Sharp

Mahwah, NJ, December 7, 2009 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, today announced that it has received the 2009 "Line of the Year" Award from Buyers Laboratory, Inc. (BLI), the leading global provider of information and testing services to the digital imaging industry. BLI's "Line of the Year" is awarded once a year to the vendor whose product line is determined to be the best overall based on its cumulative test results in BLI's rigorous two-month laboratory evaluation. Among the many factors considered are reliability, image quality, productivity, ease of use, scanning, a host of connectivity attributes and overall value. Also considered is the breadth of each vendor's line.

"We are honored to once again receive this award. We believe it to be the result of our continued focus on where the market is heading, not just where it is today," said Mike Marusic, vice president of marketing and service, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "In doing so we work closely with end users to understand their needs and where their business is moving, and then design products that will help them work more efficiently and ultimately improve their bottom line. The result is our award winning line of MFPs – from A4 to production class - that are customizable, easy to operate, secure and reliable."

Last year Sharp became the first of the traditional copier vendors to launch workgroup-level A4/letter MFPs that, like copiers, feature separate drums, developer and toner. These are the BLI highly recommended MX-B401 and MX-C401 / DX-C401, along with the MX-C311 / DX-C311, which received a BLI "Pick" Award earlier this year.

This award acknowledges that Sharp offers A4 products that meet the differing service requirements of various customers alongside A3 models that offer a host of innovative features, including the industry-first standard retractable QWERTY keyboard and the third generation of Sharp OSA technology^®.

MAHWAH, NJ, June 30, 2009 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, today announced that it received six "Pick" Awards from Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI). The awards acknowledge "outstanding performance" and excellence "in areas of importance to IT professionals" for a wide range of Sharp products, including Sharp Printer Administration Utility version 5 (PAU5); Sharp’s newest A3 MFPs (MX-2600N; MX-3100; MX-4101 and MX-5001); and the MX-C311/DX-C311, Sharp’s first color A4 MFP and part of its Frontier Series.

"This year's BLI Pick Awards truly underscore Sharp's dedication to developing a complete line of solutions-based products," said Mike Marusic, vice president, marketing, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "Our line of MFPs, coupled with our software offerings such as PAU5 can help businesses operate more efficiently and keep service costs to a minimum."

The Sharp MX-C311 and Sharp A3 segment MFPs feature a number of award-winning features that consistently draw rave reviews from customers. These features include an 8.5-inch high-resolution touch-screen color display; Sharp OSA^® development platform; and a stylish, textural exterior that compliments any office design. Furthermore, the MX-2600N, MX-3100, MX-4101 and MX-5001 include a standard, retractable keyboard that makes data entry at the MFP quick and easy.

"We put these models through their paces and they passed with flying colors," said Lynn Nannariello, BLI's assistant managing editor. "Sporting a distinctive design that includes a textured exterior and rounded corners, these highly reliable devices offer an array of features that make them very easy to use."

MAHWAH, NJ -- 05/06/09 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) : today introduced three new monochrome models that leverage Sharp's award-winning color-series platform and provide enhanced workflow capabilities while delivering superior image quality. Sharp's new MX-M503N/M453N/M363N : workgroup document systems are the first of seven new monochrome models that will be introduced this year to provide enhanced functionality for mid- to high-volume workgroups.

In addition to award-winning Sharp features such as a large color touchscreen; standard retractable keyboard; and the Sharp OSA® : development platform, dealers will also appreciate the common architecture between these new MX monochrome models and Sharp's MX color series models. This new design approach minimizes the need to stock two different sets of options.

"Sharp's MX line of MFPs is changing the game with advanced integration features such as Sharp OSA technology, robust web-based device management and remote front panel capabilities to enhance serviceability," said George Grafanakis, senior manager, product planning and marketing, SIICA. "Add to that a brilliant high-resolution color touchscreen display for enhanced ease-of-use plus a standard retractable keyboard and users have a fully integrated document system that greatly streamlines workflow. These new monochrome models fit perfectly in to the Sharp product lineup, giving dealers and end-users more options when integrating an end-to-end solution that meets their workgroup document requirements."

Designed for Exceptional Performance and Reliability
Featuring an 800 MHz true multi-tasking controller that delivers copy, print and fax jobs continuously, and can also process network scanning jobs while existing jobs are output, the MX-M503N/M453N/M363N models are extremely versatile. These MFPs are manufactured with Sharp second generation micro-fine toner technology, which provides more uniform image coverage and a lower consumption rate than conventional toners, resulting in crisp, high-quality output that is also economical.
These new models feature automatic duplexing, electronic sorting and integrated offset stacking; an on-board paper capacity of up to 5,600 sheets; and a 100-sheet duplex single pass document feeder with color Scan2™ technology standard. Sharp's award-winning Scan2 technology enables users to scan two-sided documents in a single pass, speeding up workflow, reducing misfeeds and improving reliability.

