News

By James True

The Small-to-Medium (SMB) business segment may be one of the most misunderstood markets ever. Vendors erroneously assume SMB is a large, undifferentiated market that is easy to sell into, especially compared to large enterprises, where big brands and massive corporate sales forces are needed to get a foot in the door.

In fact, SMBs vary substantially in their technology needs. The smaller prospect is very different than the larger mid-sized firm in terms of the technologies they can use as well as how they buy, support and implement these technologies. The differences between small and mid-sized companies are well-illustrated by their document management technology needs. In particular, integrating electronic document management technology with the business applications commonly used by the small enterprise poses a special challenge.

Let there be little doubt: SMBs, in common with their enterprise corporate counterparts, can and do benefit by going paperless. All companies can take advantage of streamlined workflow and improved business processes, while saving money on physical storage space and associated costs. However, in order for SMBs to fully gain all the advantages of an integrated electronic document management solution, the following differences between small and mid-sized companies must be recognized:

• Smaller firms typically have no IT departments, so ease of use is important along with out-of-the-box functionality;
• Smaller firms have strictly limited operating budgets and will only sign on if there is clear and compelling value;
• Mid-sized firms tend to gravitate to Value Added Resellers (VARs) for advice and customization of a solution specific for their market segment or have internal technical staff assigned to such tasks.

An example of document management solutions tailored to different types of SMBs can be found in Cabinet NG’s products. Cabinet NG’s CNG-SAFE (Shared Access Filing Environment) is an automated document management and workflow software platform that gives the SMB everything necessary for successful document management in a single package. This includes advanced data protection, intuitive user interface and the ability to integrate with most third-party applications.

Integrating electronic document management with third-party applications must align with the differences between small and mid sized firms’ resources. For the small firm, Cabinet NG’s Retriever™ works with virtually any Windows- based program to allow access to CNG-SAFE documents and document management functionality from within an existing application. Behind the scenes, Cabinet NG’s Synchronizer ensures index data, between CNG-SAFE and the 3^rd party application, is up to date. Synchronizer easily connects to any ODBC/OLEDB compliant database to automatically create and update data used by CNG-SAFE. As growing firms upgrade or replace existing 3^rd party applications they can continue using CNG-SAFE in the new environment and extend their investment and use of document management with Retriever and Synchronizer.

Mid-sized firms needing to go beyond the productivity benefits offered by Retriever and Synchronizer can use the Cabinet NG Application Programming Interface (CNG-API). The CNG-API allows developers to integrate other software applications with Cabinet NG’s document repository and workflow processes. CNG-API’s set of program methods and classes is the preferred approach to meet the custom needs found in most mid-sized firms. Resellers, OEMs or clients developers using the CNG-API are able to increase end-user productivity with seamless integration to the businesses existing core applications.

Retriever, Synchronizer and the CNG-API all share the ability to offer SMBs these benefits:

• Tying CNG-SAFE document management functionality to existing business applications;
• Increasing productivity by performing document management functions from one application;
• Streamlining and automating business processes from a single interface, and;
• Preserving existing application investments and maximizing return on investment.

The SMB market is unique, and within it are yet more unique needs. Effectively supplying SMBs of all stripes with all the benefits of integrated electronic document management requires a range of technologies with varying degrees of plug-and-play functionality.

November 17, 2008 -- A new study from the Photizo Group captures the nuances and preferences of the Western European Managed Print Services (MPS) market. The Western European MPS Decision Maker Tracking Study™ is the first dedicated research into managed print services in France, Germany and the UK. The first-of-its-kind study is available now.

"The practice of managed print services can be adopted by companies anywhere, but priorities, concerns and preferences can and do vary, according to our research. As vendors pursue MPS opportunities, this information can guide their efforts in productive directions. Companies in these countries considering MPS contracts will also benefit from understanding how others in their markets are evaluating and adopting MPS," said Ed Crowley, founder and president of the Photizo Group.

Photizo gathered data from over 300 MPS decision makers in IT, facilities management and purchasing roles, representing France, Germany and the UK. The research has two major components. The brand study assesses brand awareness, consideration, familiarity, and satisfaction. The purchase study closely examines MPS decision drivers, the scope and breadth of MPS agreements, and the profiles of MPS decision makers.

