Canon, Lexmark, and Samsung Usher In Higher Prices

Canon and Samsung are the latest printer manufacturers ( referred to as OEMs) to climb aboard the price increase bandwagon. Lexmark, which began January with supplies price increases, has since announced some additional upward pricing action on popular cartridges.

Canon
Canon will be raising prices on toner cartridges for laser printers, copiers and multi-functional printers (MFPs), as of April 1. Unfortunately, we do not have additional details on how much prices will increase on specific consumables. The increases will affect both dealer wholesale pricing and manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP).

Rumors are Canon will be increasing prices by at least 5 percent on imageRUNNER, imageRUNNER ADVANCE, and imagePRESS engines and accessories as well as selected software products. The company said pricing for toner, drums, and other parts for production machines would remain unchanged.

Samsung
Samsung will raise prices for supplies as of June 1. Prices for select monochrome (black) toner supplies will increase 3 percent on average, while color toner supplies will see a higher average price increase of 7 percent. The company noted that there will be still higher price increases on certain color value packs. Both wholesale and MSRP pricing will be affected. Samsung attributed the price hike to “increased material costs and fluctuations in market conditions.”

Lexmark
In December, Lexmark announced that it would increase pricing for the majority of its ink and toner cartridges by between 3 and 7 percent as of January 1. Apparently, this increase was not widespread enough because at the end of February, the Company announced that it would increase pricing on selected laser supplies by 2 percent as of April 1. Lexmark said the increase does not impact laser supplies that were affected by the January 1 increase.

Level playing field for OEMs, opportunity for aftermarket
Hewlett Packard's (HP) and Lexmark’s separate decisions to start the New Year with price increases were potentially risky. There was the chance that the companies would lose some sales to rival printer manufacturers (Konica-Minolta, Kyocera Mita, Brother, Xerox and Okidata) with lower-priced supplies. However, the same set of unfortunate circumstances that impacted these firms’ businesses impacted many others, and several other OEM manufacturers have since instituted price increases of their own. With most printer vendors raising supplies prices, the playing field is essentially level, with no one OEM being able to claim it is holding a unique advantage after 2012’s pricing actions.

Of course, third-party supplies vendors do stand to benefit from these OEM supplies price increases. Higher prices on original supplies make end users, who are, after all, also suffering the effects of a lousy economy, that much more likely to use remanufactured or compatible cartridges.

History shows that upward price movement on products relates directly to consumer interest in searching out an alternative option. Remanufactured "Made in America" consumable products maybe today's best value.

Original source: Canon, Lexmark, and Samsung Usher In Higher Prices

Canon U.S.A., Inc. launched new mid-volume office printers

Expanding the imageRUNNER ADVANCE lineup, Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced the new imageRUNNER ADVANCE 4000 series, a versatile and foundational monochrome MFP for mid-volume office environments. The new models offer advanced solutions for improving small department and large workgroup productivity and collaboration. They feature one-stop operations, multitasking capabilities and an improved user interface for a more intuitive operation, along with improvements in productivity, high-volume paper handling capabilities and flexible in-line finishing options.

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE 4051 / 4045 / 4035 / 4025 models will serve as an upgrade path for the imageRUNNER 3245 Series. The 4000 Series improvements from its predecessor include utilization of the ADVANCE architecture and interface, faster B&W output speeds and color scan speeds and the ability to accept a wider range of paper weights and media. The imageRUNNER ADVANCE 4051 / 4045 / 4035 / 4025 models produce letter-sized black-and-white output at 51 ppm, 45 ppm, 35 ppm and 25 ppm, respectively and incorporate a 100-sheet capacity scanner and auto-duplex document feeder to easily convert paper documents to digital files. Its powerful system architecture is then able to process even the largest and most complex jobs quickly, moving them through the network at remarkable speeds via Universal Send in formats that reduce file sizes without losing the integrity.

The 1,200-by-1,200 dpi print resolution produces fine lines and crisp text, and half-tones are set and rendered at the ideal levels. Finally, through a choice of modular accessories, including an optional internal hole-punch that helps reduce the machine's footprint, document finishing process is kept professional for the end-user.

Canon also launches the imageCLASS D1370, D1350, D1320 multifunction digital copiers, the imageCLASS LBP6670dn laser printer and the FAXPHONE L100 as new additions to the company's lineup. Particularly ideal for mid-volume office environments, these five additions provide a variety of document management options to fit almost every need and price point for today's fast-paced businesses. The products offer advancements in speed and incorporate high-volume paper handling capabilities to help improve overall productivity.

