KONICA MINOLTA INTRODUCES THE
bizhub™ C250 COLOR PRINTER/COPIER/SCANNER/FAX AND
THE bizhub C250P PRINTER

New bizhub C250 Devices Bring Full-Color Capabilities to
Small- to Medium-Sized Office Workgroups
At Highly Affordable Monochrome Machine Pricing

RAMSEY, N.J. — September 1, 2005 — Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced the introduction of the new bizhub™ C250 printer/copier/scanner/fax and the bizhub C250P, the printer-only version of the device.  An ideal replacement for Segment 2 monochrome and color multifunctional products (MFPs) with a copy speed of 25 pages-per-minute (ppm) B&W and color, and print speeds for both the C250 and C250P of 25 ppm letter, 16 ppm letter landscape, 14 ppm legal, and 13 ppm ledger B&W and color, the compact bizhub C250 enables small- to medium-sized office workgroups to utilize the bizhub concept by allowing them to digitally share and distribute B&W and color documents, while controlling security. 

Key Standard Features
The highly compact C250 offers the following standard features:  laser print technology (featuring four lasers); PCL5e/c, PCL6 and PS3 emulation; networking; 25 originals-per-minute (OPM) color and B&W scanning; a 40 GB hard disk drive (optional for the C250P); User Box functionality; the ability to handle up to 140 lb. index paper through the multi-purpose cassette, the manual bypass and the automatic duplex unit; Konica Minolta Simitri® Color Polymerized Toner; User Authentication; and network management tools through the PageScope software suite. 

“Konica Minolta is introducing the C250 to bring full-color capabilities to small- to medium-sized office workgroups who have the occasional need for color but thought it was out of their reach.  The bizhub C250 is attractively priced at the same level as Segment 2 monochrome machines, taking all factors under consideration including hardware, supplies and overall TCO,” said Kevin P. Kern, vice president, product planning and development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.  “The new bizhub C250 with its groundbreaking color MFP price; its all-in-one architecture; its compact design; as well as its improved productivity, image quality and security is going to make the transition from B&W devices an easy decision for today’s businesses.”

bizhub OP
Konica Minolta’s bizhub OP brings a new level of performance and reliability to the C250 by delivering a common user experience, increased manageability, superior print performance, improved scanning functionality and enhanced security. 

The three major components of bizhub OP are the bizhub Architecture, the Emperon Print System and bizhub Open API.  The bizhub Architecture removes the need for separate functional boards through the utilization of common system software that drives all functions — copy, print, scan and fax.  The new architecture also eliminates hardware-based functions, and shares the device’s CPU and memory for a seamless MFP user experience.  The Emperon Print System (for both the C250 and C250P) provides for total integration of document output management with a consistent user interface and functionality across future Konica Minolta products.  In addition, the bizhub Open API (available at the end of 2005) will enable control of both the print and scan functions from external applications.

Enhanced Imaging and Paper Handling
Featuring 256 levels of grayscale per pixel and 600 x 600 dpi print/copy resolution, the C250 produces clear text, sharp edges and consistent color.  The C250 uses Konica Minolta Simitri Color Polymerized Toner, which maintains the uniformity of the toner particles for more even distribution, significantly better halftone definition and better solid fills. 

With these image quality features, plus one of the smallest 11″ x 17″ color tandem engines in the industry; a monthly maximum duty cycle of 75,000 impressions; standard paper capacity of 850 sheets, including a 100-sheet bypass tray; expandable paper capacity up to 3,350 sheets; and the ability to handle up to 140 lb. index through the multi-purpose cassette, the manual bypass and the automatic duplex unit, the C250 is designed to handle the diverse color and B&W document needs of small- to medium-sized office workgroup environments such as Marketing, Finance and Human Resources.

Optional Faxing Capabilities
Also available for the new C250 is the optional 33.6Kbps Super G3 analog FAX functionality.  The optional fax capabilities include:  32 MB of memory, transmissions in B&W up to 11″ x 17″, JBIG data compression, up to 600 x 600 fax TX resolution, separate scanning, duplex TX and RX, mixed original faxing, PC faxing, memory reception and delayed transmission.