The brand study helps decision makers identify how their brand is performing in relation to competitive brands. Key metrics such as brand awareness and consideration are key leading indicators of the brand's future market share and competitive position. The Photizo Group has developed a proprietary "Brand Strength Index™" measurement, which identifies the relative strength of major brands using brand awareness, consideration and familiarity metrics. In addition, the firm has created a "Brand Experience Index™" measurement, which is based on MPS decision makers' satisfaction with their MPS provider and their willingness to recommend this provider to other firms. The study has found that the "Big Three" brands have significant distance from the rest of the pack in terms of brand strength. At the same time, most firms have relatively high Brand Experience Index scores, indicating a high overall satisfaction level with MPS providers.

The purchasing study identifies 23 specific MPS offerings such as:

• Automatic supplies replenishment
• Recommendations on device deployment and installation
• End user training
• Maintenance actions
• Device utilization monitoring and reporting
• Help desk services
• Supplies replacement onsite

While requirements in North America and Western Europe are similar in many respects (18 out of 23 criteria), there are significant differences on key service deliverables. In fact, there is a greater degree of variability within Western Europe than between Western Europe and the United States. Of the European countries studied, 13 of 23 requirements were significantly different.

The implication is that each region requires uniquely crafted MPS solutions; a "one size fits all" approach is not the best answer. Pan-European programs must allow for country-level flexibility in order to meet country-level requirements. There are clear differences between regions that must be understood in order to craft effective MPS programs and marketing campaigns.

MAHWAH, N.J., Nov 14, 2008  -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today announced it has once again expanded its direct regional sales operation with the opening of the newest Sharp Business Systems (SBS) branch in Greenville, SC. SIICA's SBS unit has purchased Greenville-based Kearns Business Solutions from The Pater Group, to serve the Upstate South Carolina market.

Sharp Business Systems in South Carolina will be managed by current president Tom Pickens, who will serve as branch president, and brings vast knowledge and industry experience to Sharp.
"We take great pride in providing our customers with the highest quality service and support. As a part of Sharp, we are very excited to represent some of the most innovative document imaging products available today. We will continue to provide our existing customers with the same level of service, but now with the full range of Sharp hardware and software for all document management needs."

Kearns Business Solutions has served the Upstate South Carolina market for 27 years and in that time they have garnered a reputation for excellent service and commitment to its customers. They also have a strong track record of success in managed print services, particularly in the education market. Kearns Business Solutions brings all of its 70 employees to Sharp Business Systems and will offer customers the newest and most advanced Sharp office products and solutions while continuing to serve existing equipment and contract agreements.

"After a successful tenure with The Pater Group, we felt that the combination of Kearns sales staff working in the Sharp Business Systems model was the best opportunity for the employees of Kearns," said Tony Pater, Chairman of the Pater Group. "We appreciate Kearns' hard work and commitment to excellence and wish Tom, and his entire team, the best of luck as part of Sharp Business Systems."

By Corey Smith

Tristam Wallace, at the Document Imaging Blog, had a very interesting post on SharePoint and Document Imaging. I think that one of the most common misconceptions is that if you have SharePoint in your office that you have a fully featured document imaging system.

SharePoint can certainly help increase your productivity through collaboration and document storage, but if you have a lot of unstructured data (documents that have been scanned), you probably need to look at integrating your document imaging system (capture/scanning or storage) with SharePoint to help your employees increase their document management productivity.

Here is the list of five considerations that Tristam points out:

1. Paper connectivity should not require major IT involvement.
2. Are SharePoint project teams outside your firewall?
3. Are hosted SharePoint services in your future?
4. Is real-time integration with SharePoint supported?
5. Is the document imaging application flexible and does it support multiple workflows?

Be sure to go to the Document Imaging Blog to read all of Tristam’s thoughts

Momentum Prague, 10 November 2008 – eCopy, Inc. - is showcasing technologies that combine intelligent document recognition (IDR) and front office document scanning devices at the EMC Momentum Prague 2008 Conference from 10 to 13 November. eCopy will present IDR solutions that enable organizations to cope with enormous volumes and varieties of paper-based documents, shorten “time to value” of information, and reduce the IT burden of supporting multi point solutions.

eCopy will show conference attendees how the EMC Captiva Dispatcher and eCopy solutions start the dynamic document capture process at the document imaging device, either a scanner or multi-functional device (MFD). As a result, documents are classified, data is extracted and validated before it enters the corporate network or content management system.

“Organizations are able to leverage eCopy alongside EMC solutions to capture and process paper documents and forms in a simple, efficient, automated way, before delivering content into business applications and processes,” said Alan Cornwell, eCopy general manager, Europe, “When our solutions are used together, the two life-cycle processes are merged to create a single policy, which reduces cost, increases productivity, and significantly enhances security.”

