BERTL, Inc. Awards Panasonic WORKiO DP-1820 MFP Its Highest Honor.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- New WORKiO(R) copier-network printer features low cost and big results, offering more user-friendly configurations and economical design tailored to boost workflow productivity.

Corporate workgroups and small offices that are short on space but in need of a powerful, highly configurable multifunction product (MFP) will reach new levels of office efficiency with Panasonic's newest offering. Based on the same innovative architecture of its powerful, award-winning, high-speed MFPs, DP-6020/4520/3520, the WORKiO DP-1820 is a network printer and copier that outputs up to 18ppm, features duplexing and ledger-size capability, and includes Super G3 fax and network scanning options.

This highly acclaimed MFP just received the BERTL's Best(TM) Spring 2004 Award for "Best 15-19ppm Monochrome MFP." The independent test lab granted its award based upon its combination of high standard functionality, simple operation and reasonable price.

Citing her company's evaluation report on the DP-1820, BERTL(R) CEO Carmel Rowley said, "The Panasonic DP-1820 packs a lot of value into a small footprint (and small price). The device offers a very cost-effective way for workgroups to centralize their operations on one device, without sacrificing quality output or functionality in the process." Rowley added, "Panasonic's WORKiO DP-1820 soundly beat the competition in the 15-19ppm Monochrome MFP category."

The WORKiO DP-1820 features Panasonic's new "Double Exposure" mode, which allows end-users to effortlessly copy double-sided documents such as ID and insurance cards, drivers licenses, checks and receipts onto one sheet with the touch of a button. This is an important feature especially in busy healthcare, banking and financial environments.

The DP-1820 sets itself apart from the competition, exhibiting a highly favorable price-performance ratio that translates into low cost and numerous productivity features, setting it apart from the competition. Featuring a "wingless" design that eliminates external output trays and protruding paper trays, the DP-1820 carries an MSRP(1) of $2,995.

The powerful copier-network printer also offers ledger-size capability even with compact dimensions of only 22"(w) x 21.9"(d) x 18.1"(h). The DP-1820 can accommodate up to four paper trays, increasing paper input capacity from 550 to as much as 2,200 in addition to its standard 50-sheet bypass tray. An automatic document feeder (ADF) and an inverting automatic document feeder (iADF) are available as options to accelerate copying of multi-page originals.

The DP-1820 connects to an office LAN via the standard 10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet interface to serve as a high-speed, high-quality laser printer. This standard connectivity allows all the PCs on a LAN to take advantage of the printing capabilities and cost savings afforded by the WORKiO DP-1820. A fast USB interface is also provided as standard equipment for directly connecting to an individual PC.

The DP-1820 delivers crisp copies with true 600 x 600dpi resolution and 256 level gray scale. Key copier features include: 2-in-one copying saves paper by fitting two reduced images on one sheet; Image Rotation delivers accurate copies regardless of the position of the image on the original; and Panasonic's "Digital SkyShot" saves toner by eliminating the black areas caused by making a copy with the cover open.

Other key features of the DP-1820 include:

--Standard Panasonic Document Management Software (DMS) allows desktop users to archive, edit, manipulate and merge scanned documents, and includes the ability to save documents as PDF (portable document format) at no extra charge

--Standard Ledger/A3-size copying, printing, scanning and faxing

--Standard electronic sorting and rotate sort

--Optional Internet fax and scan-to-desktop/scan-to-FTP push scanning upgrades (include LDAP integration)

--POP before SMTP network authentication for security-conscious environments comes standard with the scan-to-email option

Image quality is further enhanced by the DP-1820's ability to monitor and automatically adjust for room temperature and humidity conditions.

Panasonic's vice president of marketing, William DiMinno, said the DP-1820 offers the latest Panasonic imaging technology in an affordable device. "The DP-1820 is an outstanding solution for workgroups and small offices. We are focused on providing practical and affordable solutions for such markets as healthcare and banking, as well as general office, which we believe can derive maximum benefits from this series."

According to BERTL's evaluation, "The Panasonic DP-1820 can help offices streamline their digital imaging operations, getting rid of old, dedicated desktop printers, copiers and fax machines (which all require different consumables and servicing) and replacing them with a single device capable of handling the needs of the entire workgroup.

"This can save companies money spent on consumables for three or four different types of machines, as well as reducing servicing costs and time taken to train employees."

Electronic preventive eMaintenance is another cost-saving feature that virtually eliminates and/or reduces downtime. The "Check & Call" feature automatically reports toner-level status and various mechanical issues to a service center. In addition, the DP-1820 supports Panasonic's Remote Diagnostics System, which enables technicians to diagnose problems from a remote location without physically visiting the device.

In addition to the WORKiO DP-1820, the DP-1520 is the second offering in the new series. The DP-1520, with a MSRP of $2,595(1), provides an affordable copier and network printer solution, but does not offer a fax or scanning option. With a few exceptions, the DP-1520 boasts most of the features of the DP-1820 and also has a low total cost of ownership. Both MFPs feature separate components that allow the user to configure as needed.

The DP-1820 and DP-1520 are equipped with same platform as their higher-end predecessors. All Panasonic WORKiO MFPs in the 15 to 60-page range now use the same single board architecture. All use the same device management utilities, printer drivers and solutions, which translates to the end-user's ability to strengthen network connectivity and maintain uniformity and performance.

Available options include:

--QWERTY keyboard for easy input

--PCL(R) and genuine Adobe PostScript(R) 3(TM) upgrade

--Built-in device status monitor

--Network scanning that includes scan-to-email, scan-to-file and scan-to-Internet fax

--Hard drive that provides copy job storage for up to 12 jobs, stores up to 1,032 fax numbers/email addresses, delivers significant print-spooling capability

Panasonic also received BERTL's Best Spring 2004 Awards for "Best Personal Corporate Communications Device" and "Fax Manufacturer of the Year."

ABOUT PANASONIC

In the United States, Panasonic Digital Document Company, a unit of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, markets a broad line of digital imaging systems, computer peripherals and office system products designed specifically for business use. Products available include fax and Internet fax machines, digital copiers, network multifunction devices, document management systems, scanners, electronic whiteboards, color and monochrome laser printers, impact printers and DVD drives. Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Matsushita Electric Corporation of America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC) of Osaka, Japan. For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.com/office.

ABOUT BERTL

BERTL(R) (www.BERTL.com) is a leading source of objective, independent product-evaluation reports and comparative analyses on digital imaging devices and software. BERTL's evaluation reports, customer satisfaction research, awards and product ratings are undertaken entirely at BERTL's expense for the benefit of its international subscriber base. At all times, BERTL's primary focus is the end user. BERTL has published more than 1,000 evaluation reports on copiers, printers, MFPs, fax and color and production devices. The reports are available in a range of specialized subscription services: Color at Work(R), LabCheck(R), ITchat(R) and Imaging at Work(R). Also available is the DataCheck(R) service, a database of over 4,000 products covering all major manufacturers. To learn more about BERTL, visit www.BERTL.com or telephone [phone].

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(1) Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Resellers must decide for themselves the prices at which our products are actually advertised and sold.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

End users may obtain sales information by contacting Panasonic at 1-800-742-8086 or 201-348-7000, or by visiting http://www.panasonic.com/office. Please do not publish the editorial contact telephone number. If you wish to review this or any other Panasonic document-imaging product, please contact Chris Florentz at 215-592-8601 or [e-mail].

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