Konica Minolta

Los Angeles - May 3, 2010 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, and EFI™ (Nasdaq: EFII), a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced the newest version of Fiery® Color Profiler Suite (CPS) color management tools has been integrated into Konica Minolta's award-winning color product lineup - bringing customers a smoother workflow and greater color accuracy.

On display at "The Power of Performance" - Konica Minolta's 2010 Business Conference and Product Expo - through May 5 in Los Angeles, CPS version 3.0 provides complete color quality control at every stage of the printing workflow with integrated color management tools. Profile making is integrated directly into the Fiery servers that power the bizhub PRO® C65hc, bizhub PRO C6501/C5501 Series and current family of bizhub® color MFPs. Reducing the time to optimize color quality while lessening the possibility for errors, CPS also provides the ability for color matching of multiple engines in a production environment.

The latest version of CPS integrates into the Fiery server workflow, enabling automatic installation and population of printer profiles including optimized pre-sets that eliminate steps and reduce errors. New support for automated measuring instruments shortens the time to set-up an optimal color managed workflow, while enhanced tools for profile optimization and quality assurance tools for conformance to industry standards allow all customers to get the optimal output from their printers. continue reading...

Los Angeles – May 3, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today will showcase print controllers, Powered by CREO Color Server Technology, at the company’s “The Power of Performance” Business Conference and Product Expo at the JW Marriott in L.A. Live.

The IC-307 Print Controller, a new digital front end in the late stages of development, will be released later this year with the upcoming release of the new flagship color digital press from Konica Minolta, the bizhub PRESS® C8000.

Geared to support Konica Minolta’s continuous strengthening of its foothold in the print production market, the new CREO Color Server is exceptional in its workflow connectivity via built-in JDF capabilities and comprehensive variable data printing (VDP) functionality. Konica Minolta’s customers will be able to integrate with a variety of professional workflows with open connectivity using JDF standards, such as Kodak Prinergy Workflow System, Agfa:Apogee System, and others. The IC-307 Print Controller will enable print service providers to manage their offset and digital workflows from one central point, while benefitting from the renounced easy-to-use GUI.

The well-known advanced color management tools will continue to improve print output quality and include: superior default color settings, easy color calibration, last minute color correction features, spot-color editing, and correct gradation without re-RIPing. Like its predecessors, the IC-307 Print Controller also supports all of the production printing systems’ comprehensive finishing capabilities, including the Perfect Binder Finisher with the ability print variable information on the spine. continue reading...

Los Angeles – May 3, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today will preview the bizhub® 423 Series of Monochrome Multifunctional Products (MFPs – print, copy, fax, and scan all in one system) at the company’s “The Power of Performance” Business Conference and Product Expo at the JW Marriott in L.A. Live. The new systems, which include the bizhub 423, bizhub 363, bizhub 283 and bizhub 223, offer customers the cost-efficiency of monochrome MFPs with the added benefit of color scanning. With more than 1,000 new features than the predecessor series, the bizhub 423 Series is a great choice for customers requiring the level of features and functionality offered by innovative mid-range MFPs.

Offering one of the fastest color scanning in their respective product segments, the bizhub 423 Series was designed to meet the needs of customers ranging from small businesses and workgroups all the way up to enterprise-level print fleets. End-users can choose the specific model that best meets their desired print speed needs:

*bizhub 423: 42 pages per minute (ppm)

*bizhub 363: 36 ppm

*bizhub 283: 28 ppm

*bizhub 223: 22 ppm

All four MFPs allow users to scan documents to Email, FTP server, SMB or perform TWAIN scanning from PCs, and boost user productivity with color and monochrome scanning speeds of up to 70 originals per minute (300 dpi). Built upon the strong success of the award-winning line of bizhub MFPs, the bizhub 423 Series offers standard out-of-the-box security features such as HDD encryption, and HDD job overwrite at no additional charge. In order to protect the environment, these systems offer power consumption reduction with energy-saving operation and power-down features.

