WEEKEND MFP INDUSTRY NOTES
1-4-09
The following is a quick review of copier/MFP industry news from industry publications.
Canon announced that Bill Joseph is no longer with the company. He spent 33 years with Canon, most recently in charge of most factory direct branch locations on the west coast. A replacement has not yet been made. (Canon continues to make changes to its direct sales division, as it struggles to make up for lost sales through IKON and DANKA)
Due to the change in the yen to dollar conversion, corporate officials from both Canon and Sony have stated their intention to raise prices in 2009 to make up for lost profits. Canon’s Ryoichi Bamba stated that the currency exchange “is a 30 per cent cost increase for us. Maybe 10 per cent we can absorb through higher productivity, 10 per cent from higher prices, and 10 per cent from cuts to our own costs and profits.” (unknown how this will affect selling prices of Canon MFPs and printers)
Canon gave out a few more details on its upcoming new production b/w systems, the imagePRESS 1110, 1125 & 1135:
- 110, 125 & 135ppm speeds respectively
- Actually made by Canon
- Will not replace the current Kodak-made models that Canon offers (imageRUNNER PRO 7110VP, 7125VP, 7138vp & 7150vp) that run up to 150ppm
- Base MSRPs are $80,000, $92,000 & $110,000
- Have document feeder that scans both sides of original at same time
- While output is only b/w, the device can scan in color
- Comes standard with 2,000 sheet paper supply
- Maximum of 14,000 sheet paper supply with options
- Uses finishing options from the existing imagePRESS C7000VP color model
- Will use a transfer belt for imaging
- Controller choices range from embedded generic unit, EFI Fiery and EFI MicroPress
A large electronics chain lets go of one of its executives. Fry’s Electronics, which sells a wide array of technology, including desktop laser MFPs, was forced to fire Vice President, Omar Siddiqui, who is accused of a $65 million fraud to pay off gambling debts. His bank records show he spent $121 million in just three years at the MGM Grand and the Venetian casinos in Las Vegas.
The Secret Service reports catching more folks who make fake money using a color MFP. Recent busts include:
- A 15 year old boy was caught using fake money to buy lunch in school cafeteria
- In Moultrie, GA, a man was caught making fake $20 and $100 bills and using at local restaurants
- Nationwide, arrests jump 28% in 2008
In a survey of computer/VAR dealers by Business Solutions magazine, Cabinet NG Inc. was named as the “Best Channel Vendor” for document management software solutions. Their products include Retriever, Synchronizer and CNG-API. For more info, visit www.cabinetng.com
Both Gartner Inc. and Forrester Research have issued reports predicting lower IT spending in 2009.
Hewlett Packard is getting a lot of bad press after The Boston Globe newspaper discovered that its printers were being sold in Iran. This flies in the face of an embargo that prohibits HP from sending its products to the country, as Iran is classified as a “state sponsor or terrorism”. In 2006, when Xerox was found in a similar situation, it ended its agreements with distributors that shipped product to Iran.
One apparent ironic twist of the recession, is that reduced sales of Hewlett Packard color inkjet printers has increased HP’s profits. The reason? HP admits that it sells its inkjet printers at a loss, in order to gain the aftermarket cartridge sales. Since less printers are being sold, the bottom line looks better.
Competing against the Xerox WorkCentre 7335C? Point out the following:
- While advertised as a 35ppm unit, color speed is only 31ppm
- Does not offer true 8 bits per pixel
- Built-in print controller made by a third party (most likely Marvell Technology)
- Has only a 667MHz processor
- Comes with HP PCL print driver, but PostScript driver is an expensive option
- Optional PostScript driver does not support booklet maker
- No possible upgrade to EFI Fiery print server
- Only a 40GB hard drive
- Network scanning is an expensive option
- While it does offer optional fax board, does not offer data security for fax
- Internet fax is an option
- Can not handle 10point stock and can auto duplex thick stock (90lb. index max)
- The bypass only holds up to 100 sheets, and only up to 80lb. cover
- The optional document feeder can not handle thick stocks
- Fastest scan speed is only 45opm for color
- Document feeder can only hold up to 75 originals
- First copy out time with RADF is a slow 15.1 seconds
- First copy out time from platen glass is a slow 14.6 seconds
- The auto duplex features runs as slow as 17.8cpm
- The drums last only 26,000 impressions
- Has no HELP key on control panel
- Does not have auto paper size detection sensors
- No priority choice, copy jobs always come out before print jobs
- End users can not program their own scan destinations, must be done by administrator
- No scan preview mode
- Control panel does not swivel
- In most service/supply contracts, Xerox forces end users to replace drums, waste toner, feed tires and fuser rollers
Sharp announced it will record a loss of more than 50 billion yen ($555 million) due to its 14% stake in struggling Pioneer Corp.
Toshiba, which earlier announced its intentions to make a nuclear reactor that would fit in a small closet, announced that it will give one of these for free to a small, remote ski resort in Alaska. Toshiba is waiting for federal government approval in late 2009, before it can ship or market this new Toshiba 4S nuclear technology.
