Canon introduces series of Digital Imaging and Document Management Solutions for the Networked Digital Office.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 18, 1996--

NetSpot Network Management Software Simplifies System Setup And Establishes New Benchmarks for Remote Management and Diagnostics Across Any Network or Computing Platform 

Canon U.S.A., Inc. continues to expand its role as the leading provider of networked document management solutions for the digital office with the introduction of the GP200 and GP200F Digital Imaging Systems. These multifunction devices improve office efficiency by integrating printing, scanning, faxing and copying functions for workgroup sharing on a network, or as stand-alone office solutions. Canon's NetSpot(TM) Network Management Software, which ships with all networked configurations of the GP200 and GP200F, provides unprecedented desktop management control and system functionality across multiple computer operating platforms and network protocols.

"The GP200 represents our continued commitment to provide total information management solutions built on an open systems approach, thereby delivering state-of-the-art solutions centered around Canon's imaging technology," said Robert Bryson, executive vice president and general manager of Canon's Imaging Systems Group. "The integrated operations and value-added features of the GP200 provide a system which results in greater efficiency and cost effectiveness for today's office environments, and anticipates the needs of tomorrow's business applications. In addition, our NetSpot Network Management Software greatly simplifies control of output devices across the entire enterprise."

Plug and Play Operation

Key to the connectivity of the GP200 are four built-in expansion slots. Through these slots, the GP200 becomes a modular, easily expandable system that employs parallel processing technology for true multitasking.

The GP200F is fully loaded to plug-and-play, providing the ability to print, fax and copy from the moment it is unpacked. There are two remaining expansion slots for customization to network platforms and other image processing capabilities. The GP200 is a powerful stand-alone digital copying system to which additional functionality can be configured as needed.

Currently available expansion boards include interfaces for Ethernet environments, PCL and Adobe Postscript Level II print data streams, as well as fax and scanning capabilities. Other interfaces and application support are currently under development by Canon and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), including direct Token Ring connectivity(a), and integration with imaging-based application software.

NetSpot Network Management Software for Enterprise-Wide Control

NetSpot software, which ships with all networked GP200 and GP200F models, provides a level of network management functionality unmatched by any other software available today. It provides a consistent user interface across multiple computing platforms, including UNIX, Windows and Macintosh. And it supports NDS(R) SNMP, SPX/IPX, TCP/IP, AppleTalk, NetBEUI and Ethertalk network protocols, in any combination, depending on an organization's specific network communication needs.

NetSpot speeds up and simplifies installation of network printing devices while providing printer job status and job management information for all Canon GP Series and SNMP-compliant output devices. This capability is available directly to network managers or end-users at the desktop, from anywhere in the enterprise.

Superior Image Quality

The GP200 utilizes Canon's unique Digital Image Processing System (DIPS) to translate original images into digital form and print them at the rate of 20 pages-per-minute. Images are produced at up to 1200 x 600 dots-per-inch resolution, with 256 gradations of gray per dot. The result is improved reproduction of continuous-tones and other images. DIPS also uses advanced Artificial Intelligence to improve document contrast and text sharpness for exceptional print quality.

Built-in automatic duplexing increases the level of productivity for all double-sided print, copy and fax jobs. The GP200 can make two-sided copies from one- or two-sided originals without having to manually handle paper or switch trays. It can also make two-sided copies from facing pages in a bound document, or separate them into single sheets.

Versatile Paper Supply

There are two user-adjustable 500-sheet cassettes and a 50-sheet stack bypass for handling odd-size sheets or special paper stocks such as transparencies, labels or other media. Acceptable paper sizes range from statement up to 11" x 17".

To accommodate the needs of paper-intensive operations, an optional four-cassette paper supply brings the total system capacity to 3,050 sheets.

Wide Range of Options Enhance System Performance

The optional Network Interface Board-E3 provides direct connection to an Ethernet LAN through 10 Base T, 10 Base 2 or 10 Base 5 wiring schemes. This high-performance, 16-bit board provides machine operational status back to the user and allows for the control of fonts over the network. It supports multiple protocol stacks and it is equipped with Flash ROM for easy software upgrades.

The Network Interface Board-TR2(a) brings Token Ring Network connectivity through RJ45 or DB9 connections. It supports speeds of 4 and 16 Mbps and offers multiple protocols to integrate into most Token Ring environments. Built-in Flash ROM technology provides a network upgrade path and initial investment protection for all GP200 customers.

For high-performance Adobe PostScript Level II and PCL 5e printing plus connectivity, the Multi-PDL Board-A2 (standard on the GP200F) is available. It supports faxing(b), stapling and sorting, and offers direct connectivity to PC and Macintosh platforms. It is designed around an Intel 33MHz RISC processor and it automatically switches between active data ports and incoming print data streams.

Printer Board-P3 sets the performance standard for PCL 5e printing when used in the GP200. It supports stapling, sorting, faxing(b) and duplexing as well as providing memory expansion to 72MB through industry-standard SIMMS.

In addition to supporting network printing and copying, the GP200 offers faxing and scanning capabilities as well. The G3 Fax Board-C1 (standard on the GP200F) provides one of the most productive solutions in comparison to standalone "non-networked" facsimile machines.

Using the optional Scanning Interface Board-C1, images can be scanned to an attached workstation using industry standard ISIS scanner interface software, which supports over 120 of the most popular imaging application programs. The scanning board also allows you to import images to a document or file at high speeds with scanning resolutions of 150 dpi to 2,400 dpi. Its standard 10MB of memory easily handles scanning needs ranging from low-resolution text to high-resolution grayscale images.

Other paper handling options include a Recirculating Document Feeder RDF-G1 (standard on the GP200F) that provides unattended copying of up to 50 originals, from ledger to statement size, the Multi-Output Tray-B2 that features 10 bins to receive finished, stapled sets and two output trays for printing and fax output and the Multi-Output Tray-C1 for separation of copy, print and fax output.

The GP200 and GP200F are scheduled for availability during November. Pricing for the GP200 and its options will be announced at a later date. -0- (a) Presently under development (b) Requires the G3 Fax Board-C1

CONTACT: Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Russell Marchetta

516/328-5145

[e-mail]

or

The Rowland Company

Ron Tomczyk

212/527-8819

[e-mail]

or

Canon Web Site:

http://www.usa.canon.com