At EMC Momentum, Owen Kilbane, eCopy business development manager for EMEA, will present a session titled “Distributed Capture Platforms - Reducing Costs, Removing Bottlenecks and Mitigating Risk.” In this presentation, Kilbane will discuss strategies that take advantage of MFDs and scanners already in place, enabling organizations to deploy capture technologies to remote offices and reduce manual document handling processes. The Momentum session will take place on 12 November at 5 pm.

“Distributed capture enables organizations to reduce their operational costs associated with moving, storing, retrieving, and managing  paper-based files, as well as substantially accelerate business processes,” said Chris Preston, Senior Director, Content Management and Archiving, EMC Corporation.  “We are pleased to be working with eCopy as we are both committed to helping organizations leverage distributed capture technology to make a real difference in the way work gets done.”

In addition, eCopy’s solution increases the useful lifespan of previous capital investments, for example, corporate networks, MFDs and content management systems, by enhancing their functionality. This helps justify marginal costs and ROI calculations associated with adopting end-to-end distributed capture solutions.

Direct Integration into EMC Software

EMC Captiva InputAccel Connector for eCopy ShareScan® - - Office workers can scan documents directly to EMC Captiva for processing from an MFD or scanner. The Connector provides one integrated solution for all document capture devices.

eCopy Connector for EMC Documentum Content Manager -- An application with “Documentum 6 Ready” designation from EMC that delivers distributed document scanning and routing capabilities from eCopy ShareScan to Content Manager, enabling organizations to bring documents once stored outside electronic workflows into their ECM system.

eCopy Connector for Documentum ApplicationXtender (AX) -- The Connector provides distributed document scanning and routing seamlessly from a MFD or scanner to AX, enabling any office worker to authenticate and store documents directly to the appropriate repository.

eCopy Software Developer’s Kit -- A software toolkit that enables corporate and third-party developers to create applications that bridge the gap between paper documents and business software, enabling office workers to easily add paper directly into electronic workflows and business processes via an MFD or scanner.
About eCopy, Inc.
eCopy™, Inc. is an innovative provider of open and flexible solutions that transform paperwork into paper that works. With more than 75,000 units of eCopy ShareScan sold, eCopy is the market leader in MFP document imaging software. eCopy customers include GE, Time Warner Inc., Yahoo!, Nissan, Verizon Wireless, BP, Sprint, General Motors, Siemens, Cisco Systems, SAAB, and Sony Corporation. eCopy, Inc. is a global company headquartered in the United States, with subsidiaries in Japan and the UK, offices in Germany, France, Scandinavia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. For more information, visit http://eCopy.com or join the conversation at eCopy’s Document Imaging Blog at http://documentimaging.typepad.com/.

By utilizing DocuWare, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital has saved $20,000 a month! Patient care has improved significantly and wait times have been reduced because information is readily available to both patients and staff. DocuWare is being used to manage outpatient lab records across a multi-site environment, collect payments from insurance companies faster, as well as store radiology scripts, insurance cards and signed release forms.

Bozeman Deaconess Hospital’s primary objective is providing quality healthcare to individuals and their families. The hospital is an 86-bed, full service, not-for-profit hospital located in Bozeman, Montana, serving 85,000 people in a 90 mile radius and drawing additional patients from surrounding counties.

As the medical needs of the community grew, the hospital expanded its services to allow patients to have lab work done in any one of three locations. The pressing need for a better way to manage patient records and laboratory results across a multi-site system caused the hospital to investigate implementing an electronic document management system not only for the laboratory, but for other areas of the hospital as well.

FAIRFIELD, N.J. – November 3, 2008 – Kyocera Mita America, Inc., one of the world's leading document solutions companies, today announced that Advanced Imaging Solutions (AIS), one of its Premier Diamond Dealers, has been recognized in Inc. magazine's list of America's 5,000 fastest-growing companies for 2008.

Inc.’s annual award acknowledges the fastest-growing private companies in America with innovative and successful products that are in demand and highly influential in today’s marketplace. The Inc. 5000 companies are ranked according to the percentage of revenue growth from 2004 through 2007.

“We are proud to receive our second consecutive ranking in the Inc. 5000,” said Gary Harouff, president of Advanced Imaging Solutions. “This honor underscores our commitment to providing leading-edge document imaging solutions from Kyocera Mita America, coupled with unmatched services and support. This dedication to providing quality solutions and services has allowed us to bring a collaborative, partner-oriented model to each sales engagement; ensuring prospects and customers receive ongoing value from our sales teams.”

