The results of more than $1.2 billion worth of development, production and marketing investment over the past three years are being seen across Africa this week amid HP`s launch of its most advanced consumer printing and imaging solutions to date.
Billed by the company as a defining moment in the evolution of its $20 billion imaging and printing business, the move will see more than 50 printers, digital cameras and accessories introduced through authorised business partner channel in Africa by next year.
It is part of the company`s greater commitment to grow printing division revenues by 10% in 2003 and 2004. The overall intention, explains Lorna Hardie, business development manager for HP`s imaging and printing group in English-speaking African countries*, is to make printing and sharing images easier and more affordable for all consumers.
"This new line of printers has a common technology platform which makes them more than 20% cheaper to manufacture and sell than our current range of entry-level inkjet printers. They are also faster, with higher quality monochrome and colour output, all of which will benefit customers in Africa," she says.
The first solutions to be available on the continent are the HP Deskjet 5550 and HP Deskjet 3820; the HP Deskjet 3420 will be available mid-August. All have a relatively small footprint and boast more compact, cost-effective printer cartridges.
The 5550 model is targeted at small-to-medium business users and is designed to print colour images that rival traditional photography. It`s the first HP Deskjet printer to have up to 4800x1200 optimised dpi**. It features optional HP Photoret IV precision technology, which uses an optional six-ink colour printing cartridge that delivers exceptional photo quality. And it offers borderless 10x15cm photo printing.
"The printer`s improved performance is also demonstrated in speed and quality," notes Hardie. "It can print laser-quality black text at up to 17 pages per minute and brilliant colour photos at up to 12 pages per minute on most paper types and sizes."
The 3420 and 3820 models are targeted more towards the home user requirements. As a result, the come in at lower price points, they offer superb photo-quality image output and they print at speeds of up to 10 and 12 monochrome pages per minute (HP Deskjet 3420 and 3820, respectively).
Printing, scanning and digital camera products account for almost a quarter of HP`s total revenues, following its successful merger with Compaq in May. Interestingly, though, while the company owns more than half of the global market for home and office printing, that accounts for just 4% of all the printed pages actually produced each year.
The company is therefore also keen to get into the $400 billion commercial printing market - its multimillion dollar acquisition of Dutch company, Indigo, in November last year bearing testament to that.
"By acquiring Indigo we extended our printing systems portfolio beyond inkjet and LaserJet into a third high-speed colour print technology: offset-quality digital press solutions. Combined with the services we offer, the HP-branded Indigo solutions enable businesses to target and retain their customers with short-run, personalised business communications linked to digital document creation."
For more information on HP`s printing solutions and activities in Africa, surf to www.hp.com/africa.
* Excluding SA.
** Colour printing on premium photo paper and 1200x1200dpi input.
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