Canon Digital Solutions Forum 2003 Showcases Next Evolution of ``Workflow That Works''.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Canon Digital Solutions Forum 2003

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2003

Impressive Display of New and Emerging Imaging Technologies

Focuses on "Real Business, Real Solutions."

Canon U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), and leader in networked imaging solutions, today kicked off the start of the Canon Digital Solutions Forum 2003, an annual showcase of the Company's technological leadership and strategic vision. This year's event focuses on the theme of "Real Business, Real Solutions." -- an evolution of the Company's "Workflow That Works" message. New and emerging imaging technologies that are designed to easily integrate and improve workflow in today's digital enterprise will be on display throughout a 100,000+ square foot exhibit at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, May 6 - 7.

"Today's demanding technology customer is giving considerable attention to workflow and their bottom line, and what an investment made now will mean for them in the future," said Kinya Uchida, President and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Our event theme of 'Real Business, Real Solutions' will be shown through present, near-term, and future Canon workflow technologies that easily integrate and progressively grow with an organization. We want customers to understand 'Workflow That Works' is here today for real and immediate benefits, yet will always continue to evolve for future needs."

New developer support and third party alliance programs, and an industry marketing initiative, are also being unveiled at this year's event, showing the vast customization potential of Canon's new multifunction platforms. Digital Solutions Forum attendees will first experience a "Real Business, Real Solutions" theater presentation, and will then continue on to the exhibition floor, which will contain several areas highlighting new B-to-B products and technology, targeted vertical market solutions, an alliance partner pavilion, and consumer imaging products and technology.

Among the most significant new technologies being introduced at the Digital Solutions Forum include Canon's Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform ("MEAP"). Canon MEAP is an open, JAVA-based development platform for multifunction devices that allows the creation of customized software applications that run inside the device. With Canon MEAP, customers will be empowered to tailor their multifunction system to their specific workflow processes, and will have considerable flexibility and choice with regards to how they integrate products into their enterprise. MEAP enables Canon and third parties to develop unique capabilities on Canon devices, and potentially expand the range of professional services and consulting offered to customers.

In support of launching Canon MEAP, Canon U.S.A. Imaging Systems Group has established a Developer Support Program and Alliance Marketing Program. Software Development Kits (SDKs) to enhance existing application offerings, build customized solutions for specific customer requirements, integrate with popular software applications and hardware platforms, and drive new revenue sources through professional services will be utilized by Canon internally for customer development efforts, and are expected to be made available to external developers in the third quarter of this year as part of an aggressive developer recruitment effort.

Developers creating applications through Canon's SDKs will be offered the opportunity to enroll in Canon's Alliance Marketing Program, which extends co-marketing, promotional, and distribution resources to grow existing and future customer business. Current, active members of the program include eCopy, I/O Corp., BMC, Codehost, KPG, Objectif Lune, Equitrac, Solimar Systems, American Printware, and Electronic Systems Protection. Additional program members will be announced throughout the remainder of this year.

New products that will make their public debut at the Canon Digital Solutions Forum include the MEAP-enabled imageRUNNER 5020 / 6020 Series. The imageRUNNER 5020 / 6020 Series are 50 and 60 page-per-minute (ppm) black-and-white digital multifunction devices, respectively.(1) Also being announced are the new imageCLASS C2500 and C3500 color MFPs, imageRUNNER 110M with MICR print capability, IO Corp. 5755dp Host to Net Gateway for host-based printing, LASER CLASS 510, and P-660 Card Printer. SWOP Certification for the Canon CLC 1180 and KPG Matchprint Professional Server is also being announced and shown at the event.

Canon Digital Solutions Forum 2003

McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago

Tuesday, May 6, 2003 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday, May 7, 2003 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #41 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2002, with global revenues of $24.5 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs over 10,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

(1) Page-per-minute statistics based on standard letter-size output.