AIS attained strong results in the Inc. 5000 by offering a strong line-up of award-winning Kyocera document imaging solutions. Kyocera’s solutions deliver easy-to-use technology, unparalleled reliability and a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

“We extend our congratulations to Advanced Imaging Solutions on their ranking in the Inc. 5000,” said Michael Pietrunti, president and CEO of Kyocera Mita America. “Their accomplishment stems from their ongoing commitment to customer service – as AIS dealers gain a deep understanding of customer business models in order to better communicate the competitive advantages of the Kyocera offerings.”

For further information and a complete listing of the Inc. 5000, please visit http://www.inc.com/inc5000/

For additional information about Advanced Imaging Solutions, please visit http://www.ais-now.com/

For additional information about Kyocera Mita products, please visit http://www.kyoceramita.com/us

ABOUT ADVANCED IMAGING SOLUTIONS
Advanced Imaging Solutions (http://www.ais-now.com) purpose is to provide superior quality multi-functional copiers, printers, facsimiles, scanners and software to businesses and organizations. The digital age of office technology has demanded that businesses select vendors that are not only savvy when it comes to the hardware and software, but possess a customer service orientation to consistently be accountable. This requires extraordinary people that are supported with innovative systems and programs designed with the customer in mind. AIS employs only the finest sales, service and administrative personnel and being a locally owned independent dealer, has the flexibility to create or select from a variety of resources, only the very best programs to fit our customer’s needs.

ABOUT INC.COM
Inc.com, the daily resource for entrepreneurs, delivers how-to guides, advice, tools, breaking news, and rich multi-media to help business owners and CEOs start, run, and grow their businesses. Inc.com offers dynamic marketing solutions to help advertisers effectively reach Inc.com's audience of business leaders. For more information, please visit http://www.inc.com.

ABOUT KYOCERA MITA AMERICA
Kyocera Mita America, Inc. (www.kyoceramita.com/us), headquartered in Fairfield, N.J., is a leading provider of computer-connectable document imaging and document management systems, including network-ready digital MFPs/printers, laser printers, color MFPs/printers, digital laser facsimiles, and multifunctional and wide format imaging solutions. Kyocera Mita America is a group company of Kyocera Mita Corporation. Kyocera Mita Corporation is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. Kyocera Mita America, the first document solutions company with third-party certified sales data, has earned numerous honors for its products’ high performance, reliability and cost efficiency. Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net revenues exceeded $10 billion for the year ending on March 31, 2008.

By Corey Smith

With the financial challenges of current market conditions, being green can provide your organization with much needed fiscal relief. Being green can help you to save money.

There are more factors in being green in printing than you might think.

eWeek has published an interesting article on this very topic.

Here are some key areas that the eWeek article points out.

1. Duplexing. Printing on both sides of the stock is an obvious way to save paper. You need to be sure to have a device that makes duplexing easier. In fact, you can set up the print driver to default to duplexing.
2. Printing N-Up (multiple items on the same sheet). If you can print 2 or 4, for example, on the same sheet, you can save some paper. Using traditional tools like MS Word, this can be a bit more of a challenge. Many printers have the capability right in the driver now.
3. Recycled Paper. Using recycled paper may help the environment, but it may not cost you less money. Some printers aren’t designed to handle this media and might require more service and support if used improperly.
4. Ink Saver Mode. Most printers now have an ink saver mode that allows less ink to be used when printing. In many cases, you won’t even know the difference in the quality of printing.
5. Energy Saving Features. Most devices now have the ability to go into energy saver mode. This draws significantly less power but does take some power up time to be ready to print. Saving energy means saving money.

You can read the entire eWeek article here.

Corey Smith is the Editor in Chief for Office Product News and maintains a business and technology blog.

FAIRFIELD, N.J. – October 27, 2008 – Kyocera Mita America, Inc., one of the world's leading document solutions companies, today announced it has been awarded the 2008 Excellence in Partnership (EIP) award for Industry Green Contractor from the U.S. Government's General Services Administration (GSA) and the Coalition for Government Procurement, the single most effective voice for commercial service and product companies selling in the federal market.

The Industry Green Contractor award is presented to the vendor who has made the strongest commitment to the environment by offering environmentally-friendly products and adhering to environmentally-sound manufacturing and operating procedures. This award is one of five awards available to industry groups, and is recognized as one of the most competitive EIP award categories.

