Canon U.S.A. Takes Document Production and Management Control to the Next Level with the Introduction of New Office Systems.

LAS VEGAS -- At Its Digital Solutions Forum, Canon U.S.A. Showcases New Devices, Embedded Solutions, and Software that Empowers Businesses to Take Greater Control of Their Document Workflow

Canon U.S.A.'s Digital Solutions Forum, the company's annual office imaging technology showcase and customer conference, today unveiled an expansive array of new digital multifunction hardware, platform technologies and related software solutions - dramatically expanding its portfolio of office document workflow tools, services and options for the U.S. market.

Through an event theme of "Taking Control to the Next Level," Canon introduced a wide range of new office systems and technologies covering a full spectrum of black-and-white and color multifunction print engines, supported with enhanced networking and workflow capabilities, improved security features, and greater integration of Canon's exclusive custom embedded application platform known as MEAP - or "Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform" technology.

"Canon's Digital Solutions Forum events have always been about making a strong statement to our customers and the industry at large," said Tod Pike, senior vice president of sales, marketing, and administration for Canon U.S.A.'s Imaging Systems Group. "Whether it be producing documents, distributing information, managing knowledge or increasing efficiency, Canon today is offering its customers greater choices, and greater control over their business processes to get work done more effectively, efficiently, and securely."

Canon imageRUNNER - Custom Document Workflow and Management through MEAP Platform

Canon imageRUNNER, the corporate standard for networked multifunction devices in the U.S., has seen unparalleled success since the introduction of the first imageRUNNER product in 1999. To further strengthen its number one U.S. market share position across every speed segment of the black-and-white copier-based multifunction market(1), Canon has introduced 14 new imageRUNNER models spanning mid-to-production level volume, and black-and-white and color technologies.

Each new black-and-white imageRUNNER is equipped with Canon's third-generation imagePlatform (iP) controller architecture, featuring a single custom chip design that leverages shared memory resources, inclusive of hard disk and RAM, to efficiently control device functionality. Canon's proprietary printing algorithm, UFR II (Ultra Fast Rendering II), is also universal to all imageRUNNER devices, and uses the processing power found on today's personal computers to share data processing between the network connected personal computer and imageRUNNER device. A common, intuitive user interface, and consistent paper-handling features also assure quick user learning curves and minimal investment in training.

In further expanding the customization potential of imageRUNNER devices across the product line, select new models integrate Canon's MEAP technology. Canon MEAP technology transforms the level of utility and value derived from multifunction devices through extensive customization capabilities that can be developed specific to individual customer needs. MEAP technology essentially removes any commodity or "one-size fits all" associations to multifunction devices, potentially making each device unique, down to the user interface.

New imageRUNNER Hardware Introductions

imageRUNNER 2270, 2870, 3570, 4570 - Canon's Next Generation Black-and-White Engines

The new imageRUNNER 2270 (22 pages-per-minute, or ppm) and 2870 (28 ppm) models are designed to drive exceptional black-and-white multifunction performance in small businesses and workgroups, while the imageRUNNER 3570 (35 ppm) and 4570 (45 ppm) models are geared for mid-volume corporate departments. Canon MEAP technology is standard on each.

imageRUNNER 2230, 2830, 3530 Models

The new imageRUNNER 2230, 2830, and 3530 also operate at 22 ppm, 28 ppm, and 35 ppm, respectively. These models are suited for customers with basic multifunction needs, and are not equipped with Canon MEAP technology.

New Color-enabled imageRUNNER C5800 - A New Choice in Office Color

Canon also unveiled the color-enabled imageRUNNER C5800. The imageRUNNER C5800 operates at 58 ppm for black-and-white output and 16 ppm for office color output. Incorporating Canon's Amorophorous Silicon (A-Si) drum technology, first introduced on the imageRUNNER C6800 earlier this year, the imageRUNNER C5800 delivers exceptional, cost-effective black-and-white and color output for general business use.

New imageRUNNER 5570, 6570, 8070, 85+, 9070, and 105+ Models

The imageRUNNER 5570/6570 (55 and 65 ppm, respectively), imageRUNNER 8070/9070 (80 and 90 ppm, respectively), 85 ppm imageRUNNER 85+ and 105 ppm imageRUNNER 105+, which were previewed on the Digital Solutions Forum show floor, extend the imageRUNNER line to further meet the ever-changing productivity and budget requirements of mid-sized workgroups up to large corporate enterprises. With the exception of the imageRUNNER 85+, each of these new black-and-white devices is equipped with Canon MEAP technology.

Software and Network Solutions - Integrating Innovation and Document Workflow

With an ever-growing library of Canon-branded and third-party solutions designed to enhance the integration, productivity and utility of imageRUNNER devices, Canon has introduced a number of new performance-enhancing software and network peripherals at its Digital Solutions Forum.

Virtual Mailbox - 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. Virtual Mailbox uses Canon's latest MEAP technology to create a virtual central printing service for users. With this solution, users can place documents in their own, or a colleague's, mailbox, and the documents can be printed at any Virtual Mailbox-enabled Canon imageRUNNER device in the organization, either locally or at remote locations around the world.

NetSpot Accountant v4.0 - NetSpot Accountant v4.0 is the ultimate tool for tracking office equipment utilization, managing device workload and recovering costs. NetSpot Accountant can directly integrate with Microsoft's Active Directory, making installation easy by allowing quick setup of users and groups within the system. NetSpot Accountant v4.0 also automatically recognizes networked devices in order to register their capabilities and feature sets. 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 or double sided, black-and-white or color); machine ID, and billing codes.

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

imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP platforms - imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP 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.

imageWARE Publishing Manager Professional Edition - Canon's imageWARE Publishing Manager Pro is a sophisticated desktop publishing tool that targets professional printers (corporate reprographic departments, print-for-pays and in-plants) by providing the integration of different document types (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) into a single file in one seamless procedure. imageWARE Publishing Manager Pro provides advanced document construction options including page level settings (Bates stamping and page numbering for example) as well as tabs, chapters, inserts, paper handling and finishing options. Publishing Manager Pro also supports document capture from industry standard scanners, and creates hot folders with predefined job templates with document attributes automatically applied for streamlined workflow.

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

ColorPASS Technology - As the use and need for complex color production becomes more prevalent in a variety of office environments, Canon is introducing the new ColorPASS Z500E print controller to bring more powerful and reliable color graphic printing solutions to its CLC 1100 Series devices. The new ColorPASS Z500E drives the highest image quality in order to provide graphic arts professionals the most powerful processing value. With standard "Spot On" and "Auto Trapping" tools for superior color management and print accuracy, the new ColorPASS Z500E features 250MB RAM (upgradeable to 415MB) and features an Intel Pentium 3 Processor at 1GHz with a 20GB hard drive.

Canon Print Server Appliance Release 2.0 - The Print Server Appliance (PSA) Release 2.0 is a turnkey server appliance that automatically discovers print devices on the network, creates the printing queues, and makes available the appropriate drivers to the client population through a single click. PSA Release 2.0 delivers a number of new features and functions including:

--Automatic Failover to ensure that clients are always able to print on the network

--Fleet Manager Utility capable of managing multiple PSA's within an enterprise from one centralized management console

--Expanded support for up to 100 print devices from a single PSA(2)

Pricing and Availability:

Virtual Mailbox Software:
Availability: November             Pricing: $2,295 10 Mailboxes
                                            $3,395 20 Mailboxes
                                            $4,199 50 Mailboxes

NetSpot Accountant v4.0:
Availability: November             Pricing: $3,350 (includes 50 users)

eCopy ShareScan OP v2.0:
Availability: November             Pricing: $2,995 Workgroup (per
                                             imageRUNNER)
                                            $3,995 Departmental (per
                                             imageRUNNER)

imageWARE Document Manager Client for MEAP platforms:
Availability: Fourth Quarter 2004  Pricing: Available at time of
                                             official announcement

imageWARE Publishing Manager Professional Edition:
Availability: November             Pricing: $2,700 Single User
                                            $7,200 Three Users

Canon Print Server Appliance V2.0:
Availability: Immediate            Pricing: $2,995 (w/1 year support)
                                            $3,349 (w/2 year support)
                                            $3,749 (w/3 year support)

About the Canon Digital Solutions Forum

Canon Digital Solutions Forum is an annual showcase of the Company's technological leadership and strategic vision. This year's Forum, which is being held at The Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, October 25 - 28, focuses on the theme of "Taking Control To The Next Level." At this year's event, Canon products and solutions designed to improve business production and management will be showcased in four "Zones of Excellence" - Producing Documents, Managing Knowledge, Distributing Information and Increasing Efficiency. Each zone will focus on a variety of Canon Document Creation, Production and WorkFlow Solutions in customer environments. Seminars covering the areas of Variable Data Printing, Color Publishing, Emerging Host Print Solutions, Document Management, and Document Distribution will also be available to attendees.

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.

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

Prices, availability and specifications subject to change without notice.

(1) Source - Gartner Dataquest - "Printer Quarterly Statistics United States - Database," Camille Iorns February 2004.

(2) Recommended 100 devices per PSA v.2.

* All ppm statistics are based on letter-size paper unless otherwise noted.