Competitive Analysis Report

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1 Competitive Analysis Report BUYERS LAB FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Business Solutions Europe GmbH MFP Line of the Year Business Technologies, Inc. bizhub C452 Business Technologies, Inc. bizhub C452 February 2011

2 Competitive Model: Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci The TASKalfa 500ci has a rated engine speed of 40 ppm in color and 50 ppm in black. It features standard copy, print (PCL 5c/6, PostScript 3, PRESCRIBE and XPS) and scan functionality and optional fax (including walk-up, PC fax, network fax and Internet fax) capability. The machine offers users a choice between an optional 100-sheet reversing automatic document feeder (RADF) or an optional 100-sheet duplexing single-pass automatic document feeder (DSPF). The device has 2 GB of RAM, an 800-MHz print processor and dual 160-GB hard disks standard. The standard paper supply consists of two 500-sheet paper drawers and a 100-sheet bypass tray. Two additional 500-sheet paper drawers and a 3,000-sheet paper drawer are available as options. Maximum paper capacity is 4,100 sheets with options. Unenhanced print resolution is 600 x 600 dpi. Featured Model: bizhub C452 The bizhub C452 has a rated engine speed of 45 ppm in color and 45 ppm in black. It features standard copy, print (PCL 5c/6, PostScript 3 and XPS), Internet fax, and scan functionality and optional fax (including walk-up, PC fax and network fax). The machine comes standard with a 100-sheet reversing automatic document feeder (RADF), 2 GB of RAM (upgradeable to 3 GB), a 1-GHz print processor and a 250-GB hard disk. Users can select an optional IC-412 EFI Fiery print controller with 512 MB of RAM, a 1.8-GHz print processor and an 80-GB hard disk. The standard paper supply consists of two 500-sheet paper drawers, a 1,000-sheet paper drawer, a 1,500-sheet paper drawer and a 150-sheet bypass tray. Paper supplies can be upgraded to a maximum of 6,650 sheets. Unenhanced print resolution is 600 x 600 dpi, enhanced is up to 1800 x 600 dpi.

3 bizhub C452 in comparison with Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci Robust features set The bizhub C452 offers a robust collection of features designed to accommodate the needs of the busiest workgroup environments. Its advantages over the TASKalfa 500ci include: n Simitri HD toner: This polymerized toner, available only for devices, employs toner particles that are smaller, smoother and more uniform in size than toner particles produced by traditional pulverization techniques, resulting in more even halftones, sharper text and better grayscales. n Better image quality: Compared with the TASKalfa 500ci, the bizhub C452 was rated higher overall on two of the four image quality categories tested by BLI. The bizhub C452 was rated Very Good for color print quality, black print quality, color copy quality and black copy quality. The TASKalfa 500ci was rated Very Good for color print quality and black print quality, and Good color copy quality and black copy quality. Excellent Very Good Good Fair Better Image Quality Colour Print Quality n bizhub C452 Colour Copy Quality n Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci Black Copy Quality Black Print Quality n Better optional fax capability: The bizhub C452 s fax option offers a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi, while resolution on the TASKalfa 500ci is lower at only 400 x 400 dpi. Fax memory on the bizhub C452 is also much higher than on the TASKalfa 500ci (2 GB shared versus only 12 MB, upgradeable to a maximum of 120 MB). n Advanced copy features: A number of advanced copy features that are available on the bizhub C452, including image overlay, image insert, and a timer, are not available on the TASKalfa 500ci. n Fiery print controller option: Unlike the TASKalfa 500ci, the bizhub C452 offers an optional EFI Fiery print controller, which enables advanced print workflow and color controls used in many graphics and production environments. The TASKalfa 500ci does not offer an optional Fiery controller, which could limit its usefulness in print shops and CRDs.

Superior Paper Handling The bizhub C452 s superior paper-handling capabilities make it an excellent fit in a wide variety of environments, even in workplaces where heavy paper stock is routinely used.

