Print IT Reseller - issue 48

01732 759725 46 PRODUCT ROADMAP Whilst the finer details around the new product roadmap are still being finalised, Spencer was happy to outline the intended launch plan for next year and into 2019. “There will be a major refresh of our A3 MFP line-up,” he said. The roll-out of the new 16 strong range that spans both colour and mono devices with speeds ranging from 25 to 75ppm (colour) and 25 to 85ppm (mono) is expected to commence in the summer with the high-end models towards the end of the year. “One of the biggest changes we are making is across usability,” Spencer explained, adding: “The new models are designed to be even more user-friendly. Today, people are used to working on tablets and are looking for a ubiquitous experience across all the devices they use, that’s why we’re making the GUI bigger, with an embedded web browser on the front of all new devices.” In terms of the look and feel of the new MFPs, Toshiba is making a few minor tweaks but retaining its black livery. “The design we unveiled a couple of years ago has been very well received, so we’re not planning to make any changes to that,” he said. Customisation up to a whole new level The new A3 range will feature a number of enhancements to the controller, a move designed to support more apps for customer workflows. “A big push for us next year is with customisation – the way end-users interact with the machines,” Spencer stated. He added: “We’re looking at new ways for customers to engage with the MFPs and the typical buttons that appear on the screen won’t be in the same guise. Individual customers will benefit from fully customised screens whether they want a user interface that displays just two basic functions, or multiple buttons that incorporate all of the workflows they want to work from the device. We already have that functionality, but this next-generation will bring customisation up to a whole new level.” The new range will feature a number of new connectors for customisation including Office 365 as well as embedded At the company’s dealer conference in Madrid in November, Toshiba Tec Marketing Director Jeremy Spencer hinted at plans for a brand new product line-up in 2018 and beyond. PrintIT Reseller caught up with him after the event to find out more Toshiba Tec shares new product roadmap OCR engines. The new devices will also support NFC (Near Field Communication) connection which is new for Toshiba. Security also remains high on the agenda. Spencer said: “The advent of GDPR brings new responsibilities for businesses to protect individuals’ personal data and whilst our solutions as a standalone won’t ensure compliance, they will go some way in assisting companies with some elements of their GDPR- compliance journeys.” Highest security standards All e-BRIDGE Next models fulfil the highest security standards to protect data from unwanted access. The new range will sport features including the self-encrypting Toshiba Secure HDD which provides top level security. The hard disk drive uses a complex encryption and authentication method which only allows the device it has been installed in to access the data stored on it. If removed and connected to another PC or MFP the data cannot be extracted. We’re looking at new ways for customers to engage with the MFPs and the typical buttons that appear on the screen won’t be in the same guise