All four MFPs allow users to scan documents to Email, FTP server, SMB or perform TWAIN scanning from PCs, and boost user productivity with color and monochrome scanning speeds of up to 70 originals per minute (300 dpi). continue reading...

Los Angeles – May 3, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced plans to preview the newest A4 products at the company’s “The Power of Performance” Business Conference and Product Expo at the JW Marriott in L.A. Live. This next generation of A4 products – which includes Konica Minolta’s first color A4 MFP, the bizhub® C35 – combines full-functionality with compact design and delivers the superior performance expected from the Konica Minolta product line.

Responding to customer demand, the bizhub C35 delivers superior color quality output and more efficient workflow capabilities at fast output speeds of up to 31 pages per minute (ppm). Featuring Konica Minolta’s proprietary Simitri® HD Color Polymerized Toner for sharper text and enhanced fine detail, as well as the full suite of PageScope® application solutions for improved overall productivity, the bizhub C35 is the perfect solution for small workgroups and new business users.

Also being previewed are two new A4 monochrome devices – the bizhub 20 and bizhub 20P – both of which offer monochrome printing at speeds up to 32 ppm. The bizhub 20 is an all-in-one (AIO) device offering print, copy, scan and fax functionality with the added benefit of color scanning. In addition, the bizhub 20 offers advanced features such as scan-to-FTP or scan-to-Email. The bizhub 20P single function printer (SFP) features standard network capabilities and a compact design. The PostScript 3 and PCL6 emulations along with multi-platform compatibility offer convenience and versatility. Other preliminary features include true 1200x1200 dpi resolution for sharp text and detailed graphics, as well as built-in automatic duplex. continue reading...

PHILADELPHIA – ON DEMAND Conference & Exposition – April 19, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today introduced the bizhub PRESS® C8000, the first in the company’s innovative bizhub PRESS production print product line. continue reading...

PHILADELPHIA – ON DEMAND Conference & Exposition – April 19, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced they will preview the IC-307 Print Controller, Powered by CREO Color Server Technology, at the 2010 ON DEMAND Conference & Expo. The new digital front end is in the late stages of development and will be released later this year with the upcoming release of the new flagship color digital press from Konica Minolta, the bizhub PRESS® C8000.

Geared to support Konica Minolta’s continuous strengthening of its foothold in the print production market, the new CREO Color Server is exceptional in its workflow connectivity via built-in JDF capabilities and comprehensive variable data printing (VDP) functionality. Konica Minolta’s customers will be able to integrate with a variety of professional workflows with open connectivity using JDF standards, such as Kodak Prinergy Workflow System, Agfa:Apogee System, and others. The IC-307 Print Controller will enable print service providers to manage their offset and digital workflows from one central point, while benefitting from the renounced easy-to-use GUI. continue reading...

Ramsey, N.J. – April 15, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced the company will highlight the latest and most innovative technologies at the 2010 ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia, Penn. On April 20-22, 2010. Konica Minolta will unveil the new bizhub PRESS® C8000 as well as showcase hardware and software technologies to further optimize the performance of its award-winning product line.

Konica Minolta will host a press conference at 2p ET on Tuesday, April 20, at the Convention Center to discuss the following products and solutions, all of which will be featured at the Konica Minolta Booth #1324 throughout the show, including:

bizhub PRESS C8000 – The flagship of Konica Minolta’s next-generation of digital presses, this new product combines stable, high-resolution output with uncompromised full-color quality at fast output speeds of 80 pages per minute (ppm). The bizhub PRESS C8000 represents the introduction of the new bizhub PRESS brand to print professionals, and is an ideal replacement for full-color offset systems.

bizhub PRO® C65hc – This color digital press incorporates innovative toner technology, enabling it to produce an unprecedented spectrum of color, and cater to graphics professionals and print shops that require higher-quality output.

bizhub PRO C6501 – A total solution for high-quality, cost-efficient digital color production, the bizhub PRO C6501 is designed for high-volume production, and to make on-demand color print runs cost effective for businesses of any size.

bizhub PRO 1200 – This 120 monochrome ppm system was designed exclusively for production print professionals, and features in-line finishing options and an energy-saving design. continue reading...