4 Superior Paper Handling The bizhub C452 s superior paper-handling capabilities make it an excellent fit in a wide variety of environments, even in workplaces where heavy paper stock is routinely used. Its advantages over the TASKalfa 500ci include: n More standard paper sources: The bizhub C452 includes four standard paper drawers, while in contrast the TASKalfa 500ci includes only two. This allows users of the bizhub C452 to pre-load and access more paper types than users of the TASKalfa 500ci. Not only does this reduce the amount of time users spend stocking and reloading paper, but it can also save money on paper costs. n Higher standard paper capacity: Out of the box, the bizhub C452 offers a paper capacity of 3,500 sheets from four paper drawers, plus a 150-sheet bypass tray. In contrast, the TASKalfa 500ci s standard paper capacity is only 1,000 sheets from two drawers, plus a 100-sheet bypass tray. n Higher bypass tray paper capacity: The bizhub C452 s bypass tray handles up to 150 sheets, while in contrast, the TASKalfa 500ci holds only 100 sheets. Note that bypass capacity is commonly quoted based on 24-lb. bond/90 gsm or lower media weight paper, and that heavy card stock greatly reduces overall capacity. This means that on the TASKalfa 500ci, users printing color covers, business cards, brochures or other materials on heavy card stock may find they are reloading media every few minutes, making the process more labor-intensive.

This means that users of the bizhub C452 can feed much heavier weights through the document feeder, such as product brochures, without being forced to use the copy platen to handle thicker paper

5 n Heavier paper weights through the document feeder: The bizhub C452 s RADF can handle media weight up to 55-3/4 lb. bond/210 gsm, while the document feeder on the TASKalfa 500ci can t handle weights heavier than 43-lb. bond/162 gsm. This means that users of the bizhub C452 can feed much heavier weights through the document feeder, such as product brochures, without being forced to use the copy platen to handle thicker paper types. This saves time and money through the elimination of manual processes. 400 Maximum Paper Weight GSM Document Feeder Main Paper Drawers Duplex Bypass n bizhub C452 n Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci n Heavier duplex paper weights: The bizhub C452 can duplex paper weights up to 68-1/8-lb. bond/256 gsm, while the TASKalfa 500ci is only able to accommodate up to 43-lb. bond/162 gsm. n Heavier paper weights through the bypass: The bizhub C452 s bypass can handle paper weights up to 80-lb. bond/300 gsm (including 100-lb. cover), while the bypass on the TASKalfa 500ci can handle weights of only up to 58-lb. bond/218 gsm. n Handles A3+ size paper: All of the bizhub C452 s paper drawers can handle A3+ (12 x 18 ) media sizes, allowing users to create full-bleed ledger-size output by using A3+ paper and then trimming the edges down to A3 size. The TASKalfa 500ci can t handle paper sizes larger than A3/11 x 17. n Banner-size paper support: The bizhub C452 supports full-color printing of banner-size paper up to 1200x297mm (11-3/4 x 47-1/4 ). Banner printing is not available on the TASKalfa 500ci.

Productivity Advantages The bizhub C452 offers a number of critical advantages over the TASKalfa 500ci that help businesses run better and more productively, including: n Faster rated color engine

6 Productivity Advantages The bizhub C452 offers a number of critical advantages over the TASKalfa 500ci that help businesses run better and more productively, including: n Faster rated color engine speed: The bizhub C452 s rated color engine speed is faster than that of the TASKalfa 500ci (45 ppm versus up to 40 ppm on the TASKalfa 500ci). n Faster printing and copying ratings: Compared with the TASKalfa 500ci, the bizhub C452 was rated higher overall on three of the four print/copy productivity categories tested by BLI. The bizhub C452 was rated Very Good for color print productivity, black print productivity, and color copy productivity and Good for black copy productivity. The TASKalfa 500ci was rated Good for all four categories. n Faster job stream printing: When performing BLI s job stream test, which simulates the type of usage a device would see in a networked office environment, the bizhub C452 was significantly faster than the TASKalfa 500ci. The model ran at 32.4 ppm in the auto-color mode test and 35.7 ppm in the black test. The Kyocera machine ran at only 19.8 ppm in auto-color mode and 32.3 ppm in black. The test was run using PCL drivers and included Word documents, Outlook messages, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, HTML and Acrobat PDF files totaling 19 pages, which were released to the device simultaneously.* Pages per Minute Job Stream Print Speed (PCL) 35,7 32,4 32,3 19,8 0 Auto-Color Mode (PCL 6) Black Mode (PCL 6) n bizhub C452 n Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci

