MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.--June 20, 2006-- Oki Data Americas, which markets its products and services under the OKI Printing Solutions brand, today launched its Managed Services Channel Program designed to boost margins and profitability for solution providers. The program includes a new Managed Services Lite assessment tool that serves as a "door-opener" for solution providers by quickly analyzing customers' document output to provide a snapshot of current costs and potential savings. Managed Services from OKI Printing Solutions is structured to be the most comprehensive, objective, and flexible managed services program in the printing industry. "Printed document output represents approximately 3% of businesses' revenue(i), yet managed services for printer operations remains a largely untapped category for the channel," said Steve Boyd, Senior Vice President of Consumables and Customer Service, Oki Data Americas. "Managed Services from OKI Printing Solutions gives solution providers a risk-free way to expand their business model into the lucrative printing business and lock-in additional long-term revenue streams from consumables and service." Since its launch in April 2004, Managed Services from OKI Printing Solutions has saved customers an average of 30 to 35 percent, and as much as 47 percent(ii) employing proprietary operation assessment methodology in three phases: Identify, Improve, Manage. The Identify and Improve phases deliver a comprehensive and objective assessment that uses 47 different analysis criteria, including an ergonomics study. The results from this assessment are distilled into a detailed three- to five-year document management strategy that recommends improvements in workspace design and technology utilization, proposes device refresh and maintenance schedules, and streamlines business processes to optimize the customer's productivity and performance. As a company that sells more than 95 percent of its products and services through the channel, Oki Data Americas developed its Managed Services Channel Program to fully support its solution providers by delivering several advantages, which its channel partners said are lacking in competitive programs: -- Increased channel profit margins between eight and 25 percent -- No up-front financial or resource investment -- Full suite of pre-sales support services including buddy calls, support in responding to Request for Proposals or Information (RFP/RFI), sales training, and marketing support materials -- Flexible program that can be integrated into solution providers' business model to augment existing capabilities, and provides co-branding opportunity -- Objective program that will recommend and support non-OKI Printing Solutions products if that is what is best for the customer(ii) The Managed Services Channel Program also introduces Managed Services Lite, a comprehensive print operation assessment tool, offered exclusively through the channel that quickly analyzes customers' current document output and provides a snapshot of current costs and potential savings. It serves as a "door-opener" for solution providers in driving identification, procurement, assessment and closing of business. Solution providers will gain a deeper understanding of customers' hardware utilization and business processes, and set a stronger foundation for long-term customer relationships. "Our goal is to help our solution provider partners grow their businesses risk-free with managed services for document operations," continued Boyd. "As a result, solution providers acquire managed services' capabilities, which will assist them in securing new business while continuing to own the primary relationship with the customer. The customer, in turn, receives what we believe is the most comprehensive and objective managed services program which is proven to save significant money."