Konica Minolta Launches bizhub PRO C5500 Color Production Print System

RAMSEY, N.J. – September 4, 2007 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies, today introduced the bizhub™ C30PX and bizhub C30P, the first in a series of bizhub network printers designed to expand Konica Minolta’s portfolio of bizhub imaging solutions. Delivering superior print quality and fast color output at 31 pages per minute (ppm), the unveiling of the bizhub C30P series of laser printers marks the first time that all standard bizhub series equipment and advantages are available with network printers.



With the launch of the new generation of bizhub network printers, Konica Minolta offers a single comprehensive source to end-users for consumables, service and solutions. These new color laser printers in the bizhub product line complete Konica Minolta’s product offering by adding click-based printing to its full line of office solutions at a low total cost of ownership. The bizhub C30P series printers also offer the flexibility of fitting seamlessly within an MFP environment as part of mixed deployment. Building upon the successof the bizhub series, all network printers in this new model will continue to offer Konica Minolta’s advanced technology platform advantages.



“Our goal is to complete Konica Minolta’s suite of products and solutions, and provide the capability to combine them under one contract for servicing, consumables and all solutions needs,” said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, product planning and development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “This new line of printer products will offer the highest standards in value that our business partners and end-users have come to expect, including standard, on-site warranties built into the MSRP. This bizhub C30P series also delivers Konica Minolta’s advanced technology platform including the EmperonTM Print System supporting PS/PCL/PDF/XPS print protocols, and Simitri® HD (High Definition) Color Polymerized Toner, as standard on all bizhub devices.”



The bizhub C30P Series is designed to be full-color network solution ideal for small business teams as well as large workgroups in an enterprise setting. Combining ease of setup and use with professional on-demand printing, the bizhub C30P Series incorporates many innovative features such as optional staple finishing and USB flash drive direct printing.



“The bizhub C30P Series extends the legacy of innovation in color imaging by bringing this expertise to our product line of network printers,” added Kern. “The bizhub C30PX and bizhub C30P will also offer advanced innovations including technology delivering high-quality, true-to-life color documents and photos.”



bizhub C30P Series Innovations and Advancements

One of the smallest and most compact, network color laser printers in its class.
Optional Staple Finisher featuring 30-sheet stapling, job separation and offset stacking, with two output bins.
Up to two optional 500-Sheet Lower Feeders increasing input to 1,600 sheets.
USB flash drive direct printing capability supporting PDF 1.5, JPEG, and TIFF files (Hard Drive or Compact Flash Card must be installed).
PictBridge compatible via USB 1.1 Host Port.
Emperon Controller enhancements include higher processing speeds, unification of printer drivers (PCL/PS), and high quality print output.
Automatic Duplex Unit (ADU) for double-sided color printing that saves paper and space; and handles paper weights up to 24 lb. bond (standard on bizhub C30PX, and optional on bizhub C30P).


bizhub C30P Series Standard Features

High-speed printing of 31 PPM color and 37 PPM black and white.
9600 x 600 dpi-class Photo ART contone color printing with Enhanced Automatic Image Density Control (eAIDC) built-in calibration and color rendering dictionaries.
Higher image quality Simitri HD Color Polymerized Toner.
Banner printing functionality (up to 8.5” x 47.24”).
Robust printer management with the PageScope™ suite of utilities, including Net Care and Web Connection.
Web Jetadmin Plugin, allowing network management and configuration.
Cross-platform and multi-network compatible.
Exceptionally fast controller with an 866 MHz processor offering 512 MB RAM (upgradeable to 1,024 MB).
Quick setup with pre-installed supplies – 4 toner cartridges, 4 imaging units, waste toner bottle, transfer belt, and transfer roller.
Onsite warranty. Three years with bizhub C30PX, and one year with bizhub C30P.


Pricing and Availability

The bizhub C30P is available now through Konica Minolta’s North American direct sales and authorized dealer partners. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the bizhub C30PX is $2,570, and the MSRP for the bizhub C30P is $2,271.



About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. ( www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us ), a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhubTM multifunction products (MFPs); bizhub PROTM production printing systems; magicolor® desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pageproTM monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Konica Minolta also offers advanced software solutions, wide-format printers, microform digital imaging systems, and scanning systems for specialized applications.



Headquartered in Ramsey, NJ, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.



