Ricoh Introduces HotSpot Multifunction Printers

WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment and advanced document management solutions and services, today announced the launch of Ricoh HotSpot technology for Ricoh Multifunction Printers (MFPs). Ricoh HotSpot MFPs offer mobile users the added convenience of printing remotely, making HotSpot a viable solution for business travelers, sales reps, educational facilities, medical offices and others who require access to important files while on the go. Providing a hard-copy output solution for laptops, handheld devices and Web- enabled smartphones, HotSpot MFPs enable users to print securely across the Internet, without the need for a device-specific driver or special software. Mobile printing solutions for the Ricoh HotSpot MFPs are powered by PrinterOn®.

Ricoh HotSpot MFPs offer users fast and convenient printing options, all in a secure environment. By sending documents, Web pages and emails to a remote server, the data is converted into a printable file for the HotSpot MFP and is transmitted to the device. A secure release code is then sent to the user who enters the code at the MFP LCD panel when ready to print.

"Launching the HotSpot feature for the MFP is a critical step as Ricoh expands its mobile printing offering," said Matt Sakauchi, Vice President, Office Printer Business Group, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "Offering a secure, web-connected option that allows users to print from their smartphones to any Ricoh HotSpot enabled device, gives Ricoh customers a competitive advantage to better conducting their business quickly and efficiently in an ever-changing marketplace."

Gartner, a leading IT Research Firm, recently ranked Ricoh number one in market share in the U.S. market for the combined black and white and color copier A3 segment for multi-function products.(1) With the addition of built-in HotSpot capability on Ricoh MFPs, customers benefit from advanced mobile resources not standard with competitive MFPs. HotSpot technology can also be added to existing MFPs through a network device that can be installed easily and quickly. Since no drivers or network connectivity is needed to print to HotSpot devices, the need for IT department involvement is limited.

This announcement follows the recent launch of the Ricoh HotSpot Printing application for the BlackBerry® smartphone that allows users access to more than 2,000 publicly available printers.

Find out more about Ricoh HotSpot compatible MFPs and Ricoh's full line of products by visiting www.ricoh-usa.com.

(1) Gartner, Inc. Printer, Copier and MFP Quarterly Statistics United States: Database, SJ Chae, Lai-ling Lam, Yulan Li , Amrita Choudhury, Federico De Silva, May 17, 2010. 2009 Total Market Share was measured for multi-function products over $1,000.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

About Ricoh Americas Corporation

Ricoh Americas Corporation, headquartered in West Caldwell, N.J., is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., the 74-year-old leading provider of advanced office technology and innovative document imaging products, services and software, with fiscal year 2009 sales in excess of $21 billion.

Ricoh's fully integrated hardware and customizable services and software help businesses share information efficiently and effectively by enabling customers to control the input, management and output of documents.

Ricoh Americas Corporation, directly or through its network of authorized dealers, markets and distributes products in North, Central and South America.

Information about Ricoh's complete range of offerings can be found at www.ricoh-usa.com.

All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Ricoh Web Site: www.ricoh-usa.com

SOURCE Ricoh Americas Corporation