The agreement between IBM and Ricoh was closed on June 1, 2007.  Ricoh initially acquired 51 percent of the joint venture. It will progressively acquire the remaining 49 percent over the next three years as the joint venture evolves into a fully owned subsidiary of Ricoh.

As consideration for the transaction, IBM received $725 million in cash upon closing, which includes a management fee of $35 million. The cash received is consideration for the initial 51 percent acquisition of the joint venture by Ricoh as well as a prepayment for the remaining 49 percent to be acquired and certain royalties and services to be provided by IBM to the InfoPrint Solutions Company. Final consideration for this transaction will be determined at the end of the three-year period based upon the participation in the profits and losses recorded by the equity partners. The initial transaction was completed in the second quarter of 2007. The eventual transfer of the IBM Printing Systems Division to Ricoh has enabled IBM to continue to refine its focus on its strategic businesses and the clients of those businesses.

InfoPrint Solutions is central to Ricoh's efforts to become a leading global provider of output and print solutions, and will become a core business and infrastructure that can address complex solutions and mission critical environments.

A global leader in digital office solutions, Ricoh constantly creates new value at the interface of people and information, offering a broad range of digital, networked products, including copiers, printers, fax machines, semiconductor related products, DVD/CD media and digital cameras. Ricoh operates in over 100 countries and employs 79,000 people worldwide. Consolidated revenue for the year ending March 2006 was $16.4 billion.

InfoPrint’s Production Color Journey

Celebrating 50 years in Production Printing

The InfoPrint 5000 and InfoPrint Pro C900 have a long and illustrious history that began nearly two decades ago. The successful InfoPrint 5000 and the recently announced InfoPrint Pro C900 cutsheet color printer have a backstory that illuminates our journey.

The emergence of leveraged development

Printing Systems Division launched the InfoColor 70 at Drupa 1996 under the emerging leveraged development model (accelerated development cycles enabled by purchasing technology versus developing it). The print quality was excellent and aimed to please customers in the graphic arts market. During the next few years, the InfoColor 70 evolved to the Infoprint Color 100, the Infoprint Color 130, and the Infoprint Color 130 Plus, which included AFP for the first time and won two Xplor Technology of the Year Awards. The model numbers reflected the speed in pages per minute. In comparison, production mono printers were running at 600-1000+ ppm during that time.

In 1997-1998, IBM launched models of the 4005 hi-lite color inkjet device for the transactional market. The technology was acquired from Accent Color Sciences. The ink was solid, like crayons, and it was heated to liquid form for printing. Ultimately the 3.2” to 8.5” width proved too limiting.

The next generation of color inkjet

During the late 1990s, a Printing Systems Division team started investigating new technologies suitable for the next generation of color printing to meet the broad range of worldwide customer color requirements.

The Printing Systems Division color investigation team completed in-depth assessments of several technologies, culminating in the recommendation of the Screen Media Technology print engine, which evolved into the InfoPrint 5000. The InfoPrint 5000 is an 862-916 ipm, full color inkjet printer that works with PostScript, PDF or AFP.

Pushing into new markets with color cutsheet

The InfoPrint Pro C900 was announced in October 2008. The Pro C900 is laser technology with many media options and inline finishing. Its superb color management system produces exceptional color quality.

The market is evolving along with our line of production color printers. Marketers are recognizing the opportunities in variable data printing to execute multi-channel campaigns and customer retention programs. Color technology is becoming a business opportunity with implementation shared by marketing and IT. The continuous forms printers, such as the InfoPrint 5000, are targeted primarily to our traditional base of transactional customers. The InfoPrint Pro C900 will help us expand into markets such as print-for-pay and in-plant printers who want affordable short-run, print-on-demand capabilities for jobs as diverse as books, collateral, TransPromo and direct mail. Eventually the Pro C900 is expected to run AFP in addition to PostScript to broaden its market appeal.

The market will continue to evolve as more customers focus on sustainability as a way to help them reduce print volumes within an application and on TransPromo to help them develop new, more effective applications.

PING(R) Tees Up With InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite for Cost Savings and Increased Productivity

PHILADELPHIA, PA, Apr 01 (MARKET WIRE) --
InfoPrint Solutions Company, the joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, today announced that PING(R), the market leader in the manufacturing of golf clubs for 50 years, has selected InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite to handle the formatting and printing of all order instructions and barcoded shipping labels. This Mapping Suite provided PING with one, centralized and automated solution for composing their documents and then sending the desired output to available thermal printers at facilities either in
North America, or an international site. This quickly enabled the manufacturer to see high levels of cost savings.

    InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite is a complete, personalized business communications software system that manages document design, print management and multichannel electronic document delivery. PING has implemented this solution to ensure consistency throughout its worldwide locations in the U.S. and Japan. With this offering, PING can take advantage of one, centralized Windows-based server to format the output.  Once this is complete, the information will be processed by the MAPPING Output Server, residing on the same Windows-based server, which will manage and deliver the print jobs on available thermal printers.

    "By implementing the InfoPrint MAPPING Suite, we have seen great improvements in our cost saving efforts which can be strongly attributed to the suite's global centralized base station that enables us to keep a closer eye on our print jobs," said Michael McCurrey of PING. "With this solution, we are now able to monitor and manage our printers remotely from a global perspective. Tying this together with the extreme ease of implementation and the ROI of the deployment, we see a true recipe for success."

    Prior to installing InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite, PING was using remote PC workstations for printing to locally attached printers, an infrastructure that required a high amount of costly IT support to maintain. They were also without remote management capabilities and had no way to implement load balancing. With InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite, PING was able to eliminate the PCs on the production floor, while taking advantage of advanced remote management tools, both of which have resulted in proven reductions in IT spend. MAPPING also delivered to PING worldwide Unicode support which allows them to use virtually any font, including double-byte, without the requirement of purchasing separate font cards.

    "During our first analysis of the PING printing environment, we realized that there was definite room to help reduce spend on printing," said Mark Middendorf, Product Manager at InfoPrint Solutions Company. "We worked closely with their team to ensure that the steps we were taking to reduce costs would work in both their U.S. and Japan-based facilities. Through our work, we were able to install a system that allows PING to monitor and enable print from a global perspective at a much lower cost than they were previously able to do."

    InfoPrint's MAPPING Suite is a key component to InfoPrint's solutions portfolio. It provides professional-class personalized document design, reduces or eliminates the need for preprinted forms and allows for a variety of multichannel delivery including print, Web, email and archive.  MAPPING also integrates seamlessly with other business processes in order to leverage existing investments and improve asset utilization. Through its native support for multiple datastreams, the InfoPrint MAPPING Suite also increases output flexibility through delivering one, centralized print management and monitoring solution capable of printing to impact, thermal/RFID and laser.

    The InfoPrint MAPPING Suite offering is based on InfoPrint's collaboration with Mapping S.A.S, a French software company. For many years, Mapping and InfoPrint have been working together to offer a unified multiplatform output management solutions worldwide.

About InfoPrint Solutions Company

    InfoPrint Solutions Company, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh built on IBM's nearly 50 years in the production print space and Ricoh's excellence in technology innovation.  Together, the two companies are bringing to market a portfolio that includes solutions for production printing for enterprises and commercial printers, as well as office workgroup environments and industrial segments.

    Operating in 36 countries worldwide, InfoPrint holds more than 200 technology patents in the printing and output related industry including the invention of the Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) Architecture, which is a de-facto industry standard for production printing environments.  In 2010, InfoPrint will become a fully owned subsidiary of The Ricoh Company, joining an extensive portfolio of innovative technology brands in the Ricoh family. Ricoh Company Ltd., is 72-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2007 sales in excess of $22 billion, a 7.3 percent increase over the previous year.

Visit www.infoprint.com for more information.

For media information contact:
Gemma Craven
Breakaway Communications for InfoPrint Solutions Company
Email Contact
917-576-6316 (at OnDemand)

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved. 

InfoPrint Launches Latest Monochrome Cutsheet Machines for Flexible Light Production Printing

(REVIEW THESE GREAT NEW PRINTERS ON OUR SITE - CLICK HERE)

Six new monochrome cutsheet printers bring high performance solutions to transactional and Print On Demand (POD) customers.

InfoPrint Solutions Company, a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, today announced the addition of six new models to its monochrome cutsheet portfolio, bringing high performance solutions to transactional and Print On Demand (POD) customers.

The InfoPrint Pro 907, InfoPrint Pro 1107 and InfoPrint Pro 1357 printer-only models are designed for users in data centers, service bureaus and in-plant organizations looking to print and finish transactional documents. All three models support the preferred transaction print data stream, native InfoPrint IPDS (Intelligent Printer Datastream), to provide true page-level error recovery. At up to 135 impressions per minute (ipm), and duty cycles of 1.9 million impressions per month, they provide fast, dependable, high quality printing while protecting mission-critical variable data.

The new printer/copier models, designated by EX, are ideal for POD jobs. InfoPrint Pro 907EX, InfoPrint Pro 1107EX and InfoPrint Pro 1357EX are fast, powerful, versatile and compact models to handle multiple print applications and workflows, usually in quick turnaround situations. The standard hard drive on these three models can be used to store and manipulate jobs to expedite booklets, utilize variable data and change page order. The POD focused units offer versatile media support, including printing on tabs, coated stock and labels. The EX models also support an external EFI Fiery print server, offering complex job building and print queue manipulation.

