Canon U.S.A. Brings Superior Management and Control of Document Workflow to the Enterprise with Expanded Integrated Solutions Portfolio; Latest Software Offerings Support New Internet-Enabled, Programmable imageRUNNER Copiers.

LAS VEGAS -- Boost Office Productivity, Document Management, Resource Utilization and Security

Responding to the growing demand by businesses for increased document management and workflow control, Canon U.S.A. Inc. today unveiled a host of upgrades and design enhancements to its comprehensive portfolio of integrated workflow software and solutions. Each software and solutions introduction is strategically designed to help improve information management, boost efficiency and streamline customer workflow operations across the enterprise.

The latest versions of Canon's integrated solutions introduced at the Company's Digital Solutions Forum (DSF) include: imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP technology, imageWARE Publishing Manager Professional Edition, NetSpot Accountant v4.0, Virtual Mailbox, eCopy ShareScan OP 2.0 and Print Server Appliance v2.0.

The upgraded portfolio of document workflow solutions delivered at DSF is strongly represented by products designed to integrate with Canon's new generation of Internet-enabled, MEAP or Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform compatible multifunction product (MFP) imaging systems, creating smarter document management systems and resources for businesses.

"Meeting the needs of a modern office requires an integrated product strategy that supports present-day operations, while providing a built-in migration path to full customization and greater workflow control," said Dennis Amorosano, director and general manager, Canon U.S.A. Integrated Business Solutions Division. "Canon's new software offerings have been developed to provide easy to use functionality leveraging a company's existing data management systems as well as their investment in office equipment technology."

According to Amorosano, "Canon is the leading developer and provider of complete document creation and output solutions that scale to all types of work environments, and offer advanced workflow customization and document distribution capabilities that simply are not available anywhere else. The fact that many of our software applications are now fourth generation - as well as MEAP compatible - speaks to Canon's commitment to continual innovation and helping customers get the most out of their document creation, management and distribution systems."

Canon MEAP Solutions - Custom Document Workflow and Technology Management using Advanced Innovation

MEAP technology is a unique, Canon-developed, Java-based platform that allows for the creation of embedded applications for Canon's networked MFPs. MEAP-based applications reside on the system's hard disk, eliminating the need, space and expense for many dedicated pieces of external equipment to execute customized programs. The applications are presented to walk-up users on the full-color LCD control panel of the MEAP enabled imageRUNNER device, transforming the traditional MFP device into a powerful communications hub for sharing and managing information in the office. To create these applications, Canon offers a MEAP Software Development Kit (SDK) that provides sample code and direction to create customized programs.

--imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP Technology - Streamlining the Scan-to-File Process - imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP technology is a powerful, yet easy-to-use MEAP application residing on compatible imageRUNNER systems, providing end users with the ability to directly scan documents from the imageRUNNER into the imageWARE Document Manager database. Prior to scanning, users with appropriate database access rights have the ability to browse imageWARE cabinets and folders, as well as enter appropriate indexing information relevant to the document being scanned. By supporting direct scanning into the imageWARE Document Manager database, customers can support ad-hoc document capture and management capabilities without the need for building centralized scanning operations. By distributing scanning and document management workload, customers can drive greater efficiencies, lessen costs, and deliver scanning to the point of need. Available Fourth Quarter 2004.

--Virtual Mailbox for MEAP Enabled Devices - In today's corporate world, nearly all documents are created and used electronically. However, all printing is confined to a specific geographic location, due to legacy IT configurations. Virtual Mailbox brings printing without boundaries to the workplace - and is ideally suited for mobile users who need access to their frequently used documents. Virtual Mailbox leverages Canon's MEAP technology and Print Server Appliance v.2 to create a virtual central printing service for users. With this solution, users can retrieve their documents as well as place documents in their own or a colleague's mailbox to ultimately be printed or accessed at any Virtual Mailbox enabled Canon imageRUNNER device in the organization, or on the intranet, either locally or at remote locations around the world. Using Canon's Virtual Mailbox, individuals can now conduct more accessible, convenient and secure document printing. Available November 2004. Pricing: $2,295 (10 Mailboxes), $3,395 (20 Mailboxes) and $4,199 (50 Mailboxes).

