RAMSEY, N.J., Jan. 6 -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. today announced the availability of the KIP 3000 wide format, digital copier/network printer/scan-to-file system from KIP. The flexible and adaptable KIP 3000 system has been designed to exceed the expectations of a wide-variety of decentralized print environments and to grow with a business' changing demands. Businesses can instantly add printing and scanning functionality to the system's digital copier foundation with software key codes available through the KIP 3000's Image Processing System (IPS). The KIP 3000 multifunctional system is ideal for businesses in the engineering, architectural, print-for-pay, manufacturing, utility, and government sectors, in which blueprints and/or architectural drawings are highly utilized. Clear and effective wide format technical communications has never been easier than with the KIP 3000, featuring: an intelligent, touch- screen operator panel with intuitive, user-friendly menus; a fully integrated one or two media roll capacity that can be easily upgraded from the field; four 'D' size per minute copy/print speed; the ability to reproduce up to 36" x 11.75' documents at true 600 x 600 dpi resolution; an integrated front stacker or an optional rear KIP stacking system; KIP High Definition Print (HDP) Plus Technology; and a compact footprint for space efficiency. "The rapid expansion of decentralized printing, especially among wide format users, has created a high demand for multifunctional systems that can grow as a business develops. The decentralized printing environment has also spurred a greater number of casual users, while key operators are disappearing," said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, product planning and development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "The KIP 3000 system caters to this market with its intelligent, easy-to-use touch screen control panel that provides for all system functions, its expense management capabilities, its remote printing functionality, and its system security features. For these reasons, we have decided to offer this top-quality technology to our wide format business customers, who require a flexible, adaptable, high-quality imaging solution for their large document needs." KIP HDP Plus Technology Copies, prints or scans benefit from the KIP HDP Plus Technology. This technology allows the KIP 3000 to reproduce the full spectrum of technical, engineering and architectural documents with unmatched accuracy. An innovative approach, the KIP HDP Plus Technology has set the benchmark for wide format, technical print quality, with its exceptionally crisp fine line detail, solid blacks, and distinctive, consistent grayscales. Additionally, its 100 percent efficient toner system provides clean, environmentally friendly operation. Advanced Usage Tracking The KIP 3000 comes network ready, providing integration with Windows(R), Unix and Novell network environments. This feature enables the KIP 3000's IPS to deliver activity reports detailing product use for accounting purposes. Accounting information can be recorded and tracked from the touch screen. Collated sets can be copied, precious jobs can be recalled, and the system is password protected for security. An integrated authorization system can also be activated for the KIP 3000, which requires each user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) before utilizing the device. Operational security levels can be set for each user, department or project. KIP 3000 Network Printing -- KIP Request(R) Software The KIP 3000, with network printing, features the easy-to-use KIP Request software application (Vector and Raster file formats, and Windows and AutoCAD drivers are included), specifically designed to facilitate the needs of decentralized print environments. KIP Request provides an unlimited number of remote workstations with the power to print single documents or collated sets through the network. Print jobs are sent to the print queue with the required print size, number of copies/sets, media selection, stamping, folding and pen settings. KIP Request also provides remote users with KIP 3000 status information and remote print queue viewing and management. KIP 3000 Scan-to-File With the addition of the scan-to-file functionality, KIP 3000 users can scan large documents into a wide variety of Raster file formats, including PDF and TIFF, and automatically deliver the files to the user's destination of choice -- FTP address, personal inbox or project inbox -- without the need for additional PCs or PC components. The scan-to-file features also include selectable scan resolution, from 200-600 dpi, and scanning speeds ranging from 2.4. to 7.2. per second. Highlighted KIP 3000 Features: * Easily accessible operator panel featuring large buttons and bright touch-screen LCD display * Operator feed guides for engineering and architectural document sizes * Output speed of four 'D' size copies/prints per minute * Manual sheet bypass for single copies or specialty media * Field-upgradeable one or two roll media capacity * User selectable front or rear output stacking for up to 200 prints * KIP's HDP Plus Technology for 100 percent toner efficiency * Integrated KIP IPS for high quality imaging and fast processing * Single, integrated footprint Pricing and AvailabilityThe KIP 3000 is available through Konica Minolta's North American direct sales and authorized dealer channels. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the KIP 3000 digital copier is $13,995, the MSRP for the KIP 3000 digital copier/network printing system is $16,995, and the MSRP for the KIP 3000 digital copier/network printer/scan-to-file system is $17,995.