WINDSOR, Conn., Jan. 22 -- Konica Business Technologies, Inc. (Konica), the innovation leader in digital imaging solutions and a subsidiary of Konica Corporation, today introduced two new mid-range color multifunctional products (MFPs) -- the Konica 8020 and 8031 Color Imaging Systems. Featuring copy and print speeds from 20 to 31 pages per minute (ppm) in color and B&W, the 8020 and 8031 are the first Konica color products to offer Simitri Color Polymerized Toner, developed and manufactured exclusively by Konica. With the addition of key features such as scan-once, print-many LED technology, a new saddle-stitch booklet finisher with punch unit, and enhanced job management functionality, the Konica 8020/8031 are affordable options for corporate workgroups and graphic professionals who require high speed and high productivity in a color MFP solution. Replacing the 7915 and 7920, both the 8020 and 8031 offer 600 x 600 dpi copy resolution and up to 600 x 1800 dpi print resolution; standard electronic sort in both copy and print mode; scan-to-email, scan-to-FTP and Internet fax capabilities; and an optional hard drive for job storage. With their comprehensive functionality and low price, these new devices are ideally suited for corporate and graphic users serving a variety of industries - from education and financial services to manufacturing and advertising - who need to create marketing materials, flyers, direct mail pieces, financial reports, graphs, charts, variable data printing (VDP), CAD/CAM drawings, user and technical manuals, etc., on a continual basis. With the 8020/8031's LED technology and Simitri Color Polymerized Toner, achieving fast, accurate color output has never been easier. The four-drum, four-developer LED technology system applies four colors in one pass with a straight paper-path design that supports up to 12? x 18? copying and printing on up to 140-lb. index paper via the bypass tray and universal cassette. The 8020/8031 deliver industry-leading consistent, high quality output with Konica's breakthrough Simitri Color Polymerized Toner, which maintains the uniformity of the toner particles to produce clean, crisp 600 x 600 dpi resolution with an offset-like look. In addition, superior color quality is achieved with the 8020/8031's 256 gradations of color per pixel and fine-edge enhancement technology (FEET) that smoothes and emphasizes text edges for sharper, cleaner text. Other features such as automatic calibration and color selection for mixed-copy originals, instantaneously detect for color and B&W pages, providing for increased quality control. Delivering a user-friendly, Section 508 compliant touch screen and a flexible modular design, the 8020/8031 are easy to use and easy to integrate into the corporate color and short-run production printing environments. The large touch screen, with a tilt keypad and font display enlargement, guides users step-by-step through the copy process. The modular design allows for an extensive list of options, including a duplexing document feeder, 2,500-sheet large capacity tray, two additional 500-sheet paper trays, a corner-stapler finisher, and a saddle-stitch booklet finisher with a two and/or three-hole punch unit. "The new 8020/8031 represent not only an enhancement to Konica's color product line but also a significant enhancement to the industry's color market segments, especially in terms of speed, quality and affordability," said William H. Brewster, vice president, marketing, Konica Business Technologies, Inc. "Price-sensitive customers who are looking for high speed and high productivity in a mid-range, color MFP solution can stop searching. The 8020/8031 are superior competitive options." Printing Options Two optional print controllers are available for network printing and scanning. The Fiery X3e+ print controller was designed specifically to meet the needs of the graphic arts market with its new built-in System 5 architecture, 700 MHz processor, 128MB of standard memory, a 10GB hard drive, and true Adobe PostScript3 and PCL5c page description language. The IP- 711 PCL print controller with its 200 MHz processor, 160MB of standard memory, and a 10GB hard drive is suited for corporate users utilizing MS Office applications such as PowerPoint, Excel, Word and Project. Highlighted 8020/8031 Features -- Copy and print speeds of 31ppm color and B&W for the 8031 -- Copy and print speeds of 20ppm color and 31ppm B&W for the 8020 -- Tandem LED technology, single-pass color system -- Scan-once/print-many technology -- Simitri Color Polymerized Toner -- 600 x 600 dpi copy resolution with enhanced 600 x 1800 dpi print resolution -- Maximum document size of up to 12? x 18? -- Up to 140-lb. index through the universal cassette and bypass tray -- 750-sheet standard/3,250-sheet maximum paper capacity -- IP-711 PCL print controller with 200 MHz processor, 160MB of standard memory, 10GB hard drive -- Fiery X3e+ print controller with 700 MHz processor, 128MB of standard memory, graphical PostScript3 and PCL5c print drivers, 10GB hard drive -- Advanced finishing options, including booklet finisher with two and/or three-hole punch unit and corner-stapler finisher Pricing and Availability Affordable competitive options, the Konica 8020 and 8031 are available through Konica's North American direct sales, authorized dealer and value- added reseller channels. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 8020 is $14,195 and the 8031 is $17,395. The MSRP for the IP-711 PCL print controller is $3,600 and for the Fiery X3e+ is $4,200. About Konica Business Technologies, Inc. Konica Business Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Windsor, Conn., is an industry-leading provider of digital solutions for document creation, distribution and production. Konica offers a full line of color and black & white printers, multifunctional products, software and network solutions, and professional services. Konica provides world-class service through its extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. For more information, please visit Konica on the World Wide Web at http://www.konicabt.com.