Canon has introduced a new range of printer devices for the business and enterprise markets.
Speaking at the launch event in Barcelona, Spain, Canon's European marketing manager Paul Rowntree said that the new range offers dramatically faster image and data processing along with new levels of integration, manageability and serviceability.
In conjunction with the new printers, Canon also announced its UniFlow and Helix software platforms that provide scope for customisation and, in a first for Canon, enable the printers to integrate with Adobe Secure printing services and Microsoft SharePoint services.
"These are the most powerful products ever released for business solutions. They are truly integrated document solutions," said Tony Aoki, director of Canon product marketing for Europe.
Canon also highlighted the ease of use of the products as major feature. "The products are easy to maintain, and modular, with parts simple to replace to keep uptime high," said Iain Maxwell, director of services and support for Europe.
"If there's an issue with a car it has to be taken to a garage where it can be plugged in and repaired. The new platform takes us closer to the airline industry; it continually communicates and interacts with people round the world," Maxwell added. "We can now monitor, preempt and fix problems for our customers."
At the bottom of the imageRunner range is the compact C5000 series aimed at the small to medium enterprise. This offers 51ppm print speeds in colour and mono, up to 1,200dpi quality, 5,000 sheet capacity and booklet finishing capabilities.
A touch activated card reader for user authentication is also on offer as an optional feature. In combination with the UniFlow software, this can provide a customisable user interface for individual users based on their profile.
The display can be titled for easier viewing and the background can be personalised with different wallpapers. The software also enables users to create a shortcut buttons for repetitive workflow tasks and have these presented when they logon.
Moving up the range, the C7000 series is designed for corporate networks of up to 50 users. It offers faster print speeds of up to 65ppm and supports heavier media of up to 300gsm. Paper handling is also significantly increased up to 6,900 sheets.
Rowntree told IT PRO that, with its speed, capacity and finishing capabilities, the C7000 series broke new ground for that section of the market. "It's a new opportunity for us; it's raising the game," he said.
Finally, the C9000 series is aimed at corporate repro departments with dedicated trained specialists and using its Helix software and its advanced finishing capabilities can produce repro house grade booklets up to 25 pages long.
The C5000 series and C7000 series will be available in October, and the C9000 from November. A Canon spokeswoman said the pricing details would be available closer to launch.