7 n Smaller color file sizes that won t clog the network: Trying to color files can be a nightmare, especially when important files are rejected by the recipient s server because they re too big. Using the bizhub C452 s compact PDF mode, BLI technicians were able to compress a color original down to only 168 KB much smaller than the 262 KB file size created by the TASKalfa 500ci when compressed.* n Smaller black file sizes: Optimized for office environments that include both color and black-and-white documents, the bizhub C452 supports scanning compression of black documents while the TASKalfa 500ci does not. BLI technicians were able to compress a black original down to 92 KB, much smaller than the 132 KB file size created by the TASKalfa 500ci when using the same file.* n Better multitasking: On the bizhub C452, the number of copy jobs that can be programmed ahead while a print or copy job is in progress is limited only by memory. In contrast, on the TASKalfa 500ci, users can program only up to 10 copy jobs ahead while a copy or print job is in progress. This could prevent a user from scanning a copy job if the queue is already full. An unlimited number of print jobs can be sent to the bizhub C452 and TASKalfa 500ci subject only to the memory capacity. n Faster print processor: The bizhub C452 s print processor runs at 1 GHz, giving it the speed it needs to process complex jobs (such as graphics and pictures embedded into a document) quickly. The print processor for the TASKalfa 500ci is slower at only 800 MHz. n Higher toner yields: The bizhub C452 s toner yields are substantially higher than those of the TASKalfa 500ci in both black and color. The bizhub C452 has a black toner yield of 45,000 impressions, while the TASKalfa 500ci s black toner yield is only 25,000 impressions. Plus, the bizhub C452 s color toner yield is significantly higher than that of the TASKalfa 500ci (30,000 impressions, versus only 18,000 impressions). This means that users of the C452 can run their machine longer before they have to replenish toner supplies. Pages Per Cartridge 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 Higher Toner Yields 30,000 n bizhub C452 Colour Toner 18,000 n Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci 45,000 Black Toner 25,000 Excellent Very Good Good Fair Better Productivity Ratings Colour Printing Black Printing Colour Copying Black Copying n bizhub C452 n Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci n Change toner on-the-fly: The bizhub C452 offers maximum productivity through its on-the-fly toner replacement system. In contrast, TASKalfa 500ci users have to stop the machine before refilling toner, causing a loss of valuable productivity. *Data from BLI s Lab and Field Test reports. n PPML support: The bizhub C452 s Emperon print controller offers standard PPML (personalized print markup language), an open XML standard that provides much higher productivity and smaller file sizes when used in variable data printing (VDP). PPML is not available on the TASKalfa 500ci. n XPS support: The bizhub C452 also includes XPS printing, which leverages the processing power of the user s PC to process complex jobs. There is no XPS print driver available for the TASKalfa 500ci.

8 Leading-Edge Security The need for security protection is critical, and the more standard security features the better. The bizhub C452 includes more standard security features as well as better security options than the TASKalfa 500ci. n Standard hard disk drive overwrite: Unlike with the TASKalfa 500ci, hard drive overwrite is included as part of the bizhub C452 s standard feature set. This function is optional on the TASKalfa 500ci. Further, the bizhub C452 provides the ability to overwrite up to seven times using eight different overwrite types after each job. In contrast, the TASKalfa 500ci offers up to three different types of overwrite methods. n Standard hard disc drive encryption: Hard disk drive encryption is another capability that is included standard with the bizhub C452 but optional for the TASKalfa 500ci. n Optional Biometric Authentication unit: The bizhub C452 offers an optional Biometric Authentication unit. It was the industry s first finger-based authentication system to recognize users based on finger vein patterns, which is more secure than fingerprint authentication. Rather than typing in a username and password at the device to access stored documents, the unit provides a quick method of authenticating to the device. This leading-edge security feature is not available for the TASKalfa 500ci. n Optional HID Proximity Card authentication: The bizhub C452 also offers authentication options such as an HID Proximity Card unit, which is another level of security that the TASKalfa 500ci is unable to match.