Ramsey, N.J. - March 24, 2009 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that it was awarded first place in the 2010 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index in the "MFP Office Copier" category for the third straight year.  Each year New York-based marketing consultancy Brand Keys publishes its Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which surveys more than 33,500 adult Americans to determine how brands rank in customer loyalty. The 2010 Index examined customers' relationships with 518 brands in 71 categories.  Other winning brands for 2010 include Apple, Google, JetBlue, and McDonald’s.

The 2010 Brand Keys research paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty, and drive real profits.  The Brand Keys methodology, which considered several competitors, asked customers to characterize their perfect product in the MFP Office Copier category, setting the standard for excellence.  The 2010 Brand Keys research once again identified Konica Minolta as a leading brand for customer loyalty in the "MFP Office Copier" category when measured against the "Ideal" office copier.

"Konica Minolta is honored to be recognized for the third consecutive year as the top office copier manufacturer by Brand Keys," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.  "Customers are counting on Konica Minolta for their advanced digital imaging needs and earning this top ranking again confirms that.  Our award-winning lines of office systems, printers, production print systems, and application solutions distinguish themselves as the highest quality technology solutions in the marketplace that our customers rely on.” continue reading...

Ramsey, N.J. – February 23, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that BERTL® Inc (BERTL) has named Konica Minolta a 2010 Readers' Choice Award winner.  Earning awards in the Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division and Production Division, the bizhub®, bizhub PRO®, magicolor®, and pagepro® product lines were all recognized as part of the awards. Konica Minolta also received an award for overall excellence with the highest rating in Color Range.

Konica Minolta was awarded 2010 Readers' Choice recognition in the following key categories:

• Color Range – Overall Winner

• Output Quality – Laser MFP Color, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Product Reliability - Laser MFP Color, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Environment Sustainability – Laser MFP Monochrome, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Output Quality – Laser MFP Monochrome, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Workflow Integration – Laser MFP Monochrome, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Value for Cost – Laser Printer Monochrome, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Workflow Integration – Laser Printer Monochrome, Segments 1-3, 11-45 pages per minute (ppm) Division

• Environment Sustainability – Production Division 

• Value for Cost – Production Division continue reading...

Ramsey, N.J. – February 22, 2010 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) has awarded Konica Minolta three 2009 Fall “Pick” Awards for the bizhub® C360/C280/C220 Series of Color MFPs in the A3/Ledger Color MFP segments, as well as awarded an "Outstanding Achievement Award" for Konica Minolta's bizhub C552 Color MFP with Emperon Controller for outstanding energy efficiency.

BLI's semi-annual awards present special recognition in each category to those products that provided the most outstanding performances in BLI’s exhaustive lab tests. BLI recognized Konica Minolta with the following awards:

bizhub C360 – “Pick” award winner for “Outstanding 31- to 40-ppm A3/Ledger Color MFP”

bizhub C280 – “Pick” award winner for “Outstanding 21- to 30-ppm A3/Ledger Color MFP”

bizhub C220 – "Pick” award winner for “Outstanding 21- to 30-ppm A3/Ledger Color MFP”

bizhub C552 with Emperon® Controller – “Outstanding Achievement for Energy Efficiency in the 41- to 50-ppm A3/Ledger Color MFP category”

MFP and Environmental Testing

BLI’s twice-a-year “Picks” assess reliability in terms of the service and preventive maintenance calls required. Its comprehensive evaluation includes an assessment of copy and print quality, productivity, ease of use and economy, as well as connectivity issues such as feedback to workstations, administration utilities, print drivers, multitasking and scanning solutions. continue reading...