January 2007 Ricoh Aficio MP C4500 www.bertl.com

Ricoh Aficio MP C4500

45 ppm Monochrome 40 ppm Color Print Copy Scan Fax Internet Fax

www.bertl.com

Copyright 2007 MCA Internet, LLC dba BERTL. 21 May 2007 All Rights Reserved. The license under 2007 this document is made available and applicable law prohibit any reproduction or further transmission of any portion of this document. This Copyright which MCA Internet, LLC dba BERTL.
prohibited. BERTL accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions contained in this document.
document may only be viewed electronically The license under which this document is made available and applicable law prohibit any format. Any reproduction of trademarksany portion of this document. This All Rights Reserved. through the www.BERTL.com Web site and may not be stored in electronic or hard copy reproduction or further transmission of is strictly prohibited. BERTL accepts no responsibilitybe viewed electronically omissions contained in this document. and may not be stored in electronic or hard copy format. Any reproduction of trademarks is strictly document may only for any inaccuracies or through the www.BERTL.com Web site

21 May 2007 Page

Whats Inside
Click on an entry to go to the page listed.
Introduction.... 4 Device Features Summary... 4 Paper Handling: Paper Input... 5 Paper Handling: Input Features Summary.. 5 What We Liked... 5 What We Would Like to See... 5 Paper Handling: Paper Output/Finishing... 6 Paper Handling: Output/Finishing Features Summary. 6 What We Liked... 6 What We Would Like to See... 6 Routine Maintenance... 7 Maintenance Features Summary.. 7 What We Liked... 7 What We Would Like to See... 7 Device Management... 8 What We Liked... 8 What We Would Like to See... 8 Security.... 10 Security Features Summary.. 10 What We Liked... 10 What We Would Like to See.. 10 Secure/Locked Print... 11 Accessibility.... 12 What We Liked... 12 What We Would Like to See.. 12 Copy.... 13 Copy Features Summary... 13 What We Liked... 13 What We Would Like to See.. 13 Copy Productivity.... 15 Touch Screen Selections for Commonly-Used Copy Functions... 15 Batch and Mixed-Media Copy Capabilities.. 15 Copy Image Quality... 16 Image Quality Summary.. 16
Copyright 2007 MCA Internet, LLC dba BERTL.
All Rights Reserved. The license under which this document is made available and applicable law prohibit any reproduction or further transmission of any portion of this document. This document may only be viewed electronically through the www.BERTL.com Web site and may not be stored in electronic or hard copy format. Any reproduction of trademarks is strictly prohibited. BERTL accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions contained in this document.

21 May 2007

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Print on Demand... 18 Print On Demand Features Summary.. 18 What We Liked... 18 What We Would Like to See.. 18 Print.... 19 Print Features Summary.. 19 What We Liked... 19 What We Would Like to See.. 19 Print Productivity.... 20 Bandwidth Comparison... 20 Print Workflow.... 21 Batch Printing Capabilities.. 21 Concurrency Test Results.. 21 Network Workload Tests... 21 PCL Print Driver Functionality... 22 RPCS Print Driver Functionality... 23 Print Image Quality.... 24 Image Quality... 24 Scan.... 25 Scan Features Summary... 25 What We Liked... 25 What We Would Like to See.. 25 Scan Data Capture Accuracy... 26 Scan Productivity.... 27 Scan Bandwidth Comparison.. 27 Scanning Batches and Mixed Originals... 28 Batch and Mixed-Media Scanning Capabilities.. 28 Advertised Document Feeder Specifications.. 28 Original-Handling Results... 28 Multifunction Triple Play Test... 29 Summing Up.... 30 About BERTL.... 31

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Introduction
As the race for office color supremacy heats up, Ricoh introduced its latest color MFP range, headed up by the Aficio MP C4500. This four-in-line imaging system advertises a maximum monochrome and color engine speed of 45 ppm and 40 ppm respectively, and sports a wealth of new features, improved functionality, and a greatly improved walk up and desktop user experience. The MP C4500 looks from both the walk up and desktop experience to be virtually identical to the MP C2500 and MP C3000 products (which BERTL has already evaluated.) However, to account for the larger volumes that these faster devices are positioned to handle, Ricoh has armed the MP C4500 (and MP C3500) with even more processing power, large document storage capacity and improved media input and output handling capabilities. BERTL was granted first access to the Ricoh Aficio MP C4500 and was immediately impressed by the scope of improvements that have been added to the device. Ricoh seems to have addressed virtually all of the hot topics that are driving conversations surrounding office MFP purchasing. The most immediate change is the large full-color touch screen, delivering a walk-up user experience that leaves competing units in its wake. Since time is everything and the MFP is touted as much more than just a copier and printer, an efficient user interface to maximize the functionality of the device without grinding user productivity to a halt is paramount. While copy, print and fax functions are all up to the usual feature-rich standard that we expect from Ricoh, it is in network scanning where the Aficio MP C4500 raises the bar, not only in Ricohs product line but across the entire industry. It is a testimony to Ricohs innovation that many of the comments you will find in this reports What We Would Like to See sections are features that no device is currently offering, but are features that are now within the reach of technology that Ricoh is offering today.

