*NEWS*KONICA MINOLTA’S NEW AWARDS

[Anonymous]

10th Annual Awards Recognize the Best in Digital Imaging Technology
and  Innovation

RAMSEY, N.J.,
May 05– Konica Minolta Business Solutions
U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta)
today announced that it is the recipient ofthree BERTL’s Best(R) 2005
Awards.  The 10th Annual Awards were based on BERTLInc.’s (BERTL) extensive
review of both newly launched and current-linedigital imaging and document
management solutions, including:  monochrome andcolor office MFPs;
monochrome and color production devices; wide-formattechnologies; digital
duplicators; document scanners; and software andutilities.  Each product was
judged on its feature set, functionality,performance and overall
value.
 Konica Minolta was honored with awards in the following
categories:
“Best 30-39ppm Office Color MFP” — Konica Minolta’s
bizhub C450 was
acknowledged by BERTL for its rich feature set, extensive
network managementcapabilities, powerful multi-tasking capabilities and
general ease of use. “While there are a lot of color-capable MFPs on the
market right now, the
Konica Minolta bizhub C450 offers an enviable range of
features and benefitsencompassing a wide range of front-office environments
and workflow demandsthat set it apart from its rivals,” commented BERTL’s
reviewers.The newly released bizhub C450 features the groundbreaking
bizhub OP, acommon system software that drives all functions — copy, print,
scan and fax.
Unlike a number of products available on the market, the bizhub
C450 is a trueMFP right out-of-the-box.  It comes standard with:  45ppm
B&W and 35ppm colorcopying/printing; PCL5c/PCL6/PS3 emulation;
networking; 38opm scanning; 40GBhard disk drive; Hard Disk and User Box
functionality; 256 g/m2 from all paper
trays with automatic duplexing;
Reversing Automatic Document Feeder; UserAuthentication; and network
management tools through the PageScope softwaresuite.  A Fax Kit option is
also available for adding 33.6Kbps Super G3 FAXcapabilities.
“Best Mid-Volume Color CRD/Commercial MFP” — Commanding a niche positionin
the production color marketplace, Konica Minolta’s bizhub PRO C500
washonored for vast productivity-enhancing features, extensive finishing
options,good image quality and document production capabilities.
In
summary, BERTL stated, “The Konica Minolta bizhub PRO C500 is a
centralproduction color resource that includes increased reliability,
greaterversatility, lower operating costs and higher image quality over
itspredecessor (the Konica Minolta 8050/CF5001), much to the dismay
ofcompetitors, looking to catch up with this trend-setting product
line.The bizhub PRO C500 is built on the core engine and capabilities
of itsgroundbreaking predecessors — the Konica Minolta 8050 and the Konica
MinoltaCF5001 — and features true 600 x 600 dpi resolution, 256 gradations
per colorper pixel, easy color calibration, and an enhanced version of
Konica Minolta’sSimitri(R) Color Polymerized Toner technology.  The enhanced
version of
Simitri enables the bizhub PRO C500 to deliver higher image
qualitywith itswider color gamut and its greater range of substrates.  In
addition with thisnew toner technology, users can now select matte or glossy
output.  With theintroduction of the bizhub PRO C500, also came two new
finishing options —
the FS-513 Staple Finisher and the FS-606 Booklet
Finisher — providing the ability to use a wider array of paper grades at
higher print speeds.
“Best Mid-Volume 100 to 120ppm Production
Device” — Konica Minolta’sbizhub PRO 1050 was recognized for its
reliability, unique market positioningand finishing versatility.
“The
Konica Minolta bizhub PRO 1050 is uniquely positioned as both a back-office,
corporate copier MFP, as well as a commercial-class printer.  Itoffers
reliability, finishing versatility, and integrates with KonicaMinolta’s rich
suite of networking software,” said BERTL’s reviewers regardingtheir
selection of the bizhub PRO 1050 as a BERTL’s Best 2005 Award winner.
The
105ppm bizhub PRO 1050 was built from the ground up to meet theproduction
print market’s demand for faster products with expanded
functionality at
flexible price points.  The bizhub PRO 1050 is available in awide range of
product configurations, making it an ideal device for users inproduction
environments ranging from CRDs to quick printing to commercialprinting to
datacenters.  More than 150 patent pending items were developedfor the
bizhub PRO 1050, including innovations in the engine design, paperhandling
features, finishing capabilities, imaging and the user interface.
The
device’s key features include:  a monthly duty cycle of 1.5
million impressions; 1200 x 600 dpi print resolution; 9,000-sheet input paper
capacitywith the ability to handle 244 gsm stock; 100-sheet stapling;
200-page saddle-stitch booklet making; six-position folding; removable
stackers; and a pre-flight front end.
“For more than 15 years, BERTL
has been closely examining the digital
imaging marketplace and, for 10
consecutive years running, only a select groupof devices and manufacturers
have taken home the title of BERTL’s Best Awardwinners. Each year, the bar
of excellence continues to rise,” said ElizabethMcNichol, vice president,
corporate relations, BERTL, Inc.  “Konica Minolta
has outshined the
competition in three major market segments this year.  Thefunctionality and
versatility of its office and mid-volume production devices continue to
distinguish the company from the rest of the field.””We are very pleased
to be a recipient of the highly prestigious BERTL’s Best Awards,” said
William H. Brewster Jr., vice president, marketing, Konica Minolta Business
Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.  “These awards are a testament to the strength of our
bizhub brand and the bizhub product lines.Winning awards in three major
market segments recognizes our commitment to developing monochrome
and color
digital imaging devices that are the best value on the market from both the
feature and cost perspectives.” For product pricing and availability,
please visit Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

[Author]

May 22, 2005 at 1:50 PM