Network administrators and IT managers are raising questions about the compatibility, networkability and impact on network traffic of increasingly sophisticated digital multifunctional devices. With this in mind, Minolta has launched a new range of multifunctional monochrome digital copiers, which combine cost-effective, simple-to-use and productive printing, copying, scanning and faxing functions, with features that also make IT managers` and network administrators` lives easier.
Minolta digital copier product manager, Paul Symonds, says as digital copiers and multifunctional devices are increasingly being integrated with the IT infrastructure, Minolta has focused not only on improving the performance of the hardware, but also its compatibility and networkability.
The new digital copier series includes six models - three without fax functionality and three with fax functionality. The 25 page-per-minute (ppm) DiALTA Di2510 and Di2510(f), 30-ppm Di3010 and Di3010(f) and 35-ppm Di3510 and Di3510(f) digital copiers are fully compatible with a wide variety of operating systems, and can be easily integrated with the existing network. "Network administrators will appreciate how versatile but small the printer driver file is - small enough to be stored on a stiffy disk," he says.
One of the highlights of the new series is an all-in-one controller. Many multifunctional devices are equipped with two or three controllers for the copy, print and fax functions, which slows down printing, increases network traffic and makes job management more complicated. In contrast, Minolta`s new print systems only have one controller, the Central Imaging Platform (CIP). The CIP allows the different print, copy, scan and fax jobs to be managed simultaneously, and at great speed. "This not only makes the machines much easier to use, but has the additional benefit of reducing the initial purchase price," says Symonds.
At a system administration level, Minolta`s PageScope Net Care utility makes network administration easier by allowing IT managers to carry out their own remote monitoring and corrective maintenance. Another IT-friendly feature includes LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) support, which makes virtual browsing of e-mail addresses on a corporate mail server possible via the system display. This saves the time previously required to enter or update e-mail addresses in the system.
The new devices feature various new design elements such as tiltable panels, machine status lamps, simplified displays and display enlargements. This is part of Minolta`s Universal Design concept, which is being applied to all new products with the aim of maximising ease of use.
Symonds says the new design means the machines offer greatly improved accessibility for users. "For instance, panels that tilt by up to 43 degrees make the machines more easily accessible to people in wheelchairs," he says.
Users will benefit from numerous other improvements such as transparent feeder rails, slanting feeder panels, easy display-contrast regulation, new panel and output tray colours, concave-shaped buttons, large feeder handles and top-down access to paper cassettes.
The machines also have an optional finisher, which allows for offsetting and stapling as well as optional advanced finishing such as saddle stitching, crease folding, hole-punching and mail bin finishing, without altering the footprint.
Other unique features include PC Network Fax (on fax models with scan option), multiple interface support (parallel, USB, Ethernet), real multitasking 63-Bit processor technology, notice board function (scan to HDD, print to HDD), IP scan, scan-to-email, scan-to-ftp, LDAP / address book utility (ABU) support, fax gateway function, iFax, PageScope Light and PageScope Cabinet 2.0.
The machines` new look - a departure from the shades of grey that dominate office equipment today - is a result of Minolta`s efforts to increase the recyclability of business equipment. One of the reasons for the dark colour of the new machines is that when plastics are recycled by environmentally friendly means, that is, without chemical additives, the resultant product is dark in colour.
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