Canon U.S.A. Introduces The imageRUNNER 6000; Multifunction Platform Provides Powerful Document Production and Distribution Capabilities.

Business & High Tech Editors

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2001

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), and U.S. market share leader in digital copier solutions designed for the corporate office, today announced the immediate availability of the imageRUNNER 6000, a 60 page-per-minute (ppm), black-and-white, digital copier with network print and scan upgrade potential.

Targeted for large corporate workgroups and departments, the imageRUNNER 6000 offers document production and distribution capabilities that can have a significant impact on how well an organization makes use of its information resources.

Designed around a digital print engine capable of supporting 2400 x 600 dpi and 256 grayscale resolution, and up to 230,000 impressions per month duty cycle, the imageRUNNER 6000 caters to mid-to-high volume environments with up to 7,650 sheets of 17 lb. Bond to 100 lb. Index paper supply, and standard automatic trayless duplexing for two-sided output at rated engine speed. An amorphous silicon drum for the unit has a yield of 3,000,000 impressions, with the toner cartridge yielding 33,000 copies/prints at 6% coverage.

"With the introduction of the imageRUNNER 6000, Canon is increasing our ability to meet diverse customer needs in corporate workgroups and departments," said Dennis Amorosano, director of Marketing, Canon U.S.A. Copier and Networked Office Systems Division. "In building on past imageRUNNER success, the imageRUNNER 6000 leverages Canon's imagePlatform (IP) architecture, bringing new capabilities to this segment of the office marketplace."

With many large corporations having already made the transition from analog to digital copier technology, an increasing focus is now being made towards driving additional network functionality, particularly in the areas of document finishing, scanning and distribution, and device management. The imageRUNNER 6000 excels in each of these areas and others, offering best-in-class capabilities and performance when compared to competitive products, as follows:

Document Finishing Superiority

With the imageRUNNER 6000, Canon maintains its leadership position in bringing versatile document finishing functions to the digital office by delivering single and multi-position stapling of up to 50 sheets in any corner of the page. Automatic saddle-stitch booklet making capability allows general office users to produce professional-looking output in-house at a fraction of the time and cost of outsourcing. An optional 2/3 hole punching unit is also available for all imageRUNNER 6000 finishers, which, when used with the available chapterization or cover sheet insertion modes, allows completed sets to be immediately inserted into binders. Specific customer applications ranging from training manuals, booklets and other frequently revised publications, as well as customized documents, such as financial reports and brochures, are all facilitated through comprehensive device driver software at the client desktop.

Robust Image Server Functions and Network Connectivity

An internal 5.1 GB Image Server and 128 MB of RAM allows the imageRUNNER 6000 to scan up to five copy jobs in "Copy Reservation" mode. A "Job Build" mode allows a user to combine up to 100 simplex and duplex originals using either the document feeder or platen glass. The same memory can also be used for a "Confidential Mail Box" function, which allows up to 1,000 scanned or printed documents to be stored in 100 user-named mailboxes. A "Merge Documents" mode can combine jobs sent to a mailbox and convert them into a single file for uniform printing. Merged jobs can originate as hard copy documents, electronic files created in different software applications, or a combination of both.

For high-volume printing and scanning capability, the optional Network Multi-PDL Printer Kit-A2 represents the next generation of Canon developed controller technology for its IP-enabled devices, offering 10/100 Ethernet connectivity, and PCL5e, PCL6, and emulation of Adobe PostScript3.

High Speed Scanning and Document Distribution

The high-speed scanning capability of the imageRUNNER 6000 can potentially replace more traditional methods of document distribution such as fax, mail, and overnight delivery services at a significant savings in cost and time. By supporting resolution up to 600 x 600 dpi in scan mode, the imageRUNNER 6000 uses Canon Network ScanGear, a 32-bit TWAIN-compliant driver that allows the transmission of scanned images from the device platen or feeder to be sent to a client desktop or server on the network. Preset scanning resolutions using Network ScanGear are at 150, 200, 300, 400, and 600 dpi, with actual scanning speed dependent on the level of grayscale selected and image composition of documents.

A complete document distribution system using the imageRUNNER 6000, Canon's Network Printer Kit, eCopy's ScanStation hardware, and eCopy ShareScan and Desktop software is also available, as follows:

eCopy ScanStation: A small-format touch-screen and a CPU that attaches easily to a Canon imageRUNNER Series digital copier. To make an eCopy, a user can simply place the paper document in the copier's document feeder and choose one of several "send" options shown as icons on the eCopy ScanStation touch-screen panel.

eCopy ShareScan: ShareScan runs on a customized PC, which connects an imageRUNNER device. With ShareScan, users enable their imageRUNNER to scan and route paper documents via e-mail, network fax, or through secure electronic document delivery services. ShareScan seamlessly integrates with popular office applications including e-mail and network fax, allowing users to send paper documents directly from the imageRUNNER using their personal account to Lotus Notes Mail and Microsoft Exchange.

eCopy Desktop: eCopy Desktop is a desktop document imaging application that can receive documents captured by ShareScan. eCopy Desktop users can save electronic copies of these paper documents, mark them up using the annotation tools (stamp, highlight, add text, underline, etc.), convert the scanned image to text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and route them via e-mail and network fax. eCopy Desktop software links to the most popular document management applications to integrate scanned images into existing workflow. Documents such as contracts, invoices, delivery receipts, application forms, sensitive legal documents, and hand-edited engineering drawings can easily be delivered with substantial savings in time and money compared to traditional fax, overnight courier, or interoffice mail services.

NetSpot Suite Device Management Software

Canon NetSpot Suite is a group of platform independent software utilities that are designed to ease the administrative burdens associated with installing, monitoring, and managing Canon, and third party, SNMP-compliant, print devices across corporate enterprise networks or the Internet. Both end users and network administrators are given a level of access and control that is designed to optimize the uptime of imageRUNNER 6000s and other devices throughout the enterprise for maximum productivity.

Among the capabilities of NetSpot Suite include the ability for users to obtain real-time descriptions of the device status, its available features and accessories, and print job status and end of job notification through any standard Web browser. Network administrator rights to the software allow them to set preferences, and manage and update information. Plug-in modules to major enterprise management software applications such as CA-Unicenter TNG, HP OpenView, Tivoli NetView, and BMC Patrol are also available to network administrators.

Pricing and Availability

Priced to deliver significantly greater value than competitive models, the imageRUNNER 6000 has a U.S. suggested retail price of $21,500, and is available today through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations. The optional Canon Network Multi-PDL Printer Kit-A2, which adds network print and scan capability to the device, has a U.S. suggested retail price of $3,350, and is also immediately available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations.

The eCopy ScanStation, ShareScan and Desktop software for imageRUNNER 6000 are also available today through Authorized Canon U.S.A. Dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations at the following suggested retail prices:

eCopy ScanStation (Windows NT) $ 6,995 (includes eCopy ShareScan with 20 User License of eCopy Desktop

Software)

A free 45-day trial of eCopy Desktop software is available for download from eCopy's web site at www.ecopy.com.

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 America and the Caribbean.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Canon U.S.A. Web site: http://www.usa.canon.com

For Canon sales info/customer support: 1-800-OK-CANON [e-mail]