MFPs on Holiday: Manufacturers Tout Lesser-Known Gems Within their Catalogs

This month’s State of the Industry report is going off-MFP script to dig deeper into manufacturer playbooks. Our goal: to find and celebrate some of the lesser-known products dealers can offer clients and prospects alike. Some are vertically driven, and others are attractive to a much wider customer base. What they have in common is providing another tool for dealer account representatives to ensure they’re serving the wide-ranging needs of the evolved office.

From scanners to label printers and software to capture, our panel of the leading industry manufacturers provides the why-to behind solutions that can add to the dealer’s bottom line and solidify their valued relationships.

Avision Labs

Document capture on Xerox scanners is now accessible wherever it’s needed, thanks to Visioneer VAST Network technology. An extended implementation of TWAIN Direct, Visioneer VAST Network consists of several software components and an open-source, zero-footprint image acquisition protocol. It drives secure network scanning devices via web-based or local network client applications, removing the requirement for a PC-based local driver.

Xerox Scanners’ Thin Scanning ecosystem is designed for fast, easy document capture. With the VAST-enabled technology built into all Xerox network scanners, devices can be used within the Visioneer VAST Network infrastructure or with many third-party applications that support the TWAIN Direct standard. Network-enabled Xerox scanners include the Xerox D35wn, Xerox D70n, Xerox N60w Pro, Xerox W130 and Xerox W150. These devices can connect directly to highly secure, web-based “thin” applications, eliminating the need to download drivers or “thick” applications to a local PC or client. It provides true zero-software installation digital capture for both distributed and centralized document capture environments.

Now available on iOS and Android, the Visioneer Mobile Capture app uses Visioneer VAST Network scanner protocol to capture documents on a mobile device directly from a LAN- or Internet-connected Xerox standalone document scanner.

USB-connected Xerox scanners can now be shared with coworkers and colleagues across a LAN or wireless network with Visioneer Network Scan Service. By up-converting existing scanner technology, all supported Xerox scanners can be used as network devices capable of supporting multiple users in office and remote locations.

Brother International

Efficient back-office management is crucial for businesses, and ensuring seamless manufacturing or warehouse operations is no small feat. The Brother QL series label printers and TD 2 series allow businesses of all sizes to print labels on demand, providing cost savings, personalization and the durability and versatility needed for various requirements.

The Brother QL Label Printers, including QL-820NWBC and QL-810WC, offer various sizes and connectivity options so businesses can print two-color labels tailored to their needs, including preset or customized and branded templates. Both models feature ultra-fast printing of up to 110 standard address labels per minute with black text at 300 dpi. The QL line provides flexible connectivity, including Ethernet interfaces and Bluetooth wireless technology, enabling printing. Customers can also create and print labels from mobile devices via AirPrint and the free Brother iPrint&Label app. Additionally, Brother genuine DK drop-in labeling supplies eliminate the need for ink or toner.

The Brother TD 2 Desktop Thermal printers offer a feature-packed and highly versatile solution for creating labels, tags, receipts and wristbands up to two inches wide. With a compact footprint and options to add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, these powerful desktop models can double as mobile print stations. They boast a print resolution of up to 300 dpi up, speeds of up to six inches per second and support for media rolls up to five inches in diameter. Adjustable edge-to-edge media sensors make them a powerful, adaptable choice for various printing needs.

Canon U.S.A.

For Canon channel partners, the company’s plotWAVE T-Series large-format printer represents a significant opportunity due to its blend of advanced technology and user-friendly features. This series includes five models—T30, T35, T50, T55, and T75—with impressive print speeds of up to 10 ARCH D-sized prints per minute and media capacities ranging from two to six rolls up to 36 inches wide.

Equipped with the new POWERsync+ controller, dual 500GB hard drives and dual 8GB RAM, these printers boast increased memory with powerful processing power. The integration of Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 enhances system security provides peace of mind for clients concerned about data protection.

The inclusion of the PRISMA Tech Suite software further enhances the potential appeal of the plotWAVE T-Series. This suite offers tools for efficient print management and workflow optimization, allowing users to manage print operations seamlessly from various devices. The optional integrated scanner can transform any model into a multifunction printer, adding versatility and value.

Environmental sustainability is also a key selling point via ENERGY STAR V3.0 compliance and EPEAT Silver certification. The printers are designed for longevity, with many components made from recyclable materials to meet eco-friendly standards.

With its advanced features, security enhancements and commitment to sustainability, the plotWAVE T-Series is designed to meet the needs of professionals in architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors.

Epson America

Most businesses create or use labels. After all, without a label, a product doesn’t ship. Beyond product applications, labels are used in daily operations in segments from logistics, warehousing and distribution to health care, trade shows and events. So it’s natural that label printers can offer dealers additional avenues for growth and profitability while helping customers solve a range of challenges.

