Buyers Lab Names Panasonic's DP-150FX Multifunction Copier 'Pick of the Year'.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2001

Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) has named the Panasonic Digital Document Company (PDDC) WORKiO DP-150FX "Outstanding Segment 1 Multifunctional Imaging System" in its 2001 Pick of the Year awards.

BLI, in a summary report issued in May 2001, said that the aggressively priced 15-cpm multifunction product, which offers platen-based copying, Windows GDI printing, scanning and faxing in its standard configuration, "demonstrated flawless reliability throughout its three-month BLI evaluation, producing 7,500 impressions without any misfeeds or service required."

BLI found the DP-150FX to be very exceptionally priced at 46.5 percent less than other comparably equipped products. In part, the report stated:

"This value makes the Panasonic WORKiO DP-150FX an excellent

choice for buyers in need of a non-networked multifunctional

product with basic but high-quality copy functionality for

single-user or small office environments with monthly volumes

ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 impressions."

In addition to its high reliability rating, the DP-150FX received BLI's highest image quality rating for text, line art, halftones, and solids in print mode. According to the report:

"The Panasonic WORKiO DP-150FX was easy to use both as a walk-up

device for copier and fax usage, and from PC workstations for

printing and scanning. Contributing to ease of use were good

feedback to PC users via the software, good documentation and easy

procedures for loading paper, removing misfeeds and replacing

toner, and the ability to conveniently program autodial

destinations and groups from the PC. Its multitasking capabilities

were also good overall."

Standard features on the DP-150FX include: 300-sheet capacity for up to legal-size stock (expandable to 550 sheets); 1MB of memory, expandable to 17MB; zoom, reduction and enlargement; and scan once/print many capability. Also standard on the DP-150FX is a 30-sheet automatic document feeder (ADF), which, as BLI notes, is found only as an option on many products in this segment.

According to the BLI report:

"Also noteworthy is that it (DP-150FX) offers stackless duplexing

for production of two-sided copies from single-sided originals - a

capability offered by only a handful of models in this speed range

- and a Skyshot mode."

In its evaluation, BLI noted that the DP-150FX's fax function, supported by a 33.3-Kbps modem and MMR compression, adds to the model's versatility. BLI also cited the fact that the DP-150FX offers such fax features as broadcasting to up to 100 groups (10 destinations per group), a standard 1MB fax memory (expandable to 17MB), multi (dual) access and the ability to conveniently program fax autodial numbers and other settings from the PC.

BLI evaluators found that the DP-150FX's performance as a 600-dpi Windows GDI laser printer, when connected to a PC via the unit's standard bi-directional parallel interface, was also good. The model's output received BLI's highest image quality rating for all types of originals used in the test (text, line art, halftones and solids). BLI evaluators were also impressed by the model's print speed that, at 10.77 ppm, is faster than the average for units in its class with Windows-based printing tested to date. According to the BLI report:

"Unlike some other multifunctional units in this speed range, the

Panasonic WORKiO DP-150FX offers standard TWAIN-compliant scanning

at resolutions up to 600 dpi. This function performed well in the

tests, with features typical of the scanning programs bundled with

other scan-equipped multifunctional products tested."

All models in the WORKiO Series are designed to function as the hub of a document processing system, enabling data or document workflow to be integrated into a single, virtually seamless process for increased efficiency and productivity. It's a one-stop control center for input and output of all documents, whether paper or digital.

In addition to the DP-150FX, the WORKiO Series includes the DP-150PA with ADF and print/scan function; DP-150A with ADF; and the base model DP-150. All incorporate Panasonic's Super Power Saver mode that reduces energy consumption. The WORKiO Series also includes three high-speed, multifunction digital imaging systems - the DP-2500, DP-2000, and the recently introduced DP-3000E.

"This (Buyers Lab rating) is just the beginning for the WORKiO Series," says Paul Wharton, PDDC Copier Product Group marketing manager. "Both the DP-2500 and 2000 are currently being tested and evaluated by Buyers Lab for the 2002 Pick of the Year award." Earlier this year, the WORKiO DP-2500 and 2000 copiers received "Outstanding" and "Highly Recommended" ratings, respectively, from Business Equipment Research and Test Lab (BERTL), based on the results of testing completed in January 2001. According to Wharton, the WORKiO copiers have been selling at a brisk pace for the past year. "Panasonic Document Imaging Company has significantly increased its share of the copier market with our WORKiO Series," he said.

In the United States, Panasonic Digital Document Company (PDDC), a unit of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA), markets a broad line of computer peripherals and office system products.

Products available include color laser printers, impact forms printers, Internet fax machines, digital copiers, multifunction devices, scanners, electronic whiteboards, CD-ROM and rewritable drives, and DVD drives. Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, MECA is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI) (NYSE: MC) of Osaka, Japan. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.

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Panasonic's World Wide Web site is located at www.panasonic.com.