*NEWS*PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 03 AWARD

[Anonymous]

Products of the Year 2003
Canon

 With the Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP), Canon is increasingly building scanning and more extensive “Universal Send” document routing capabilities right into its ImageRunner copiers. This Java-enabled architecture exposes the interface for open application development and customization. Canon partner ECopy is taking advantage of MEAP to lower the cost of multi-machine capture and workflow deployments while also simplifying the user experience. MEAP is a user- and app-friendly platform.

 ricoh

 GlobalScan’s notoriety has outstripped its market penetration. On paper, this product is many things an enterprise-focused, MFP-based capture system should be. The server-based approach lets you start with five-machine, 25-machine or 100-machine configurations reasonably priced at $7,495, $19,995 and $44,995, respectively. Built for Ricoh, Lanier, Savin and Gestetner digital copiers, GlobalScan offers network authentication and links to Documentum, Open Text and other ECM systems. The pricing and promise of scalability have raised everyone’s expectations.

 

Document Scanners
scanners
Released in early 2003, Fujitsu’s fi-4860C has set new benchmarks in the mid-volume production scanner segment, offering fast, reliable scanning, smooth feeding and excellent image quality at a list price of just $16,995. This sheetfed, duplex scanner captures 63 ppm/125 ipm in color or black and white (at 200 dpi), or you can landscape feed at 74 ppm/146 ipm. The 500-sheet ADF feeds up to ledger-sized paper, and you can manually feed longer documents. Paying attention to production market demands, Fujitsu offers options including pre- and post-scan imprinters as well as hardware-based Kofax VRS 3.0 image processing.

Fujitsu eliminated the only drawback of the fi-4860C in October when it upgraded the infrared multifeed detection to more reliable ultrasonic technology. The company also added a VRS-bundled model list priced at $17,995. The scanner is backed with a 10,000 scan-per-day rated duty cycle, a 7.2-million-scan life span and a one-year warranty.

Copiscan 8000 Spectrum Series
Bowe Bell & Howell, Lincolnwood, IL
http://www.bhscanners.com

bowe Bell & Howell’s venerable Copiscan Series got a welcome upgrade in 2003, gaining color-capable models, built-in hardware-based Kofax VRS 3.0 processing and a unique multifeed detection feature. The six models range in speed and price, but the best value is the Copiscan 8100DC, which scans at up to 100 ppm/200 ipm (landscape) and is list priced at $28,995. Image quality is excellent across the line thanks to built-in VRS, and there are no speed penalties for state-of-the-art processing. The ultrasonic multifeed detection lets you ignore mailing labels, photo attachments and other expected overlaps up to 10 inches. All models are backed by a 60,000-scan-per-day rated duty cycle and a one-year warranty.

canon

The just-released DR-9080C will shake up the production document scanner market. It combines fast speeds, an incredibly low list price of $9,975, hardware- and software-based deskew, ultrasonic doublefeed detection and breakthroughs including a detection feature that prevents stapled documents from passing through the scanner, avoiding damage to either the paper or the hardware. This duplex sheetfed scanner auto feeds documents up to 11″ x 17″, and options include a barcode reader, a post-scan imprinter and a document endorser. The combination of features, performance and price adds up to a great value.

[Author]

December 23, 2003 at 10:09 AM