Toshiba announced it will spend “several tens of billions” of yen to build a battery factory in northern Japan. It hopes to start shipping its “Super Charge Ion Battery” in 2010.
Toshiba announced that it will apparently be the first MFP vendor to release its own homegrown software connectors for software embedded into its MFPs. One connector is for Microsoft Exchange, and the other is for Microsoft SharePoint. (this means that Toshiba will de-emphasize its reliance on eCopy)
Western Digital announced it will NOT buy the hard drive business of Fujitsu Ltd. of Japan due to current economic conditions.
In a recent survey of printshops, when asked if they offer variable data digital printing, only 44% responded affirmatively, and of those only 82% produce it in full color. (obviously, there is still a lot of opportunity in providing digital color solutions to PFP)
- In the same survey, only 36% of the shops have a web-based print job submission tool
- 45% prefer to acquire their equipment from a factory direct branch
- For shops that have:
- b/w copier under 70ppm, the average monthly volume is 14K/mo
- b/w copier over 70ppm, the average monthly volume is 96K/mo
- office color MFP, the average monthly volume is 4K/mo
- graphics color MFP, the average monthly volume is 22K/mo
- light production color MFP, the average monthly volume is 44K/mo
According to survey of printshops conducted by PIA, shop owners have increased their pricing by an average of 1.6%.
Ricoh launched a “Canon/Xerox ATTACK!” program where it provides dealers and branches with funding to assist in upgrading Canon or Xerox competitive equipment to new Ricoh product.
More info on the new low end color laser MFP from Ricoh, the Aficio MP C2050, featuring:
- also sold as Lanier LD420C, Savin C2020
- 20ppm color or b/w top speed
- 600dpi (advertised as offering 2400dpi with interpolation)(does not offer 8 bits per pixel)
- A3 model, handling up to 12”x18” paper sizes
- Comes standard with generic print/scan controller
- 1GB RAM
- 40GB hard drive
- 600MHz
- Scan to TIFF/JPEG/PDF/e-mail/LDAP/URL/SMB/FTP/TWAIN
- Maximum monthly volume of 20K/month
- 1200 sheet paper supply standard
- Up to 2100 sheet maximum with options
- 10point stock must be loaded in bypass only
- Auto duplex standard (does not support 10point)
- Auto document feeder standard, and holds up to 50 originals only
- Top scan speed of only 35opm for color
- Optional stapling finisher
- Optional fax board
Ricoh launched its new GlobalScan NX document capture and routing software featuring:
- Replaces ScanRouter EX
- Ricoh also announced that is has discontinued the Ricoh eCabinet
- Compatible with all current Ricoh Aficio models
- Java based application
- Requires $140 Java VM option for MFP
- Not compatible with any desktop Ricoh model
- Enables scanned documents and metadata to be routed to e-mail addresses, fax servers, network folders, home folders, FTP locations, document archives, and watched folders
- Automatically routes incoming faxes to folders or users
- Customizable graphical user interface on control panel
- Web-based drag and drop job workflow config tool
- Serverless pricing starts at $600 for first MFP
- $2,850 for 5 MFPs
- $75,000 for 250 MFPs
Bid pricing seen for new Ricoh C900 production color system from IKON:
- Base print-only engine w/Fiery = $41,555.00
- Stapling finisher = $1921.00
- Large capacity paper deck = $3460.00
- Bypass tray = $485.00
- Cover inserter = $1211.00
- Saddle stitch finisher = $2547.00
- Perfect binder = $17,072.00
- Ring binder = $8723.00
- Z-fold unit = $2422.00
- B/w clicks at $0.01
- Color clicks at $0.047
Ricoh announced that IBM agreed to open up its sales network for Ricoh office equipment. This means that the companies will jointly market Ricoh printers and MFPs along with IBM computers, servers and software to IBM and Ricoh customers. Ricoh hopes that this will add $1.1 billion in sales in the next two to three years worldwide. (is Ricoh preparing to fight a possible future alliance between Canon & Hewlett Packard?)
Acacia Research, a firm that buys obscure patents, announced it has forced Oce’ to pay a license fee for a patent it owns pertaining to network multifunction printer technology. The dollar amount was not released. Other companies that have already settled with Acacia are; HP, Samsung, Brother, Epson, Muratec, Okidata, Panasonic & Toshiba. Acacia reports that its total annual collections are up 45% to $13.8 million per year.
Oce’ announced that it will resell its trade-in copiers, after refurbishing, and call them “Premia Class” models.
Fuji of Japan announced a couple new color laser MFPs, that may show up in the U.S. under the Xerox name:
- DocuCentre C1101
- 16ppm full color or b/w
- Uses “Imari” 4 drum engine, which is also found in many current Xerox color MFPs
- Fully loaded MSRP of $12,310
- DocuColor 5151
- 51ppm color or b/w
- Based on engine used in current Xerox DocuColor 242, 252, etc.