Konica Minolta Corporate Contact:

James Norberto

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

+1 201.825.4000

jnorberto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us



Konica Minolta Corporate Contact:

James Norberto

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

+1 201.825.4000

jnorberto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us



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Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub, PageScope, and Photo ART are trademarks of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. Simitri is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

RAMSEY, N.J. – September 5, 2007 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. ( Konica Minolta ), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced the availability of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for the IC-304 v1.0 Print Controller (powered by CREO) for the bizhub PRO™ C6500 color production print system . Based on CREO Color Server technology, this optional print controller offers Konica Minolta customers advanced features for productivity, high-quality image and color control, VDP support and ease-of-use. SP2 supports both the entry-level and production versions of the award-winning bizhub PRO C6500.



With the addition of SP2, the IC-304 Print Controller now supports additional paper feed and finishing options on the bizhub PRO C6500 including:

-- LU-202 Large Capacity Tray

-- SD-501 Saddle Stitch Finisher + FS-503 100-sheet Stapling Finisher

-- FD-501 Multi-folding Finisher + SD-501 + FS-503

-- New FS-520 compact 50-sheet Stapling Finisher



The SP2 for the IC-304 v1.0 features enhanced color support with improved color calibration and support for the GretagMacbeth® Eye-One® Spectrophotometer. The IC-304 Print Controller also introduces greater productivity with printing SRA3 and SRA4 page sizes that can be output to the main tray. This allows longer and continuous runs when using those sizes, due to the higher capacity of the main tray.



“Working with the Print On-Demand Solutions Group to deliver the CREO-powered IC-304 Image Controller supports Konica Minolta’s objective of delivering unsurpassed system performance and innovation,“ said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, product planning and development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “Customers who choose the optional IC-304 will benefit from a wealth of powerful CREO capabilities that deliver greater productivity, efficiency and profitability.”



High Performance and Stability

The IC-304 Print Controller is designed to streamline the print production workflow and enable Konica Minolta customers to significantly increase their productivity. The optional IC-304 Print Controller is a stable, fast and reliable color server that prints jobs seamlessly on deadline. Its high performance and user-friendly workflow increases printer productivity and throughput, maximizes printer uptime, and decreases faults and costs.


Outstanding Color and Image Quality

The IC-304 Print Controller, custom-made for the bizhub PRO C6500 color production print system, supports Konica Minolta’s patented Simitri® HD Polymerized Toner, enabling the maximum color gamut and spectacular results. The IC-304 features superior default color settings and advanced color-management tools. With easy color calibration, the ability to make last-minute color corrections, spot-color editing and gradation corrections without re-RIPing, the IC-304 is an ideal option for bizhub PRO C6500 users who want offset-like print quality.



Bridging the Gap between Offset and Digital Printing

Using JDF-based connectivity, the IC-304 Controller offers a single workflow for both traditional offset and digital printing. This enables error-free integration for higher productivity, lower costs and increased profitability. The IC-304 integrates easily with leading offset printing workflows including Konica Minolta’s Printgroove Production Workflow Software, KODAK PRINERGY and KODAK BRISQUE Workflow Systems and other workflows through the Print On-Demand Solutions (PODS) group Workflow Partnership Program.



Optimized VDP Support for High Profit Margins

The architecture of the IC-304 Print Controller was designed to leverage comprehensive variable data printing (VDP) solutions for efficient processing of the most complex variable data jobs for one-to-one marketing. The unique Gallop mode accelerates the process by allowing the printing of a long VDP job to start while the job is still RIPing. Each element is RIPed only once but can be reused many times. The server provides full VDP functionality, including imposition. It supports all leading VDP formats including PPML, Optimized PDF, Optimized PostScript and VPS (Variable Print Specification).



See the bizhub PRO C6500, featuring the IC-304 Controller with Service Pack 2, in action at the 2007 GRAPH EXPO® in Konica Minolta’s booth (# 4436) from September 9-12, 2007.



About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. ( www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us ), a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhubTM multifunctional products (MFPs); bizhub PROTM production printing systems; magicolor® desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pageproTM monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Konica Minolta also offers advanced software solutions, wide-format printers, microform digital imaging systems, and scanning systems for specialized applications.



Headquartered in Ramsey, NJ, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.



About the Print On-Demand Solutions Group

The Print On-Demand Solutions group is an independent unit within Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group that develops and supports high-performance CREO Digital Color Servers for a range of digital printers and presses. It also develops advanced on-demand applications to enable the creation of personalized direct mail, targeted catalogs, and other powerful one-to-one marketing communications tools. For additional information about the Print On-Demand Solutions group, go to: www.pod-wf.com



Konica Minolta Corporate Contact:

James Norberto

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

+1 201.825.4000

jnorberto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us



Konica Minolta Media Contact:

Rachel Reed

Lois Paul and Partners

1-781-782-5785

Rachel_reed@lpp.com



PODS Corporate Contact:

Mooki Talby

Print On-Demand Solutions Group

+1 551.404.7919

mooki.talby@pod-wf.com