The Epson ColorWorks CW-C4000 color inkjet label printer is an on-demand color label printer designed to add single-step simplicity and full-color customization capabilities for demanding applications. It features comprehensive connectivity in a compact design for businesses that require high-resolution print quality and durable barcode and product labels. The printer delivers full-color labels on demand at up to 1,200 dpi resolution and speeds up to four inches per second.¹ It’s engineered with advanced PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology to produce complex designs with efficient ink usage and low power consumption.

The C4000 is compatible with ZPL II, SAP and major middleware, among others, and offers seamless integration into existing workflows with minimal user interventions, waste and downtime. Regardless of the industry or application—product, packaging, bar code or shipping—the C4000 delivers high-quality, durable color labels on demand, plus connectivity and remote management tools, at a comparable price point to thermal label printers.²

¹ Printing in Max Speed Mode, 300×600 dpi resolution, 4” (101.6 mm) print width. Print speeds are based on the print engine speed only. Total throughput time for any label depends on factors including label size, file size, print resolution, speed of data transmission, etc.
² Printers and consumable costs are similar when comparing similarly featured leading brand thermal transfer printers and supplies for similar high-durability images on similar media.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.

Konica Minolta’s Dispatcher Stratus cloud service aims to provide powerful, fast and simple people-based workflows and document processing that helps small- to large-size businesses further their digital transformation. Its newest Dispatcher solution, Dispatcher Stratus, marries automation capabilities with intelligent collaboration features. New and advanced people-based processing workflows let users work together to remove redundant manual touchpoints while increasing interactivity and allowing for projects to evolve naturally. In addition to its new functionality, Dispatcher Stratus carries scan capture and automated document processing functionality forward to assist with automated workflows. Coupled with new people-to-people features and e-forms, the device provides more flexibility and control over daily operations while digitizing and streamlining those processes.

Dispatcher Stratus combines the use of robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) for flexibility in implementing total process automation where necessary. Enabling task-based workflows that require manual touchpoints frees up the team to focus on other business-related tasks.

This new solution is fully cloud-based and easy to use, and doesn’t require a background in coding or programming. New features and functions will continually be added to meet market and customer needs and to streamline businesses’ daily operations such as overhauling outdated processes, optimizing workforces and continuing on a path to digital transformation.

Kyocera Document Solutions America

In the fast-paced world of document-driven business workflows, efficiency and cost-effectiveness are paramount. Kyocera’s designed its DMConnect to revolutionize document capture, distribution, processing and workflow management. It’s not only user-friendly, but it can also help with streamlining business processes. With its latest update, DMConnect extends its capabilities beyond the MFP, enabling comprehensive document management and workflow integration from various digital sources.

Users can scan and index documents at the Kyocera MFP or gather information from the DMConnect Portal, email (including Microsoft Outlook add-in), hot folders, Windows Explorer, POP3 and secure FTP. It also offers the ability to enhance document quality through blank-page removal, job separation, barcode detection and routing, stamping, Bates stamping and document splitting by size or page count. Additionally, users can convert files to searchable PDFs, Word, Excel, Text, HTML and more with advanced OCR. DMConnect can recognize forms and 2D barcodes for streamlined data extraction, and it can also distribute digital information effortlessly to the cloud, document management systems or custom workflows. Authorized users are provided with the ability to view and access documents, monitor pending tasks and upload documents for processing via the DMConnect Portal.

The device’s automated processes leverage 1D or 2D barcodes for automatic job separation and intelligent routing, reducing manual data entry and saving time. There’s also a forms recognition feature that allows for the extraction of large amounts of data with minimal human input, speeding up document processing. And for companies looking to enhance both accuracy and efficiency, there’s the ability to utilize existing databases and Excel spreadsheets for data validation and look-up.

Lexmark International

Diversity is growing in the education, health care and government fields. As such, there’s increased focus on the need to better communicate with parents, patients and constituents through translation services. For example:

• Schools could provide translation of critical communications into parents’ native languages to eliminate any language barrier.
• Government agencies may translate informative and instructional documents into a targeted language to better serve diverse communities.
• Health care professionals can communicate nonclinical notices and marketing materials to patients who speak another language (this became apparent during the pandemic).

Providing the same level of technology accessibility to everyone is key to overcoming these challenges. Recognizing that, Lexmark released Translation Assistant (LTX), a solution that translates scanned documents from 20-plus native languages into one of 20-plus selectable languages. New languages are set to be added frequently, allowing users to communicate across the globe in dozens of languages. Users only need to choose the “LTX icon” on their MFP and select their desired target language. Any document will either then be printed or emailed in the user’s local language.

