NEW YORK--March 9, 2004-- Building upon its position as the #1 brand in the U.S. color laser market(a), Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc., and a leader in digital imaging solutions, today unveiled two of the company's more significant color-enabled imageRUNNER multifunctional products to date. Both the new imageRUNNER C6800, targeted at high-volume corporate environments, and the new imageRUNNER C3100 Series, geared toward smaller offices, cost-effectively produce black-and-white documents with occasional color for a broad range of working environments. The new imageRUNNER C3100 Series and imageRUNNER C6800 engines expand upon the success of Canon's innovative color multifunction product line - specifically the Color imageRUNNER C3200 - a device that has greatly contributed to Canon's solid leadership in the color imaging market space. According to Gartner Dataquest, Canon currently holds the top position in Total U.S. Copier Market Share in 2003, and is the #1 brand in Color Laser Copiers as well as the was leader in every black-and-white segment in 2003(a). "The color-enabled imageRUNNER C6800 and imageRUNNER C3100 Series reflect Canon's commitment to the fast-growing market demand for office color while continuing to meet the needs of customers who depend on cost-effective black and white document reproduction," said Sam Yoshida, director and general manager, Corporate Systems Division, Canon U.S.A. "Canon is dedicated to offering businesses of all sizes a wide choice of affordable printing options. These two new products further broaden Canon's already diverse portfolio." Both the imageRUNNER C6800 and imageRUNNER C3100 Series incorporate high-speed monochrome output performance with color capabilities, plus a full suite of communication functions to complement the needs of corporate workgroups and departments. Boasting a dual 250 MHz processor design, up to 768 MB RAM(c) and a 40GB hard disk drive, each model builds on the latest version of Canon's Color imagePlatform architecture to drive exceptional multifunction performance for multiple tasks, across multiple users, supporting print, copy, scan and send functions in color and black-and-white. Reflecting the new ways in which content is created and distributed in today's office, the imageRUNNER C3100 Series and imageRUNNER C6800 together can easily transform into powerful communication hubs for sharing and managing information. With its optional Color Universal Send capabilities, each model can quickly convert color hardcopy originals into digital files and transmit them via the Internet as e-mail attachments and I-faxes, Super G3 Fax(b) (optional) transmissions, send to a file server or store them in mailboxes within the system or elsewhere on a corporate network for archival or sharing purposes. Incorporating Canon's PDF High-Compression file format, both systems facilitate the efficient handling and transmission of scanned color images to promote an environment in which working with color documents in the office is effective, efficient and convenient. The imageRUNNER C3100 Series and imageRUNNER C6800 offer powerful network printing capabilities that deliver superior output quality at up to 2400 x 600 dpi equivalent, as well as support for advanced document output and finishing capabilities. For general office applications, customers may choose a Canon-developed print controller supporting PCL5c, PostScript 3 emulation, and Canon's new proprietary Ultra Fast Rendering (UFR) technology. UFR technology utilizes a newly invented printing algorithm to minimize processing time and achieve maximum performance. For higher-bandwidth printing requirements, Canon's "imagePASS" controller options (jointly developed by Canon and EFI) deliver increased productivity, superior color quality, advanced print job management tools and support for genuine Adobe PostScript 3 and PCL5c page description languages. No matter which controller option is chosen, intuitively-designed drivers guide the user through each step of the document creation process and provide access to convenient workgroup features like Secured Print, Edit and Preview (PageComposer). Like all Canon networked systems, the imageRUNNER C3100 Series and imageRUNNER C6800 come equipped with a comprehensive set of utilities and features designed to simplify operation, management and security for users and administrators alike. Features that ship standard with both models include: Full-Color User Interface Touch Screen for intuitive user operation; Department ID mode for up to 1,000 departments or users; Canon's web-based Remote User Interface and NetSpot Suite. Optional features include Canon's imageRUNNER Security Kit; imageWARE Office Software Suite and eCopy's Suite of document distribution products, which enables the system to easily distribute and manage electronic copies of color paper documents and connect devices to corporate e-mail systems, and other IT applications. imageRUNNER C6800 - The Epitome of Departmental Productivity Canon's color-enabled imageRUNNER C6800 is a revolutionary digital multifunction solution, offering the product series' renowned black-and-white quality, reliability and productivity, combined with the ability to support occasional color requirements. Every