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Lexmark's New Serverless Capabilities and Mobile Solutions for Its MFPs

On November 19, Lexmark announced that it is offering new enhancements to its smart MFP ecosystem that are aimed at reducing costs and improving workflow efficiency for business users. According to the company's press release, the enhancements are designed to help solve "unstructured information challenges" and deliver benefits valued by both IT administrators and business managers.

The new enhancements include solutions that eliminate steps and automate processes for end users who need to convert hard copy documents into digital workflows. AccuRead Automate, an app that eliminates the need for a server by running entirely on a Lexmark smart MFP, helps users to capture, automatically classify, and route information, while Lexmark's Serverless Print Release, another solution that does not require a server, allows users to print securely from any location within their organization. Users send print jobs from their device to a central queue, where it is held until the user selects a smart Lexmark MFP for the print job, the user's identity is authenticated, and the document is released.

The company also announced enhancements to Lexmark Print Management, the first print-management software solution to become AirPrint certified. Lexmark's mobile printing solutions enable printing from iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, and other mobile devices. With Lexmark Print Management, users can send documents directly to their print-release queue using iOS's native print features. Printing via direct mobile connectivity is also now available for Android devices.

In its press release, Lexmark explains that by reducing or eliminating the need for servers, its new solutions and apps help reduce costs and minimize risks. Lexmark goes on to say that the enhancements to its smart MPF ecosystem not only help organizations increase productivity, they are a response to changes taking place in how business users are processing and storing information.

In recent years, printer companies have been focusing on mobile printing, developing solutions and apps, and emphasizing MFPs as digital on-ramps and tools for improving workflow and productivity for their customers. Lexmark's new smart MFP enhancements are a reflection of the major trends that are taking place in the industry and provide an example of how companies are tailoring their products to address changes in business workflow processes.

Source: Actionable Intelligence

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Brother Releases New Range of Portable Retail Printers

The RJ3000 range aims to "increase productivity and efficiency" in retail environments.

Retail Times reported on the launch of the "hardwearing portable" RJ3000 printer range, which it says makes "printing on the move easier than ever". The series includes the RJ-3050 and 3150 – the RJ standing for RuggedJet – and is said by the OEM to "increase productivity and efficiency in retail environments".

The devices include "fastest in class" print speeds, a range of connectivity options including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the ability to "withstand harsh weather conditions", as well as being able to be “dropped from up to 1.8 metres without breaking", which Brother notes makes them "ideal for use in areas with tough surfaces".

The RJ-3150 meanwhile can print receipts and labels, and "can be accessed and printed" from via tablets and smartphones "from any location" through the wireless connection. The two machines are "lightweight", meaning they can be "easily transported from one location to the next", and are "easily integrated into existing systems and applications", with ZPL (Z-level programming language) compatibility and free software development kits.

The two printers can also be "charged at any time" through an optional car adapter charger or a standard AC adapter. The RuggedJet 4 range is compatible with Apple’s AirPrint mobile printing technology.

Source: The Recycler

School Adopts Erasable Toner MFPs

In order to adhere to its sustainability-based agenda, Millfields Community School in Hackney, London, has invested a range of infrastructure improvements, such as solar PV panels, in order to provide a "cleaner, equitable, and more sustainable environment".

To further this goal, the school's Business Manager, Stefania Antoniazzi, was looking to reduce the amount of waste paper being generated, explaining: "Excess printing is a huge financial burden on educational institutions like ours and the majority of paper waste occurred from users printing to a device and then forgetting, or simply not bothering, to collect their documents. This resulted in a huge amount of wastage that had to be addressed."

Antoniazzi contacted office solutions supplier Direct Tec, whose Sales Director Simon Riley suggested she visit Toshiba TEC's showroom in London, where a full range of devices were on display. It was here that Antoniazzi selected Toshiba e-STUDIO306LP, featuring unique erasable toner technology, and the associated e-STUDIO RD30 eraser unit, along with a number of other Toshiba MFPs. The eraser unit allows used paper to be fed into it and will then heat the ink, erasing the print and providing a blank sheet to be used again up to five times, cutting paper usage by up to 80%.