Device Features Summary

Monochrome Engine Speed Color Engine Speed First Copy Out Mono First Copy Out Color Warm Up Time Maximum Monthly Volume Copy Print PSTN Fax Internet/Network Fax TWAIN Scan Network Scan 45 ppm 40 ppm 3.9 sec. 6.5 sec. Less than 60 sec. Info Not Available Standard Standard Optional Optional Standard Standard
BERTL analysts hard at work with the Ricoh Aficio MP C4500
The device is not without its weakness, as you will read within the report. But, they are far outweighed by the productivity, functionality and ease-of-use design advantages that have earned this device a 5-star rating from BERTL.

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Paper Handling: Paper Input
For more information on this topic go to www.bertl.com
Paper Handling: Input Features Summary
Standard: 1 x 550-sheet universal cassette 1 x 550-sheet cassette 100-sheet bypass Optional: 2 x 550-sheet universal cassettes, or 2000-sheet LCT (letter capable) 3,200 sheets 100 sheets 12 x 18/A3+ 11 x 17/Ato 67 lb. Bond 16 to 57 lb. Bond 650 sheets 1,750 sheets 650 sheets 1,750 sheets N/A N/A

WHAT WE LIKED:

Flexible paper expansion capabilities include a tandem 2,000 sheet large capacity tray (LCT) to maximize letter/A4 capability and dual 550-sheet universal drawers for offices, using a broader mix of media supplies. Heavy media is supported through all main supplies rather than just the bypass, as found on some rival systems. Paper cassette handles can be gripped from above or below, making it easier to open the lower tray.

Standard Paper Capacity

Maximum Paper Capacity Bypass Tray Capacity Maximum Paper Size (bypass) Maximum Paper Size (main trays) Max Paper Weight (bypass) Max Paper Weight (main trays) Standard Legal Capacity Maximum Legal Capacity Standard Ledger Capacity Maximum Ledger Capacity Standard Paper Sources Maximum Paper Sources Post Process Insertion (PPI) PPI Capacity
12 x 18 support through bypass allows users to create full bleed ledger/A3 documents such as product brochures, menus, etc., by trimming the unprinted borders. The sliding design (rather than pre-cut holes) of the paper guides allows for easy, one hand changes.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE:

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Paper Handling: Paper Output/Finishing
Paper Handling: Output/Finishing Features Summary
Maximum Output Capacity Duplex Capability Maximum Paper Weight Through Duplex Unit Maximum Stapling Capacity
3,625 sheets with finisher added
Standard 90 lbs. Index/163gsm 50 sheets
A wide range of finishing capabilities delivers a broad mix of document production capabilities within a small footprint. Heavy card support through duplex unit lets users produce professional grade presentation materials. Tight stacking of collated sets make offline finishing tasks, such as perfect binding or professional punch, less time-consuming. High stacking capacity allows for long uninterrupted print runs.
Maximum Booklet/Saddle-stitch 15 sheets, 60 page booklet Capacity Hole Punch Options Physical Mail Bin Option Folding Options 2 and 3 hole Limit of 5 output areas via finisher or job separator options Booklet fold only

12 x 18 support through the duplex unit would allow full bleed presentation materials to be produced. This is not possible because the bypass cannot be used in conjunction with duplexing and the bypass is the only media supply that handles 12 x 18. The saddle-stitch booklet creation feature is hidden several layers deep in the finishing menu and could be confusing to some novice users. A standard default onetouch on the display would be more convenient. Note: Users can set up the saddle-stitch booklet mode as a one touch operation, using the touch screen customization feature. The user would also have to select both this one touch button and the saddle-stitch booklet mode feature to create the desired saddlestitched booklet.
Real World Testing: Advertised speeds are always quoted using the simplest route, in and out of a device. In the real world, users choose finishing options, incorporate multiple media supplies, print in duplex, and add other elements that can impact bottom-line speed. BERTL evaluates these factors looking at how the same job outputs at different speeds when different factors are applied. In the table, bottom right, the finishing impact is measured by running a 12 page job 10 times through a device and adding a different finishing attribute each time. In the table, bottom left, the impact of incorporating multiple media sources into a single document is measured. In this instance, a 50-page document is printed first using a single media source/ It is then timed using the bypass tray for front and back covers, plus pages 10,20,30, and 40 from a separate media tray.

