Lexmark introduces solutions that make processing information faster, easier, more affordable

Lexmark International, Inc today announced a new range of office devices and solutions that will change the way businesses print, move and manage information, while offering the opportunity to significantly reduce costs.

The new Lexmark C750 and C910 colour printers, the Lexmark X820e multifunction device and the Lexmark E320 and E322 powerhouse monochrome lasers can help convert the often-slow management of information into streamlined workflow processes.

"Despite predictions to the contrary, information in both hardcopy and digital form has continued to explode in the office environment," said Eamon Ryan, Lexmark vice president and president of its Printing and Solutions and Services Division in Europe.

"Our customers continue to tell us that they want better ways of moving and managing this information. In terms of document workflow, information continues to live in a restricted world. From invoices and shipping documents to spreadsheets and memos to labelling and forms, a business is often at the mercy of its network`s capability to input, share, manage and create digital and hardcopy information."

According to Ryan, Lexmark, with its singular focus on printing and related document workflow processes, is uniquely positioned to offer solutions to enterprises (both large and small) that are seeking to improve their business activities. "The colour and multifunction products introduced today deliver an array of unique capabilities and have a price/performance proposition that is superior to comparable devices from Lexmark`s primary competitors," he said.

"With the products in this announcement alone, businesses of all sizes can now have the impact of colour, the convenience and flexibility of multifunction devices and the speed and reliability of monochrome printing to improve and simplify their increasingly complex workflow processes."

With the introduction of the new Lexmark C750 and C910, businesses can now affordably have the impact of colour (something they have long coveted) with the speed and the reliability of a monochrome workgroup printer.

Designed for workgroups, the Lexmark C750 flies through jobs at a stunning 20ppm in both monochrome and colour and features 1 200 x 1 200 dots per inch (dpi) resolution. Using the latest in single pass technology developed by Lexmark, the C750 is now the fastest letter-sized (81/2-inch x 11-inch) colour printer in the world. It can effectively replace all other workgroup printers within an enterprise by providing clear black and white text, rich colour, low printing costs and, at under $3 000, incomparable price performance.

The Lexmark C910 supports 11-inch x 17-inch printing and offers speeds of 28ppm in both colour and monochrome and produces exceptional colour quality using 2400 Image Quality. To reduce the cost of colour printing, both products also provide toner saver modes and can be equipped with expanded paper handling capabilities such as duplex, stapling, hole punching and offset stacking.**

Before today`s introduction, to buy a printer with colour output rated at more than 28ppm a company would have to spend over $80 000 - a full 20 times more than the sub-$4 000 retail price of the Lexmark C910.

"Companies have asked us to bring them colour, with speed and reliability, at a price even small offices can afford," noted Ryan. "These products have redefined the colour space by delivering on all these fronts."

Just as distributed printing - the process by which documents are distributed digitally and then printed on demand - has enhanced the sharing of information, so too have MFPs rewritten the rules on office efficiency.

Lexmark`s new X820e, with its network-centric printer foundation and colour touch-screen interface, is a 45ppm MFP that reduces hardcopy output costs and improves document workflow. The Lexmark X820e integrates into an enterprise`s directory and allows users to securely fax or email hardcopy documents to multiple destinations. When combined with Lexmark Document Distributor, a flexible document distribution application, one can automate manual processes and integrate paper and digital document workflow to optimise productivity and reduce costs.

"With the introduction of these powerful new solutions, Lexmark has continued its leadership position in the enterprise MFP space," said Ryan.

With its new 16ppm entry monochrome laser printer family, Lexmark is now offering outstanding value for home and business users. The Lexmark E320 provides individual users with professional looking documents, while the Lexmark E322 is a compact desktop solution designed for business users demanding performance, reliability and wide network capabilities.

Detailed information about all of the printers and applications included in today`s launch can be found at http://cmc.lex.lexmark.com/tester/2001/intro.html.

Lexmark`s E320, E322, X820e and Lexmark Document Distributor v. 2.0 are available immediately from authorised Lexmark solution providers and at www.lexmark.com. The Lexmark C750 and C910 colour printers are available now.