application for Harold’s Photo Centers, Inc., a retail chain with eight locations in South Dakota and Iowa. They produce about 500,000 greeting cards annually, including 100,000 graduation cards in 2008.

“When film processing began to decline, we jumped into digital printing with both feet – and the Xerox 700 is making it work for us,” said Bob Hanson, president, Harold’s Photo Centers, Inc.

Printer produces direct mail pieces with double-digit response rates – Ink Well Cleveland produced full-color, variable data marketing pieces for a local pizza shop, including appetizing photos and a coupon. The piece generated a 13 percent response rate and six other pizza franchises have signed up for similar direct mail campaigns, bringing in new business for Ink Well Cleveland.

Marketing and technology agency to generate high-end marketing collateral – U.K.-based Magnet Harlequin selected the Xerox 700 to provide its globally recognized, brand name clients fast turnaround, high image quality and spot color accuracy. The press will be used to create high-end marketing collateral and documents, many of which will be personalized.

Textbook publisher drives down overhead – Croatia-based Dvogled d.o.o. produces customized teachers’ packs with transparencies quickly, cost effectively and in the exact quantity required. One job for 60,000 transparencies was turned around in four days. When produced on offset, there were significant costs for set-up, warehousing, and replacing outdated materials, resulting in a much higher cost per packs.

“The amount of digital production color page volume in North America will grow from nearly 10 percent of digital pages in 2008 to almost half of all digital pages printed – more than 325 billion pages – by 2017,” said David Erlandson, general manager of consulting firm Caslon & Company. “Devices like the Xerox 700 can help print providers capture this market opportunity.”

Tributes from the printing industry for the Xerox 700 include:

* Three Gold Ink Awards
* “Must See ‘ems Encore” award in advance of Print 09
* “Editor’s Choice” award in Better Buys for Business’ 2009 High-Volume Printer & Digital Duplicator Guide
* DIMA “Digital Shoot Out Award”
* PMA “Innovation Award”
* “Must See ‘ems” award at Graph Expo 2008

To showcase its versatility, Xerox will bring five Xerox 700 Digital Color Presses to Print 09, the year’s largest graphic communications event, taking place Sept. 11-16 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Three systems will be on display in the Xerox booth, each with a different digital front end. Devices will also appear in the Fujifilm and Duplo USA booths.

The ENERGY STAR compliant device is designed to use less energy; allowing print providers to save on utility bills and help protect the environment.

EFI Solutions Pass Rigorous Ricoh Developer Program Compatibility Testing

Editor — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:53:27 +0000

West Caldwell, NJ, August 19, 2009 – Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment, today announced that the IKON DocSend® Server and DocumentMall plug-in developed by EFI (NASDAQ: EFII) passed the rigorous Ricoh Developer Program™ (RiDP™) compatibility testing. These solutions, which are compatible with Ricoh multifunction products (MFPs), simplify organizations’ document management processes with an interactive and intuitive user interface.

As an RiDP Premier Plus member, EFI had access to the Ricoh software kit to develop these solutions. Through Ricoh’s advanced Embedded Software Architecture (ESA) platform, developers like EFI are able to increase customers’ productivity while reducing their cost of ownership by tapping into Ricoh’s open architecture. Nearly all of Ricoh’s MFP and printer lines manufactured after the fall of 2004 have the potential to run ESA. Legacy and new customers have the ability to harness the power within those devices by adding Ricoh developed and third-party developer solutions.

Ideal for paper intensive environments such as financial services, insurance, healthcare, higher education and legal services, IKON DocSend Server converts paper documents into digital files for businesses to securely manage, file, and distribute efficiently. Users can easily leverage the embedded capabilities of the MFPs, including e-mail, fax, scan and document management, from a single networked device. To ensure document quality, IKON DocSend Server enables users to conveniently convert files into Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel or Adobe PDF formats. With optical character recognition (OCR) capability, these digitized documents keep their original integrity in tact with crisp detail. IKON DocSend Server supports various interfaces (also called connectors) to document management, cost recovery, and fax and imaging solutions, to further enhance productivity by facilitating streamlined business processes across the enterprise. More than 80 connectors are available, all built and supported by EFI. By reducing the need to print documents, IKON DocSend Server encourages office environments to cut down on paper usage while at the same time saving money, materials, waste and physical office space.

