KONICA MINOLTA RECEIVES THREE PRESTIGIOUS BERTL’S BEST® AWARDS

10th Annual Awards Recognize the Best in Digital Imaging Technology and Innovation

— On Demand Conference & Exposition, May 17 – 19, 2005, Booth #2115 —

RAMSEY, N.J. – May 17, 2005 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced that it is the recipient of three BERTL’s Best® 2005 Awards.  The 10th Annual Awards were based on BERTL Inc.’s (BERTL) extensive review of both newly launched and current-line digital imaging and document management solutions, including:  monochrome and color office MFPs; monochrome and color production devices; wide-format technologies; digital duplicators; document scanners; and software and utilities.  Each product was judged on its feature set, functionality, performance and overall value.

Konica Minolta was honored with awards in the following categories:

“Best 30-39ppm Office Color MFP” — Konica Minolta’s bizhub C450 was acknowledged by BERTL for its rich feature set, extensive network management capabilities, powerful multi-tasking capabilities and general ease of use. 

“While there are a lot of color-capable MFPs on the market right now, the Konica Minolta bizhub C450 offers an enviable range of features and benefits encompassing a wide range of front-office environments and workflow demands that set it apart from its rivals,” commented BERTL’s reviewers.

The newly released bizhub C450 features the groundbreaking bizhub OP, a common system software that drives all functions — copy, print, scan and fax.  Unlike a number of products available on the market, the bizhub C450 is a true MFP right out-of-the-box.  It comes standard with:  45ppm B&W and 35ppm color copying/printing; PCL5c/PCL6/PS3 emulation; networking; 38opm scanning; 40GB hard disk drive; Hard Disk and User Box functionality; 256 g/m2 from all paper trays with automatic duplexing; Reversing Automatic Document Feeder; User Authentication; and network management tools through the PageScope software suite.  A Fax Kit option is also available for adding 33.6Kbps Super G3 FAX capabilities. 

“Best Mid-Volume Color CRD/Commercial MFP” — Commanding a niche position in the production color marketplace, Konica Minolta’s bizhub PRO C500 was honored for vast productivity-enhancing features, extensive finishing options, good image quality and document production capabilities. 

In summary, BERTL stated, “The Konica Minolta bizhub PRO C500 is a central production color resource that includes increased reliability, greater versatility, lower operating costs and higher image quality over its predecessor (the Konica Minolta 8050/CF5001), much to the dismay of competitors, looking to catch up with this trend-setting product line.”

The bizhub PRO C500 is built on the core engine and capabilities of its groundbreaking predecessors — the Konica Minolta 8050 and the Konica Minolta CF5001 — and features true 600 x 600 dpi resolution, 256 gradations per color per pixel, easy color calibration, and an enhanced version of Konica Minolta’s Simitri® Color Polymerized Toner technology.  The enhanced version of Simitri enables the bizhub PRO C500 to deliver higher image quality with its wider color gamut and its greater range of substrates.  In addition with this new toner technology, users can now select matte or glossy output.  With the introduction of the bizhub PRO C500, also came two new finishing options — the FS-513 Staple Finisher and the FS-606 Booklet Finisher — providing the ability to use a wider array of paper grades at higher print speeds. 

“Best Mid-Volume 100 to 120ppm Production Device” — Konica Minolta’s bizhub PRO 1050 was recognized for its reliability, unique market positioning and finishing versatility. 

“The Konica Minolta bizhub PRO 1050 is uniquely positioned as both a back-office, corporate copier MFP, as well as a commercial-class printer.  It offers reliability, finishing versatility, and  integrates with Konica Minolta’s rich suite of networking software,” said BERTL’s reviewers regarding their selection of the bizhub PRO 1050 as a BERTL’s Best 2005 Award winner.

The 105ppm bizhub PRO 1050 was built from the ground up to meet the production print market’s demand for faster products with expanded functionality at flexible price points.  The bizhub PRO 1050 is available in a wide range of product configurations, making it an ideal device for users in production environments ranging from CRDs to quick printing to commercial printing to datacenters.  More than 150 patent pending items were developed for the bizhub PRO 1050, including innovations in the engine design, paper handling features, finishing capabilities, imaging and the user interface.  The device’s key features include:  a monthly duty cycle of 1.5 million impressions; 1200 x 600 dpi print resolution; 9,000-sheet input paper capacity with the ability to handle 244 gsm stock; 100-sheet stapling; 200-page saddle-stitch booklet making; six-position folding; removable stackers; and a pre-flight front end. 

“For more than 15 years, BERTL has been closely examining the digital imaging marketplace and, for 10 consecutive years running, only a select group of devices and manufacturers have taken home the title of BERTL's Best Award winners.  Each year, the bar of excellence continues to rise,” said Elizabeth McNichol, vice president, corporate relations, BERTL, Inc.  “Konica Minolta has outshined the competition in three major market segments this year.  The functionality and versatility of its office and mid-volume production devices continue to distinguish the company from the rest of the field.”

“We are very pleased to be a recipient of the highly prestigious BERTL’s Best Awards,” said William H. Brewster Jr., vice president, marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.  “These awards are a testament to the strength of our bizhub brand and the bizhub product lines.  Winning awards in three major market segments recognizes our commitment to developing monochrome and color digital imaging devices that are the best value on the market from both the feature and cost perspectives.”

For product pricing and availability, please visit Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. on the World Wide Web at www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us. 

About BERTL
BERTL® Inc. is the premier source for objective, independent product-evaluation reports and comparative analyses on digital imaging devices and software.  BERTL’s evaluation reports, customer satisfaction research, awards and product ratings are undertaken entirely at BERTL’s expense for the benefit of its international subscriber base.  At all times, BERTL’s primary focus is the end user.  BERTL publishes the world’s largest library of evaluation reports on copiers, printers, MFPs, fax and color and production devices.  The reports are available in a range of specialized subscription services:  Color at Work®, LabCheck® and Imaging at Work®.  Also available is the DataCheck® service, a database of more than 4,000 products covering all major manufacturers.  To learn more about BERTL, visit www.BERTL.com or telephone 1.732.761.2311.

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

All terms, product and company names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby acknowledged.

Corporate Contact:
Dan Gallagher
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 201-825-4000
dgallagher@kmbs.konicaminolta.us

Media Contact:
Irene Savage/Tristam Wallace
Sr. Account Manager/Sr. Account Executive
HARPELL
+1 781-274-9148/+1 781-274-8710
isavage@harpell.com/twallace@harpell.com

© Copyright 2005 Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.