All six models are modular and configurable to meet the needs of transaction and POD customers. With fast print speeds, high quality 1,200 dpi printing and robust finishing capabilities, there’s no need to outsource jobs any longer. The generous input and output capacities, media decurler unit, TCRU (Trained Customer Replaceable Units) service components and ultrasonic multi-feed detection sensor on all units increase up-time and enable long runs. All models can provide support for multiple datastreams, variable data printing, mixed-plex and mixed-media printing and multiple inline finishing choices to expedite job completion.

“InfoPrint prides itself on offering the most effective portfolio of monochrome cutsheet offerings in the industry. These latest solutions are aimed at meeting specific market demand, and to help our customers maximize operations. They come supported by our world-class maintenance, and importantly our 50 plus years in production,” said Eric Staples, Product Manager, Light Production Cutsheet at InfoPrint.

Key features are:

Alphalogix will be on-site at the IBM Lotusphere 2010 in Orlando!

GLM Group and Alphalogix would like to extend an invitation to you to meet with our team in a private demo suite at the Walt Disney Dolphin Resort on Janurary 16th through the 21st.

New products, features and plans for 2010!

Join us for a private discussion and demonstration of the newest products, features and plans for Alphalogix and IBM in 2010.  Learn how IBM and Alphalogix are shaping the way for enhanced business process automation solutions in IBM WebSphere Portal leveraging IBM Lotus Forms for any type of industry or general business application!

Schedule a Meeting Today!

If you would like to schedule a meeting with Alphalogix, please reach out to us through GLM.  Please contact Warren Neeley at GLM Group by phoning 817-939-5614 or email to warren.neeley@chooseglmgroup.com to schedule a meeting.

We encourage you to visit our website, www.Alphalogix.com for the latest information and news on Tasica and its integration with Lotus Forms and WebSphere Portal.

Alphalogix will see you in Orlando!

Sincerely,

Bob McCandless
CEO, Alphalogix
Robert_McCandless@alphalogix.com

InfoPrint Solutions Company Receives Multiple Industry Awards for Its Workgroup and Cutsheet Solutions

Recognition from BERTL, Better Buys for Business, Buyers Lab Inc. and Wirth Consulting for its outstanding solutions portfolio

InfoPrint Solutions Company, the joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, today announced that it has received prestigious accolades from four of the industry’s leading product reviewers: BERTL, Better Buys for Business (BBB), Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) and Wirth Consulting.

“We are extremely honored to receive these high awards from such well-regarded product reviewers. Our world class team works hard to bring innovative, sustainability-focused and cost-effective solutions to market and is proud to see our efforts recognized again this year,” said Paul Preo, Vice President, Distributed Solutions, InfoPrint Solutions Company. “By ensuring all InfoPrint products benefit from the innovation and experience within the company, we will continue to enhance our solutions focus in 2010 and beyond.”

The awards and reviews received by InfoPrint include:

These awards recognize the best in the print industry as seen by BERTL Inc, a leading source of objective, independent product evaluation reports and comparative analyses on digital imaging devices and workflow solutions.

Two of InfoPrint’s solutions were chosen for BERTL’s Fall Awards series:

Better Buys for Business is the leading independent buyer’s guide for office imaging equipment, including printers, copiers, multifunctional devices, faxes, and scanners. Each year, the publication evaluates hundreds of models from all major manufacturers, but selects only the top printers in each category to receive the coveted "Editor’s Choice" award, given only after rigorous analysis of functionality and ability.

These InfoPrint models were awarded accolades in the 2010 Editor’s Choice Awards:

• The InfoPrint 1822
  Prints first page out in less than 6.5 seconds and offers users a low total cost of ownership
• The InfoPrint 1823
  Intuitive operator panel that allows for simplified operations while offering more cost-effective toner with higher yield 18,000 impression cartridges
• The InfoPrint 1832
  Fast printing with improved print quality in space-sensitive environments offering small and medium workgroups trouble-free printing, professional quality, reliability, and lower costs
• The InfoPrint 1852
  Improved print quality, larger input capacity and faster printing at an attractive price for SMBs looking to upgrade
• The InfoPrint1872
  Highest throughput printing for high-volume jobs and unique application needs for larger workgroups
• The InfoPrint 1892
  More efficient printing for large print jobs with customizable operator features including a 7” color touch screen
• The InfoPrint 1985
  A3/tabloid media capability, high duty cycle and optional high-capacity finishing that includes multi-position stapling and hole punching.
  
