BOSTON, March 4, 2008 – Taking another step in further expanding its MEAP application portfolio, Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced the release of its Authorized Send document distribution solution.

Authorized Send is a simple to use embedded MEAP application providing users with the ability to easily scan documents for delivery via electronic mail, to network folder locations, or directly to their desktop for manipulation. In addition to providing basic document scanning and delivery, Canon's Authorized Send also requires that users authenticate themselves prior to accessing the application. As a result, the scanning feature becomes available only when the user properly authenticates to this function.

Developed within Canon's Solutions Development Center in the United States, Authorized Send is a primary example of the execution of Canon's strategy to use its MEAP platform for not only third party development activities, but also for the development of technology which has strong local market demand in the U.S. The MEAP platform also greatly reduced the time to market required to make Authorized Send available.

"Authorized Send is a great example of Canon's MEAP development initiatives and custom development activities at work," said Sam Yoshida, vice president, Enterprise Systems Division, Canon U.S.A. "Authorized Send was initiated as a custom solution for customers requiring authenticated scanning and due to increasing customer demand has now been made into a turnkey product offering within Canon's product portfolio."

By adding Authorized Send to Canon's existing portfolio of document distribution offerings, Canon will be capable of addressing an emerging market requirement for authenticated scanning without the need to also implement additional server hardware within a customer environment. The ability to integrate and authenticate to a wide variety of servers and protocols including Windows Active Directory, Novell Netware & eDirectory as well as LDAP environments will foster Canon devices' seamless integration with corporate enterprises and infrastructures.

"The fact that Authorized Send can be deployed across an enterprise environment without the need for customers to invest in added server and IT management infrastructure, makes this solution an ideal fit for customers contemplating larger secure scanning deployments," added Yoshida

Authorized Send will be available on a per device basis in single ($1,100 SRP), ten ($10,500 SRP), and 100 ($105,000) device license packages*. Canon plans to begin shipping this software in mid-March.