Developed to address the needs of today's fast-paced end-users, the imageCLASS D1370, D1350 and D1320 laser multifunction series copiers allow small businesses, medium businesses and workgroups to maximize productivity with convenient copy, print, scan and fax (excluding the D1320) functionality in a fully networkable device. Ideal for multi-user environments, the copiers feature a variety of technologies found in many high-end commercial copiers to maximize office efficiency, including "Department ID Management" control, which allows network administrators to monitor and control device usage, and a 50-sheet Duplex Automatic Document Feeder that provides two-sided copying, printing, scanning and faxing to help reduce paper costs and increase productivity. Expandable up to 1,050 sheets of paper in a variety of sizes, the D1300 series copiers deliver quick copy and print speeds of up to 35 ppm, simplex and 17 ppm, duplex. All three models deliver a first print time of six seconds or less.

Businesses can lose significant time and money if any part of their operational infrastructure, such as printing, goes down. Canon addresses this issue with the imageCLASS LBP6670dn, which provides IT administrators with the ability to manage the device via a powerful remote user interface. Built on a foundation that includes Canon's legendary imaging technology, the imageCLASS LBP6670dn has print speeds of up to 35 ppm, simplex, and 17 ppm, duplex, utilizes a simple, easy-to-navigate, 5-row backlit control panel and is expandable to 800 sheets from a standard front-loading 250 sheet paper cassette and a 50-sheet multipurpose tray. The LBP6670dn also delivers on Canon's environmental goals by using just one watt in Energy Saver Mode and by delivering two-sided printing right out of the box. The compact imageCLASS LBP6670dn offers a quick first print time of seven seconds or less.

Targeting small businesses such as insurance companies and restaurants, the FAXPHONE L100 is a speedy and compact laser fax that delivers quick results whether faxing, printing or copying, with the added convenience of a telephone handset. Sporting a radical redesign including a flip-up control panel, while delivering exceptional fax capabilities and a 19 ppm laser printer engine, this space-saving business machine functions in the place of three devices with the performance quality of laser output. The FAXPHONE L100 incorporates a 30-sheet automatic document feeder, Super G3 facsimile technology and more than 500 sheets of memory capacity. Rich with features such as Fax Forwarding, Error Correction Mode and Distinctive Ring Pattern Detection, this machine allows users to manage fax operations efficiently. The directory search function allows users to look up and dial the correct number by easily viewing the up-to-30 stored speed- dial phone numbers and 100 coded dials for a comprehensive address book.

The new imageCLASS models meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) and exceed the European Union RoHS Directive standards.

Visit our online store for Canon inkjet cartridges and Canon laser toner cartridges

Toshiba Partners With Adobe to Launch LeanPrint

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. announced a partnership with Adobe to launch Adobe LeanPrint, a desktop print optimization software that reduces paper and toner consumption by optimizing page layout. Using LeanPrint, organizations can achieve average savings of 40 percent when printing typical office documents.

Toshiba is Adobe’s first partner to go to market with LeanPrint and a key collaborator in its development. Starting immediately, a free 30-day trial version of LeanPrint is available for download at http://business.toshiba.com. LeanPrint is also available for purchase at $99 per PC user or through an innovative subscription program at $36 per user per year and available to Toshiba’s customers via its channel partners.

“Like Adobe, Toshiba is focused on helping businesses print smarter. That’s why we joined forces to bring LeanPrint to market and why Toshiba is proud to be Adobe’s first technology partner for LeanPrint,” said Bill Melo, vice president of marketing, services & solutions, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. “Together, Toshiba and Adobe have pioneered a new science of printing less. Using LeanPrint, documents are more elegant, readable and shareable through intelligent technology that optimizes the content. In the end, LeanPrint promises to revolutionize the way we all print at home and in the office by saving time, money and ultimately the environment.”

“Adobe’s goal is to bring LeanPrint’s cost savings to as many businesses and individual customers as possible,” said Raman Nagpal, senior director and general manager, Print and Scan Business at Adobe. “We’re excited to join forces with Toshiba and work with customers who want to streamline workflows and increase efficiency in all printing jobs, large and small.”

Adobe LeanPrint Overview
Adobe LeanPrint is a revolutionary technology that changes the way individuals and businesses print documents in home and business environments. LeanPrint is a new printing technology that utilizes several patent-pending Adobe technologies to automatically tune the formatting, colors and layout of a document before it is printed.