Advanced Security and Data Handling Features
With document security and document management playing a significant role in the technology acquisition decision making process, the C250 supports Hard Disk Drive Overwrite and Job Erase (available in the fall of 2005), which automatically overwrites the hard disk drive after each job.  In addition, the C250 offers User Authentication to protect a user job by prohibiting its modification or deletion.  With User Authentication, it is also possible to enable or disable each user’s access to the device based on function — copy, print, scan, fax and User Box. 

The C250’s User Box functionality, with its PageScope Box Operator software, supports each of the device’s functions — copy, print, scan and fax.  With a total of 1,000 user boxes and the ability to store up to 3,000 documents, users can manage individual User Boxes, create public and private User Boxes, assign passwords, and restrict the number of files stored.

Finishing Options for Maximum Productivity
For added productivity and convenience, Konica Minolta has enhanced the finishing options available for the C250.  The new FS-603 Booklet Finisher, with its sorting, stapling and saddle stitching, as well as two- and three-hole punching capabilities, enables users to create up to 60-page booklets. The new FS-501 Staple Finisher features sort, group and corner staple functionality. 

PageScope Suite Provides Document Processing and Network Management Functions
C250 customers also have access to PageScope, Konica Minolta’s powerful family of integrated software applications and utilities that help businesses manage their documents and devices.  Included in this suite of products is PageScope Net Care, which provides network administrators with detailed information about the operating conditions of all output devices containing a Management Information Base (MIB) on a network from any Web browser, and the new PageScope utilities — Job Spooler, HDD Backup, Direct Print and Data Administrator.  Also included is PageScope Web Connection, which allows users to instantly check device conditions on all network-connected Konica Minolta printers/copiers from their desktop. 

Highlighted bizhub C250 Features

• bizhub OP open platform, including the bizhub Architecture, Emperon Print System and the bizhub Open API (available at the end of 2005)
• Copy speed of 25 ppm B&W and color
• Print speeds of 25 ppm letter, 16 ppm letter landscape, 14 ppm legal and 13 ppm ledger B&W and color (C250 and C250P)
• 25 OPM B&W and color scanning
• Konica Minolta Simitri® Color Polymerized Toner
• Network scanning standard integration, including Scan-to-Email, Scan-to-SMB, Scan-to-Desktop, Scan-to-FTP, Scan-to-HDD, Scan-to-User Box and TWAIN scanning 
• Ability to handle up to 140 lb. index paper from the multi-purpose cassette, the manual bypass and the automatic duplex unit
• Optional Reversing Automatic Document Feeder
• 512 MB maximum memory
• 40 GB standard hard drive (optional for the C250P)
• 600 x 600 dpi print/copy resolution
• 850-sheet standard/3,350-sheet maximum paper capacity
• User Authentication, with future availability of HDD Overwrite and Job Erase
• Optional Super G3 analog FAX capabilities
• Multiple advanced finishing options, including the FS-501 Stapling Finisher with sort, group and corner staple capabilities; and the FS-603 Booklet Finisher with the ability to create up to 60-page booklets

Pricing and Availability
The C250 is currently available through Konica Minolta’s North American direct sales, authorized dealer and value-added reseller channels.  The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the C250 is $9,995.  The C250P will be available later in September.

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., offers a broad range of multifunctional digital imaging solutions inspired by its bizhub™ brand of powerful solutions that serve as the central resource for document scanning, in-house printing, copying, faxing and electronic archiving and distribution.  From high-quality color and monochrome bizhub systems for workgroups and small offices, to advanced high-volume bizhub PRO™ production printing systems for large corporations and print-for-pay services, Konica Minolta is leading the industry toward integrated, networked hardware/software solutions that are more simple, reliable, and cost-effective.  Complementing its bizhub solutions, Konica Minolta also offers desktop laser printers, microform digital imaging systems, wide-format printers and scanning systems for specialized applications.

Headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and experienced, responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.  For more information, please visit Konica Minolta at www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us

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