The following is a quick review of copier/MFP industry news from various trade publications.- The scientist who made complaints about the emissions coming from Hewlett Packard laser printers. Lidia Marowaska of Queensland Institute of Technology in Australia has produced a second study that claims that the HP laser printers emit submicron-sized particles formed by complex reactions between volatile organic compounds. Apparently the particles are coming from the fuser rollers. Prior claim was rebuffed by Hewlett Packard. HP has yet to respond to this second study.
- Ricoh displayed its MFPs and demonstrated the security features during the West 2009 conference for the U.S. Navy & Marines in San Diego, CA on 2/11-13/09.
- Ricoh launched an optional embedded EFI Fiery controller for its color MFPs, the Aficio C2800, C3300, C4000 & C5000. Details of Fiery:
- 1.86GHz processor
- 1GB RAM
- 80GB hard drive
- 10/100/1000BaseT
- Booklet-maker wizard
- PCL & PostScript print drivers
- Named the Ricoh E3100 or E5100 controller
- Base MSRP of $4500.00
- Ricoh announced it is now offering a connector for Open Text fax server software, called Captaris RightFax or FaxPress), allowing access from Ricoh MFP control panel.
- Kodak announced that Ricoh Europe will resell its NexPress production color systems and the DigiMaster production b/w systems. Kodak also announced it has named Kevin Joyce as the Worldwide VP of Sales & Marketing of the division.
- Kodak introduced the Versamark VL6000 production color inkjet press, running at top speed of 150 meters per minute at 600x600dpi.
- According to research firm, Gartner, printer, copier & MFP shipments in Europe, Middle East & Africa totaled 48.2 million units, a decline of 8.4%. HP’s units were down 11%.
- Gartner also announced that Hewlett Packard is the largest consumer of semiconductors in 2008, for use in the PC’s and printers that they manufacture.
- Hewlett Packard upset many of its Indigo production color systems when it launched “MarketSplash”, a on-line print for pay service. Prints ordered on-line are either sent via mail, or customer can pick up at Staples. This service apparently competes against print shops that own HP Indigo systems. (in contrast, Kodak launched something in 2007, called “Kodak Creative Network”, and then shut it down 5 months later after pressure from printshops that own Kodak Digimaster and NexPress production systems)
- Hewlett Packard announced it has received the coveted “GRACoL” certification, a graphic arts standard for quality color printing, for its Indigo production color systems. The acronym stands for General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography.
- Hewlett Packard announced financials from the last quarter:
- Revenue from the printer/MFP division was down 19%
- Printer supplies revenue down 7%
- Business printer/MFP revenue down 37%
- Printer unit sales down 33%
- Printer division profits were up from 15.5% to 18.5% (since many of HP’s desktop printers are sold at a loss, and since they sold less, the division is more profitable)
- Advanced Copier Technology, a dealer in the Charlotte, NC area, announced that someone took off with their copier delivery truck. Police are confidant that they will recover it due to the large logo on the side. (LOL, oh thats a smart person)
- In a study conducted by The Photizo Group of copier dealers, it found the following regarding their implementation of becoming managed print services dealers:
- 80% of dealers are either “fence sitting” or “testing”
- 15% are committed to becoming successful
- 5% are very successful
- Predict revenue from MPS will be $15.7 billion in 2009, and grow to $26.8 billion in 2012
- Predict devices under MPS contract in 2009 will be 11.1 million, and grow to $19.1 million in 2012
- NEC announced it will relabel more products for its MFP product line. Details:
- NEC IT5050, IT6030 & IT8030, are b/w models offering 50ppm, 60ppm & 80ppm (from Kyocera)
- IT25C5, IT35C5 & IT45C4 are color models offering 25ppm, 35ppm & 45ppm (from Konica Minolta)
- IT2530D & IT3530D are b/w models offering 25ppm and 35ppm (from Konica Minolta)
- Ingram Micro, one of the country’s largest distributors of computers and peripherals, announced it will shed 8% of its workforce due to declining sales.
- Canon announced a new embedded solution for its MEAP-equipped MFPs. It will resell FACSys Fax server software from emFAST Inc. Pricing not announced.
- Canon launched a new solution software package called Canon Studio Solution. The software is for digital camera users and offers color management, image resizing, image re-touching as well as scheduling, contracting and invoicing for professional photographers.
- BERTL recently gave out a 4 Star award to the KIP 3100 b/w wide format system. Details:
- KIP is the North American subsidiary of Katsuragawa Corp. of Japan
- “a pleasant surprise”
- “delivers great printing and copy performance”
- “an excellent system”
- “performed very well in testing”
- To purchase copy of the report, visit www.BERTL.com
- Xante’ of Mobile, Alabama announced it is now shipping a desktop color LED printer for printing on envelopes:
- Called the Ilumina Digital Press+
- Engine is actually made by Okidata
- Advertised as handling up to 13”x15” envelopes
- Will also print on some window envelopes
- Has 500 envelope input bin and output conveyor
- Base MSRP of $14,995
- Optional extended warranties do not include supplies which includes toner, drums and fuser section
(printing on envelopes usually damages fuser rollers due to folded paper surface)
- In a cost cutting move, Anheuser-Busch, maker of Budweiser Beer, the following new rules are being considered:
- All management should turn in their Blackberry’s
- Putting a limit for each employee on how many pages they can print or copy
- Allow only one printer and copier will be allowed per floor in headquarters
- Eliminating overnite shipping
- EFI, maker of the Fiery print server, announced it will spend $100 million to buy back stock to boost its share price. (Take it from, this is one sign that the company is courting a buyer, or there has been a slight up tick)
- Oce’ announced it will resell Sefas Innovation software, called “Open Print Remake”, which allows companies to perform complex document enhancements without changing the original application. Pricing not announced.
- Sharp launched two new A4 b/w laser printers, the DX-B350P and DX-B450P featuring:
- 35ppm and 45ppm
- 1200x1200dpi
- Two standard paper drawers
- Can add up to two more paper drawers for maximum of 1800 sheet paper supply
- Optional auto duplex
- PCL & PostScript print drivers
- 533MHz processor
- 128MB RAM standard (can upgrade to 640MB)
- Optional 40GB hard drive (required for spooling)
- (units most likely are made by Fuji)
- Lexmark had its rating cut by Barclays Capital from “Equal Weight” to “Underweight” due to firm’s struggles. The stock dropped to a low of $18.95 per share.
- Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s both reduced the ratings for Toshiba Corp. The company announced it would post a $3 billion loss in the year to end in March. It also carries a near $20 billion debt burden. The stock has lost 70% of its value in the past year to a 28 year low.
- Are your customers using digital copiers that are in compliance with federal data security laws? The fines are hefty for non-compliance:
- HIPAA: up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines
- GLBA: More than 10 years in prison and $1 million in fines
- SOX: Up to 20 years in prison and $5 million in fines
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