“We are happy that IKON DocSend Server and the DocumentMall plug-in have passed Ricoh’s stringent compatibility testing process,” said John Henze, vice president of marketing, Fiery division, EFI. “Like Ricoh, we understand our customers’ businesses, and by utilizing our Premier Plus membership of RiDP we are able to create solutions that meet the growing need for efficient document management processes.”

In addition, IKON DocSend Server users have a DocumentMall plug-in option that helps corporations store, manage and share files through the Internet. With this plug-in, user log-in credentials are matched against the DocumentMall server to further protect sensitive documents. Additionally, lists of DocumentMall sites are available to users, as configured by the administrator. IKON DocSend Server is available from IKON, a Ricoh company.

“We’re extremely pleased that IKON DocSend Server and the DocumetMall plug-in are now added to Ricoh’s suite of solutions built on the Embedded Software Architecture platform,” said Mike Dane, vice president of product and services marketing at IKON Office Solutions, Inc. “These solutions address our customers’ needs for cost reduction and efficiency as it helps to streamline document management processes and eliminate redundancies within organizations.”

The RiDP program is open to independent software vendors, Ricoh Major-Strategic Accounts, and colleges and universities. Members have access to the support, tools and services needed to integrate new or existing solutions with Ricoh hardware and software products.

About EFI

EFI (www.efi.com) is the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation. EFI’s award-winning solutions, integrated from creation to print, deliver increased performance, cost savings and productivity. The company’s robust product portfolio includes Fiery® digital color print servers; VUTEk® superwide digital inkjet printers, UV and solvent inks; Rastek™ UV wide-format inkjet printers; Jetrion® industrial inkjet printing systems; print production workflow and management information software; and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 23 offices worldwide.

About IKON

IKON Office Solutions, Inc. (www.ikon.com), a Ricoh company, is a leading provider of innovative document management systems and services, enabling customers to improve document workflow and increase efficiency. IKON integrates copiers, printers and MFP technologies, and document management software and systems, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions, implemented and supported by its team of services professionals. IKON leverages the manufacturing and engineering expertise of Ricoh, a more than $20 billion global technology innovator, with the experience and reach of its locally based sales and services teams, to provide end-to-end solutions and one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of document management services, including on-site and off-site managed services, technical service and support, and customized workflow design and implementation.

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 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.

All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

HP Helps National Geographic Magazine Make “Your Shot” the Cover of Special Collector’s Edition

softwaretileguy — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:35:39 +0000

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 21, 2009 – HP today announced National Geographic magazine is using HP Indigo digital printing solutions so people can order customized photographic covers of a special collector’s edition magazine called National Geographic Your Shot.

Available now, the collector’s edition publication features the best photographs from the more than 150,000 images submitted by the public to the popular Your Shot online feature, where readers can submit their photography for possible publication in National Geographic magazine.

Photography enthusiasts can order the collector’s edition online with a cover that features their own high-resolution photographic image. Consolidated Graphics, a leading North American provider of print solutions, is using its HP Indigo digital presses to produce the covers, which are then bound to copies of the special edition magazine. This project is part of Consolidated Graphics’ increasing focus on personalized digital print solutions, a reflection of the growing trend among magazine publishers.

“The outstanding visual imagery National Geographic magazine publishes makes it one of the world’s most respected sources for photographic excellence,” said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP. “The magazine’s decision to use HP Indigo technology for this print-on-demand customizable cover is a significant endorsement of the photo-quality imaging and advanced productivity the presses offer.”

The National Geographic Your Shot Collector’s Edition is the first special edition from National Geographic magazine devoted entirely to reader photography. The magazine has cultivated an extensive web-based group of photography lovers through its three-year-old “Your Shot” online offering and the more recent “My Shot,” which was launched in 2008 as an active photography-based community where readers can upload their photos to take part in various interactive options, such as jigsaw puzzles.

Confidence in HP Indigo technology

“The pervasiveness of HP Indigo technology in the printing industry gave us the confidence to approach the cover customization project with HP,” said John MacKethan, director, Consumer and Member Marketing, National Geographic Society. “Knowing that we would receive a level of quality that is consistent with our magazines, HP and Consolidated Graphics helped us create a new product that enables us to engage with photography enthusiasts and general consumers who like the idea of being able to customize the cover with a unique, personal photograph.”

To create the Your Shot Collector’s Edition, editors selected 101 images from the more than 150,000 photos that have been submitted through the Your Shot Webpage since June 2006. National Geographic’s regular gravure and web offset print service provider produced the body of the issue, as well as a complete newsstand version that does not have a customized cover.

