EFI and Ricoh Announce New-Generation Fiery Server for Aficio Color 5560 and Aficio 3260C Multifunction Products
Advanced Workflow, Color and Production Capabilities for High-volume Production Print and Precision Graphic Arts Environments
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 21 /-- Ricoh Corporation, the leading provider of digital office equipment, and EFI (NASDAQ:EFII), the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing, today announced the availability of the Fiery E-8000 color server, based on Fiery(R) System 7 and designed specifically to drive the Ricoh Aficio Color 5560 and Aficio 3260C multifunction devices. The Ricoh systems are ideal for production color and corporate reprographic department (CRD)/workgroup color environments when driven by the Fiery E-8000. The Fiery E-8000 empowers Ricoh's customers with the ultimate in printing performance, workflow control, precision color management and variable data printing (VDP) support for which the industry-leading EFI Fiery color server is renowned.
"We've had tremendous success with the Fiery E-7000, the embedded Fiery technology launched with the Aficio Color 5560 last summer. It has proven to be a terrific solution for our "power office" customers -- heavy PDF and Microsoft Office users -- as well as those in creative environments that need greater color control and RIPing performance," said Hede Nonaka, vice president of marketing, Ricoh Corporation. "And now, the advanced workflow, color and production capabilities of the Fiery E-8000 enable Ricoh to offer customers such as commercial print, print for pay, franchise, service bureau, data center, CRD, and graphics-intensive operations an optimal color solution."
The Fiery E-8000 server's modular design enables a customized solution for a wide range of users. Customers in professional print environments universally demand superior color and productivity, but each has a set of unique requirements as well. The Fiery server's robust suite of color precision and control tools make it a powerful tool for graphic arts professionals, while EFI's VDP support and advanced workflow addresses the professional environment's demanding production and quality requirements -- while maintaining superior dependability and flexibility.
The Fiery E-8000 Key Features/Highlights include:
-- EFI's multiple award-winning Fiery Command WorkStation sets the standard in centralized print job management with an intuitive interface and a variety of sophisticated, productivity-enhancing tools. In addition to being the access point to all the sophisticated capabilities of the Fiery, Command WorkStation displays all printing activity and provides the ability to readily change printing parameters and reprint jobs. Command WorkStation is available in Windows and Mac versions.
-- Advanced Production Capabilities enable the production of complex documents at the highest level of speed and accuracy, minimizing operator intervention and maximizing the full functionality of the printer finishing options. For example, the Fiery supports the tab printing capability on the Aficio Color 5560, so users can readily build a job on one device -- no need to preprint tabs and re-insert them in the job. Fiery advanced tools for job management and submission drastically shorten turnaround times by eliminating bottlenecks and repetitive workflows.
-- Improved Security -- Advanced security features in System 7 include:
-- Secure Erase to remove all traces of job data from the Fiery hard disk drive;
-- IP Filtering to control access to the printing device;
-- Port Blocking to control access to the Fiery through remote management;
-- Simple Network Management Protocol Version 3 (SNMPv3) provides the level of security required for government and large corporations and allows the Fiery administrator to prevents unauthorized users from accessing the Fiery
-- The Removable Hard Disk Drive option enables customers to lock the server drive(s) into the system for normal operation and to remove the drives to a secure location after powering down the server.
-- The Industry's Most Advanced Workflow -- the Fiery E-8000 provides a highly flexible workflow that is WYSIWYG and consistent, whether the job is VDP or non-VDP.
-- Spot-On(R) Precision Color Matching with Substitute Color accurately reproduces named and custom colors, and modifies spot color values to achieve color matching with pinpoint precision.
-- EFI Hot Folders improves productivity by simplifying the printing of PostScript and PDF files into a select, drag, and drop process. Once users create Hot Folders with different printing and finishing parameters, files are printed without opening an application or print driver menu.
-- EFI BookletMaker -- Driver-based, comprehensive booklet imposition.
-- Graphic Arts Package, Premium Edition -- This suite of applications enables superior color quality. Easily integrating into existing graphic arts workflows, the Graphic Arts Package, Premium Edition, utilizes the most advanced tools for color proofing and control. Premium power tools include Image Viewer, which offers a fast, accurate soft-proofing interface that zooms to the halftone dot level
-- users can choose to view the job or export a PDF for easy collaboration; file converters for Hot Folders to streamline job submission from other graphic arts workflows; advanced trapping settings; and control bars and post-flight reports for more sophisticated trouble-shooting and controlling output.
-- Variable Data Printing -- Enabling customers to efficiently create customized marketing campaigns, the EFI VDP solution is open, flexible, scaleable, and includes the most comprehensive, proven range of VDP languages -- Fiery FreeForm, industry standard PPML, and a host of legacy proprietary languages. The EFI VDP solution provides seamless integration into existing variable data workflows and ensures consistency regardless of whether the job is VDP or non-VDP.
-- EFI Impose, Fiery Edition is a WYSIWYG client/server-based imposition application that enables entire documents to be imposed, edited and assembled quickly, before RIPing the files. Providing the unique ability to create an unlimited number of new custom imposition templates, this feature is independent of platform, application and file format, and supports a wide variety of source documents, including all VDP languages.
-- The Fiery Advanced Controller Interface a system dedicated to running Command WorkStation, is ideal for operator-centric workflows.
-- Seamless integration with EFI SendMe(R) document capture and distribution solution.
"We've worked with Ricoh for many years, providing the Fiery solutions that support their leadership position in the office market -- and we're delighted to collaborate on the E-8000 and leverage the next-generation Fiery System 7 capabilities to support Ricoh's move into the high-volume production market," said Frank Mallozzi, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "Our close collaboration gives Ricoh customers access to a superior digital color printing solution that includes the flexible workflow and advanced printing optimizing capabilities."
Availability
Ricoh systems equipped with Fiery technology are sold direct through Ricoh Business Systems and through Ricoh's network of authorized dealers.
About Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 69-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2004 sales in excess of $17 billion, a 1.9 percent increase over the previous year.
Ricoh Corporation is a leading provider of document solutions. Ricoh's fully integrated hardware and software products help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents. Ricoh's line of document management devices include, color and black & white digital imaging systems, facsimile products, printers, scanners, digital duplicators and wide format engineering systems. Additionally, Ricoh offers a wide variety of document and printing solutions directly and through strategic alliances enhancing office productivity and document workflow. Ricoh's document management software enhances workgroup collaboration and offers secure storage, retrieval and sharing of critical information.
Ricoh Corporation directly or through its subsidiaries markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America. For fiscal year 2004, Ricoh Corporation sales exceeded $2.9 billion, an increase of 6.9 percent over the previous year.
Information about Ricoh's complete range of products and services can be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.ricoh-usa.com/.
About EFI
EFI (http://www.efi.com/) is the world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and enterprise printing. EFI's award-winning technologies offer end to end, integrated document management tools from creation to print, including high fidelity color Fiery(R) print servers that can output up to 2000 ppm; superwide digital inkjet printers and UV and solvent inks capable of printing on flexible and rigid substrates; powerful print production workflow and management information software solutions for increased performance and cost efficiency; and an array of corporate printing solutions. EFI's integrated solutions connect seamlessly, delivering unbeatable performance, cost savings and increased productivity. EFI maintains 22 offices worldwide.
NOTE TO EDITORS: EFI and Fiery are registered trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. System 7 is a trademark of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and/or certain other foreign jurisdictions. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Russell Marchetta
Ricoh Corporation
973-882-2075
russell.marchetta@ricoh-usa.com
Gayle LeDoux
EFI
650-357-3938
gayle.ledoux@efi.com
