Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has launched the bizhub C550, a colour document imaging system that combines radical new design elements with innovative new technology. The bizhub C550 features network printer, copier and network scanner functionality and can print or copy in colour at 45 pages per minute or black and white at 55 ppm.

The bizhub C550 represents a design break from the traditional sandstone copier placed against a wall. It has been designed so that it can be free standing in the centre of an office and when placed over a power/network hub outlet, the bizhub C550 shows no trailing cables. The radical design reflects the bizhub concept of the networked document imaging system at the heart of the business enterprise.

As well as being cosmetically attractive, the radical design of the bizhub C550 provides practical operational information. A distinctive ‘info line’ in white runs the length and width of the machine with LEDs showing paper levels, job status and data processing at a glance. The ergonomic design also incorporates a full colour 8 inch display, with a touch screen that can be both rotated and tilted to suit a desired position. The screen also features thumbnails of each job in the user box.

The bizhub C550’s groundbreaking design is matched by innovative new technology. Induction Fusing uses induction heat transfer, a safe and instant source of heat that enables image fusing at lower temperatures than conventional fusing. As well as using less energy Induction Fusing means the bizhub C550 has a warm up time of just 30 seconds, a performance breakthrough for a colour imaging system.

The bizhub C550 also benefits from Konica Minolta’s patented Simitri® HD Polymerised Toner with smaller, smoother, more uniform toner particles for more even distribution, significantly better fine line definition, and better solid fills.

The bizhub C550 uses Konica Minolta’s bizhub open platform (OP) architecture and features an improved Emperon image controller, providing a unified driver for the print and scan functions, as well as straightforward network integration. The image controller supports PCL6c and PostScript Level 3 printing.

For advanced access control the bizhub C550 has an optional biometric finger vein authentication scanner. Finger vein authentication scans the vein patterns (more reliable than even finger prints) in the finger making user authentication fast and accurate. This means that users in secure environments can access the bizhub C550 quickly without the need to memorise user names and passwords.

The bizhub C550 is available with a range of high productivity finishing options including sorting, stapling and saddle stitching, as well as two and four hole punching capabilities. An optional Super G3 fax module is also available.

Commenting on the launch of the bizhub C550, John Howard, Head of Marketing for Konica Minolta (UK) said, “Everything about the bizhub C550 represents a break from the past and not just an update on previous models. It’s radical appearance results from a decision to design from first principles based on the ‘form following function’ design maxim. The 360° appearance and the info line show that good design produces practical benefits as well as aesthetic excellence. The purity of design is matched by technical innovation that places the bizhub C550 a generation ahead of competitive offerings”.

Ends.