“At Kyocera Mita America, we strive to maintain a clear vision in pursuing a balance between economic development and environmental preservation," said Michael Pietrunti, president and CEO at Kyocera Mita America. "Being honored with the Industry Green Contractor award underscores our global commitment to adopt policies and develop environmentally-friendly products that can actively alleviate today’s existing environmental problems – through energy and resource conservation, ozone layer protection and waste reduction."

Working closely with the GSA to provide eco-friendly products and services that meet today’s federal, local and state government needs, Kyocera strives to reduce the impact technology places on the environment by delivering products that seek to reduce waste and the consumption of energy/natural resources.

“We are pleased to recognize Kyocera Mita America as an environmentally-responsible organization within the federal procurement system,” said Larry Allen, president, Coalition for Government Procurement. “Kyocera is a strong example of a government vendor that offers quality solutions that seeks to enhance workforce productivity without neglecting environmental preservation needs or policies.”

From a product perspective, Kyocera’s printers use the unique ECOSYS® technology, which is built on Kyocera’s patented Amorphus Silicon (ASi) and Organic Photoconductor (OPC) drums. This combination allows Kyocera’s printers to handle hundreds of thousands of prints before replacement is needed. The long lasting drums are separate from the toner, thereby eliminating the need to replace the drum when the toner is depleted; which further reduces landfill waste.

Additionally, Kyocera’s products are ENERGY STAR compliant; consuming less power to perform regular tasks and automatically switch to a low-power mode when not in use.

From a corporate level, Kyocera is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 certified. This certification demonstrates Kyocera’s environmental management system excellence; emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility by establishing a strategic organizational framework and approach to environmental policy, plans and actions. Achieving ISO 14001:2004 certification enables Kyocera to identify and control the environmental impact of its activities and products; allowing the Company to more effectively implement a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets.

Kyocera Mita America accepted the Industry Green Contractor award at the 9th Annual EIP award banquette, held on Thursday, October 23, 2008, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.

For more information about Kyocera and its green policies, please visit www.kyoceramita.com/us
For more information on the Coalition for Government Procurement, please visit www.thecgp.org
For more information on the Excellence in Partnership Awards, please visit www.eipawards.com

ABOUT KYOCERA MITA AMERICA
Kyocera Mita America, Inc. (www.kyoceramita.com/us), headquartered in Fairfield, N.J., is a leading provider of computer-connectable document imaging and document management systems, including network-ready digital MFPs/printers, laser printers, color MFPs/printers, digital laser facsimiles, and multifunctional and wide format imaging solutions. Kyocera Mita America is a group company of Kyocera Mita Corporation. Kyocera Mita Corporation is a core company of Kyocera Corporation, the world's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced ceramics and associated products, including telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages and electronic components. Kyocera Mita America, the first document solutions company with third-party certified sales data, has earned numerous honors for its products’ high performance, reliability and cost efficiency. Kyocera Corporation's consolidated net revenues exceeded $10 billion for the year ending on March 31, 2008.

MAHWAH, NJ, October 22, 2008 -- Sharp today announced that the first models in its new Frontier Series, the MX-C311 and the MX-C401, will begin shipping in November. The MX-C311 and MX-C401 are the first in the new line of A4 Multifunction Peripheral (MFP) and printer products that are designed to meet the needs of small and medium workgroups and bring the superior performance of Sharp technology closer to the end-user. Other models in the Frontier series will be launched throughout the fall and winter.

“The new Sharp Frontier Series of A4 MFPs and printers will bring office document products to the center of activity in the office, and help IT managers more efficiently consolidate disparate printers,” said Ed McLaughlin, President, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “The MX-C311, MX-C401, and the rest of the Frontier Series, are really beyond categorization, because they package Sharp’s unique document management and true multitasking strengths in an MFP that is easy to use and so much more attractive as the centerpiece of a data-intensive office. I expect the Frontier Series to eventually change the way we view MFPs entirely.”

The new MX-C311 and MX-C401 feature digital color copier, printer and scanner capabilities in a single MFP. Each is designed with a brilliant 8.5 inch (diagonal) WVGA Color Touch panel display for easy navigation in IT-oriented workflow intensive environments. The MX-C311 can print up to 31 pages per minute in color and up to 31 pages per minute mono copy and print. The MX-C401 can print up to 40 pages per minute in color and up to 40 pages per minute mono copy and print. Both units can produce up to 35 images per minute for color scanning, and both units accommodate up to legal-size paper.

