As part of its push into the business solutions market, Konica Minolta has launched the bizhub Pro 920 and introduced the IC-301 Image Controller for the bizhub Pro C500.
Designed for high volume, high speed usage in large offices and CRD (central reprographic departments) environments, the bizhub Pro 920 is a high volume system with a throughput speed of 92 A4 prints per minute.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions product marketing manager, David Procter, says the bizhub Pro 920 has been designed specifically for the demanding needs of the dedicated in-house central reprographic department and copyshop.
”These environments not only require high performance, but also reliability and outstanding service. The bizhub PRO 920’s rugged construction and throughput capacity means optimum performance in ‘mission critical’ applications is assured,” says Procter.
The Pro 920 is due to be released in the next two weeks, but Procter says the first shipment has already been sold.
“Because we are a few weeks behind Europe, there has been a fair bit of interest as people have watched closely on the net how well it’s been received overseas,” he explains.
Print speed for A3 production is 54 sheets a minute and the bizhub Pro can print onto paper up to A3+ (314 by 460mm maximum) in size and to a maximum weight of 200gsm.
Featuring 600 by 600 dpi print and copy resolution (1200 by 600 dpi emulation) with 256 grayscale levels, the bizhub PRO 920 produces clear text, sharp edges and smooth halftones.
Konica Minolta has also released the Creo IC-301 Image Controller to drive the bizhub PRO C500 colour production printing system. The IC-301 was co-developed by the two companies and leverages Creo’s powerful digital print technology, resulting in a workflow solution that features lightning-fast RIP speeds and maximum flexibility.
Based on proprietary Creo technology, the IC-301 offers extensive document printing capabilities, sophisticated workflow and colour management tools, variable data support, and a connection to Creo’s powerful graphic arts solution. With the launch of the IC-301, Konica Minolta now offers users the option of four image controllers for the bizhub PRO C500, an embedded controller (IP-921) and a choice of two external controllers.
“The bizhub PRO C500 is a high-end, versatile device for companies that generate a large volume of colour documents. However, the complexity and variety of these documents greatly differ amongst users,” explains Procter. “We are introducing the IC-301 to help our customers best match the functionality of their image controller with their printing needs.
“Partnering with Creo to develop this image controller further diversifies our offering and continues our commitment to join with leading technology companies in the development of top-of-the-line, customer-centric imaging solutions. This will allow us to play in a market that has been traditionally unavailable to us. Customers who have preferred a Creo ‘front end’ now have an alternative option to consider.”
The final icing on bizhub’s cake was an award given to the bizhub PRO 1050 digital print production system.
Designed for high volume digital production environments, the bizhub PRO 1050 was awarded ‘Outstanding Segment 6 Multifunction Imaging Systems’ status by the prestigious Buyers Laboratory Incorporated (BLI) in the US.
The product offers a huge range of finishing options, as well as printing at a speed of up to 6300 impressions an hour (105 sheets per minute). With its production performance, robust reliability and finishing flexibility, the bizhub PRO 1050 is ideally suited for commercial print, CRD and print-for-pay environments.
Procter says the bizhub PRO 1050 is rapidly establishing an outstanding reputation in the print industry for productivity coupled with reliability which is exactly what the commercial print sector demands. “This resounding endorsement from the highly respected Buyers Laboratory gives prospective customers an independent assurance of the quality and reliability of the bizhub PRO 1050,” he says.
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