75ppm High-Performance Printer Delivers an Affordable, Feature-Rich Alternative to the Competition's Offerings for the Datacenter Environment WINDSOR, Conn., August 2, 2002 -- Konica Business Technologies, Inc. (Konica), the innovation leader in digital imaging solutions and a subsidiary of Konica Corporation, today announced that the Konica FORCE 75 Production Printing System received an "Editor's Choice" award from Better Buys for Business, publisher of the nation's leading independent buyer's guides for office equipment. Once a year, awards are issued to those products that represent the "best-in-class" - the highest quality, performance and value - in their respective categories. The Konica FORCE 75, a 75 page-per-minute (ppm) datacenter and departmental workhorse, was recognized in the "High-Volume Document Printing" category in the 2002 High-Volume Printer & Digital Duplicator Guide, one of Better Buys for Business' 10 independent consumer guides for imaging equipment. The FORCE 75 was acknowledged for its production printing capabilities, specifically its ability to maintain the same fast production rate at 600dpi as 400dpi. However, the Better Buys for Business reviewers stated that there is "more to this machine than just speed". Its advanced finishing options, including 3,200-sheet capacity, 50-sheet multi-position stapling, saddle-stitched booklet making, post-sheet insertion and trimming, were praised. In addition, its duty cycle of 1,000,000 impressions per month was noted for being able to go head-to-head with the heavy-duty machines that compete at the upper-end of the market. "Not only does this machine shake up the 60-75ppm level of the printer market, it also impacts machines at the 100+ppm level as well. For the price of one Heidelberg or Xerox DocuTech, you could buy several Konica Force 75s," said Jonathan Bees, editor, Better Buys for Business. Better Buys for Business also recognized the Konica FORCE 75 for its superior paper handling capabilities, particularly its 6,150-sheet total paper capacity, its ability to handle oversize and heavy paper stock up to 110 lb.- index from its standard paper drawers and its optional 4,000-sheet LCT, as well as its 12" x 18" paper supply option for printing full-bleed 11" x 17". "This 'Editor's Choice' award from Better Buys for Business is a testament to the true value of the FORCE 75 to the datacenter and distributed departmental settings," said Kevin Kern, vice president, product development and support, Konica Business Technologies, Inc. "Combining speed, volume- handling and advanced finishing, the FORCE 75 is an affordable, high-caliber alternative to the other production models on the market."