Ricoh PRO C550EX and PRO C700EX Review

More details on the new Ricoh PRO C550EX and PRO C700EX copier, which Ricoh is billing as “production” devices:

- Base MSRPs of $54,290 & $62,690
- C550EX offers 55ppm full color and 60ppm b/w
- C700EX offers 70ppm full color and 75ppm b/w
- Uses engines from the MP C6000 and C7500 mid-range color MFPs (which compete against the the Konica Minolta bizhub C552 & C652)(these are NOT slowed down version of the C900)
- 4 tandem OPC drum design
- uses PxP polymerized toner (does not use fuser oil like the faster Ricoh C900 system)
- comes standard with 320GB hard drive copier memory
- 600x600dpi (does NOT offer true 8 bits per pixel imaging)
- Up to 90 second warmup time
- Up to 7.5 second first copy out time
- Base MSRP includes external EFI Fiery E8100 print controller
- 2.13GHz processor
- 2GB RAM & 160GB hard drive
- Standard paper supply holds up to 3,300 sheets
- Top drawer holds two letter-size 1,100 sheet stacks
- Second and third drawer each holds up to 550 sheets
- maximum paper size of 12”x18”
- Supports up to only 80lb. cover in the paper drawers
- 110lb. cover stock must be placed in the bypass of the RT4000 large capacity
deck for $4780.00
- Auto duplex supports up to 90lb. index only
- Finishing options include stapling, hole-punch, GBC punch, booklet maker and three ring binding
- SR4010 fifty sheet stapling finisher for $3150.00
- SR4020 fifty sheet staple and 30 sheet booklet maker for $5460.00
- SR5000 one hundred sheet stapling finisher for $5830.00
- Tab sheet holder for $47.00
- Hole punch kit for $920.00
- Cover insertion unit for $1160.00
- Z-folding unit for $7350.00
- RB5000 ring binder punches holes and places rings in paper (does not use vinyl ring binders)
- either 50 or 100 page letter-size sets (20lb. bond paper)
- White or black rings
- 75 ring sets per cartridge
- Holds up to two sets before needing emptying
- 100 sheet document feeder comes standard
- Auto duplex standard
- Rumor that it will be marketed with color click pricing as low as $0.0495, single click 11”x17”,

Ricoh Review of EFI Digital StoreFront 4.0

Ricoh is pleased to announce the release of the new version of EFI’s Digital StoreFront 4.0 Series. Digital StoreFront (DSF) is EFI’s Web-to-Print platform, which offers print service providers a Web-enabled onramp to their production workflow. DSF extends printers’ print products and services to their customer’s desktops via a configurable Web presence. Printers provide a single shopping site for all their products and services, while benefiting from a single production funnel to manage all print related e-commerce. DSF can be deployed either in a Customer-Hosted Model or as an ASP EFI-Hosted Service.

What’s New/Different

Static and Non-Print Product Inventory support
Fulfillment support with EFI MIS Systems
Superwide Format Ordering with Background File Upload
Fiery XF support for integration with VUTEk, Rastek, Jetrion and other supported Inkjet devices
Enhanced Dynamic Document Preview that shows finishing options, tabs and more for online preview and approval
Flash Image Support for StoreFronts to create dynamic storefronts
Shipping Cost Calculator with integration to Auction Inc.
Support for 3rd party tax integration
PayPal WebSite Payments Pro support
VDP enhancement with Multi-Column Data Sets and Image Galleries

Benefits

Online job submission capabilities and more.
Integrate seamlessly with other EFI™ solutions.
Give customers product visibility with DSF's graphical preview.
Support and sell wide and superwide format services.
Capitalize on greater VDP power through a rich DSF experience.

Xerox Brings Collection of Digital Technology, Software and Business "Know How" to On Demand

Launches high-speed black-and-white system; expands business development services
Names 25-year industry veteran as head of worldwide graphic communications business
Offers "Chat Live" with Xerox Innovation Group to gather input on future Xerox technology developments Hosts Real Business Live! presentations in the booth to help print providers learn how to grow through automation, productivity and new applications.

PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 2009 - Maintaining a relentless focus on the graphic communications industry, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) unveils advanced printing and workflow products and business development services to arm print providers with the expertise to stay viable and succeed in a challenging economy.

Driving the company's efforts in the printing industry is Gina Testa, newly-appointed vice president, Worldwide Graphic Communications Industry Business. Testa brings more than 25 years of experience in financial, operational, product delivery and marketing roles to the position. She created Xerox's ProfitAccelerator(r) portfolio when she served as vice president of Xerox's Channel and Customer Business Development.

"While other vendors in the document imaging industry are limiting their presence at On Demand, Xerox is demonstrating its ability to support the graphic communications market with a mix of innovation, proven technology, software and services that help print providers capitalize on digital opportunities," said Testa.

New Offerings at On Demand

Xerox launches a host of offerings, many of which are on display at On Demand in booth No. 2000:

Powerful Digital Technology

Printing 200 black-and-white images per minute, the Xerox Nuvera(r) 200 EA Perfecting Production System excels at producing applications that require high image quality and sharp halftones, such as technical manuals, bills/statements and books.

Shown as a technology demo, EX Print Server, powered by Fiery(r), and Command Workstation for the first time can connect directly to the iGen4(tm) press to maximize productivity and deliver outstanding color accuracy and consistency with automated color management workflow.

Soon to be available for iGen4 and iGen3(r) presses, Device Link Integrator enables direct importing of profiles from ORIS Press Matcher Pro into Xerox FreeFlow(r) Print Server. These new features from Xerox and its business partner CGS Publishing Technologies International allow customers to use the full complement of FreeFlow Print Server color management and file submission features.

A variety of finishing options for the Xerox 700 Digital Color Press and 4112(tm)/4127(tm) family of products help print providers grow their business by expanding the range of applications that can be created, such as professionally finished calendars, brochures and booklets.

Tools to Make Workflow More Efficient

Xerox FreeFlow Web Services 7.0, powered by Press-sense(tm) is a complete online print solution that lets print providers process job orders, manage production and stay connected with their customers. For print buyers, version 7.0 offers personalization capabilities and 24-hour access to quotes, PDF proofs and job status reports.

Smart Business Development Support

Two New Business of Printing(r) Business Development Services workshops will give print providers valuable marketing and financial insight.
The Value Based Pricing workshop explores "value-based" versus "cost-plus" pricing. Print providers will learn how to capture incremental revenue on non-print services, such as database management, consulting, creative, mailing and fulfillment services.
The How to Sell Direct Mail workshop provides the nuts and bolts to build and manage a successful direct-mail business, including how to produce simple to complex direct-mail applications and creating an effective marketing sales strategy.

Key Events

Sophie Vandebroek, Xerox's chief technology officer, will deliver an On Demand keynote address titled "Turning Inspiration into Critical Customer Assets," on Wednesday, April 1 from 8:45 - 9:45 a.m. in room 204 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Vandebroek will share how Xerox researchers dream with their customers to create the next generation of marking, materials, systems and services innovation.

Real Business Live! presentations are available throughout the show in the Xerox booth on topics that help print providers become more efficient and effective - including color management, specialty imaging and touch-free workflows. Also scheduled are two special presentations by printing industry economist Dr. Joe Webb about renewing the printing industry. Attendees will also have a chance to "Chat Live" with members of the Xerox Innovation Group and provide input on future Xerox technology developments.

Print Production "Weekend Notes" 4/12/09

4-12-09

The following is a quick review of print production news from various trade publications.


Xerox announced it sold an iGen4 production color system at Blue Star, a print shop in Australia. It also sold them a Nuvera 288 b/w system.

PrintShop Mail, a product of Objectif Lune, won award for best variable data software from the European Digital Press Association.