--eCopy ShareScan OP (Open Platform) 2.0 - eCopy ShareScan OP 2.0 is part of eCopy's OP Suite of products, which allows MEAP enabled imageRUNNER devices to function as part of a true information "hub" by integrating hard-copy operations directly into the workflow of enterprise software applications, such as reporting, administration, document management, ERP, financials, HR and customer management. The solution enables low-cost, easy, instantaneous distribution and management of digital copies of paper documents. New features in eCopy ShareScan OP Version 2.0 include:

--Support for the Canon MEAP compatible Color imageRUNNER C3220

--Improved Quick Connect Integration Capabilities

--Enhanced Microsoft Exchange Features

--Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Language Selection

--Available November 2004. Pricing: $2,995 (Workgroup) and $3,995 (Departmental)

Canon Software Solutions - Transforming Print and Document Worlflow

--imageWARE Publishing Manager Professional Edition - Maximizing Document Creation Control

Canon's imageWARE Publishing Manager Pro is a sophisticated desktop publishing tool that gives office workers the tools to produce professional-looking color and black-and-white documents employing various inserts and content types, such as manuals, brochures, catalogs, proposals, reports, books, and presentations. In one seamless procedure, imageWARE Publishing Manager Pro users can merge different file types, manipulate and combine multiple hardcopy and digital documents, edit page layouts, specify multiple paper sources and assign advanced imageRUNNER finishing options to documents. imageWARE Publishing Manager Professional can also provide:

--Ability to re-order pages, add chapters, customize and position watermarks, and insert new text and graphics anywhere in a document using the Annotation Editor.

--Built-in Variable Printing Editor support - enabling document personalization through the creation of variable text or graphics fields linked to a database source.

--Templates with page layout and printing specifications that can be saved for standard documents and forms. Users can also export documents to PDF format for network distribution and digital archival purposes.

--Ability to establish "Hot Folders" capable of automatically assigning print job attributes to documents delivered into the hot folder, thereby streamlining document production.

--Available November 2004. Pricing: $2,700 single user and $7,200 three users.

--NetSpot Accountant v4.0 - Enhancing Cost Tracking Capabilities

NetSpot Accountant v4.0 is the ultimate tool for tracking office equipment utilization, managing device workload and recovering costs. Installation is simple as a result of NetSpot Accountant's ability to directly integrate with Microsoft's Active Directory allowing quick setup of users and groups within the system. Once installed, NetSpot Accountant will also automatically recognize networked devices and register their capabilities. Features in NetSpot Accountant v4.0 include:

--Break down and analyze output related costs and device utilization patterns for the full complement of office equipment, including copiers, facsimile machines, network printers and MFP imaging systems.

--Track usage by multiple criteria, including: paper type; individual user, group or department; output (i.e. single/double sided, B/W or color); machine ID, or billing codes.

--Provides customized reports on usage. Results can be exported into spreadsheets or billing applications, generating hard numbers for internal cost allocation and budgeting.

NetSpot Accountant v4.0 reduces the administrative burden of managing vast numbers of devices across a corporate network and adds new levels of security. In addition, the software provides new capabilities to support job tracking from non-Canon copiers, as well as support for multi-tiered billing codes - an especially important feature for professional services firms in legal and consulting industries. Available November 2004. Pricing: $3,350 (includes 50 users).

--Print Server Appliance v2.0 - Centralizing Print Server Management

This second-generation server appliance can manage today's most complex, heterogeneous network printing environments. With this 'plug-and-play' turnkey system, IT managers and office administrators can optimally manage their printing resources while increasing network efficiency via a single click setup. Canon's Print Server Appliance v2.0 comes preloaded with a full complement of imageRUNNER drivers, yet also recognizes and uploads drivers from any MIB standardized printing device. New features of the PSA v2.0 include:

--Fleet Manager Utility automatically discovers all PSA's on the network allowing an administrator to manage multiple PSA's from one central administrative console..

--Offers two Ethernet connections allowing IT managers to offload print traffic from the main network by dedicating one port to network printing

--Features dual Automatic Failover whereby PSA's can be configured to maintain printing resource availability in cases where a primary PSA fails.

--Leverages the company intranet, enabling IT administrators to make new printer drivers available to users via the web for download and installation with a single mouse click.

Print Server Appliance v2.0 takes full advantage of the digital office landscape and Web services. It continually monitors a dedicated Canon Enterprise System Platform (ESP) software portal, and when it detects a new release covered under the licensing plan, it automatically downloads it into the system and records it in an events log. To protect digital transmissions, the appliance offers security enhancements, such as using PC users' login and password information to authenticate and control printer access. The Print Server Appliance represents considerable cost savings to an IT organization as compared to traditional methods of managing networked print resources. Available immediately. Pricing: $2,995 (w/1 year support) $3,349 (w/2 year support) $3,749 (w/3 year support).

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 #35 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 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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Prices, availability and specifications subject to change without notice.