IRVINE, Calif., (August 18, 2003) – Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) today unveiled a powerful, Web-based document management and output analysis program called Encompass™. Developed by Toshiba to enable organizations to accurately assess their document production and management environment, Toshiba’s Encompass Document Analysis Program uncovers the “hidden” cost drivers associated with copiers, printers and fax devices and the use of inefficient and costly manual-based document production procedures. With Encompass, organizations can implement an effective strategy to increase business productivity, enhance employee and operational efficiency and reduce document production and management costs by up to 40 percent. According to research conducted by leading analyst firms, the average company spends up to 15 percent of its annual revenues on document production, management and distribution, resulting in millions of dollars in lost profit annually due to poorly managed document production infrastructures. Encompass integrates Toshiba core competencies with the renowned Six Sigma™ methodology, a proven, step-by-step approach to quantitative analysis and process improvement to deliver a comprehensive review and action plan. With Encompass, organizations gain unprecedented control and visibility of document infrastructures and initiate cost-saving strategies for both short- and long-term process improvements. “In today’s economic environment, companies are being challenged to do more with less. Toshiba’s Encompass Document Analysis Program enables companies to meet the challenge and positively impact bottom line performance by optimizing their copiers, printers, and faxes, and by providing a framework for long-term optimization and efficiency in all document dependent processes,” said Michael Alpert, director, Business Solutions and Planning, TABS. With Encompass, document solutions professionals engage in a fact-finding mission to gather information about an organization’s total document production infrastructure including output equipment, document management software solutions and the current processes driving document production, distribution and organization. An assessment is presented in an Encompass Document Analysis Report (DAR), a detailed written presentation of findings, recommendations and custom solutions that serves as a targeted blueprint to successfully achieve optimization objectives and realize significant cost savings. In addition to a complete list of all copiers, printers and faxes used within the company, an Encompass DAR will typically include equipment and supply cost and utilization figures, support, procurement and outsourcing costs, technology overview, and impact of high-cost inkjet and laser printers utilization, among other critical data. An Encompass Program and DAR provides the 20/20 visibility to initiate cost-saving strategies including reduction and more efficient use of output equipment, implementation of network-connected multifunction products (MFPs) and document production and workflow reengineering to reduce network bottlenecks and costly IT support.