Ricoh Corporation and Codehost Announce Distribution Agreement
Ricoh Corporation will make the BrightQ(tm) printing solution for UNIX and Linux available for it's Aficio line of output devices
WEST CALDWELL, NJ and CULVER CITY, CA January 22, 2003 - Ricoh Corporation, the Dependable Digital(tm) output company, announced today that is has aligned with Unix and Linux software developer Codehost Inc. Ricoh will offer its customers and dealers BrightQ(tm), Codehost's popular suite of Linux and Unix-based printing tools, for use with Ricoh networked output devices. "Ricoh recognizes the important role Linux and Unix applications play in the enterprise. Allowing IT users to share this information through print applications more efficiently is a part of Ricoh's core strategy. Providing productivity tools such as BrightQ enables us to provide the best possible support to our steadily increasing base of Linux and Unix users", said Wayne Mize, Vice President of Ricoh's Solutions Marketing Division.
BrightQ(tm) will be available for select models of Ricoh's award winning Aficio line of output devices, delivering customers within the Linux and UNIX environments a robust, easy-to-use solution that provides complete access to the Aficio's advanced document finishing features. "Codehost is very pleased to be working with Ricoh. We feel BrightQ(tm) offers great value to their dealers and distributors, providing them with a solution that satisfies corporate printing needs generated by the growing use of Linux and high dependency on UNIX systems," said Codehost CEO Sam Bizri. They can support their customers' technology platforms with minimal effort, and increase their value proposition by providing a full suite of solutions supporting UNIX and Linux alongside Windows".
BrightQ(tm) is comprised of intuitive graphical interfaces that allow users to manage printers, complex print jobs and sophisticated print queues, while providing support for industry standard printing protocols. A key component of BrightQ(tm) is Codehost's BrightInstall(tm), an installation tool that enables systems support personnel to easily install, configure, and support their Unix/Linux customer base. BrightQ(tm) supports most major UNIX operating systems and Linux distributions. Beginning this week, BrightQ(tm) will be available for demonstration at "Ricoh's Technology Portal" showroom in Mid-town Manhattan. The Technology Portal is located at 510 Fifth Street (at 43rd Avenue) which is approximately 1.6 miles from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center where the 2003 LinuxWorld Conference and Expo is being held.
BrightQ(tm) was chosen as finalist for the Best Desktop Office Solution award during the LinuxWorld 2002 in San Francisco. About Codehost Inc. Founded in 1999, Codehost has emerged as the leader in Linux and UNIX software development for printers and multi-function devices, providing solutions and services for the top two manufacturers of MFD's.
Codehost is focused on developing custom applications and turnkey solutions for a variety of hardware manufacturers and major corporations. With their expertise in a number of operating system platforms, hardware architectures, embedded technologies and peripheral devices, Codehost strives to establish long-term relationships with OEM's to support and grow their market share, while helping them enter emerging market segments.
Information about BrightQ and Codehost's additional products and services can be found online at http://www.codehost.com
About Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 66-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2001 sales in excess of $14
billion.
Ricoh Corporation is a leading provider of multifunctional document systems, including color and black & white digital imaging systems, facsimile products, printers, scanners, digital duplicators and wide format engineering systems.
The Company oversees Ricoh operations in North, Central and South America, including the Savin, Gestetner and Lanier brands. For fiscal year 2001, Ricoh Corporation sales exceeded $2.7 billion.
Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.ricoh-usa.com.
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