BOULDER, CO. - September 9, 2005 -- IBM today announced the next generation of the IBM Infoprint 4100 family of high-speed, high-volume continuous forms printers. Driven by the new IBM Infoprint POWER Controller, IBM’s flagship production printer extends the benchmark in printer performance, reliability and productivity. These new models solidify IBM's production line as among the most powerful and efficient in the industry, delivering top quality at high speeds, while helping clients lower their overall cost of printing. They are designed to extend IBM’s leadership in advanced variable data printing, serving clients in a variety of industries including financial services, telecommunications, government and commercial printing. For example, clients printing statements or bills can reduce operations costs with the new high speed and flexibility of the Infoprint 4100, all while providing excellent quality for text, graphics and images, for a competitive advantage. Direct mailers and service bureaus can lower costs by running a broad range of paper weights at higher speeds. Book printers can use the Infoprint 4100 to help reduce the costs of printing short run books or technical manuals. “Regardless of what’s being printed, all customers want to streamline processes and improve the delivery of information to their own customers, while ensuring the high print quality and reliability of their data,” said David Myers, director production print solutions, IBM Printing Systems. Providing the high levels of image and text quality traditionally available only from cutsheet solutions, the Infoprint 4100’s hardware enhancements include technological advancements in the printhead, developer and fusing mechanisms, plus an integrated optical density feedback system for sharp, clear images and text, job after job. Software enhancements include customized, selectable halftones with four screen frequencies and an innovative 256-level grayscale simulation of color objects using IBM patented technologies. POWER Technology Drives Higher Speeds, Lower Costs Available on select models, the IBM Infoprint POWER controller represents the evolution of IBM’s proven Advanced Function Common Control Unit architecture. The 64-bit, multi-processing controller enables the latest IBM Infoprint 4100 models to run at IBM’s highest-rated speed—an 18 percent increase from the prior generation. Faster throughput allows customers to consolidate production printers to significantly reduce the total cost of print operations, increase printer utilization and improve overall throughput. It’s the latest extension of IBM’s Power Architecture, which also includes microprocessors that power supercomputers, UNIX servers, storage systems, cell phones, video game systems and other high-tech devices. With exceptional multiprocessing capabilities, the Infoprint POWER Controller helps operations prepare for the future with the AFP Color Emulation feature. This future component is designed to help customers looking to migrate to color printing start preparations today. Customers can have the ability to improve the effectiveness of their output while increasing application versatility and reduce conversion cost. The workload for gray-scaled color object support on the Infoprint 4100 is handled by multiple POWER5 processors, providing highly scalable processing capability. Unique Productivity Feature Helps Clients Better Manage Operations A key time- and money-saving tool available on the Infoprint 4100 is the Enhanced Productivity Tracking feature. Supported by Infoprint Productivity Suite Software and Infoprint Manager, this unique software tool allows operators to view information at a glance. They can see data on printer performance, operator activities and print job statistics to increase productivity. Production operation data is logged and retained in a DB2 database. Operation managers can now query what has occurred throughout the production cycle to help verify up- and down-time, measure productivity and manage costs. Infoprint 4100 Integral Part of IBM Output Environment IBM also today outlined the IBM Output Environment, a technology roadmap for the future, designed to allow clients to leverage IBM’s current and future products, services, and expertise in order to integrate and optimize output across their enterprises. The IBM Output Environment provides a technology roadmap to link current and future IBM Infoprint hardware, software and services offerings. It also offers a platform for revolutionary technology advantages like color emulation and support, POWER controllers, workflow management, business integration, and productivity management tools. The framework can not only integrate printer hardware and software, but also seamlessly link print technologies to IBM server, software, and services offerings, allowing clients to take advantage of IBM’s breadth of technology advantages and expertise approaches that drive business growth while keeping a check on costs. For more information about the IBM Infoprint 4100, contact an IBM sales representative or visit ibm.com/printers/4100.