NEC introduces four portable network projectors

NEC Display Solutions has introduced four new feature-rich projectors to supplement the renowned NP Series. The NP400, NP500, NP600 and NP500W projectors provide bright images and wired network connectivity to users who require remote monitoring and control at a value price.

The four projector models include built-in closed captioning to decode and display text information from a video for the hearing impaired, allowing users to easily communicate with all audiences.

Each projector allows for maximum brightness when there is limited lighting control, with the NP400 at 2500 lumens, NP500 at 3000 lumens, NP600 at 3500 lumens and the NP500W at 3000 lumens. The projectors are XGA native resolution, with the exception of the wide-format (WXGA) NP500W, and are ideal in classroom installations, meeting and training rooms and portable applications.

These entry-level projectors come with the following features:

• Built-in wired networking, which allows remote monitoring and control of the projector over the network
• Closed captioning, which enables users to display text information for the hearing impaired
• Powerful 7-watt audio, which provides enough sound to fill a typical classroom
• Automatic Vertical Keystone Correction, which allows the projector to be tilted up or down and still produce a square image without the need to make manual image adjustments
• Auto Power ON via RGB (15-pin) input, which eliminates the need for a remote control by automatically turning the projector on when a signal is detected
• DVI-I connector, which provides a second RGB input that is either analog or digital
  9-pin RS232 connection, which provides a standard connection type instead of a proprietary connector
• Comprehensive input/output panel
• ECO Mode technology, which increases lamp life by up to 40 percent for up to 4000 hours
  Virtual Remote with DDC/CI, which provides control of the projector without a monitoring system or remote control
• Built-in security with security bar and Kensington™ lock slot
• Lightweight at 6.6lbs
• The NP400, NP500, NP600 and NP500W come standard with a two-year limited parts and labor warranty, including a one-year/500-hour lamp warranty.

Available for October 2008 shipment, the projectors are priced at about $899, $1099, $1499 and $999, respectively.

Choosing the right printer for your office needs

Businesses often underestimate the cost of printing documents, particularly the recurring costs associated with printer consumables such as ink cartridges and printer toners.

Whether you are buying a laser printer or an inkjet printer for your office, there are some simple considerations. The most obvious ones are type of printer, printing speed, print resolution, maximum duty cycle (ie. number of prints in a month), and running costs for ink cartridges and toners.

Check out this article some basic guidelines and tips while considering buying a printer.

Ricoh to acquire Ikon Office Solutions

New York Stock Exchange-listed IKON Office Solutions has signed a definitive agreement with Japanese office automation products giant Ricoh Company Ltd to be acquired by the latter for approximately $1.6 billion in cash. This will result in significant syngeries, bringing together IKON’s sales and services capabilities with Ricoh’s engineering and manufacturing expertise. Following the acquisition, IKON will become a subsidiary of Ricoh.

The acquisition will help Ricoh, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality multifunction products, printers, fax machines and related supplies, to increase its global presence significantly.

“IKON has terrific strength in areas that complement Ricoh’s growth strategy. IKON has advanced Professional Services capabilities with a long list of satisfied large customers. IKON is respected as well for its production print sales and service expertise," said Shiro Kondo, President and CEO of Ricoh Company

Ricoh is a leading provider of digital office solutions, such as MFPs, printers, fax machines, semiconductor related products and digital cameras. IKON is one of the world’s largest independent channels for document management systems and services. The company integrates best-in-class copiers, printers and MFP technologies from leading manufacturers and document management software and systems, to deliver tailored, high-value solutions.

Canon's new laser printer factory in Vietnam to make 14.4 million printers annually

Canon Vietnam has inaugurated a new laser printer factory at the Que Vo industrial Park in the Bac Ninh province. This laser printer facility is touted to Canon's largest printer manufacturing facility with a capacity of over 14.4 million printers annually.

According to reports, this new facility will cater to almost 35% of the worldwide demand for laser printers!

Sources: Antara / Nhan Dhan

Electronic fax service Faxser provides total eco-friendly solution

FAXSER, an electronic fax service offered by Dalcom, is touted to be a 100% eco-friendly business solution. FAXSER requires little or no extra energy since it can be used on a desktop computer, laptop computer or even a handheld device.

Being an electronic fax service FAXSER eliminates the need for a fax line, fax machine, fax paper and fax inks and toners. With FAXSER, a company can get a real fax number which will be linked to the email address, so that users can send and receive faxes from the ease of a personal computer or handheld device.

The service becomes valuable because most electronic office automation products and machinery use energy and natural resources at an alarming rate. In fact, paper use draws 80 watts per office worker and costs an average of $4 billion per year. American offices purchase 4 million tons of office paper a year, and the average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper per year. Cutting down on this consumption not only reduces office costs, but helps the environment incredibly. Add to the use of paper the use of ink and ink cartridges, every 100,000 pages of paper used adds 157 lbs. for just a typical color laser printer.

Axacore introduces new fax product, Faxbridge

Axacore, a worldwide provider of fax and imaging solutions, has released FaxBridge which provides companies the benefits of a fax server with the convenience of sending and receiving faxes through traditional fax machines.

Fax servers concentrate on the electronic world, but many faxes originate from hard copy forms and signed papers. The FaxBridge product fills in the gap.

The FaxBridge plugs in between any standard fax machine and the Ethernet-based local area network (LAN). Faxes are securely transmitted to a centralized fax server or fax service provider. By transmitting faxes through the central office, companies can consolidate phone lines, eliminate the cost of analog circuits, and ensure reliable fax delivery. Because the FaxBridge communicates via HTTPS, FaxBridge devices can be used in remote and home office locations.

FaxBridge devices auto provision and do not require any remote software configuration. They are available from leading telco carriers and voice service providers.

Source: Company press release

Office Depot continues Asia expansion with alliance with Netbizz Office Supplies, Singapore

Leading global provider of office products and services, Office Depot has entered into a strategic alliance with Netbizz Office Supplies of Singapore to provide office products and services to corporate customers in Singapore. With this partnership, Netbizz Office Supplies becomes Office Depot's dedicated partner in Singapore.

The alliance should provides an efficient, integrated office products solution for business customers in Singapore with local, regional or global needs.

Among one of Singapore's largest office products and solutions providers, Netbizz Office Supplies serves over 4,000 business customers of all sizes across many industries throughout the island. The company offers a broad array of business consumables including office stationery and supplies, office technology, furniture, and breakroom products. In addition, Netbizz offers innovative services such as security systems and software, office renovation and space planning, car leasing, air conditioner servicing as well as lock and safe repair and replacement.

"Singapore is a key market for many global companies and the new relationship between Office Depot and Netbizz Office Supplies will provide a complete procurement solution for both new and existing customers," said Teddy Chung, Managing Director for Office Depot Asia. "Netbizz is a great fit for our alliance in Singapore because they share our relentless focus on taking care of business for customers, offering superior products, time-savings and value."

"Our strong position in Singapore's B2B market, combined with Office Depot's comprehensive international network, is a winning combination for business clients in the region," said Gan Hua Koon, Managing Director for Netbizz Office Supplies. "Customers will reap the benefits of our new alliance with Office Depot in terms of competitive pricing on quality products, ordering efficiency and great service for all of their business needs."

Office Depot, through its franchisees, affiliates and alliance partners serve customers throughout Asia including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The latest alliance with Netbizz Office Supplies is another milestone in the company's expansion in Asia, following its recent foray into India with joint venture partner Reliance Retail and an alliance in Hong Kong with bigboXX.com.