Oce’, at the recent OnDemand show, highlighted multiple engines connected together by the Fiery Central system, instead of a MicroPress.

Kodak announced it has placed a NexPress 2500 production color system and DigiMaster EX150 b/w system at Alcom, a print shop in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. The NexPress 2500 also included a NexGloss unit and a Watkiss booklet maker.

Interesting statistics about German offset press maker, Heidelberg
- In last 20 years, sold over 230,000 presses
- World wide share of press consumable market is only 3%
- CEO, Jurgen Rautert, hopes that in ten years, half of company revenues will come from consumables and service
- Will cut another 2500 employees in 2009 to reduce costs
- Plans on future digital color inkjet press system

EFI, maker of Fiery controllers, announced it would take cost cutting measures due to declining revenues:
- Employee salary reductions of 5%
- Management salary reductions of 10-15%
- CEO Guy Gecht’s salary reduced to $527,000
- President Fred Rosenzweig’s salary reduced to $450,000
- CFO John Ritchie’s salary reduced to $279,000

InfoPrint Solutions Launches Monochrome MFPs

InfoPrint Solutions Launches Monochrome MFPs

Friday, April 10, 2009

Boulder, CO -- InfoPrint Solutions Company, a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, today announced the launch of the InfoPrint 1930 MFP and InfoPrint 1940 MFP monochrome printers, an important expansion of its broad portfolio of multi-function (MFP) workgroup solutions. These two new entry-level laser models bring to market cost- and time-saving features to meet the business pain points of many small business users. They also emphasize InfoPrint’s drive to include sustainability at the heart of all new technology development with features that save on consumables and energy costs.

Suitable for small- to medium-sized workgroups of about five to 10 users, the InfoPrint 1930 MFP and InfoPrint 1940 MFP can handle robust printing requirements at an attractive price. Both models feature:
- Print speeds of up to 40 pages per minute (ppm)1 letter and 38 ppm1 A4
- Instant warm-up fuser that delivers the first page out in as few as seven seconds
- InfoPrint’s intuitive e-Task interface that requires very little training for ease of use
- A multipurpose feeder to handle a wide variety of media
- A powerful 33.6K fax modem that quickly transmits documents for speedy customer contact
- Optional paper drawers and high-yield cartridges to reduce user intervention
- Duplex scan and copy function that automatically copies two-sided documents

“These new MFP models will serve as an important component in business device optimization solutions, allowing our customers to save money and improve productivity. For example, multiple users can now share printing, copying, faxing and scanning requirements on the same low cost device, resulting in fewer supplies to order, manage and store. And our ongoing drive to reduce our impact on the environment can also reduce the impact on customers’ bottom line by reducing paper and energy costs,” said Paul Preo, Vice President of Distributed Printing Solutions, InfoPrint Solutions Company.

The InfoPrint 1930 MFP and InfoPrint 1940 MFP also feature easy operation and time-saving features to boost productivity, such as:
- Adjustable color touch screen provides one-touch access to functions and features
- Print from and scan to a flash drive with the convenient front USB port
- 50-sheet ADF to handle multi-page documents
- Visual cues such as paper placement indicators to guarantee proper placement of documents
- Robust scan-to capabilities for advanced document management

The new models also showcase new form, color, detail and usability, and a space efficient design that keeps the product size to a minimum while maximizing shipping densities. They also deliver high levels of print quality consistency throughout the printers’ lifecycle.

Sustainability at the heart of all product lines
These new multifunction devices have been designed and manufactured with the environment top of mind. All models will have a unique “Eco-Mode” setting to help reduce energy consumption. A standard duplex printing capability, high yield cartridges and reduced packaging are additional features to help decrease waste and cost. Improvements in scanning technology and the internal airflow handling reduce noise pollution, with a “quiet mode” feature also available to further reduce acoustical noise.

1. Exact speed varies depending on document complexity, system configuration, software application, driver and printer state.

