Canon multifunction printers go greener

Latest systems offer security and energy-saving features

Canon has launched six multifunction printers and begun a campaign to wean companies away from costly and environmentally unfriendly usage patterns.

Canon’s new IRC and CLC systems print at speeds from 26 pages per minute (ppm) to 51ppm, support smartcard and fingerprint recognition and allow users to output to any printer on firms’ global networks.

The systems also save energy by warming up in 30 seconds and they power down more efficiently when not being used or in standby mode.

“Companies are looking for increased predictability in cost and to be good corporate citizens,” said David Smith, Canon marketing director. “A lot of them are appointing corporate social responsibility directors and we’re seeing more and more tenders asking to see what Canon does in that regard.”

Smith said Canon’s SmartSteps campaign and related software and services would help firms deal with fast-growing demand for colour printing.

“Lots of people quote five percent as the norm for colour print on page but it’s just not reality and people don’t track printing costs,” Smith said.

Canon cited Infosource research suggesting that colour printouts in Western Europe will total 136 billion in 2009, doubling the 2005 total.

Brian Lucas of Canon reseller Halstead Office said, “Canon has brought pricing in line with a very competitive market. The arrival of Dell in the printer market was instrumental in bringing consumables pricing down.”