9 Superior Ease of Use No matter how robust an MFP s feature set is, if the device isn t easy to use, many workers will simply avoid using it. The bizhub C452 was designed with ease of use in mind, offering user-friendly features including: n My Panel Manager: The My Panel Manager option lets users customize the device s control panel for screen display, preferred language, paper system (metric or standard U.S.), address book, shortcut keys and other preferences. These preferences can be called up on any device on the network once user authentication occurs. n Adjustable color control panel that tilts and swivels: The bizhub C452 s control panel tilts in three angles as well as swivels, allowing users to adjust the position for the most comfortable viewing angle. The TASKalfa 500ci s control panel can be tilted in two positions and cannot be swiveled. The bizhub C452 also features a convenient contrast adjustment dial and displayed text can be enlarged, making the control panel easier to read. The TASKalfa 500ci s control panel contrast cannot be adjusted. Lastly, the bizhub C452 offers an optional hardware-based keyboard, an accessory that greatly improves ease of use in high-volume scanning environments. The TASKalfa 500ci does not offer this option. n Simple paper adjustment: BLI s Lab Test Report on the bizhub C452 noted, Adjusting the top two paper drawers for different size media is straightforward. The length guides slide so they don t have to be removed, and the side-to-side guides move in sync once the tabs have been squeezed. On the TASKalfa 500ci, BLI s Lab Test Report noted that adjusting paper drawers is slightly more cumbersome than some competing models. n Easy misfeed removal: According to the Lab Test Report on the bizhub C452, Users are guided step by step through the misfeed removal process via text and animation instructions, as well as a graphical depiction of the unit that shows where the jam is located. n Award winning MyTab Printer Driver: BLI recognized s MyTab printer driver design with an Outstanding Achievement Award in June The MyTab printer driver allows users to customize their drivers, maximizing ease of use and worker productivity. According to David Sweetnam, BLI s European Lab and Research Manager, With MyTab, users are able to set up a single print driver tab and design it to have all the settings they need, including paper handling, finishing, image quality, watermarking, and more, thereby removing the clutter that is often confusing and unwanted. With MyTab, users can now take full advantage of the driver fea- ture set with a minimum of fuss and reduce the risk of errors, as all required features can be viewed at a glance. n Print driver consistency: According to BLI s Lab Test Report on the bizhub C452, The graphical layout of the drivers is identical, making navigation easier for users who frequently switch between them. In contrast, BLI s Lab Test Report on the TASKalfa 500ci noted, Although the KX driver encompasses three different PDL versions that are identical in appearance and layout, accessing the different versions may initially be confusing to the user. n Better scan functionality: The bizhub C452 s scanning capability includes convenient Scan-to-Me and Scan-to-Home functions that make it simple for users to add documents to their workflow wherever they happen to be working. There is no comparable capability for the TASKalfa 500ci. What s more, only the bizhub C452 supports scanning to searchable PDF files. n Outline PDF: This function helps smooth rough edges to create more legible text and graphics, resulting in less need to reprint or re-copy to improve image quality. n Optional QWERTY-style keyboard: Users who enter a lot of data on the fly will appreciate the optional QWERTY-style keyboard available for the bizhub C452. This makes it easier to enter long text strings, such as addresses and document file names, quickly and intuitively. There is no keyboard option available for the TASKalfa 500ci, meaning users have to enter data by pressing individual letters and numbers on the control panel.

Summing Up The bizhub C452 offers the right combination of features and functionality necessary to succeed in a wide range of office environments.