HP Indigo and Consolidated Graphics

National Geographic worked with its e-commerce solutions provider to develop a web-to-print tool for the creation of customized covers. Consolidated Graphics then prints the covers on demand using HP Indigo 7000 digital presses installed across its network of plants in North America.

Consolidated Graphics is a leader in the use of digital color solutions for high-end commercial printing, ranking as the world’s largest user of HP Indigo presses. Last year, the company completed the largest-ever HP Indigo purchase agreement, installing 36 presses at various plants in North America and Europe and pushing its overall HP Indigo count to more than 50 presses.

“Consolidated Graphics is proud to be helping National Geographic bring this to market,” said Aaron Grohs, executive vice president, Sales and Marketing, Consolidated Graphics. “This is definitely part of the momentum Consolidated Graphics is witnessing in the marketplace, where unique, innovative and high-quality offerings are driving adoption of digital print-on-demand applications in an effort to provide consumers with a more personalized user experience.”

More information about HP graphic arts solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/graphicarts.

The custom-cover National Geographic Your Shot Collector’s Edition can be purchased at the National Geographic magazine website at http://ngm.com/your-shot-special.

About HP

HP, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

Xerox Helps Office Depot Customers Skip the Checkout Line

Editor — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 00:30:06 +0000

April 16, 2009 — Office Depot customers no longer have to wait at the checkout counter to pay for prints thanks to a solution created by Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) and Equitrac Corporation, a Xerox Alliance Partner.

AutoPay allows customers to purchase their prints directly from a Xerox multifunction printer (MFP) with the swipe of a credit card, store purchasing card or gift card. The solution automatically estimates the cost of the job, verifies there are sufficient funds on the card, applies Office Depot Worklife Rewards loyalty points, and prints a receipt when the job is complete.

Before AutoPay, customers took their print order to the checkout counter to pay for the service. Now they can copy their documents, redeem personal discounts and be on their way within minutes.

AutoPay works on Office Depot’s fleet of Xerox WorkCentre® 5655 and 7655 color MFPs across more than 1,100 stores in the U.S. The technology will be a key feature in the expanded rollout of the WorkCentre 7655 fleet, providing customers the ability to print color, black and white, and pay all on a single machine. The customized solution was made possible by integrating Xerox Secure Access Unified ID™ system card readers and Equitrac software for secure payments from the device.

“This solution provides an innovative service for Office Depot’s network of retail stores by turning MFPs into point-of-sale systems,” said George Hill, senior vice president of Office Depot’s Design, Print and Ship Depot. “We appreciate that our customers’ time is valuable. This simple solution allows them to get in and out of the store fast with their documents in hand, so they can get back to taking care of their business.”

This project builds on a 20-year partnership between Xerox and Office Depot. Retail stores in the U.S. are staffed with Xerox Certified Print Specialists who assist customers with a full range of print services such as wide-format printing, color analysis and a quality guarantee with each print job.

“Xerox is committed to making the print experience quicker, easier and more intuitive, without sacrificing quality or increasing cost,” said Deborah Cantabene, vice president of Workflow and Solutions Marketing, Xerox Corporation. “With Xerox Extensible Interface Platform™ technology, our open development platform, and partners such as Equitrac, we create tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of customers.”

About Equitrac Corporation

Making documents count for over 30 years, Equitrac is the world’s leading provider of solutions to authenticate, authorize and account for use of today’s multifunction printers, copiers, faxes and scanners. Equitrac is home to the industry’s best-funded R&D program, global alliances with leading manufacturers and the largest team of print management experts in the world. Equitrac device-embedded and terminal-based software works with all leading manufacturers’ equipment, and supports systems already in use, including college and university campus card systems, providing measurable results for any organization that needs to make networked printing more manageable, economical, convenient and secure. Visit Equitrac at http://equitrac.com/.

About Office Depot

Every day, Office Depot is Taking Care of Business for millions of customers around the globe. For the local corner store as well as Fortune 500 companies, Office Depot provides products and services to its customers through 1,713 worldwide retail stores, a dedicated sales force, top-rated catalogs and a $4.8 billion e-commerce operation. Office Depot has annual sales of approximately $14.5 billion and employs about 43,000 associates around the world. The company provides more office products and services to more customers in more countries than any other company, and currently sells to customers directly or through affiliates in 48 countries.