The distinctive design of the MX-C311 and MX-C401 complements the contemporary office setting. Sharp has given each model in the Frontier Series a stylish, textural exterior with sleek body lines, chrome accents, and a brilliant color display. A space-saving and “wingless” inner staple finisher keeps the profile sleek and compact, creating a footprint that’s the smallest in its class, enabling it to fit in to spaces a traditional MFP cannot.

Customizable Business Solutions with Sharp OSA^® Technology
The MX-C311 and MX-C401 support the new third generation of the Sharp OSA^® development platform, turning the product into a gateway for document-based business communications by integrating the devices with network-based applications. Sharp OSA^® technology enables dealers and developers to create fully networked and customized document solutions to meet virtually any business need. With Sharp OSA^® technology, businesses can securely connect devices with a wide range of enterprise applications, including document management applications, reporting functions and internally developed programs. No other A4 MFP offers this level of connectivity.

Sharp OSA^® technology can leverage the widescreen display of the MX-C311 and MX-C401 to provide enhanced flexibility, easier viewing through advanced controls, and play back of flash clips to enhance the user experience. Users will find this makes accessing an application from an MFP a similar experience to using a workstation, minimizing steps and time to complete tasks.

Remote Access Capabilities
Both the MX-C311 and MX-C401 include Sharp’s newest developments in device management, with a Remote Front Panel printer administration utility (PAU version 5.0) that provides the IT administrator or helpdesk professional with the ability to see exactly what the end-user is seeing. They can remotely change settings, show the user how to perform a function, or diagnose and often rectify problems without deploying a technician to the device. This unique MFP capability dramatically reduces unit downtime and service expenses.

Network Security
The award-winning Sharp Security Suite is standard on MX-C311 and MX-C401 models. This means each model meets the requirements set forth in the IEEE-2600-2008 standard, as well as IPv6. The Sharp Security Suite can be enhanced through data security kits that protect document data using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption and secure data erase, which can overwrite the hard drive up to seven times. The units also offer several layers of added security such as IP/MAC address filtering, SSL Encryption, and IPsec (IP Security) protection. They also offer local and network user authentication to ensure only authorized access to the devices.

Best of Breed Supply System
With an eye towards efficiency, Sharp has created a unique Best of Breed Supply System that virtually eliminates downtime needed to replenish supplies, and lowers the cost of ownership for the customer. Like traditional printer-based products, each supply item is designed to be quickly and easily replaced. No tools are required and each cartridge is color coded and keyed, for simple and quick user replacement with no mess and no downtime. To further reduce downtime and service labor expense, other maintenance items, such as its primary transfer belt unit, secondary transfer roller unit, fuser, paper feed rollers and document feed rollers are all designed for quick, tool-free replacement.

Dedicated My Sharp™ Support
The MX-C311 and MX-C401 come with My Sharp support, a dedicated website that provides 24/7 support and training tools to help maximize the features of the new document systems. Customers visit their personalized My Sharp page to see more than 50 Web demonstrations that walk the user through typical and not-so-typical product usage and service questions. My Sharp also provides online access to user manuals and supply information so customers can get the information they need anytime with a few simple keystrokes. With Sharp OSA^® technology, customers will be able to access My Sharp right on the MFP’s front panel, making it easier than ever before for users to get the most out of these powerful workgroup document systems.

From Superior Process Comes Superior Product
All of the models in Sharp’s new Frontier line are the result of Sharp’s unique approach to designing and building office products, thinking and acting differently from any other vendor. The company employs a global product development process in which management, business development, R&D, product development, marketing, manufacturing, training and customer service teams all work collaboratively during each stage of the product development process. This gives Sharp a 360-degree view of the MFP market, allowing the company to form a common platform strategy in which the core components of Sharp’s product line are designed, developed and manufactured together. Components, software and processes are engineered to be shared across engine platforms, making Sharp’s products “look and act” similarly across virtually all segments of the market. This makes Sharp workgroup MFPs and printers easier to operate, maintain, and sell. It also gives Sharp the unique ability to launch complete product lines in compressed timeframes.

The culmination of this approach is a line of award winning products universally praised for exceptional reliability and superior performance. Sharp is leveraging this proven formula in its new A4 line, giving it a combination of unique Sharp features and functionality that are not available in any other line in this class. For example, the new line leverages the same next generation multi-tasking MFP controller technology as other Sharp product offerings. This common controller architecture provides a uniform user experience across Sharp’s MFP products, ensuring consistency and enhancing productivity.

The MX-C311, MX-C401, and all Frontier models with the MX designation, will be available exclusively via authorized Sharp dealers and direct sales. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP.