Dataproducts offers new document printing and distribution solution in the DDS.

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 18, 1997--

Innovative solution enhances office productivity and workplace

efficiency

Dataproducts, a leading developer and marketer of high-performance network and office document printers, Tuesday introduced a new concept in printing and distributing documents in its Digital Document Server (DDS).

The DDS 24 increases workflow productivity and improves office document print quality by combining the features of a printer, copier, and fax into a single, connected digital product.

Designed to be fully integrated with most major network operating systems, the DDS 24 allows users to create documents, print original copies, then distribute them remotely -- all from their desktop workstations. Multiple Original Printing (MOP) creates sets of high-quality finished documents that are printed with copier-like productivity and stapled, thus eliminating a step in today's office workflow environment.

Unique Document Distribution Capabilities

A user requests local distribution copies by entering the required number of copies and selecting the stapling options in the print window. The DDS 24 prints multiple originals at rated speed, regardless of document complexity, for virtually all business documents. While the user continues working at his/her desk, the requested sets are printed, stapled and stacked, ready for distribution.

When a user selects remote distribution from the print window, the DDS 24 sends the document to a remote site via its fax modem. If the recipient is another DDS product, the document is printed remotely as a 600 dpi original on any supported paper size. If the recipient is a fax machine, the document is sent as a high quality T.30 fax for compatibility. The DDS 24 sends and receives 600 dpi originals with other DDS products and T.30 faxes with fax machines.

Furthermore, in addition to these tremendous distribution features, users can reduce paper costs significantly by faxing in duplex mode. All of these services are accessed at the workstation instead of waiting in line to copy or fax a document.

Ease Of Use

The DDS 24 includes friendly drivers with intuitive user interfaces to make it easy to use the powerful document printing and distribution features. Bi-directional communication is available in selected configurations giving users real time status of the product and notification of job completion. Unlike other products that signal job completion when the job has left a network file server, the DDS 24 notifies the user of job completion when the last page is stacked in the output bin. This is important for MOP jobs that may require considerable time to complete.

Network Connectivity Tools

Adding to its ease-of-use is Dataproducts' Virtual Printer Technology (VPT), the company's patented network technology. VPT enables a single printer to offer up to 64 print services or "virtual printers," each of which is individually configured by the network manager to meet the specific needs of users' printers and offers Network Managers increased printer configuration flexibility to match users' diverse printing needs.

VPT provides high-performance Ethernet or Token Ring connectivity to most popular host systems. Concurrent support is available for Apple EtherTalk, Novell IPX (PSERVER and RPRINTER), TCP/IP (including lpd) and Digital Equipment LAT (Ethernet only).

More than 20 host operating systems are supported, including VMS, Novell, LAN Manager, Mac OS, Windows, Windows NT and 12 versions of UNIX. VPT supports all of these environments without changes to the users' host software. No other printer can match this level of connectivity.

Dataproducts' PrintWatch software serves the needs of system managers who install and network printers, providing remote control and status reports for all Dataproducts' DDS printers on the network. It also offers a powerful, easy-to-use graphical interface to Virtual Printer Technology (VPT). PrintWatch uses SNMP for flexible network communications.

Standard Features

The DDS carries four standard input trays and one 2,000 sheet output tray as well as a finisher. This solution accepts statement, executive, letter, legal and ledger-sized papers. Other standard features are duplexing, multi-position stapling, high-capacity stacking and job separation. An optional envelope feeder is also available as well as support for Token Ring networks.

Availability

The DDS 24 will be available April 1997 exclusively through Dataproducts' Digital Partners and will retail for $10,500.

Dataproducts is a subsidiary of Hitachi Koki Co. Ltd., a member of the global industrial leader, the Hitachi Group. Dataproducts is one of the world's leading developers, manufacturers and marketers of high-performance network and stand-alone printers, digital document servers, imaging supplies and services. Products range from personal laser printers to some of the fastest laser and impact output devices available. Dataproducts has headquarters in Simi Valley.

CONTACT: Dataproducts Corp., Simi Valley

Davina Greenstein, 805/578-4371

E-mail: [e-mail]

or

Capital Relations

Lisa Zylstra or Deana Murchison, 805/494-0830

E-mail: [e-mail]