Konica Minolta Business Solutions has announced that it will be one of the first digital imaging manufacturers to support the XML Paper Specification (XPS) file format and Web Services on Devices (WSD) on the bizhub C550 and C451 and all next-generation bizhub multifunctional peripherals (MFPs).
XPS is a new Microsoft Windows Vista file format that allows the user to more accurately and more productively reproduce the layout and colour of the original document on the printed image. Future bizhubs will contain a native XPS interpreter, designed and developed by Konica Minolta, as an extension of the Konica Minolta Emperon print technology, to take full advantage of this new document format.
WSD, Microsoft's new Windows Vista protocol, makes it possible to deliver improved network connectivity, allowing the user to search and install MFPs and print devices more easily. In addition, the technology provides an optimised user experience for sending and receiving documents on the network.
Both the XPS file format and WSD protocols are part of the Windows Vista operating system. The new XPS file format is supported in the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. For the past two years, Konica Minolta has been working closely with Microsoft to ensure that its award-winning bizhub MFPs support both the XPS file format and WSD protocols so that customers will enjoy lower cost and higher quality MFP deployments.
"Our close integration with Windows Vista is key to our commitment to providing the optimal user experience that comes from using a Microsoft certified integration strategy." says Olaf Lorenz, General Manager, Product Marketing Division for Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. Vista users can now replicate their incredible on-screen experience in hard-copy.
"Windows Vista creates a print platform for next generation workflows and XPS is one example of how we are providing a more intuitive and productive experience for customers," said Madelyn Bryant McIntire, Group Program Manager in the Windows Experience group at Microsoft Corp. "Konica Minoltas new bizhub products will enable our mutual customers to better print, share and archive documents - all in a more secure environment."
In addition, Konica Minolta has confirmed its support for the new Windows Vista operating system by providing compatible printer drivers for a broad range of existing colour and monochrome bizhub MFPs.
The new printer drivers are now built into the Windows Vista operating system. The drivers support the next generation of bizhub products, as well as legacy Konica Minolta MFPs. Additionally, drivers for newer products and updates for the current product line will be provided in stages.
Support for XPS and WSD is already available on the bizhub C550 and bizhub C451 and on all next generation bizhub MFPs.
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH is a leading provider of image information products with subsidiaries and distributors in more than 50 countries in the EMEA region. The company places major emphasis on the document management and solution business in the office and production environment, especially in the field of colour output as well as related supplies. Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is a subsidiary of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. With a total workforce of 19,800 employees world wide, Konica Minolta Business Technologies gained a net sales of over 4.42 billion Euros in fiscal 2005/2006. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years as a printer and camera manufacturer, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.
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