Commenting on the devices, Antoniazzi said: "Integrating it into our day-to-day operations couldn't have been easier and it means that we can monitor the recycling of the paper, which we have been able to reuse up to 10 times. What's more, Toshiba TEC also provided a number of Pilot FriXion ball pens, which also have erasable ink, so that we can recycle annotated documents and even exam papers."

In terms of savings, Antoniazzi said: "As well as having to reduce our regular paper order, we worked out that the print jobs sent but not released had a value of $2,324. This equates to 39,000 sheets of paper that we didn't use, and we have estimated that we will save in excess of $200,600 over the next three years – money which can be reinvested to provide our pupils with an even better learning environment."

Source: The Recycler

Samsung Targets Enterprises with New A4 and A3 MFPs

Earlier this fall, Samsung Electronics America announced the "Smartify" campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of Samsung's brand in the B2B channel and promoting the company's printing solutions for businesses. The hardware that Samsung is promoting via this campaign includes the ProXpress M4583FX and M4580FX A4 monochrome MFPs, the Android-powered devices we have written about previously , along with some hardware scheduled for availability via the BTA channel in the fourth quarter of this year: the MultiXpress M5370LX, an A4 monochrome MFP; the MultiXpress X4300LX series of A3 color MFPs; and the MultiXpress K4300LX family of A3 monochrome MFPs. A Samsung spokesperson recently shared more information about these devices.

Continuing to Push into A3 Market
Samsung, which had long been a serious player in the A4 laser printer markets, especially in the low end of the market, signified its intent to move upmarket and compete against copier vendors several years ago, starting with the introduction of A4 products such as the MultiXpress SCX-6555N in 2008. Then, in 2011, Samsung announced its own A3 MFPs that would be distributed via copier dealers, indicating it would compete head-to-head against traditional copier vendors . In 2012, Samsung announced its own managed print program and rolled out still more A3 devices.

Now Samsung's years-long strategy to move its MFPs into enterprises and take away share from traditional copier OEMs continues with the introduction of the MultiXpress X4300LX and MultiXpress K4300LX series. Samsung informs us that the MultiXpress X4300LX A3 color MFPs, the 25/25 ppm X4250XL and the 30/30 ppm X4300LX, replace the CLX-9201NA, CLX-9251NA, and CLX-9301NA that Samsung announced two years ago. Meanwhile, the MultiXpress K4300LX series, which consists of the 25 ppm K4250LX, the 30 ppm K4300LX, and the 35 ppm K4350LX, replace the SCX-8123NA and SCX-8128NA, which were also introduced in 2012 alongside the older A3 color devices.

According to Samsung, one key improvement is that the new units include a much bigger, better touch screen. Whereas the older units had a 7-inch color touch screen, the new units use the same touch screen introduced with the ProXpress M4583FX and M4580FX A4. The Samsung Smart User Interface is powered by the Android operating system and is essentially a 10.1-inch LCD touch screen that operates like an Android tablet. The Samsung spokesperson tells us, "This user-friendly UI provides intuitiveness, usability, and extendibility at the same which ensures perfect compatibility with various Android-based smart devices."

Another big improvement, says the spokesperson, is that then new units are equipped with dual scan technology, enabling the Samsung machines to deliver "best-in-class scanning speeds." Other enhancements include support for feature Samsung's eXtensible Open Architecture (XOA) and optional wireless and NFC (Active Type) printing.

Higher-Yield Supplies
Samsung indicates that its latest A3 devices have one additional improvement over the 2012 models they replace: new consumables with significantly higher yields, resulting in lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Whereas the older CLX-9201NA, CLX-9251NA, and CLX-9301NA use toner cartridges with yields of 20,000 pages or black and 15,000 pages each for cyan, magenta, and yellow, the new MultiXpress X4300LX series uses the new CLT-K808S black toner that delivers 23,000 pages and the CLT-C808S cyan, CLT-M808S magenta, and CLT-Y808S yellow toner cartridges, rated at 20,000 pages apiece. Other required consumables on the new color units are the CLT-R808 imaging unit, rated at 100,000 pages, and the CLT-W808 waste-toner bottle with a yield of 33,500 pages. Samsung declined to provide manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs) for consumables, saying pricing is set by dealers.

