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brand. The Canon i-SENSYS MF9220Cdn and i-SENSYS MF9280Cdn feature the same colour imaging technology as Canon’s high-end devices but in a space-saving, economical A4 format. The i-SENSYS MF9220Cdn is aimed at small organisations wanting an undemanding colour capability; while the MF9280Cdn featuring PCL, PostScript Level 3 and a Remote User Interface caters for larger organisations with managed IT infrastructures. Key features include a 3.5in TFT display; SEND functionality that allows sharing of high quality documents via network and email; LDAP support; two-sided printing and scanning; and a maximum 850-sheet paper capacity.

Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta’s ry-level A4 colour MFP, the bizhub C25 (also available from evelop as the eo+ 25), prints, pies, scans d faxes at eeds of 24ppm colour and output, with automatic two-sided printing. If required, it includes the ability to restrict access to colour printing/copying. The next model up in the range, the bizhub C35 has a larger touch-screen display and offers more security features and enhanced solutions support including user authentication and centralised management via the PageScope Enterprise Suite software. Lexmark

One of the main advocates of A4 devices as cost-effective alternatives to A3 machines, Lexmark has announced two smart A4 colour MFPs powered

PRINT.IT 17 www.binfo.co.uk

This clear trend is caused partly by a natural growth of the A4 MFP market and partly by the success of companies like HP, Lexmark and Samsung in persuading businesses that A4 MFPs represent a more compact, affordable, energy-effcient alternative to A3 devices for 95% of a company’s document production needs. Businesses that have addressed this market have enjoyed considerable success, not least Kyocera (see page 13) and its wholly owned subsidiary UTAX, which saw UK sales grow by 31% last year driven in part by demand for its new A4 machines.

An added incentive for businesses is that scaling down no longer involves dumbing down, as many of today’s A4 MFPs are as powerful and fexible as their A3 counterparts, especially in relation to integration with enterprise applications.

The ability to offer a mix of A3 and A4 MFPs has become essential for print vendors targeting the business market, especially if managed print services are involved. A growing number of these have the same touch-screens user interfaces and solutions platforms as larger A3 devices, allowing businesses to access the same workfows and solutions from all print devices.

Samsung, Kyocera and Sharp all both recently launched A4 devices based on the same software development platforms as their departmental

IDC fgures quoted by Lexmark at the launch of its new A4 MFPs demonstrate how the ratio of A4 to A3 MFPs is changing. According to the research organisation, the A3:A4 ratio went from 40:60 in 2004, to 24:76 in 2008. Next year, IDC expects the ratio to be 20:80.

A4 MFPs

Scaled down, not dumbed down

MFDs (XOA, HyPAS and OSA respectively).

Not everyone requires this level of functionality, but even at the low-end of the A4 MFP range, products are being enhanced with higher print speeds and new productivity features likely to appeal to business users, such as scan-to-email with LDAP support, high yield cartridges for lower print costs and duplex scanning.

Five New A4 MFPs

Samsung Samsung is targeting small and medium-sized workgroups with two new mono laser MFPs, the SCX-4833FD (31ppm) and SCX-5737FW (35ppm). Useful functions include

secure pull printing (using PIN codes) to maintain document security; high yield toners (up to 10,000 pages on the SCX-5737FW and 5,000 pages on the SCX-4833FD); duplex scanning (on the SCX-5737FW); colour LCD touch-screens; Dual Core processors for improved productivity; Direct USB print; and, on the SCX-5737FW, a Wi-Fi Protected Setup button for simpler wireless networking. Canon

Canon has launched two network-ready, 21ppm A4 colour all-in-ones under its i-SENSYS

by intelligent solutions to streamline paper intensive processes. Aimed at mid-sized workgroups, the X548 colour laser MFP family (the X548de and X548dte) has print speeds of 25ppm mono/23ppm colour and comes with a host of time-saving features, including a 7-inch colour touch-screen display, reversing automatic document feeder for duplex scanning and, for improved security, user authentication and secure printing. The eTask interface can be customised with a choice of shortcuts and pre-loaded solutions.

HP

The 52ppm HP LaserJet Enterprise M4555 MFP comes with the full array of multifunction features including print, copy, colour scan, fax and Digital Send choices (scan-to-email, save to network folder, save to USB drive, send to FTP, send to LAN fax and send to internet fax). Automatic duplexing and automatic two-sided scanning come as standard and, being built on HP’s Open Extensibility Platform, the mono MFP can be integrated with workfow solutions from HP and third parties. The device features several enterprise tools including: HP Web Jetadmin for device monitoring and management and HP FutureSmart frmware, which helps keep features up-to-date and simplifes the development and deployment of HP and third-party solutions.

The Konica Minolta C25