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MFPs
Samsung has brought smartphone-like ease of
use and expandability to its new MFPs
Super smart,
super simple
For a year or more, Samsung
has been leveraging its
position as a leader in the
smartphone and tablet
computer markets to drive
innovation in printing,
especially printing from mobile
devices. Following its launch
of the first NFC-enabled ‘Print
on Tap’ MFPs, it has now
announced the industry’s first
printers based on the Android
operating system.
Launched at September’s
IFA 2014 consumer electronics
exhibition in Berlin, the Smart
MultiXpress series features
an Android OS and Samsung’s
Smart UX Center, the same
touch technology used in
Samsung Galaxy smartphones
and tablets.
This combination provides a
scalable platform for individual
printer apps – just like a
smartphone – and the printer
industry’s first application of
haptic technology, which uses
vibration for a more tactile user
experience.
It also allows the printers
to operate independently of a
PC, with on-the-go connectivity
through Samsung Cloud Print
and the ability to preview, edit
and annotate documents on
the MFP screen.
Mark Ash, general manager
of Samsung Electronics Print
Division, UK and Ireland, said:
“What we’ve done with the
Smart MultiXpress series is
put a 10.1-inch tablet-like full
touchscreen panel on the front
of the device, which enables
people to search and print from
web browsers, emails and other
types of content just like they
do with mobile devices, without
the need to connect to a PC or
server.”
He added: “Our new PC-
independent print technology
provides increased efficiency
and productivity for a mobile
and fluid workplace. And as
the range is compatible with
Samsung’s XOA (eXtensible
Open Architecture) printing
solutions platform, models
can be customised to meet
specific business needs. What
we’ve done is ensure that
super smart is also super
simple.”
Another feature likely to
be welcomed by businesses
with large numbers of
smartphone users is the
optional NFC Pro accessory.
Sold separately, this offers
easy mobile printing from
smartphones, a stronger user
authentication process and
improved IT administration,
including the ability to ‘clone’
security settings on multiple
MFPs just by tapping on the
NFC Pro accessory.
The Samsung Smart
MultiXpress series includes
three A3 colour MFPs, with print
speeds of 30, 25 and 22 pages
per minute; three A3 mono
MFPs, with print speeds of 35,
30 and 25ppm; and four A4
mono MFPs with print
speeds of 53, 45 and
43ppm.
NFC-Enabled
In July, Samsung
expanded its range
of A4 colour devices
with a new laser
printer and new
MFP designed for
small and medium-
sized businesses. The
ProXpress C2620 and
2670 combine fast print
speeds of 26ppm (colour
and mono), a 4.3in
touchscreen display and
NFC tap to print/scan
functionality.
Ash points out
that extending NFC
capabilities to business-class
devices was an obvious move:
“Our customers are using
their mobile phones to unlock
hotel doors, make contactless
payments and even to access
vending machines. Making this
available on printing devices is
the next logical step,” he said.
In addition to mobile printing
applications, Samsung is using
NFC for ‘tap to authenticate’,
which personalises the MFP
user interface and saves
money by removing the need
for a card reader, and for
printer maintenance. A smart
printer diagnosis system on
the ProXpress series enables
dealers and customers to tap
their smartphone on the printer
display to view and fix printing
errors. The printer transmits
its operational status and
problem-solving video clips to
the smartphone.
As the workplace becomes a
‘mobile first’ environment and
employees spread their working
time across multiple devices
as opposed to relying on a PC
to get the job done, customers
are demanding more flexible
solutions. Samsung’s Smart
MultiXpress and ProXpress
MFPs meet this demand.
Larger, app-enabled screens
are also a feature of the new
18-strong range of Xerox
ConnectKey MFPs. Introduced
one and a half year’s ago,
the Xerox ConnectKey
platform combines workflow
integration with mobility and
the cloud; built-in security;
cost control; sustainability
tools; remote management;
serverless apps; and an open
API for integrating MFPs with
software and systems.
Xerox is encouraging
resellers to make the most
of ConnectKey’s ability to run
customised print, IT integration
and workflow apps by using the
Xerox App Studio web-based
wizard to create their own. A
new feature of Xerox App Studio
2.0 is the option to scan to and
print from Microsoft Office 365
and Dropbox so that a reseller
can now create an app for a
customer that connects an
individual user to a Dropbox/
Office 365 account. With all
credentials pre-loaded, all the
user has to do is enter their
password at the device.
Apps just for you