Adobe LeanPrint offers a set of plugins for Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, and Internet Explorer and Firefox Web browsers. The plugins are installed inside the applications and enable an alternative print path using existing methods of printing. For every supported document file format, LeanPrint has an ideal print output. LeanPrint first displays a preview, so that users can see the final document prior to sending it to the printer.

LeanPrint analyzes document structure to create a print-optimized layout and prints documents in two modes: Super Saver and Toner Saver. In Super Saver mode LeanPrint saves both paper and toner while Toner Saver reduces ink and toner consumption. The user is also able to see real-time savings information via the LeanPrint status bar that tracks paper, toner and costs savings.

Using LeanPrint, documents are optimized for space and readability, not shrunk or placed in draft mode. Color charts and graphs are converted to black-and-white patterns to ensure readability. Text is laid out in newspaper-style columns to make better use of space and reduce page counts. Excel charts are reformatted to keep most graphs intact, and Web pages are cleanly printed without distracting, ink-intensive display ads.

Visit our web store for Toshiba printer cartridges and Toshiba copier cartridges.

Original source: Toshiba Partners With Adobe to Launch LeanPrint

HP Launches Enterprise Security Cloud Connections Partner Program

Program manages security risk, simplifies compliance reporting for cloud-based applications

Hewlett Packard / HP announced a new partner program designed to accelerate the adoption of secure cloud computing.

A major obstacle to the adoption of cloud computing is the lack of visibility into user actions. Enterprises need a single view into the use of cloud-based resources – including internal systems and the applications and services run by cloud providers.

With the HP Enterprise Security Cloud Connections partner program, HP partners can help customers view and assess enterprise-wide risks while automating compliance reporting across on-premise and cloud-based environments.

The program enables cloud providers to integrate a customer’s cloud-based applications and infrastructure by using the HP Security Intelligence and Risk Management (SIRM) platform. The platform provides a standard format for publishing security risk event information generated by cloud service providers to customers, partners and security information and event management vendors. Among the first partners to join the program are Box, Inc. and Okta.

“Limited transparency into user activity is often a major impediment to the use of cloud applications or infrastructure by enterprise customers,” said Jeff Scheel, vice president, Business Development, Enterprise Security, HP. “Through partners such as Box and Okta, HP can accelerate the adoption of cloud-based resources by reducing concerns around visibility, compliance and security.”

“A top priority for any successful CIO is providing a secure IT environment that enables business growth,” said Karen Appleton, vice president, Business Development, Box, Inc. “The HP Enterprise Security Cloud Connections partner program delivers a unified view of Box user activity with added security controls over the content shared on our platform. HP and Box are accelerating next-generation cloud collaboration by helping businesses worldwide securely share and access their content from any device or location.”

“CIOs are adopting Okta to centrally control how users get access to cloud applications and to securely integrate those applications with their on-premises directories,” said Frederic Kerrest, vice president, Operations, and co-founder, Okta. “By integrating user data with the HP Enterprise Security Intelligence and Risk Management platform, we can deliver visibility and control across users, infrastructure and applications – both on premises and in the cloud.”

Gathering data from cloud deployments with HP ArcSight
The HP Enterprise Security Cloud Connections partner program builds on the HP ArcSight Common Event Format, an open log-management standard that improves the interoperability of information from different security and network devices as well as applications.

HP ArcSight Cloud Connectors work to capture and forward cloud application events to on-premise HP ArcSight platforms to be integrated, stored and analyzed. This helps customers to identify security threats, policy violations and regulatory compliance issues. Customers also can quickly install the connectors to add cloud service provider events to existing policies and reports without any changes to the underlying code.

Availability
HP ArcSight Cloud Connectors will be available soon, enabling customers to add member partner events to their HP ArcSight deployments.

Additional information about becoming an HP Cloud Connections partner is available by contacting cloudconnections@hp.com.

HP at RSA Conference 2012
HP introduced its new partner program today at RSA Conference 2012. It is demonstrating the HP Security Intelligence and Risk Management platform through March 2 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco in booth 1717.

Additional information about the HP offerings at RSA Conference 2012 is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/HPatRSA2012.

Visit our web store for Hewlett Packard / HP inkjet cartridges and laser toner cartridges.

Original source: HP Launches Enterprise Security Cloud Connections Partner Program