CANON Displays New Products At Digital Solutions Forum In Chicago
At the Canon Digital Solutions Forum, held in Chicago, on May 6-7, 2003, Canon introduced new architecture that is said to allow users to create custom applications for Canon MFP copiers through its new Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP) program. The announcement was intended to drive home Canon’s message, “Real Business, Real Solutions,” which was the theme of the Canon Digital Solutions Forum this year.
BERTL asked Dennis Amorosano, Director and Assistant General Manager of Canon USA's Integrated Business Systems Division to provide an overview on MEAP.
"Buyers and product resellers need to understand that MEAP is a Java-based development platform, he told Elizabeth McNichol who attended Canon's DSF Forum on behalf of BERTL, with a single chip controller and OSGi framework. Its current base operating system is VX Works. MEAP rides on top of current device architecture and works only with MEAP-enabled devices, which have a single 350 MHz CPU with a 300MB hard drive and 32MB RAM set aside specifically for applications. MEAP-enabled Canon devices allow application developers to control virtually every aspect of a multifunctional device, including mailboxes, user interfaces, and print, scan, copy and fax functions, either directly through the device itself or via remote web browsers."
Fully Customizable Application Development System For Multifunctional Copier Devices
Canon also introduced two MEAP-capable devices at the Digital Solutions Forum. The company’s Canon imageRUNNER 5020 and Canon 6020 multifunctional devices are the first machines capable of allowing customers to develop as many as 18 custom solutions, with a maximum of 9 custom solutions and a custom UI on the console. MEAP does not work with previous Canon MFPs, and no upgrade option for existing non-MEAP products is planned, because MEAP requires certain hardware to be in the device in order to work.
Future products will also include MEAP, which will reside as a functional option on the interface of a Canon MFP device. Once selected, a customized interface will appear that has been developed specifically for the document workflow processes or other needs designated by the customer. The MEAP interface can be designated as the default function. Up to 9 MEAP applications can be installed simultaneously on any MEAP-compatible device.
“Canon MEAP is a significant step forward in the advancement of our multifunction devices, and for office technology in general” Tod Pike, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Canon U.S.A. Imaging Systems Group, told BERTL. “By considerably expanding Canon’s ability to address specific workflow requirements through customization, MEAP removes ‘one size fits all’ associations with MFP functionality and tailors the device to the individual customer, beginning a new era for our continued growth while widening our competitive differentiation.”
How Do You MEAP?
MEAP development requires a software development kit (SDK), which can be purchased for $5,000. This includes a year’s support from Canon; when the first year is up, it can be renewed for $2,500 a year. Canon is involved in managing the development process and will test any MEAP applications that are developed, plus provide developers with test codes needed to embed the software onto the CPU in Canon multifunctional devices.
For custom software solutions, users have three choices for MEAP development: they can use a Canon solutions team from the newly-formed Canon Custom Solutions Center (this group will be up and running in July, 2003), use a third-party developer, or develop their custom software in-house.
Why MEAP?
According to Canon, MEAP can help users customize their MFP copiers to suit their own individual business requirements. Examples of applications include abilities to print documents saved in a repository directly from the console, or to scan documents and have them automatically sent to a specific database.
MEAP applications can share and use services provided by other applications. Canon says that this gives the system maximum extensibility and customizability. Plus, because MEAP is based on Java standards, the learning curve for developing MEAP applications can be shorter.
The first commercially available application offered on the MEAP platform will be eCopy ShareScan OP, expected to be available in third-quarter 2003. “The eCopy ShareScan OP application will deliver the same functionality as today’s eCopy ShareScan software, with new, advanced administrative capabilities,” said a Canon representative.
Other Highlights of Canon Digital Solutions Forum 2003
In addition to its unveiling of MEAP, Canon also displayed a number of new products at the show. In addition to the new MEAP-enabled Canon imageRUNNER 5020 and 6020 MFPs, Canon also introduced the new imageCLASS C2500 and C3500 color MFPs, which deliver up to 600dpi image quality, full-color printing and copying, scan-to-email support, and a 2,000-entry Address Book which supports Lightweight Direct Access Protocol (LDAP) server connections. The imageCLASS C2500 and C3500 each offer a full-size slide-out keyboard for convenient text data entry right from the control panel, so users don’t even need a PC to scan in documents and email them right from the device. The imageCLASS C2500 has a rated engine speed of 50ppm in mono, and the imageCLASS C3500’s engine speed is rated at 60ppm mono.
MICR Printing
Other products which made their debut at the show include the Canon imageRUNNER 110M with MICR print capability, IO Corp. 5755 Host to Net Gateway for host-based printing, LASER CLASS 510, and P-660 Card Printer, which is a device specifically designed for printing business cards.
With respect to the Canon imageRUNNER 110M, Canon is expanding its capability to support transactional, On Demand print applications. Using interchangeable toning stations and MICR font security the Canon imageRUNNER 110M is said to be able to handle both MICR applications such as checks, coupons, rebates and financial documents while also supporting standard On Demand applications. For BERTL's test report on the Canon imageRUNNER 110, please visit www.BERTL.com and click on "Imaging at Work". BERTL has also recently concluded evaluating Canon's imageRUNNER Pro 150 (150ppm) high volume production printer. This report is also available in "Imaging at Work".
Also announced at the event was the Canon CLC 1180’s SWOP Certification, and KPG Matchprint Professional Server. Both were demonstrated at the McCormick Place Convention Center, where more than 100 Canon products were on display throughout the event.
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