Canon U.S.A. Introduces Its First Production Printer for High-Volume Print-On-Demand and Print-For-Pay Environments.

Business and Technology Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2000

imageRUNNER 60 Print Production System to Also Target Data Center

Printing Within AS/400 and UNIX Operating Environments 

Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced the immediate availability of the imageRUNNER 60 print production system, a 60 page-per-minute black-and-white laser printer for high-volume print-on-demand and print-for-pay environments. With state-of-the-art engine durability and document finishing capabilities, the imageRUNNER 60 is ideally suited for print jobs of long duration, such as in the production of company reports, brochures, training materials, end user manuals, and other documents requiring frequent updating.

&uot;As the first designated production printer to join our highly successful imageRUNNER line of devices, the imageRUNNER 60 enters the marketplace setting new benchmarks for price/performance,&uot; said Tod Pike, senior vice president of marketing for Canon's Imaging Systems Group. &uot;The combined value of its engine durability and online finishing is second to none in meeting the needs of the print-on-demand and print-for-pay client.&uot;

Future plans for the imageRUNNER 60 include Canon and third party developed solutions that specifically target data centers using AS/400 and UNIX operating systems. &uot;The data center represents a growth market that generates tremendous page volume. In working closely with our development partners and distribution, we will soon drive significant added value to the output requirements of IT managers and CIOs responsible for data center operations,&uot; added Pike.

Although now offered through authorized Canon dealers and subsidiaries exclusively, future plans for the production printer also include availability and service support under open distribution, which will include value added resellers.

With the highest level of finishing capability available in its class, the imageRUNNER 60 can complete complex documents without the extra time and expense associated with outsourcing to external organizations. For example, the optional Stapler-Stacker Finisher supports up to 2,250 sheets of output with multi-position stapling in any page corner, or can also double bind staple in creating booklets.

&uot;The imageRUNNER 60 offers advanced finishing at a very affordable price,&uot; said David Clemens, editor of The High-Volume Printer Guide published by Better Buys for Business. &uot;With this machine and the recently launched imageRUNNER 110, Canon has moved quickly to establish a solid presence in production-level devices.&uot;

Also available is the Saddle-Stitch Finisher option, which builds on the functions of the Staple Stacker by adding 3-hole paper punch and saddle-stitched output. The Saddle-Stitch Finisher supports a total capacity of 3,900 sheets of paper, with up to 3,000 sheets in two top trays and up to 900 sheets in a separate tray designated for saddle-stitched output. A Z-folding Unit for folding 11&uot; x 17&uot; documents into letter-sized output and a Document Inserter that delivers post-process cover inserts, such as color documents, is also available.

Standard 10/100 Ethernet connectivity allows the imageRUNNER 60 to deliver superior image quality at 1200 x 600 dpi resolution and 256 grayscale to PCL5e and Postscript 3 users. To ensure uninterrupted operation and greater media flexibility, the imageRUNNER 60 engine duty cycle is rated at 250,000 impressions per month, with the unit accommodating up to 7,650 sheets of paper (17 lb. bond to 110 lb. index stock), replaceable &uot;on the fly&uot;. Trayless automatic duplexing also allows the imageRUNNER 60 to produce two-sided documents at its fully rated engine speed for enhanced productivity.

Every imageRUNNER 60 also comes standard with Canon NetSpot and Web NetSpot Device Management Software, which both simplify the installation, configuration, and management of all Canon and third party printers that support Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and industry standard Management Information Base (MIB). NetSpot integrates with all major enterprise management applications, including Computer Associates Unicenter TNG, IBM Tivoli Netview, and Hewlett Packard OpenView. The combined device and enterprise level management capabilities of such integration offers proactive remote discovery and maintenance of all network devices, significantly enhancing organizational time and cost efficiency.

Web NetSpot, which offers direct links to Hewlett Packard's Web JetAdmin software, uses a single workstation and Web browser to achieve the same functionality as NetSpot over the Internet. The application also enables users to link directly to Internet addresses to initiate service requests through Canon's technical support center or through authorized Canon dealers.

With a main unit suggested retail price of $24,500 the imageRUNNER 60 delivers a greater value proposition than any other comparable production printer on the market today. Suggested retail prices for the device's finishing options are $4,620 for the Stapler-Stacker Finisher, $9,345 for the Saddle-Stitch Finisher, $1,103 for the Document Inserter, and $5,145 for the Z-folding Unit. Optional Token Ring connectivity is offered at a suggested retail price of $998.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is 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, image filing systems, and facsimile machines; camcorders, cameras and lenses; and semiconductor, broadcast and medical equipment. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South American and the Caribbean.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.