Venture Computer, the sole Southern African distributor for Lexmark International today announced that Axis Communications and Lexmark International today demonstrated a wireless printing solution at the Bluetooth Developers` Conference. Using a Toshiba laptop computer equipped with a Toshiba Bluetooth PC Card and a Lexmark laser printer equipped with an Axis Bluetooth print device, conference attendees were able to transmit print jobs directly from the laptop to the laser printer. This solution is one example of the powerful wireless printing solutions the companies are developing that are expected to be in customer hands beginning early next year.
"As technology becomes more mobile, wireless printing solutions are required to transform electronic ideas and documents into physical form from any device to any printer, anywhere,`` said Mark Hiller, Managing Director of Venture Computer. "No matter how much electronic communication increases, people still want paper to bring their electronic ideas to life in a tangible way. Working with Axis and using industry standard technologies, Lexmark will help make Bluetooth wireless printing from cell phones, laptops, handheld computers and other information appliances a commonplace occurrence.``
"Wireless applications are poised to explode,`` said Peter Ragnarsson, chief executive officer, Axis Communications. "The growing numbers of mobile users are increasingly demanding simple, wireless access to the information and resources they need to do their jobs, anytime and anywhere. This printing demonstration with Lexmark and Toshiba shows a real-world application that everyone can understand. Moving forward, we`ll continue to bring compelling, easy to use technology to customers around the world to make wireless connectivity a reality.``
Business and home applications abound
Wireless printing applications span both home and office environments.
Business travellers will be able to print from their laptop computers directly to hotel printers without the hassle of cables or complicated network set-up.
Employees could print from their business laptop to a home printer without dismantling their office network configuration.
Personal digital assistant (PDA) users would be able to print their calendar or to-do list on any printer anywhere.
Laptop users could print information on demand, such as a presentation, marketing collateral or a proposal, at a customer site or at a trade show.
Future solutions to enable printers to pull and print Web content by reference
Today, Lexmark`s ImageQuick SIMM enables users to directly pull and print Web pages and PDF files from a user-defined list from the printer operator panel. Selecting from the list, users can instruct the printer to pull the corresponding Web page and print the requested number of copies. This capability makes it easier and faster for users to print commonly-needed information, such as stock quotes, and replaces costly pre-printed forms with an Intranet-based ``forms on-demand`` solution that is built into the printer.
Lexmark and Axis are both Associate Members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and are actively working to create the printing standards being designed by the Bluetooth Working Group. Future products from both companies are expected to be compatible and in compliance with the resulting standards developed by the Bluetooth Printing Group. Toshiba Corporation is one of the nine promoter companies of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
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Axis Communications
The Axis Communications Group, with the parent company Axis AB, is a leader in network connectivity and emerging wireless Internet based services. The company is at the forefront of developing network appliance solutions that enable people and organisations to get easy and immediate access to devices and services. Axis is one of the global leaders in several key thin server and network device markets, such as printer, storage and video connectivity, and is doing pioneering work in the rapidly expanding markets of wireless and mobile communications.
Founded in 1984, Axis employs more than 500 people worldwide, including the 50 percent owned subsidiary, Netch Technologies. The group had a turnover of approximately 695 MSEK in the financial year 1999/2000. Axis is headquartered in Lund, Sweden and has a total of 28 offices throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Axis is a publicly traded company on the OM Stockholm Exchange`s O-list. Information about Axis can be found at http://www.axis.com.
Lexmark
Lexmark is a leading, global developer, manufacturer and supplier of printing solutions, including laser and inkjet printers and associated supplies for offices and homes. Founded in 1991, Lexmark employs more than 11,000 people worldwide and markets its products and services in over 150 countries. Lexmark reported approximately $3.5 billion of revenue in 1999 and can be found on the Internet at www.lexmark.com.
Toshiba America Information Systems
Headquartered in Irvine, California, with annual sales of approximately $2.5 billion, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. is comprised of six divisions, organised into two business groups, which manufacture, market and service a wide range of business and information-oriented products in the United States and Latin America. Products include portable and desktop computers, projectors and PC servers; voice-mail systems; digital business telephone systems; interactive voice-response systems; network systems and digital cameras. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $52 billion Toshiba Corp., the eighth-largest computer and electronics company and the world`s 26th largest industrial corporation in terms of sales. Toshiba Corp. is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
For further information, please contact Mark Hiller Fearon or the relevant product manager at tel. (011) 329 0999; fax (011) 792 7449; e-mail mhiller@venture.co.za
Venture Computer
Venture Computer is the sole distributor in South Africa for Lexmark; and Tally; products including consumables, with offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.