LAKE SUCCESS, NY, June 11, 2001 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), today kicked off its sixth annual TECHNET, a series of interactive educational seminars for systems engineers (SEs), with an unveiling of the industry's first Color Imaging Professional (CIP) Certification Program. The CIP Certification Program will set the highest level of color imaging competency through a comprehensive curriculum and certification examination. In addition to unveiling the CIP Certification Program, this year's TECHNET will cover next generation Canon software and digital imaging systems, such as Canon Image Platform (IP) Technology, imageRUNNER Software Solutions and Controller Technology, ColorPASS Enhancements and Color for Professionals, and several Pre-Conference Technology Primers. Canon TECHNET remains an industry exclusive opportunity for dealer SEs and Digital Solution Specialists to increase their proficiency in the support of current and future Canon imaging solutions. The first TECHNET is in Orlando, Florida at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort June 11 -13, with the second event taking place in Anaheim, California at the Disneyland Resort Hotel June 20 - 22. "Canon dealers, who already enjoy the benefits of selling the number one brand in color, stand to gain an even greater competitive advantage in supporting their customers needs by attending TECHNET," said James Sharp, director and general manager, Systems and Technical Support Division at Canon U.S.A. "The newly unveiled CIP Certification Program will assure our color graphic customers that their systems support teams have received the highest level of education and certification available in the industry." Canon U.S.A. and I.O. Technologies co-developed the CIP competency. The competency has been statistically verified by psychometricians. The competency also includes objectives based on job task analysis and examinations that test the objectives. The complete CIP program includes a Specialist and Professional Class, with all candidates requiring a proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and QuarkXPress in order to enroll. Among the topics covered in TECHNET imageRUNNER Series seminars will be a controller technology session for the new imageRUNNER 8500, including the new AS/400 environment solution for the product. Canon's NetSpot Device Management Software, including NetSpot Console, Job Monitor, and Job Accountant will also be covered for the recently introduced imageRUNNER 2200/2800/3300 Series. Each section offers an in-depth look at the new products and software, with a special emphasis on hands-on lab exercises. A four-hour Image Platform (IP) Technology module covers all hardware and connectivity specifications for Canon's new IP-enabled devices, such as the iR3250, focusing on e-mail integration, database support, file sharing, and FTP capabilities. The configuration of eCopy document distribution software with IP Technology will also be demonstrated. In addition, a special, one-day, by invitation-only software seminar for the imageRUNNER 110, Canon's 110 page-per-minute duplicator/printer, will be held at both TECHNET events. The four-hour class covers critical information on imageRUNNER 110 4.X System Software, which drives the new Canon imageSCANNER 65, and Perfect Binder finisher. Customization packages allowing the electronic merging of PDF, PostScript, and Tiff files, and processing of jobs sent from Digipath applications will also be covered.