  

Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) is the world’s leading independent evaluator of document imaging products and solutions, with more than 30,000 users of their online and print reference services. BLI announces its “Outstanding Achievement Award” winners each year.

The InfoPrint 1892 monochrome printer has been recognized by BLI for this award, for incorporating a touch-screen interface and embedded platform from its MFP line into its single-function printer line. The InfoPrint 1892 is also the company’s first single-function printer that allows for the implementation of software applications.

After subjecting a wide range of printers and MFPs to a battery of rigorous lab tests, BLI also produces its “Pick Awards” twice a year across various printer categories. Pick Awards are chosen by members of the BLI testing and editorial teams, who choose the most impressive solutions from equipment they have tested during the prior six months.

BLI chose InfoPrint’s workgroup solutions as recipients for its Fall Pick Awards for Monochrome Printers and MFPs for several reasons including their easy-to-use control panels, user-friendly print drivers and admirable image quality.

The InfoPrint solutions to win Pick Awards are:

• The InfoPrint 1988 MFP series won Outstanding Large Workgroup A3/Tabloid Monochrome Multifunction Printer due to its reliability, ease of use, great image quality, and overall economy
• The InfoPrint 1880 MFP series won Outstanding Large Workgroup A4/Legal Monochrome Multifunction Printer as it is an all-in-one model offering high performance printing, copying, faxing and scanning. This MFP offers a customizable, user-friendly, color touch screen to increase productivity
• The InfoPrint 1892 won Outstanding Large Workgroup Monochrome Printer for its fast output, impressive image quality, standard security features and easy to use platform
  
  

Industry analysts Wirth Consulting are well known for their testing and evaluation of digital-imaging systems in order to provide timely and independent overviews of devices for their customers.

The InfoPrint 1968 MFP earned Best In Class Medal and Certificate recognition in Wirth Consulting's Head2Head Comparison Report, which evaluated monochrome A3, 40-49 ppm MFPs. The report ranked the InfoPrint 1968 MFP better than 11 competitive MFPs, including those from Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Konica Minolta, Kyocera Mita, Sharp Electronics and Xerox.

InfoPrint Solutions Company, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, brings to market the advantages IBM and Ricoh have in the development, manufacturing, marketing and building of strategic solutions for customers, creating a growth-oriented global enterprise that is strategically focused on the output market. For more information go to www.infoprint.com

InfoPrint Solutions Company Joins Ricoh Family Group of Companies as a Wholly Owned Subsidiary

Three-year joint venture between IBM and Ricoh reaches its scheduled conclusion

BOULDER, Colo. – June 30, 2010

InfoPrint Solutions Company today announced that it has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., bringing the three-year joint venture between IBM and Ricoh to its planned completion. InfoPrint Solutions helps enterprises and print-for-pay customers increase revenue and reduce costs within highly complex, digital print environments.

“We are extremely excited for InfoPrint Solutions to fully join Ricoh as we continue to expand our ability to fulfill requirements for customers who manage mid-to-high volume output,” said Shiro Kondo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ricoh. “With a complete line of industry-leading, analyst-endorsed solutions consisting of printers, professional services and software, InfoPrint Solutions fits perfectly into our family. Built on a rich IT heritage, InfoPrint will enable the Ricoh family to offer even more broad-reaching service, support and technically superior solutions for our customers.”

InfoPrint Solutions combines IBM's 50 years of enterprise printing experience with Ricoh’s office solutions and production printing expertise, placing advanced research and development capabilities at the heart of its solutions. The company specializes in delivering and implementing market-leading Automated Document Factory (ADF), data-driven Precision Marketing and best-of-breed Print On-Demand solutions, along with award-winning hardware and professional services. These solutions and services provide businesses with truly customized offerings to address unique challenges, increase cost savings and enable a higher and faster return on investment (ROI).

Where a customer has multiple or complex needs, InfoPrint Solutions and Ricoh will offer the best solution for the customer, ensuring seamless service and support – before during and after implementation.

“When we embarked on the joint venture in June of 2007 we looked with great anticipation toward this day. And just as we started a new journey three years ago, we are starting another today,” said Daisuke Segawa, President and Chief Executive Officer of InfoPrint Solutions. “We bring key differentiators to the industry illustrated by our solutions-centric philosophy, and we are looking forward to continuing to enable our customers’ ongoing success through our expanded reach as a part of Ricoh.”

InfoPrint Solutions was formed on June 1, 2007 as a joint venture between IBM’s Printing Systems Division and Ricoh. Over the past three years, ownership has increasingly transferred from IBM to Ricoh. This transition period concludes on June 30, 2010.