LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. & FOSTER CITY, Calif.- Aug. 13, 2001-- Canon U.S.A., Inc., the leading provider of networked digital copier/printer solutions, and Electronics for Imaging Inc. (EFI), the world leader in enabling networked printing solutions, announced today the availability of a new print controller option for the Canon imageRUNNER 8500. The new solution, known as the Canon imagePASS-M1 Print Controller, is specifically designed to handle true Adobe PostScript 3 files, large complex graphics, and variable data output commonly associated with high-volume, black-and-white printing. Co-engineered by Canon and EFI, the imagePASS-M1 features an Intel Pentium III 500 MHz processor, a 10.2 GB hard disk drive for job spooling and font storage, and 128 MB of DIMM memory standard, all to enhance multi-tasking capability while minimizing network traffic and bottlenecks. The unit also supports 10/100 Ethernet connectivity through two interfaces. This enables the imagePASS-M1 to be accessed through the user network, and/or a "private'' network between the controller and the imageRUNNER 8500. "We are pleased to continue our successful relationship with EFI by bringing the imagePASS-M1 controller to market,'' said Dennis Amorosano, director of Marketing, Canon U.S.A. Copier and Networked Office Systems Division. "By leveraging the latest EFI technology incorporated in the imagePASS-M1, Canon imageRUNNER 8500 users will benefit from improved job throughput, extensive job management, and commonality with other Canon imageRUNNER and CLC systems targeting commercial printers, Print-for-Pay, and corporate CRDs.'' "EFI and Canon have partnered again to develop a state of the art, high speed, high quality solution for the production printing market,'' said Bernie Lepore, director of Sales for EFI. "The Fiery X3 controller which underpins the imagePASS-M1is another example of EFI technology leadership, offering great solutions to help Canon deliver high quality printing results to their customers.'' The imageRUNNER 8500 is an 85 page-per-minute digital copier with optional network print and/or scan capabilities, and is targeted to high-volume document production environments, including Print On Demand, Central Reprographic Departments (CRD), Print-for-Pay, and corporate departmental applications. With a monthly print volume of up to 400,000 impressions, and 600 x 600 dots-per-inch (dpi) and 256 grayscale resolution, the unit can be equipped to offer single and multi-position stapling of up to 100 sheets, automatic 2/3 hole punching, automatic saddle-stitch booklet making, and support for Z-folding and document insertion via additional accessories. Through a number of job management, document editing, and throughput enhancing features, the imagePASS-M1 offers a host of Fiery technologies developed by EFI, including: Fiery Downloader - A utility that allows a user to send PCL, PostScript, Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), Portable Document Format (PDF) and TIFF files directly to the Canon imagePASS-M1 without using the application they were created in. Web Tools - A utility that offers users access to many PostScript functions via the Internet or a company's intranet for added remote management capability. This includes viewing and controlling job status (direct, print, hold), and Canon imagePASS-M1 and Canon imageRUNNER 8500 functions. The ability to change the configuration of the controller remotely with a password is also possible. Fiery Link - A Java application that supplies information on print queue activity and the status of available printing resources. The Canon imagePASS-M1 also comes with EFI's Command Workstation, which is an intuitive, graphical user interface (GUI) for managing jobs, print queues, and workflow from a centralized location. This is ideal for high-volume environments that require a considerable level of device control and efficiency. Command Workstation supports up to 5 EFI controllers in the same view, which makes it easy to move jobs from one machine to another. The DocBuilder utility within Command Workstation allows an end-user to open a thumbnail view of any held PostScript or raster data job and perform electronic collation and document merging. Command Workstation also contains Freeform for variable data printing, which combines a set of common master elements of a document with a set of variable elements that change from copy to copy. For example, this application would commonly be used for direct and targeted mailings that require that each document be customized. Pricing and Availability The Canon imagePASS-M1 for the imageRUNNER 8500 is available today through Authorized Canon U.S.A. Dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations at a suggested retail price of $7,950. The imageRUNNER 8500 is available today through Authorized Canon Dealers and Canon Business Solutions locations and has a base suggested retail price of $39,000.