MAHWAH, NJ, March 23, 2009 -- Sharp today introduced the next model in its dynamic Frontier Series: the MX-B401. The MX-B401 is the first monochrome Multifunction Printer (MFP) in the Frontier family of A4 MFP products, and has been designed to blend simplicity with multi-tasking productivity and advanced functionality.

With the ability to print up to 40 black-and-white pages per minute, the MX-B401 provides crisp output with greater ease and efficiency. The MX-B401 includes hallmark Sharp features that bring its level of functionality to new levels, including an 8.5 inch (diagonal) W-VGA color touchpanel display, the award-winning Sharp OSA^® platform, and remote-access capabilities that can significantly reduce operating costs and downtime. With Common Controller Architecture, the MX-B401 provides uniform functionality and operability as found in Sharp’s award-winning MFP line, helping to reduce training costs and increasing user adoption.

“The Frontier Series continues to break new ground in the A4 space with IT-friendly remote management features, Sharp OSA technology, and a brilliant color LCD display,” said Gary Bailer, associate director A4 MFPs, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “In particular, the compact size and robust feature set of the MX-B401 make it ideal for offices that might not need ledger size paper and are looking for an alternative to a bigger, bulkier A3 model. This is another high-quality Frontier model that gives both dealers and end-users more options when integrating an end-to-end solution that meets their workgroup document requirements.”

Remote Access Capabilities
As with other Frontier models, the MX-B401 incorporates Sharp’s newest developments in device management, with Remote Front Panel capability that provides the IT administrator or helpdesk professional with the ability to see exactly what the end-user is seeing. They can remotely change settings, show the user how to perform a function, or diagnose and often rectify problems without deploying a technician to the device. This unique MFP capability dramatically reduces unit downtime and support costs.

MAHWAH, NJ, January 15, 2009 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today announced the availability of three next-generation color workgroup series MFPs: the MX-4100N, MX-4101N, and MX-5001N. This is the second family of high-quality document systems to include Sharp’s award-winning, retractable keyboard as a standard feature. With faster processing speeds and a number of other award-winning features, the MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N have been specifically designed to maximize workflow efficiency for mid- to high-volume work environments and provide superior image quality and performance.

The built-in retractable keyboard, coupled with a large, 8.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen color display, provides users with a familiar, ergonomic interface for intuitive menu navigation and data entry. All three units support the newest Sharp OSA^® development platform that when combined with the built-in keyboard and high-resolution display, provides dealers and developers with unprecedented abilities to enhance the user experience at the MFP. Featuring a stylish, textural exterior, sleek body lines, chrome accents and a brilliant color display, the new models are distinctive yet also blend into a contemporary office setting.

“The MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N are our most efficient segment 4 MFPs,” said George Grafanakis, senior manager, product planning and marketing, SIICA. “With award-winning features such as a standard, retractable keyboard and Sharp OSA^® development platform, these new models offer users advanced levels of productivity and flexibility, and are even easier to use and interact with than their predecessors. The stylish new design of these models – another award-winning feature – will make these machines a welcome addition to any office environment.”

MAHWAH, NJ & BRIDGEWATER, NJ, October 6, 2008 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) and emFAST, Inc. are pleased to announce the validation of the FACSys^® Connector for Sharp OSA™-Enabled MFPs. Combined with a FACSys fax server, this feature-rich connector allows organizations to send, receive and print fax messages directly from the touch screens of their Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs via the network.

"The Sharp OSA development platform enables emFAST to take the integration between the FACSys fax messaging platform and the Sharp MFP to a whole new level," commented Peter Valier, Director of IT, emFAST Inc. "Utilizing the comprehensive two-way communication afforded by Sharp OSA technology, users have unparalleled access to fax server resources in a secure, productive and convenient manner."

MAHWAH, NJ, August 13, 2008 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today announced the availability of two new second-generation color workgroup series MFPs: the MX-2600N and the MX-3100N. Offering businesses affordable, high-quality color combined with innovative features to streamline document workflow, these second-generation models raise the bar on performance with a faster microprocessor and enhanced paper handling to offer color and monochrome speeds of 26ppm (MX-2600N) and 31ppm (MX-3100N). The MX-2600N and MX-3100N take MFP functionality and user friendliness to new levels with a standard retractable keyboard and a large 8.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen color display for easy menu navigation and data entry.

MAHWAH, NJ, July 28, 2008 -- By opening the MFP to a virtually unlimited number of customization options, Sharp OSA™ technology has been recognized with the 2008 BERTL’s BEST award for Best Development Platform. Having led the way for multifunctional peripheral (MFP) solutions, Sharp OSA technology enables any dealer to create a truly customized interface that transforms the MFP into a gateway for document-based business communication.

