IBM & KONICA/MINOLTA IN JOINT VENTURE

[Anonymous]

IBM and Konica Minolta Introduce Standards-Based Printer/MFP Solutions
ARMONK,
N.Y. and TOKYO – IBM and Konica Minolta Business Technologies (KMBT)
have said that they are working together on a joint initiative to
introduce an output management middleware solution for the printing
environment that integrates into a client’s existing IT infrastructure
which will provide security and cost optimization capabilities. This
output management solution is focused on those clients that manage
their own printing environments and are looking for technologies to
help them optimize that infrastructure.
The Business Output
Optimization (BOO) middleware platform, called JScribe, allows a
client’s IT systems to connect to their entire output environment,
including out-of-network printers, and can be deployed in such devices
as servers, PCs and multifunctional peripherals (MFPs), when they are
JScribe-enabled.
“By partnering with KMBT, together we are offering
the first solution that draws on this technology to help KMBT clients
significantly cut costs and improve operational efficiency in the
printer space,” said Philippe Jarre, vice president of Integrated
Technology Services, IBM Global Services.
“As copiers have evolved
into networked MFPs, the connectivity aspect of MFPs has become very
important. With IBM, we will be able to offer integrated output devices
and applications that enhance security and optimize our customers’
output solutions,” said Shoei Yamana, executive director and general
manager of Konica Minolta Business Technologies’ MFP Sales and
Marketing Headquarters. “I hope this partnership, combining our
expertise in output solutions with IBM’s services capabilities, will
bring us new market opportunities.”
The Four Types of Business Output Optimization Solutions:
JScribe
Secure and Mobile Print Solutions – The output environment is often
considered one of the weakest links for enterprises’ computer network
security. With JScribe, IBM and KMBT enhance the existing security
features available to MFPs by securing the end-to-end solution,
starting at the client, working through the server, and on to the
output device. This type of solution provides several security
measures, including SSL connections between all hops and, when KMBT
JScribe-enabled devices are involved, encrypting print data in distinct
security levels, authenticating authorized user ID’s before the pages
are produced, executing encrypted data storage, and completing deletion
of temporary jobs are other available security options.
JScribe
Enterprise Edition – The JScribe Enterprise Edition is a unique
development environment for current JScribe applications used in data
analysis and future applications such as document management,
integrated form design and form management, script editing and
debugging, real-time application testing, remote application debugging
and application control, transferring other applications to the KMBT
JScribe platform, and custom functionality through plug-ins.
JScribe
Intelligence Server Solution – The JScribe Intelligence Server Solution
operates with both Windows and Linux-server OS as a management platform
and allows precise cost allocation to individually defined cost
centers, departments, users or other accounting groups. This solution
works within the Windows or Linux print framework, enabling it to
monitor even locally attached printing to devices from other printer
device vendors. As a growing number of employees have a printer locally
connected in his/her own office, companies may need the capability to
manage the entire output environment.
Business Output Cost Analysis
– The Business Output Cost Analysis Solution provides both assessment
and consulting. It records document output over a certain period of
time as a snapshot. Then, it provides an assessment of a client’s IT
and output environment, as well as their cost situation. Based on the
evaluation, the cost analysis tool helps provide for a fully optimized
output environment.
These BOO solutions will be demonstrated at the
IBM and Konica Minolta booths at CeBIT 2006, which runs from March 9th
to March 15th in Hanover, Germany.

[Author]

March 8, 2006 at 11:08 AM