aspect of the imageRUNNER C6800 machine is designed to support the high volume applications of busy corporate environments. The imageRUNNER C6800 operates at 68 pages per minute (ppm) for black-and-white output and 16 ppm for full color output, and offers exceptionally fast scanning at speeds of up to 70 ppm (at 300 dpi) and 50 ppm (at 600 dpi). Incorporating Canon's Amorophorous Silicon (A-Si) drum technology, a first in color-engine design, the durable imageRUNNER C6800 can deliver exceptional performance and reliability over millions of impressions. Canon's monocomponent black toner delivers high-quality, cost-efficient operation for black-and-white applications, while third-generation color S-toners deliver eye-catching output with just a touch of gloss. The imageRUNNER C6800 offers digital copying, mailbox features and Ethernet connectivity as part of its standard feature set. Optional features include a choice of: Canon's Color Network Multi-PDL Printer Kit-C1 or the imagePASS-D1 for value-added network printing capabilities; Color Universal Send Kit-C1P(d) for increased sending capabilities; Canon's Color Network ScanGear utility for TWAIN-scanning capabilities; and Super G3 Fax(d)(e) capabilities. The imageRUNNER C6800 offers versatile document handling and finishing capabilities to make businesses stand out above the rest. With a standard 100-sheet capacity Duplexing Automatic Document Feeder and digital-enabled features such as Scan-Once-Print-Many and Job Build, the imageRUNNER C6800 makes quick work of scanning large volumes of hard copy originals. A standard 4,200-sheet capacity can easily be upgraded to support a voluminous 7,700-sheet feeder through a maximum of 6 paper sources. Moreover, the system can accommodate tab paper, stocks as large as 13"x 19" and paper-weights up to 140lb. Index. From simple collating and stapling, to advanced saddle-stitched booklets and two -or -three hole punching, the imageRUNNER C6800 automates every step of the document finishing process - providing users with the ability to produce professional-looking documents easily and in-house. imageRUNNER C3100 Series - High End Versatility for Small Businesses Ideal for small business environments, the imageRUNNER C3100 Series are inclusive of two models - the imageRUNNER C3100 and imageRUNNER C3100N. The ability to deliver affordable, color-enabled network printing capabilities as part of the standard feature set distinguishes the models as unique among digital imaging systems. The imageRUNNER C3100 offers UFR printing technology to meet the needs of budget-minded environments. For general office needs, customers can add the Canon Color Network Multi-PDL Printer Kit-B1(f) (standard with the imageRUNNER C3100N) or, the optional imagePASS-E1(f)(g) for more robust printing requirements. In addition to network printing, the imageRUNNER C3100 Series offers digital copying, mailbox features, Ethernet connectivity, and TWAIN-scanning capabilities with Canon's Color Network ScanGear Utility as part of its standard feature set. Customers may add sending capabilities with the Color Universal Send Kit-B1P(d) and Super G3 Fax(d) capabilities, as they require. Leveraging a clean-sheet design with an all new vertical paper path and stackless duplexing technology, the imageRUNNER C3100 Series offers incredibly compact units to easily handle the workload of several dedicated devices. Capturing every detail with amazing precision, the system supports fast scanning at speeds of up to 44 ppm (300 dpi) and 28 ppm (600 dpi) to keep documents and office productivity moving. The imageRUNNER C3100 Series offers black-and-white output at 31 ppm and full color output at 7 ppm. An innovative color rotary engine design along with Canon third generation S-toners ensure high-quality output at all times for both color and black-and-white documents. The imageRUNNER C3100 Series offers considerable configuration flexibility through various document handling and finishing options to deliver big office productivity to smaller business environments. The imageRUNNER C3100 Series offers an optional 50-sheet capacity Duplexing Automatic Document Feeder, as well as a choice of paper supply options to boost online paper capacity up to 4,750 sheets. Canon's implementation of Intermediate Transfer Belt technology allows the imageRUNNER C3100 Series to support a wide variety of media including envelopes, paper sizes up to 12" x 18" and paper weights up to 90lb. Index. A number of innovative internal output options deliver neatly collated and stapled output within the device's main footprint. For more advanced finishing requirements, Canon offers a choice of two external finishers to support saddle-stitched booklet output and two or three hole punching. The suggested retail price of the imageRUNNER C6800 is $24,000, with suggested retail pricing for the imageRUNNER C3100 at $8,900 and $11,500 for the imageRUNNER C3100N. The devices will be available through authorized Canon U.S.A. dealers and Canon Business Solution locations in second quarter of 2004. The imageRUNNER C6800 and imageRUNNER C3100 Series will be on display at the AIIM / On Demand 2004 event in New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center, today through March 10, in Canon's booth (#3105).