Fairfield, NJ (PRWEB) September 11, 2017
Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Laboratory (BLI), the world’s leading independent provider of testing services and analytical information to the document imaging industry, announces the winners of its coveted 2018 PRO awards, with the honors going to stellar devices from Canon, Konica Minolta, and Xerox. Granted annually, these awards acknowledge the products that gave the best performances in BLI’s rigorous production field tests over the previous year.
BLI’s 2018 PRO Awards go to the following exceptional devices*:
Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7580i with ColorPASS GX500 External EFI Controller
Outstanding Color Entry-Level CRD Production Device
Canon varioPRINT 140 Series with PRISMAsync Print Controller
(includes the varioPRINT 140, varioPRINT 130, and varioPRINT 115)
Outstanding Light/Mid-Volume Production Device
Konica Minolta AccurioPress C6100 with Fiery IC-315 EFI Controller
Outstanding Color Mid-Volume Production Device
Xerox Versant 180 Press with Fiery EX 180 EFI Print Server
Outstanding Color Light Production Device
*Not all products are sold in all regions.
Canon Excels in the Entry-level and Light- to Mid- Volume Production Spaces
“The Canon varioPRINT 140 series will fit perfectly into small to mid-size CRDs and in-plants, thanks to its excellent media handling and job management,” said George Mikolay, Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab’s Associate Director of Copiers/Production. “The Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7580i’s ease of use, superior handling of text and fine lines, outstanding color consistency, and price point make it an attractive offering for customers looking for an entry point in the CRD production space. In fact, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C7580i’s touch-screen control panel is identical to that of Canon machines in the office space, eliminating any learning curve for operators moving into the CRD space already familiar with Canon’s office engines. And for the varioPRINT 140 series, it’s equally easy to program new media types and submit jobs, while the outstanding Job Scheduler allows for the device to practically manage itself.”
Superior Productivity and Media Handling Earn Konica Minolta Accolades
“Superior productivity and media handling helped to distinguish the Konica Minolta AccurioPress C6100 from the pack in the ever competitive and growing mid-volume production color space,” said David Sweetnam, Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab’s Director of Research and Lab Services for EMEA/Asia. “Over the course of its testing, the device proved it can capably and quickly handle most any media size and types thrown at it up to 400 gsm. And air suction-aided feeding in all paper sources, a second transfer belt, and robust finishing options all bring a level of flexibility to media superior to that of many of its competitors.”
Xerox Model Offers Outstanding Image Quality and Productivity
“The Xerox Versant 180 Press promises to deliver high-quality content quickly and consistently to meet most any need of growing print-for-pay and enterprise environments,” said Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab’s Production Technician Joe Tischner. “The device performed at or near its rated speed in nearly 50 print scenarios evaluated across all media sizes and weights from 52 to 350 gsm, and further shines in its output quality, with vibrant photographic images, bold solids, well defined lines, and fully formed characters. The device’s output quality was also remarkably consistent, ensuring that print shops and CRDs can deliver the highest quality output possible to customers from start to finish, for both short- and long-run jobs.”
About Keypoint Intelligence - Buyers Lab
Keypoint Intelligence is a one-stop shop for the digital imaging industry. With our unparalleled tools and unmatched depth of knowledge, we cut through the noise of data to offer clients the unbiased insights and responsive tools they need in those mission-critical moments that define their products and empower their sales.
For over 50 years, Buyers Lab has been the global document imaging industry’s resource for unbiased and reliable information, test data, and competitive selling tools. What started out as a consumer-based publication about office equipment has become an all-encompassing industry resource. Buyers Lab evolves in tandem with the ever-changing landscape of document imaging solutions, constantly updating our methods, expanding our offerings, and tracking cutting-edge developments.
About Buyers Lab PRO Awards
Buyers Lab PRO awards go to the best performers in BLI’s production field tests, during which tens of thousands of pages are printed. Productivity is tested with both coated and uncoated media in a wide range of weights and sizes, using various finishing options to simulate a mix of job scenarios. BLI technicians also evaluate paper-handling capabilities, many facets of ease of use, and image quality.
Contact
Deanna Flanick
+1 973-797-2100
deanna.flanick(at)keypointintelligence(dot)com