OKI Europe Expands SMB Printer Range as Part of Its 'Print Smart' Growth Strategy


Improved product performance plays central role in mid-term plan to double printer unit sales within EMEA in the mid term

Egham, UK: OKI Europe has extended its existing range of commercial print output devices, as part of the company's plan to provide tailored solutions for all its target customers, from the smallest one-person start-ups to larger businesses employing several hundred staff.

The product development programme forms a central part of the mid-term strategy to double printer unit sales within EMEA. This comprehensive plan includes a new range of entry-level products targeted at the micro-business sector, as well as new and upgraded colour and mono products for its core SMB customer base.

"In Europe, our success has been built on our exclusive focus on and unrivalled understanding of the SMB market," confirms Terry Laidlaw, OKI Europe's managing director. "Today, this business opportunity is stronger than ever. According to the latest European Community analysis, more than 99% of the 21 million enterprises active in the EU are SMBs, defined as those businesses employing up to 250 employees. And these also make up more than two-thirds of the region's workforce."

Multi-function products (MFPs)

OKI is extending its comprehensive portfolio of A3 and A4 colour and mono MFPs, a sector in which the company is especially strong. "According to industry analyst, IDC, MFPs are currently outperforming the overall market," says Laidlaw. "This is no surprise, as the ability to provide a range of key office functions within a single compact, robust and cost-effective device makes MFPs highly attractive to SMBs and workgroups where space and budgets are under intense pressure."

o Colour MFPs

The latest A4 colour MFPs - MC352dn/MC362dn/MC562dn - provide a typical example of how OKI is raising the bar in terms of performance and reduced energy consumption in this key sector.

A selection of software utilities are available, with added functionality, control and efficiencies for SMBs and workgroups.

o Mono MFPs

The MB461 (three-in-one print/copy/scan) and MB471 (four-in-one print/copy/scan/fax) products incorporate productivity improvements such as faster print speeds and faster time to print.

Similarly, duplex is standard and it is also possible to scan or fax double-sided documents in the reverse automatic document feeder (RADF). The MB471w also offers a wireless connectivity option so that it can be placed anywhere in the office without the need for network ports.

Single-function products (SFPs)

The new C331dn, C511dn and C531dn A4 colour SFPs combine fast print speeds, high print quality and low running costs with strong B2B specification, including duplex, PCL and network capability. They include high consumables yield and a power management function, to automatically shut down when the device has not been in use for a certain duration.

The complete OKI product range is underpinned by the company's unique proprietary LED technology and comes with a three-year warranty, which gives SMBs peace of mind and confidence in the robustness and reliability of their OKI device.

"With the majority of our products either new or upgraded, this is the most comprehensive revision of our portfolio for many years," confirms Laidlaw. "Working closely with our channel partners to identify the evolving needs of SMBs, these products respond directly to the growing demand to achieve more with less.

"As a result, we are confident that we can now offer a product to suit the changing needs of any size business. Backed by our unrivalled quality of service support, this provides the perfect springboard to achieve our aggressive growth strategy over the next three years."

About the MC352dn/MC362dn/MC562dn

Product specification/features

Type: Print/scan/copy (MC352dn), print/scan/copy/fax (MC362dn/MC562dn)

Print speed: 22/24ppm colour/mono (MC352dn/MC362dn), 26/30ppm colour/mono (MC562dn)

Paper capacity: 250 sheets (standard tray), plus 530 sheets (optional 2nd tray) (All models)

Multi-purpose tray: 100 sheets (All models)

Auto Duplex: standard (All models)

Memory: 256MB (standard), 768MB (max) (All models)

Toner capacity: 3.5K (MC352dn, MC362dn), 7K (MC562dn)

Drum capacity: 30K (mono), 20K (colour) (All models)

About the MB461/MB471/MB471W

Product specifications/features

Type: Print/scan/copy (MB461), print/scan/copy/fax (MB471, MB471w)

Print speed: 33ppm (MB461, MB471, MB471w)

First Copy Out Time (FCOT): Less than 11 seconds (All models)

Resolution: 600dpi (MB461), 1200 dpi (MB471, MB471w)

Paper capacity: 250 sheets (standard tray) plus 530 sheets (optional second tray) (All models)

Multi-purpose tray: 1 sheet manual (MB461), 100 sheets (MB471, MB471w)

LCD Display: 3.5 inch graphical LCD, 5 line display (All models)

QWERTY keyboard (MB471, MB471w)

Toner capacity: 3K, 7K (All models)

Drum capacity: 25K (All models)

Power consumption: Deep Sleep mode: Less than 3W; Auto-Off mode: Less than 0.5W

About the C331dn/C511dn/C531dn

Print specification/features

Print speed: 22/24ppm colour/mono (C331dn), 26/30ppm colour/mono (C511dn/C531dn)

Memory: 128MB (standard)/640MB (max) (C331dn), 64MB (standard/max) (C510dn), 256MB (standard)/768MB (max) (C531dn)

Auto Duplex: standard (All models)

Printer language: PCL6, PS3, SIDM (C331dn/C531dn), GDI (C511dn)

Paper capacity: 250 sheets (standard tray) plus 530 sheets (optional second tray (All models)

Multi-purpose tray: 100 sheets (All models)

Toner capacity: 3.5K (C331dn), 7K (C511dn/C531dn)

Drum capacity: 30K (mono)/20K (colour) (all models)

Power consumption: Deep Sleep mode: Less than 2.5W (C511dn), Less than 1.5W
(C331dn/C531dn); Auto-Off mode: Less than 0.5W

About OKI Europe

OKI Europe is a division of OKI Data Corporation, a global business-to-business organisation dedicated to creating professional in-house printed communications products, applications and services which are designed to increase the efficiency of today's and tomorrow's businesses. OKI Europe's annual group turnover accounts for over 50% of OKI Data Corporation's group turnover.

The company is well-established as one of Europe's leading printer brands, in terms of value and units shipped. OKI Europe's award winning, product portfolio comprises six distinct segments: Colour and mono printers, multifunctional devices, which combine printing, copying, scanning and faxing functionalities, as well as Serial Dot Matrix printers, faxes and specialty printers for point-of-sales and manufacturing. Established in 1990, today OKI Europe employs approximately 1,100 people in 21 production sites and sales offices and is represented in 60 countries throughout the EMEA region.

OKI Data Corporation is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd., established in 1881 and Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer.

Media Contacts:

OKI Europe Ltd: Pamela Ghosal: Pamela.Ghosal@okieurope.com, + 44 (0)208 2192127

Whiteoaks James Morton: jamesm@whiteoaks.co.uk, +44 (0)1252 727313

All Topics