- Fully loaded MSRP of $73,400.00.
Competing against the Panasonic WORKiO DP-C405? Point out the following:
- Does not offer true 8 bits per pixel
- Does not offer true multi-tasking, as when making a copy, end user is locked out from the control panel
- Built-in print controller from a third party
- PostScript print driver is an expensive option
- Does not offer XPS print driver for MS Windows Vista
- Only offers 512MB of RAM
- Processor is only 667MHz
- No upgrade path to EFI Fiery print server
- Does not offer most data security standards
- Does not offer a second optional fax line
- Uses pulverized toner
- Maximum paper supply is only 2,300 sheets
- Can not feed thick stocks from paper drawers or auto duplex
- First color copy out time is a slow 10.3 seconds
- Fastest scan speed is a slow 45opm
- Does not have automatic paper size detection sensors in the drawers
- Does not have a HELP key on control panel
- Control panel does not swivel
- If print job is in progress, and end user attempts to use document feeder at same, time, the RADF slows down
- There is no Auto Color selection when scanning, resulting in large file sizes for scan jobs with both b/w and color pages
Panasonic announced two new desktop A4 color laser MFPs:
- KX-MC6020
- Base MSRP $649.00
- Copy/fax/print/scan
- 4 tandem OPC drum design
- 2 line monochrome LCD display
- Comes standard with 250 sheet paper drawer
- Can add second 520 sheet drawer for $199
- Comes standard with 50 sheet document feeder with top color scan speed of 4opm
- Optional auto duplex for $149
- Built-in print controller with 192MB RAM, USB & 10/100BaseT ports with PCL print driver only
- First color copy out time of 26 seconds
- Black toner for $59.95 yields 2,500 pages based upon 5% coverage per page
- Color toners for $74.95 each, yield 2,000 pages each based on 5% coverage per page
- Black drum for $89.95 for yield of 10,000 pages
- Color drums for $199.95 each have yield of 10,000 pages each
- Waste toner bottle for $12.95 has yield of 8,000 color pages
- KX-MC6040 is same except also has:
- Base MSRP $749.00
- 3.5” color LCD display
- can scan up to legal size
Samsung of Korea announced two desktop b/w laser MFPs:
- SCX-5835FN
- Scan/fax/print/copy
- 33ppm top speed
- Large 7” color LCD control panel
- (this engine is also sold by Xerox as the Phaser 3635MFP/X and the Dell 2335dn)
- Base MSRP of $1099.00
- First copy out time of 9.5 seconds
- Comes standard with 500 sheet paper drawer and 50 sheet stack bypass
- Auto duplex standard
- 50 sheet document feeder standard
- Built-in print controller has 256MB RAM, 80GB hard drive, USB port with both PCL and PostScript print drivers
- Rated for maximum of 80,000 pages per month
- Will be sold by copier dealers
- Replacement toner/drum cartridge sells for $159.99 with yield of 10,000 pages based on 5% coverage
- SCX-5935FN is the same except:
- Base MSRP for $1299.00
- Will be sold by computer dealers
- Will offer future embedded software capability (JScribe JavaScript)
Kyocera completed its acquisition of Triumph Adler(TA), a chain of office equipment branches across Europe:
- Had total machines in field (MIF) of 194,000 units
- 35,000 customers
- In 2007 alone, TA sold 97,000 units
- Has 1400 employees in 60 locations
- Europe accounts for 51% of Kyocera’s MFP/printer sales
- Kyocera’s printer and MFP sales were $2.2 billion worldwide, or 21% of the total company revenue, which is primarily ceramics for semiconductor industry
Riso announced it plans on launching two new high speed color inkjet systems to replace the existing HC-5500. The new model will feature:
- Like current model, is not a Riso made duplicator, but an inkjet engine made by Olympus
- 120ppm and 150ppm versions if set at 300dpi
- The company claims that the existing models account for 24% of its sales and $100 million in revenue
- The Americas only count for 13% of Riso’s global sales of all products, and that U.S. sales declined 11% in 2008
- The Americas division lost $3.7 million in 2008
- Unlike previous models, the new versions will use oil-based inks to improve print quality
- New models are smaller and weigh 30% less
- Come standard with three 500 sheet paper drawers
- Built-in print controller
- 1.86MHz processor
- 512MB RAM (can upgrade to 1GB)
- 160GB hard drive
- Optional external PostScript print controller
- Optional HS4000 scanner (made by Epson) allows unit to scan and make copies (top speed of 40opm)
- Pricing not yet announced
Lexmark is launching a new strategy to increase its color laser printer and MFPs. It is adding a new product line that has a higher selling price, but lower color cartridge prices. Details:
- The existing Lexmark C782 models sell for $1299, $1599 & $1999 depending on configuration
- The new Lexmark C782XL models are identical, and sell for $1999, $2299 & $2599, but have color cartridges that are 50% lower in price.
- Lexmark is advertising the new models as “color same price as black/white”, as the color cartridges sell for $199.99 each just like the b/w cartridge
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