Ricoh

Ricoh is looking to add further value to dealers’ portfolios through interactive flat-panel displays (IFPDs), which can provide another method for businesses and educational institutions to collaborate and learn.

IFPDs are ideal for corporate environments that foster greater engagement and creativity by enabling teams to connect across multiple locations. These teams can then visualize ideas and share information in real time for more productive meetings. In education, the displays create dynamic, engaging learning experiences that enhance understanding and retention of material, as teachers can present lessons in innovative ways that encourage participation and collaboration among students.

Through these IFPDs, Ricoh is aiming to offer several compelling advantages:

1. Customer retention during MFP off-cycles: With IFPDs, dealers can maintain engagement with existing customers, even when they’re not in the market for new MFPs.
2. Increased wallet share: IFPDs allow dealers to capture a larger share of customers’ office technology budgets with comprehensive solutions.
3. Enhanced proposal success: Bundling IFPDs with MFPs can enhance the appeal of proposals, increasing dealers’ chances of winning deals by presenting a more complete solution.
4. Competitive differentiation: IFPDs can set dealers apart from resellers that offer partial solutions, positioning them as comprehensive digital workplace solutions providers and leading to more meaningful engagements with customers.
5. New business: IFPDs can be a door opener for zero-based accounts, showcasing dealers’ ability to meet diverse office technology needs from the outset.
6. Single source: Becoming the go-to source for all office technology needs strengthens relationships with customers and streamlines the procurement process.

As customers continue to demand collaboration, Ricoh is committing to collaborative technologies (such as IFPDs) and investing in partners (such as Cenero) to give dealers more access to meeting and collaboration opportunities in the future.

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America

Enabling a secure framework to provide services for office technology devices is more important than at any previous time. However, as service costs rise and skilled technicians become harder to find, maintaining profitability while ensuring high service standards can be challenging. Synappx Manage, a cloud-based monitoring and management platform for Sharp MFPs and displays, provides a solution for both end customers and imaging resellers’ service departments.

Synappx Manage gives IT administrators overseeing distributed environments the ability to manage devices remotely, at any time and from anywhere. Its compatibility with existing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace accounts simplifies integration, further reducing IT burdens. Features such as automated security management, email alerts for critical events and scheduled power management all contribute to a safe, productive work environment. Automated security profile monitoring also allows Synappx Manage to provide increased fleet security and align with specific organizational compliance requirements. This proactive approach to security management minimizes risks without hindering customer operations.

Synappx Manage also helps ensure devices are equipped with the latest firmware and critical security updates through informed and automated firmware management capability to maintain security integrity. Additionally, the need for on-site support visits is reduced and service efficiency is increased through remote access capabilities. To further enhance remote access, tools to service reports, settings and cloning operations are provided, integrating with platforms such as CEO Juice and ConnectWise PSA for automated meter reporting and unified IT services. These capabilities enable service providers to optimize device performance, reduce technician visits and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction.

Toshiba America Business Solutions

Toshiba is looking to simplify print management with the introduction of its Elevate Sky Print Management platform, the latest addition to its industry-recognized Elevate Sky cloud-based application and services platform. Elevate Sky Print Management enables enterprises to create and enforce print policies while providing control and insight into print costs and user behavior.

As a cloud-based service, Elevate Sky eliminates costly print servers and greatly reduces IT print support requirements. Elevate Sky’s universal print driver supports printing from Windows, Mac or Chrome clients to over 5,000 makes and models of networked printers and MFPs covering virtually every brand and model.

Elevate Sky Print Management provides IT professionals visibility to print activity and real-time device status through a customizable dashboard. The application allows administrators to manage device access and to establish, track and manage costs, budgets, quotas and other KPIs on a user, department, device or location basis.

Toshiba’s Elevate Sky Print Management can integrate with leading cloud service providers such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, allowing IT to manage users and their credentials securely at a single directory. Organizations can securely and sustainably track and manage organizational print policies while minimizing related IT costs. The software as a service is currently available from Toshiba dealers and direct sales locations nationally.

Xerox Corp.

Xerox Robotic Process Automation Services automates repetitive day-to-day tasks so employees can work more efficiently and focus on higher value tasks. As a single service, Xerox can streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks with simplified, customized process automation while always keeping client needs front and center.

Its automation team does all the heavy lifting—assessing, building, deploying and supporting the bots—so that clients can cut costs, save time and add value for customers and employees. Partners and clients can choose from a catalog of pre-built bots for processes across a variety of business functions including finance, HR, operations and customer service. The bot catalog is a live production use-case library containing preconfigured bots, which allows rapid deployment and adoption. If a bot doesn’t already exist for a specific process, Xerox will work to develop a custom bot to address the client’s unique needs.