Inkjet Wholesale News aims to provide updates on the latest significant occurrences in the field of printing. Whether it’s the launch of a new technology or volatility of market prices, we’ll be here to give you the lowdown on what happened, when it happened, and what it means!
OEM Introduces Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System
The Océ series of printer models is one of the most important when it comes to the product catalogue of Canon. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has been very focused on this series and boasts of a wide variety of sub-series within this brand. More importantly, its focus has also resulted in new models being launched at regular intervals under this series. Last year in October, Canon had launched the fastest Océ ColorWave printers. That launch was followed by the introduction of the Canon Océ Arizona 1200 Flatbed printers in February of this year and the Canon Océ PlotWave 450 Print System a few months back in June.
In recent times, the OEM has been focusing on its PlotWave series. The last launch from Canon was for an Océ PlotWave print system and the latest release from the OEM is also for an Océ PlotWave. This time out the OEM has released the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System, a more advanced model of the Canon Océ PlotWave 450 Print System. The Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System is a large format monochrome printing system that falls under the formal category of wide-format printing systems.
This printing system is designed for users in the print service, Computer Aided Design (CAD), manufacturing, and Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industries. Compared to the Canon Océ PlotWave 450 Print System, the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System is supposed to cater to even larger copy shops and workgroups. Like the 450, the 550 also specialises in document security when it comes to technical document management. Essentially, Canon has tried to give users greater control over the printing environment with new security features.
For example, with Access Management License, users can control access to printing and scanning functions of the printing systems by way of requiring user authentication. This authentication can be provided through either logging in credentials or Smart Cards since the printing systems are equipped with Smart Card readers. Furthermore, data either printed or scanned is kept secure on the hard disk of the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System controller. This is done through Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Disk Encryption Licence, both of which are based on BitLocker Drive Encryption Technology from Microsoft Windows. In case, you’re interested in more specifics, the BitLocker functionality and TPM are validated on the basis of FIPS 140 – 2 Level 1.
The Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System is based on the OEM’s Océ Radiant Fusing technology. The incorporation of this technology means that this print system can spit out the first print within 30 seconds, even if it was in the sleep mode. Canon has also provided users with the ability to standardise their processes by providing Scan Templates. The print speed of the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System is also significant since it can manage 10 D size A1 sheets per minute.
The OEM actually compared the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System with the Océ PlotWave 450, bringing attention to the fact that both the systems have been designed with the “busy professional” in mind. According to the OEM, the 550 Print System comes with the Océ Clear Connect touchscreen that actually simplified the learning curve for operators because it functions like a generic tablet. The software in the Canon Océ PlotWave 550 Print System can be improved with the optional Océ Publisher Select 2, which is a job submission software solution based on Microsoft Windows.
Another feature designed to save time and, on occasion even costs, is the “What You See is What You Print” preview feature. This feature will allow users to pinpoint errors and flaws in the image before the final order to print is given. Other features worth mentioning include the Océ Image Logic designed to counter wrinkles in the paper while copying or scanning images
Xerox Upgrades Its C60 and C70 Printers on Feedback from Users
For many consumers in the printing industry, nothing is more important than an OEM that listens to their feedback and implements it in future products. By this criterion, Xerox has been winning many hearts since it has decided to upgrade its lauded C60 and C70 printers on the basis of feedback from their users.
The most significant of the changes is the range of media accepted by the printers in question. The Xerox C60 and C70 printers could earlier only handle media up to a maximum autoduplex weight of 220gsm and a minimum weight of 64gsm. Now, they can manage media with a maximum autoduplex weight of 256gsm and a minimum weight of 60gsm. In addition to this, the OEM has made other smaller changes to ensure greater functionality and versatility for users of its devices.
For instance, Xerox now provides a Paper Catalogue, the Simple Image Quality Adjustment (SIQA), the Xerox FreeFlow print server, and the EFI Fiery NX station. The purpose of the Paper Catalogue is to provide users with an online library that contains all the attributes of various substrates. The SIQA is a software adjustment tool that provides special support for difficult print tasks and maintains registration.
The job of the Xerox FreeFlow print server is to diversify what the Xerox C60 and C70 devices are capable of doing through introducing new production colour management tools into the mix. Finally, the EFI Fiery NX station is a new workstation that offers a larger screen and wireless control mechanisms while occupying a smaller footprint.
While announcing the new upgrades, Xerox also revealed that the upgraded models have already been made available to new users while upgrades have been offered to the users of older models. One of the more notable things is that the upgraded Xerox C60 and C70 printer models aren’t more expensive than the traditional ones. However, older users may have to a little extra for some of the new features.
When asked about the upgrades, Xerox’s European Business Manager, Anna Askels said that they’ve tried to incorporate “customer input and feedback”. Supposedly, customers have been telling the OEM that they need “more media latitude” and greater tools for improving “quality and workflow”. Askels also specified that further upgrades can be expected on these printer models by the first quarter of the next fiscal. One of the expected upgrades is the extension of these printers’ punch capabilities, which will see them go from A5 to SRA3 sheet sizes.
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