Canon U.S.A. And Simplify Announce Availability of ShareScan 2000 For imageRUNNER On Microsoft Windows NT.

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 1999--

Industry's Most Powerful and Open Document Sharing System Now

Integrates with Microsoft Exchange Server 

Canon U.S.A., Inc., the marketshare leader in network-connected digital copier solutions, and Simplify Development Corporation, the leading supplier of network scanning software, announced today several enhancements to their integrated solutions for the interchange and management of paper and electronic documents.

Available now, Simplify's ShareScan 2000 will enable Canon's imageRUNNER series to scan paper documents into electronic data files and distribute those files via Microsoft Exchange Server and a host of other email applications. Users can also send documents to a fax server directly from the imageRUNNER console, or to a public folder on the network, where they can be stored and easily accessed from users' local PCs. Using Mailroom for Windows, users can then edit those stored documents and can re-distribute them via network fax and email.

ShareScan 2000 and Mailroom for Windows can accommodate an unlimited number of clients on the network and are available immediately through authorized Canon dealers. Unlike competing products, these solutions offer a single user interface across devices.

"Together, the imageRUNNER series and ShareScan 2000 enable end users to easily share and exchange information -- regardless of its form -- over an array of computing platforms, including Windows NT and Novell NetWare," said Tod Pike, senior vice president of marketing, Canon Imaging Systems Group. "The tight integration of imageRUNNER devices with ShareScan 2000 and MailRoom for Windows reflects our singular focus on making document management easier in real time, real world applications," he added.

The competitive advantages of the Canon/Simplify solution are numerous, for both the network administrator and the end user. ShareScan 2000 enables network managers to manage multiple imageRUNNER scan stations run from a single Windows NT workstation, centralizing administration. Initial setup to perform network distribution of scanned files is much less burdensome to the administrator, since the definition of templates is not required to identify paper size, scan resolution and type, email address or destination directory, as required by competing products.

The software also enables administrators to select and set up users from Windows NT domains and automatically sets the access rights assigned to each user, leveraging the inherent network security features of Windows NT and Novell NetWare's NDS.

"We are witnessing a growing need in the marketplace for the streamlining of information distribution and management," said Ed Schmid, president and CEO of Simplify. "Our partnership with Canon brings to market the most open and scalable platform for document distribution available anywhere, ensuring unparalleled ease of use and processing performance."

For users, the intuitive interface of both the imageRUNNER control panel and the Simplify software ensures ease of use and a minimal learning curve. Multiple documents can be scanned at one time without the need to empty a user's scan inbox or directory before scanning a second document. Users can also scan documents without initial concern for page orientation or order, since MailRoom offers an extensive array of rotation, append/delete, re-order, resolution, and duplex functions that replicate the operation of a standard copier.

"Our customers are telling us that the open architecture and usability of the Canon/Simplify solution have won them over," said Dennis Amorosano, assistant director, Copier and Networked Office Systems Division at Canon U.S.A. "Users want the ability to scan multiple pages as a single job, and they want to distribute those scanned documents electronically without having to create complex templates. Unlike competing solutions, the Canon/Simplify system delivers on all counts."

File structure and integrity are additional competitive advantages of the Canon/Simplify solution. All scanned documents, whether singular or multiple pages, are converted into a single, non-proprietary file format chosen by the user. Users can also perform "document building," adding to their existing files at any time.

"Prior to using ShareScan, couriers made daily pickups of claims forms from our clients in the medical profession," said Karl Schuster, MIS Director of Parman Associates. Now with ShareScan, these forms are scanned at their source and then processed in digital format. Our ability to expedite the processing of these forms has reduced the time it takes for doctors to be reimbursed for their services, in turn making us more competitive."

The Canon/Simplify relationship stems back to 1995, when the two companies collaborated to deliver the first document scanning and distribution available on a workgroup level multi-function peripheral (MFP). In addition to the advancements made on the new imageRUNNER series multifunction devices, the two companies are also currently expanding Simplify's support of Canon subsidiaries and dealers throughout North America. A two-year, multi-million dollar contract also announced today enables Simplify to provide in-depth sales and marketing training and ongoing field support of Canon's sales force in effectively selling the companies' turnkey solutions.

"Joining forces on a consultative selling and product support basis will further strengthen our ability to deliver our best-of-breed solutions," said Tod Pike. "The partnership also demonstrates Canon's commitment to its customers, who will enjoy increased functionality with these new solutions while protecting their initial investment in their scanning technologies."

Pricing

Suggested retail pricing for Simplify ShareScan 2000 begins at $1,375.00. The imageRUNNER 330S and 330E carry suggested list prices of $7,200 and $14,000 respectively. The imageRUNNER 400S and 400E have suggested list prices of $9,800 and $17,200 respectively.

Simplify Development Corporation, based in Nashua, New Hampshire, is the leading supplier of document distribution and network scanning software, including the award-winning ShareScan and MailRoom. Simplify specializes in applications that process and distribute paper and fax documents through email and the Internet. Founded in 1992 by Edward Schmid, the privately held company has close working relationships with Canon USA and other business equipment vendors. Customers include Bell Atlantic, Case Western Reserve University, Countrywide Mortgage, Denison Hydraulics, the United States Navy, and the United States Air Force. Complete corporate and product information is available at Simplify's web site, www.simplifyinc.com.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging systems and solutions and a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices, digital and analog copiers (color and black-and-white), printers, scanners, optical filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs more than 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.