10 Summing Up The bizhub C452 offers the right combination of features and functionality necessary to succeed in a wide range of office environments. Its robust features, strong paper handling, ability to handle heavy paper weights, longer-lasting toner supplies and excellent ease of use make it the logical choice compared with the TASKalfa 500ci. Shortcomings of the Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci BLI s Lab Test Report on the Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci cited the following shortcomings of the product: n The TASKalfa 500ci is able to reserve only up to 10 copy jobs ahead. (The bizhub C452 is limited only by its memory.) n The TASKalfa 500ci s job list does not indicate the number of sets programmed in copy or print jobs, nor does it provide the time remaining until job completion. The application name for print jobs is also not provided and data cannot be exported to another application or format. n KM-Net Status Monitor is the chief provider of device feedback. However, it does not provide any gauges for paper size or supply, nor for supplies such as toner, photoconductor, waste container, staple cartridge, or fuser. n The TASKalfa 500ci s drivers do not feature a pointand-click interface or consumables feedback. n Although the KX driver encompasses three different PDL versions that are identical in appearance and layout, accessing the different versions may initially be confusing to the user because of the number of steps that are required. n Unlike some competing devices, which allow users to clone settings to multiple destinations at once via a utility, settings must be imported individually on each machine via the USB memory device. n The control panel does not offer a thumbnail view of a current scan job s programmed attributes, such as simplex or duplex, monochrome or color, and so on. n Compression of black-and-white scans is not available. n Users cannot select LDAP destinations from the Web utility. n The Web browser does not allow for printing. n When copying multiple sets, the device s tested speed is below average in 1:2 and 2:2 modes, and its efficiency is below average as well. n Quick copy and/or proof copy are not available. n Users cannot copy onto tab extensions. n Advanced job build, in which users can program different settings for different pages within a document, is not available. n Not only is the TASKalfa 500ci s rated color toner yield significantly lower than the bizhub C452 s, but BLI technicians noted that tested color toner yield fell short of the rated specification. Note: Data taken from BLI s Lab Test Report.

Specifications at a Glance bizhub C452 Kyocera

Date Sept-09 Dec-08 Rated Engine Speed (Black) 45

First Copy Time (color/black) 6.0/4.8 sec. 6.9/4.

Standard Paper Capacity 3,650 sheets 1,100 sheets

/Max. Paper Sources 4/6 2/5 Bypass Capacity 150

x 600 dpi Standard RAM 2 GB 2 GB Standard Hard

Optional Not available Black Toner Yield 45,000

30,000 impressions 18,000 impressions 2 0 11 BUYERS

11 Specifications at a Glance bizhub C452 Kyocera TASKalfa 500ci Domestic Intro. Date Sept-09 Dec-08 Rated Engine Speed (Black) 45 ppm 50 ppm Rated Engine Speed (Color) 45 ppm 40 ppm First Copy Time (color/black) 6.0/4.8 sec. 6.9/4.9 sec. Standard Paper Capacity 3,650 sheets 1,100 sheets Max. Paper Capacity 6,650 sheets 4,100 sheets Std./Max. Paper Sources 4/6 2/5 Bypass Capacity 150 sheets 100 sheets Copy Resolution 600 x 600 dpi 600 x 600 dpi Standard RAM 2 GB 2 GB Standard Hard Drive 250 GB 160 GB EFI Fiery Print Controller Optional Not available Black Toner Yield 45,000 impressions 25,000 impressions Color Toner Yield 30,000 impressions 18,000 impressions BUYERS LAB Business Solutions Europe GmbH MFP Line of the Year 2010 Business Technologies, Inc. bizhub C452 Business Technologies, Inc. bizhub C452

12 All information provided with this Competitive Analysis is based on independent, reliable test results of the Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), the leading authority and provider of critical intelligence on the imaging industry. This Competitive Analysis is a living document this means it is continually updated. This document is strictly for internal use and is provided for self training purposes it should never be provided in whole or part to a customer. This guide is intended solely for the use and information of Business Solutions Europe GmbH, its designated agents and their employees. The information was obtained from several different sources that are deemed reliable by all industry standards. To the best of our knowledge, this information is accurate in all respects. However, neither Business Solutions Europe GmbH nor any of its agents or employees shall be responsible for any inaccuracies contained herein Business Solutions Europe GmbH. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited., bizhub, and the essentials of imaging are trademarks of. Fiery is a trademark of Electronics for Imaging, Inc. All other brands and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners. Business Solutions Europe GmbH has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in the Competitive Analysis is complete and accurate. Design & specifications are subject to change without notice. Some functions may require Options, which may or may not be available at time of launch. Business Solutions Europe GmbH Europaallee Langenhagen Germany Tel.: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) /2011

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