Print Production Weekend Notes 4/5/09

- Xerox announced a new high speed b/w production print system, called the Nuvera 200 EA featuring
- 200ppm top speed
- 4800x600dpi
- 156 lines per inch
- Uses Xerox Emulsion Aggregate toner (polymerized)
- Pricing not announced

- Oce’ won a “Best of Show” award for production color systems at the recent OnDemand show for showing an EFI MicroPress driving 4 CS665 Pro systems (relabeled Konica Minolta bizhub PRO C6501) at the same time and calling it the Oce’ DC260T Pro.

- Xerox placed one of its $640,000 iGen4 production color devices at MicroPRINT, a print shop in Waltham, Mass.

- EFI announced version 5.0 of its award-winning Command WorkStation interface for its print controllers. Features:
- Operator mistakes reduced up to 30%
- Works with Fiery print controllers which are running version 6.0 operating system
- Displays status of engine, jobs and consumables
- Gain access to info about resources
- Drag and drop features
- Customizable icon tool bar
- Improved job previews
- Fiery SeeQuence Suite option honors job ticket level decisions like complex imposition and make ready

- Xante’ of Alabama is now shipping its Ilumina 502. Details:
- advertised as a “Digital Production Press”
- is actually a relabeled desktop color LED printer from Okidata
- claims it can print on stocks up to 502gsm
- optional extended warranties do not include supplies, including the fusing section cartridge
- top speed of 36ppm full color

- Press maker gets rid of its leader. Albrecht Bolza-Schunemann, president and CEO of Koenig & Bauer (KMBA) of Germany, is out, and replaced by Helge Hansen, the CFO, amidst declining sales of offset presses.

- Latest statistics on the print for pay industry from PIA:
- printing shipments down 4.5%
- number of shops declined by 2,300 locations
- total employment was reduced by 73,800 jobs
- only 39% of printshops reported a sales increase
- 56% of shops reported sales decrease

Kodak’s Print On-Demand Solutions Group Announces New Agreement with Canon

Got this from Google, I was posting so much forgot where it came from, very interesting Canon and Kodak collaborating to develop Creo Color Servers for Canons Color imagePress line. Wonder what else may be in the oven, if you know what I mean!

Powerful CREO Color Servers and Workflow Integrations Demonstrated at ON DEMAND 2009
1 Apr 2009 , Philadelphia, PA : Kodak’s Print On-DemandSolutions Group is proud to announce a new agreement with Canon to develop a new CREO Color Server for the CANON imagePRESS C7000VP, C6000VP and C6000 Digital Presses.

The new server leverages the distinctive heritage of CREO Color Servers to galvanize the position of the imagePRESS line of digital presses in the commercial print, print-for-pay and creative graphic arts markets. This new collaboration enables CANON Digital Press customers to seamlessly integrate with a variety of professional workflows with open connectivity using JDF standards, including KODAK PRINERGY Workflow Solutions. More details are available in the Canon USA booth, #1701.

With this announcement, Canon joins the list of digital print solution providers such as Hewlett-Packard, IKON, Konica Minolta, Océ, and Xerox Corporation that are already driven by a CREO Color Server.

Kodak’s Print On-Demand Solutions Group is demonstrating CREO Color Server connectivity between printers that have an alliance with the company and its workflow and VDP (variable data printing) affiliates at ON DEMAND 2009. These connections demonstrate one of the key values that CREO Color Servers bring to the professional digital print market.

“The leadership of CREO Color Servers is demonstrated with multiple connections to digital presses that serve a variety of market segments. We show our open connectivity through advanced workflow integration with many of the companies with which we have an agreement,” said Chris O'Connor, Vice President, Global Business Group, CREO Branded Products. “At AIIM ON DEMAND 09, CREO Color Server technology is powering the industry’s leading printers and presses. In this economically challenging year, CREO Color Servers are the obvious choice for professionals who want to save costs through more efficient and productive operations and grow revenue with unique services that they enable.”