“With the Sharp OSA platform, dealers can provide uniquely customized applications that meet a customer’s needs and, more importantly, give them an advantage in the marketplace,” said Vince Jannelli, Associate Director, Applications and Partners, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “Essentially it enables our dealers to move from a commodity business to a ‘value’ business by solving each customer’s specific document pain points.”

From Bertl.

Sharp’s 2008 Dealer Meeting was an inspiring event that proved some manufacturers consist of more than just techies in suits. With the information we heard at the Sharp show in Orlando, Fla., May 6-9, we learned that this particular manufacturer consists of creative thinkers who are constantly developing new ideas and pushing the envelope, such as an entire A4 MFP line … one of the most extensive in the digital imaging industry.

Ed McLaughlin, president, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, announced during the general session that Sharp was going to completely change the copier business by introducing an unprecedented lineup of powerful workgroup A4 devices.

MAHWAH, NJ, February 25, 2008 -- The Biltmore Hotel, a luxury spa and golf hotel resort located in Coral Gables/Miami, has implemented a groundbreaking, customized technology system to reduce costs and streamline workflow on the company's copiers. Developed using Sharp OSA^TMtechnology, the new system helps control employee usage and enhances the capabilities of the hotel's multifunctional color copiers, saving equipment costs and providing real time usage reporting to management.The Biltmore Hotel was facing the challenges of a typical major enterprise, including high print and manpower costs due to everyday office transactions taking place across different sectors, with numerous departments and employees utilizing stand-alone office equipment lacking back-office access and control. The hotel saw an opportunity to control color copy costs and reduce the number of copiers and printers throughout the facility, while improving workflow as well. Sharp Business Systems provided a networked, personalized solution, using Sharp OSA technology, that allows for control over color copy costs and usage, but also fits the Biltmore's existing data infrastructure. Sharp provided a networked solution that enabled access to the company's Active Directory servers, a Microsoft® standard that provides centralized user authentication services for Windows® based computers. "We didn't want to reinvent the wheel so we worked with Sharp to develop a system that could grow with the business," said Marc Stidham, CIO, Biltmore Hotel. "By enabling hotel employees to scan information directly from the copier's LCD panel via Active Directory, the information goes straight into our own database software, reducing headaches and downtime." With the purchase of 14 color Sharp multifunctional copiers - models MX-3501N and MX-4501N - the ability to copy in both black-and-white and color across the network became a reality. However, in order to control employee usage, the machines were programmed to allow authentication to designated employees approved to make color copies or prints. This eliminated the costs of thousands of pages that could potentially have been copied throughout the company. Additionally, with Sharp OSA technology, the IT department can create individual user authentication codes as well as monitor usage remotely over the network. The IT department can run individual department reports (accounting, human resources, hospitality, etc.) outlining the amount of color prints/copies, black-and-white copies, faxes and scans that are made. This capability provides a real-time snapshot for evaluating equipment usage by different departments, and making necessary changes or adjustments. In addition to saving on cost-per-copy, the Biltmore Hotel is using Sharp OSA technology to enhance the company's scanning capabilities and integrate the ability for network scanning to email, eliminating the need for separate office scanners. This allows an employee to scan a document on the copier and send it directly to a recipient's email address or to their own email address. By utilizing the Sharp OSA-enabled devices, the hotel has greatly reduced the number of printers throughout their facilities, going from 46 printers down to 13. The Biltmore employees and management are using Sharp copiers for all document printing. Now, departments only need a quarter of the total budget previously spent on laser printer toner. "Our customers want tailored solutions that help them do business more efficiently," said Luis Gonzalez, President, Sharp Business Systems of South Florida, the Miami-based office equipment dealer. "Using Sharp OSA technology, we were able to offer the Biltmore Hotel a solution that would adapt to their business and solve their immediate needs to manage copier costs and speed workflow." Sharp OSA Technology Sharp OSA technology is a development platform designed for seamless integration with network applications. Designed to deliver the power of customization to the customer, Sharp OSA technology allows enterprises to leverage their back-end systems right from the MFP control panel. The technology manages the inherent interoperability of Web services design to enable Sharp, its dealer network and ISV partners to better meet customer needs. Sharp OSA technology is available now for Sharp's MX series models MX-M350, MX-M450, MX-M550, MX-M620, MX-M700, MX-2300, MX-2700, MX-3500, MX-3501, MX-4501, MX-5500, MX-6200, MX-6201N, MX-7000 and MX-7001N. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07430, or call 800-BE-SHARP. # # # Sharp OSA and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies. Microsoft, Windows Vista and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.