SHARP TO BEGIN SELLING NEW FRONTIER SERIES NEXT MONTH
First available units - MX-C311 31 PPM MFP and MX-C401 40 PPM MFP – deliver acclaimed Sharp performance in a stylish A4 footprint
MAHWAH, NJ, October 22, 2008 -- Sharp today announced that the first models in its new Frontier Series, the MX-C311 and the MX-C401, will begin shipping in November. The MX-C311 and MX-C401 are the first in the new line of A4 Multifunction Peripheral (MFP) and printer products that are designed to meet the needs of small and medium workgroups and bring the superior performance of Sharp technology closer to the end-user. Other models in the Frontier series will be launched throughout the fall and winter.
“The new Sharp Frontier Series of A4 MFPs and printers will bring office document products to the center of activity in the office, and help IT managers more efficiently consolidate disparate printers,” said Ed McLaughlin, President, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “The MX-C311, MX-C401, and the rest of the Frontier Series, are really beyond categorization, because they package Sharp’s unique document management and true multitasking strengths in an MFP that is easy to use and so much more attractive as the centerpiece of a data-intensive office. I expect the Frontier Series to eventually change the way we view MFPs entirely.”
The new MX-C311 and MX-C401 feature digital color copier, printer and scanner capabilities in a single MFP. Each is designed with a brilliant 8.5 inch (diagonal) WVGA Color Touch panel display for easy navigation in IT-oriented workflow intensive environments. The MX-C311 can print up to 31 pages per minute in color and up to 31 pages per minute mono copy and print. The MX-C401 can print up to 40 pages per minute in color and up to 40 pages per minute mono copy and print. Both units can produce up to 35 images per minute for color scanning, and both units accommodate up to legal-size paper.
The distinctive design of the MX-C311 and MX-C401 complements the contemporary office setting. Sharp has given each model in the Frontier Series a stylish, textural exterior with sleek body lines, chrome accents, and a brilliant color display. A space-saving and “wingless” inner staple finisher keeps the profile sleek and compact, creating a footprint that’s the smallest in its class, enabling it to fit in to spaces a traditional MFP cannot.
Customizable Business Solutions with Sharp OSA® Technology
The MX-C311 and MX-C401 support the new third generation of the Sharp OSA® development platform, turning the product into a gateway for document-based business communications by integrating the devices with network-based applications. Sharp OSA® technology enables dealers and developers to create fully networked and customized document solutions to meet virtually any business need. With Sharp OSA® technology, businesses can securely connect devices with a wide range of enterprise applications, including document management applications, reporting functions and internally developed programs. No other A4 MFP offers this level of connectivity.
Sharp OSA® technology can leverage the widescreen display of the MX-C311 and MX-C401 to provide enhanced flexibility, easier viewing through advanced controls, and play back of flash clips to enhance the user experience. Users will find this makes accessing an application from an MFP a similar experience to using a workstation, minimizing steps and time to complete tasks.
Remote Access Capabilities
Both the MX-C311 and MX-C401 include Sharp’s newest developments in device management, with a Remote Front Panel printer administration utility (PAU version 5.0) that provides the IT administrator or helpdesk professional with the ability to see exactly what the end-user is seeing. They can remotely change settings, show the user how to perform a function, or diagnose and often rectify problems without deploying a technician to the device. This unique MFP capability dramatically reduces unit downtime and service expenses.
Network Security
The award-winning Sharp Security Suite is standard on MX-C311 and MX-C401 models. This means each model meets the requirements set forth in the IEEE-2600-2008 standard, as well as IPv6. The Sharp Security Suite can be enhanced through data security kits that protect document data using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption and secure data erase, which can overwrite the hard drive up to seven times. The units also offer several layers of added security such as IP/MAC address filtering, SSL Encryption, and IPsec (IP Security) protection. They also offer local and network user authentication to ensure only authorized access to the devices.
Best of Breed Supply System
With an eye towards efficiency, Sharp has created a unique Best of Breed Supply System that virtually eliminates downtime needed to replenish supplies, and lowers the cost of ownership for the customer. Like traditional printer-based products, each supply item is designed to be quickly and easily replaced. No tools are required and each cartridge is color coded and keyed, for simple and quick user replacement with no mess and no downtime. To further reduce downtime and service labor expense, other maintenance items, such as its primary transfer belt unit, secondary transfer roller unit, fuser, paper feed rollers and document feed rollers are all designed for quick, tool-free replacement.
Dedicated My Sharp™ Support
The MX-C311 and MX-C401 come with My Sharp support, a dedicated website that provides 24/7 support and training tools to help maximize the features of the new document systems. Customers visit their personalized My Sharp page to see more than 50 Web demonstrations that walk the user through typical and not-so-typical product usage and service questions. My Sharp also provides online access to user manuals and supply information so customers can get the information they need anytime with a few simple keystrokes. With Sharp OSA® technology, customers will be able to access My Sharp right on the MFP’s front panel, making it easier than ever before for users to get the most out of these powerful workgroup document systems.
From Superior Process Comes Superior Product
All of the models in Sharp’s new Frontier line are the result of Sharp’s unique approach to designing and building office products, thinking and acting differently from any other vendor. The company employs a global product development process in which management, business development, R&D, product development, marketing, manufacturing, training and customer service teams all work collaboratively during each stage of the product development process. This gives Sharp a 360-degree view of the MFP market, allowing the company to form a common platform strategy in which the core components of Sharp’s product line are designed, developed and manufactured together. Components, software and processes are engineered to be shared across engine platforms, making Sharp’s products “look and act” similarly across virtually all segments of the market. This makes Sharp workgroup MFPs and printers easier to operate, maintain, and sell. It also gives Sharp the unique ability to launch complete product lines in compressed timeframes.
The culmination of this approach is a line of award winning products universally praised for exceptional reliability and superior performance. Sharp is leveraging this proven formula in its new A4 line, giving it a combination of unique Sharp features and functionality that are not available in any other line in this class. For example, the new line leverages the same next generation multi-tasking MFP controller technology as other Sharp product offerings. This common controller architecture provides a uniform user experience across Sharp’s MFP products, ensuring consistency and enhancing productivity.
The MX-C311, MX-C401, and all Frontier models with the MX designation, will be available exclusively via authorized Sharp dealers and direct sales. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, NJ 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP.
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