Similarly, while the SCX-8123NA/8128NA-NX took a 25,000-page toner cartridge, the new MultiXpress K4300LX series takes either the 25,000-page MLT-D708S toner or a higher-yield, 35,000-page cartridge, the MLT-D708L. Other consumables include the 200,000-page MLT-D708L imaging unit and the 100,000-page MLT-W708 waste-toner bottle.

Like the previous models, the new A3 devices use Samsung's chemically produced polymerized toner.

A4 M5370LX
Along with these A3 devices, Samsung introduced the MultiXpress M5370LX, a high-speed (55 ppm) A4 monochrome MFP. We believe Xerox used the same Samsung engine employed in the new M5370LX in its new WorkCentre 4265 series.

Samsung tells us that the MultiXpress M5370LX is an addition to the company's lineup, but it may in time replace the SCX-6555N-NX models noted earlier, as well as the SCX-6645N. The M5370LX offers similar improvements over these older Samsung devices that the A3 mono and color machines did over their predecessors. The machine has an MSRP of $5,553.99.

The M5370LX uses new consumables including the MLT-D358S black toner cartridge with a yield of 30,000 pages and the MLT-R358 imaging unit, which rated at 100,000 pages. Again, Samsung did not provide supplies pricing as the MuliXpress M5370LX will be sold through its dealer channel.

Source: Actionable Intelligence

Forget Me Not Day 2014

New Inkjet Printers Print Onto Glass

Wide-format OEM Durst has produced a machine that prints inkjet directly onto glass.

ProPrint reported on the release of the Rho Vetrocer wide-format glass printer from Durst, which was launched at the Glasstec 2014 event in October, and which was launched at the Glasstec 2014 event in October, and which applies ceramic ink "directly to the glass without the need for a pricey metal screen for each color". The machine is available in three models – the Basic, Presto and HS.

The news outlet stated that this machine is among a number that are "encroaching on one of the last remaining screen printing territories" by "binding ink directly to the glass at what proponents say is a lower cost". Durst meanwhile noted that the machine "will make printed decorative glass more affordable for printers looking for extra revenue streams".

The aforementioned screen printing process, which is usually used for glass printing, requires each color to be printed onto glass followed by "drying or baking before the next is applied", and, "runs the risk of the second or third colors printing out of register due to a change in the material after tempering".

In contrast, the Vetrocer "binds the ink to the glass permanently" through a baking process "inside an external oven" at temperatures between 680 and 700°C – this means the ink "becomes part of the glass", and Durst states that it is capable of small to large volume jobs "without the need to replace templates", though a washing and drying unit is required to "clean out dust, grease, fingerprints, zinc and packaging".

Widths of 2,500 millimetres are supported, with a 3,300 millimetres version being worked on, and print resolution of 80 dpi is available. Mirrored printheads are used "to prevent color shifts and banding", and the three models – Basic, Presto and HS – feature speeds of 25 square-metresan hour, 55 sqm an hour and 105 sqm an hour, while transport belts, a baking oven and a loading and swivelling table are also available from Durst "to create a full line".

The news site commented that "the technology will open creative opportunities for architects and designers as well as commercial printers – who have the printing know-how, Photoshop and color management skills to capitalize on a market that is growing in Europe, and is likely to hit Australia in the near future".

Source: The Recycler

HP cartridge achieves record-breaking print-out

One million digits of mathematical constant Pi printed using just one HP 8 ml ink cartridge.

PIworld.com reported that a record was broken after YouTube channel Numberphile partnered with HP Specialty Printing Systems' Denmark-based OEM customer HAS Systems in a print project, which saw one million digits of the mathematical constant Pi printed on a single roll of brown 70 gsm Kraft paper using only one HP Durable Black ink cartridge.

The print was "powered by HP Thermal Inkjet 2.5 technology", with the digits printed at HAS Systems' facility in Denmark in eight-point Courier New font. The digits took just over 48 minutes to print, and once completed, the print-out was rolled-out at a UK airfield, measuring 1.052 miles.

Brady Haran, filmmaker and video journalist at Numberphile, said: "HP ink withstood challenging UK weather conditions like wind, rain and mist, and the last digit was printed as clear as the first one this is a remarkable proof point for the reliability, consistency and efficiency of original HP inks."

The article states that the project has been "rated as a world record by an independent mathematical professor", and has submitted an application for the Guinness Book of World Records.

Source: The Recycler