MFP Weekend Industry Notes

WEEKEND MFP INDUSTRY NOTES
12-21-08

The following is a quick review of copier/MFP industry news from industry publications.

Organizers of IPEX 2010 say that Ricoh may have the largest booth. IPEX is a huge production print tradeshow held in England. The next event is in May, 2010. Over 100,000 visitors are expected, with 40% coming from overseas. Ricoh has signed up for a 1400 square meter booth space to show its production color and b/w equipment.

Equitrac announced version of its cost recovery solution. Equitrac Professional version 5.2.3 offers new features:
- WAN Optimization allows IT personnel to configure caching options and use of locally configured servers
- Pop-up tracking of print processes allows administrators evaluate status of print requests direct from desktop and gives complete view of all steps in print job progression
- Can synchronize with Microsoft Active Directory
- Default network addressable home folder for scanning
- Can convert scanned files into TIFF or PDF file types
- Support for eCopy ScanStation
- Support for EFI DocSend or SendMe


Competing against the new Hewlett Packard Color LaserJet CM6040 MFP? Points to remember:
- does not offer EFI Fiery as an option
- does not produce 8 bits per pixel color
- when using fax, maximum resolution is only 300dpi
- uses pulverization toner infused with wax (does not use Simitri HD toner)
- comes out of box with only 512MB RAM
- maximum paper supply is only 2,100 sheets
- can not feed 10point or 100lb. cover stock
- document feeder can hold a maximum of 50 originals
- first copy out time when using ADF is a slow 19.9 seconds
- top scan speed is only 40opm
- The standard print controller processor is only 835MHz
- Can only spool one print job from the network at a time, as other jobs back up into the network
- Does not offer job program ahead feature
- Does not offer cover or page insertion
- Does not offer glossy mode
- Does not offer mixed original detection
- LCD display is only monochrome (one color)
- While advertised as offering 40ppm for color and b/w, BLI testing revealed it runs as slow as 17.4ppm.


Competing against the new Canon imageRUNNER C3380i? Points to remember:
- does not offer EFI Fiery as an option
- does not produce 8 bits per pixel color
- speed is only 33ppm for b/w and only 30ppm for color
- when using fax, maximum resolution is only 400dpi
- uses pulverization toner infused with wax (does not use Simitri HD toner)
- can not feed 10point or 100lb. cover stock
- bypass can handle a maximum of only 50 sheets
- document feeder can hold a maximum of 50 originals
- first copy out time when using ADF is a slow 11.7 seconds
- top scan speed is only 44opm
- color drums have max yield of only 60,000 impressions
- hard disk over-write does not come standard
- PostScript print driver is an expensive option
- Has limit of job program ahead of only 9 jobs
- Does not automatically detect paper size in the drawers or bypass
- End user must remove and then replace plastic guides when changing paper sizes
- End user must push button to open any drawer, instead of just pulling on handle
- LCD display does not tilt or swivel
- Must take device off-line to use the TWAIN scan mode
- Duplex mode is located under the finishing tab in the print driver
- BLI testing revealed it runs as slow as 17.7ppm.

Competing against the new Ricoh MP C3500? Points to remember:
- does not produce 8 bits per pixel color
- speed is only 35ppm for b/w and only 35ppm for color
- when using fax, maximum resolution is only 400dpi
- can not feed 10point or 100lb. cover stock
- bypass can handle a maximum of only 100 sheets
- maximum paper capacity of only 3,100 sheets
- top color scan speed is only 38 opm
- All drums have max yield of only 80,000 impressions
- PostScript print driver is an expensive option
- Optional PostScript driver does not allow for cover or sheet insertion
- Has limit of job program ahead of only 8 jobs
- offers only 500 user account codes
- Does not automatically detect paper size in the drawers or bypass
- End user must remove and then replace plastic guides when changing paper sizes
- End user must push button to open any drawer, instead of just pulling on handle
- LCD display does not tilt or swivel
- Control panel does not offer a Help key
- no paper or consumables feedback in the print drivers

Ricoh gave out its “Chariman’s Award” for 2008 to COECO. Details:
- Founded in 1921 by Grover Robbins.
- Current owner is Chuck Robbins
- President is Ken Stallings
- Has 11 offices in North Carolina and Virginia with 176 employees
- Headquarters in Rocky Mount, NC
- Besides Ricoh, also carries products from Sharp, Kyocera, Kodak, HP & IBM

In a cost cutting move, Xerox vacated three buildings in the Linden Oak Office Park in Rochester, NY area.

In a possible cost cutting move, Toshiba has yet to schedule a dealer meeting for 2009.


Ricoh hired Curious Digital to produce on-line websites and advertising to boost sales of its MFPs.

IKON officially launched the new Ricoh C900 production color system, and will be on display in many IKON showrooms, as they are now owned by Ricoh.

Commercial Communications Inc., a printshop in Hartland, WI, announced it acquired a Xerox iGen3 production color system.