MAHWAH, N.J., – Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today announced the availability of three next-generation color workgroup series MFPs: the MX-4100N, MX-4101N, and MX-5001N.  This is the second family of high-quality document systems to include Sharp’s award-winning, retractable keyboard as a standard feature.  With faster processing speeds and a number of other award-winning features, the MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N have been specifically designed to maximize workflow efficiency for mid- to high-volume work environments and provide superior image quality and performance.

The built-in retractable keyboard, coupled with a large, 8.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen color display, provides users with a familiar, ergonomic interface for intuitive menu navigation and data entry.  All three units support the newest Sharp OSAÒ development platform that, when combined with the built-in keyboard and high-resolution display, provides dealers and developers with unprecedented abilities to enhance the user experience at the MFP. Featuring a stylish, textural exterior, sleek body lines, chrome accents and a brilliant color display, the new models are distinctive yet also blend into a contemporary office setting.

 “The MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N are our most efficient segment 4 MFPs,” said George Grafanakis, senior manager, product planning and marketing, SIICA.  “With award-winning features such as a standard, retractable keyboard and Sharp OSAÒ development platform, these new models offer users advanced levels of productivity  and flexibility, and  are even easier to use and interact with than their predecessors.  The stylish new design of these models – another award-winning feature – will make these machines a welcome addition to any office environment.”

Designed for Exceptional Performance and Reliability
The MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N feature an 800 MHz true multi-tasking controller that not only delivers copy, print and fax jobs continuously, but can also process network scanning jobs while existing jobs are output.  These MFPs are manufactured with Sharp’s second generation micro-fine toner technology, which provides more uniform image coverage and a lower consumption rate than conventional toners, resulting in sharp, high-quality output that is also economical.

With automatic duplexing, electronic sorting and integrated offset stacking and an on-board paper capacity of up to 5,600 sheets with options, the MX-4100N/4101N/5001N can accommodate all types of workgroup environments. The MX-4100N includes a standard 100-sheet reversing document feeder, while the
MX-4101N and MX-5001N offer a standard 150-sheet duplex single pass document feeder with Color Scan2TM technology (dual head).  The award-winning Scan2 technology enables users to scan 2-sided documents in a single pass, speeding up workflow, reducing misfeeds and improving reliability.
 
A New Standard for Ease-of-Use
The MX-4100N/4101N/5001N models offer a standard, retractable keyboard that is designed to streamline data entry and simplify e-mail address and subject line entries.  This sturdy keyboard offers users a familiar, ergonomic interface and makes these models convenient portals to the network, saving time on jobs that may require user authentication or include repetitive scanning and archiving of documents.
The brilliant 8.5” high-resolution touchscreen display offers intuitive menu navigation with razor-sharp graphics that makes operating simple and easy.  Coupled with Sharp’s easy-to-use Document Filing System, users can store and quickly recall frequently used files such as forms and reports.  Users can view even the finest details of scanned documents and can take advantage of intuitive, graphics-driven displays making it easy to search for saved documents via thumbnail images rather than file names.
Sharp’s MX-4100N/4101N/5001N document systems also feature the latest version of the Sharp OSAÒ development platform, making integration with network applications easier than ever and providing a truly customized user experience.  Sharp OSA version 3.0 leverages the high-resolution display of new Sharp MFP models to support richer graphics, web-based HTML, and JAVA and Flash for the integration of moving video. With Sharp OSA 3.0, developers can create user interfaces that provide easier viewing and navigation through enhanced controls, as well as playback of Flash clips.  Sharp OSA version 3.0 also features Open USB capability, allowing developers to provide a broader range of access control, such as the ability to log in via a card swipe and the ability to authenticate via Chip/Smart Card (CCID).
 
Unparalleled Device Management Capabilities
These new models also include Sharp’s new printer administration utility (PAU version 5.0), which incorporates a Remote Front Panel feature that allows an IT administrator to remotely take control of the device’s front panel and see exactly what the end user is seeing. The IT administrator can remotely change settings, show the user how to perform a function, or diagnose and often rectify problems without deploying a technician.
The capabilities of PAU version 5.0 are fully integrated into Sharp’s intelligent Device Management (iDVM), which for the dealer can transform many service support functions from an onsite task to a remote task, leading to enhanced productivity and profitability, as well as reduced costs. Developed and marketed with MWA Intelligence (MWAi), a leading provider of M2M (machine-to-machine) solutions and tools, iDVM also enables the dealer to automate meter read collection and integrate the data into their ERP system providing an enhanced, streamlined billing process. It will also allow service providers to remotely access service logs, receive real-time service alerts and consumable levels notification, update firmware, and clone device settings, dramatically improving user uptimes and service support levels.
 
Advanced Workflow Capabilities
The MX-4100N/4101N/5001N provide robust networking features to enable the workgroup to process documents more quickly and efficiently.  With Sharp’s ImageSEND™ technology, users can centralize document workflow and distribute to up to seven destinations – email, desktop, FTP, network folders (SMB), USB, fax and Internet fax – with a single button push.   High-volume workgroups will appreciate the Send to Group mode for group broadcasting via email, fax and Internet fax.  These models also include a network ready PCL®6/PCL5c printing system with direct print function and available Postscript® 3™ and Windows® XPS options.
 

Supporting the Newest Security Standards
With Sharp’s latest award-winning, multi-level document and network security suite, customers can be assured that their information is secure.  These models meet the new IEEE-2600TM -2008 security standard for MFPs as well as offer advanced, web-based device management for administrator level and user level login control.
Sharp also offers an optional data security kit that encrypts document data using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) methodology.  This same kit also erases temporary memory on the hard drive by overwriting the encrypted data up to seven times.
 
Sharp Best of Breed Engineering
The MX-4100N/4101N/5001N are the result of Sharp’s unique approach to designing and building office products. The company employs a global product development process in which management, business development, R&D, product development, marketing, manufacturing, training and customer service teams all work collaboratively during each stage of the product development process.  This gives Sharp a 360-degree view of the MFP market, allowing the company to form a common platform strategy in which the core components of its product line are designed, developed and manufactured together.  Components, software and processes are engineered to be shared across engine platforms, making Sharp’s products “look and act” similarly across virtually all segments of the market.  The culmination of this approach is a line of award winning products universally praised for exceptional reliability and superior performance.
 
Sharp’s Commitment to the Environment
In addition to providing innovative products, Sharp is committed to being a socially responsible company and helping preserve the environment. The company has long focused on designing environmentally-conscious products, reducing harmful emissions from its plants, and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of solar panels. The Sharp legacy of environmental responsibility has been recognized by the U.S. Government’s General Services Administration (GSA), which awarded Sharp both its “Green Contractor Award” and “Evergreen Award” in recognition of the company’s environmental leadership in manufacturing and sustainable business practices.
Power consumption for each of these three models is among the lowest in their category.  They use long-life parts and are supported by Sharp’s toner recycling program.  The Sharp Copier Toner Recycling Program was created to encourage government and business customers to recycle Sharp toner cartridges from all Sharp models.  Every Sharp-branded copier, printer and multifunctional peripheral (MFP) toner cartridge sold in the U.S. can be easily recycled at no cost to the customer.
The MX-4100N, MX-4101N and MX-5001N are available immediately.  For information about the complete line of Sharp MFP products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07495-1163, or call 1-800-BE-SHARP.  For online product information, visit Sharp’s Web site at sharpusa.com.