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Routine Maintenance
Toner Yield WHAT WE LIKED: Imaging Unit Life Fuser Life Developer Life Toner Refill During Printing End-user replaceable Imaging Unit End-user replaceable fuser unit
Maintenance Features Summary
Black: 23,000 pages CMY: 17,000 pages Info Not Available Info Not Available Info Not Available No Yes No
The large touch screen and Flash demonstrations that walk users through jam removal were highly-intuitive and simple for even novice users to master. Imaging drums are well protected and not exposed during paper jam removal as found on some rival units. Imaging drums can be replaced by end users; only one screw must be removed. The duplex unit is on the opposite side to the finisher, making access easier than on some rival units. Paper jam areas were easy to access with no blind spots discovered during evaluation. Toner bottles were easily replaced without mess.
Unique toner bottle docking stations prevent wrong colors from being loaded in error.
Although only a screw driver is needed now, removal of imaging drums without any tools would be better.
Toner replacement can be carried out without interrupting jobs in progress.

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Device Management
The queue manager provides a full list of print jobs, including page and set quantities, giving desktop users a good feel for the print workflow lined up for processing. Device and user accounting can be set to only require user verification for specific tasks. Monochrome workflow can move uninhibitedly while the more costly color or scan workflows are restricted to user-verified actions only.

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Secure / Locked Print
The Ricoh Aficio MP C4500 includes secure print feature called Locked Print as a standard feature. Users can send jobs with a PIN using the job tab in all three drivers selecting Locked Print from the Job Type drop down menu. Users have the option to include their user name and a PIN before each delivery or have it defaulted to send the same user name and PIN for each job. To access locked print jobs, users select the print hard button on the left of the touchscreen. The print icon at the bottom of the touch screen allows users to view the status window. Then pressing Print Jobs takes the user to the middle image on the opposite side. All locked print jobs are listed by user, but each file name is disguised with **s. Users are able to select multiple jobs for release at the same time, saving valuable time versus some competitors. However, users are unable to see the names of their jobs even if they enter the PIN. This can cause problems for users who have defaulted to send all of their print workload in locked print format to guarantee security, preferring instead to batch print multiple jobs at a single visit to the device. This works well unless the user suddenly needs one job already submitted quickly. The devices design prohibits the user from distinguish the jobs, leaving the user playing Russian roulette until the right print job gets printed.
Above: Locked print is selected in the printer driver Below: The list of all users with locked jobs is displayed
Above: Walk up users can release one or multiple highlighted jobs in a single step as long as they have the same PIN.

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Accessibility
While not offering an adjustable tilting capability, the large, full-color touch screen control panel is sloping, which makes viewing easy for users that stand and users in wheelchairs. Hard buttons on the control panel are concave versus convex, as found on rival units. The concave buttons are easier to use by the physically impaired. Braille markers are found on key buttons, aiding navigation for the visually impaired.

The low grip angle of document feeder allows for easy repeat platen scanning tasks.
Above : Document feeder can be left at a low angle, aiding platen copying for wheelchair users Below: Paper drawers all have handles that can be grasped from above and below, making paper refilling easier for wheelchair users
In the Simplified Display mode, the Next Job is not available to users. While a job is in progress, a walk-up user can not return to default display mode. This means that if the Simplified Display mode has been used for the creation of a long job, additional users can not add jobs into the memory of the device. This removes the concurrency capabilities of the device.

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Copy Features Summary
Maximum Copy Speed 45 ppm black/40 ppm color 3.9 sec. black, 6.5 sec. color Reversing automatic document feeder 100 pages Standard StandardStandard, max 6 25% to 400% Yes Yes Page number, background set number, date, preset stamp, user stamp
First Copy Out Time Document Feeder Type Document Feeder Capacity Job Build Scan Ahead Copy No. of Copy Job Programs Customizable One-touch Buttons on Main Screen Max/Min Zoom Ratio Cover Insertion Sheet Insertion Page Stamp Options
The user-friendly interface provides both experienced and novice users with a quick and easy method of building copy jobs, with many of the most commonly-used features on the opening screen. In addition, up to six unique one-touch buttons bring common applications within a single finger press. Image quality was to a high level across a wide range of document types with even mid greyscales being reproduced to a good level on full color pages. Good second and third generation copy reproduction, even with white text on solid backgrounds (a problem on some units), resulted in a perfect 100 percent score in BERTLs Triple Play test. (see later in report).
Extensive batch job build capabilities include the large 100-sheet document feeder, the ability to change color/greyscale, media sizes, original type, reduction/ enlargement and color edit mode. A color removal process can be used to clean up originals that have been edited or highlighted.
Convert color and color background capabilities can be used to quickly change one color to another or add a colored background to a document. These features could have applications in small financial/insurance businesses that are now using multi-part forms.
The reversing document feeder design results in longer original processing wait times when handling double-sided originals than a single-pass alternative. Users cannot choose cover and insert/designate media supplies ad hoc during the job build.

More productive scanning in mixed media mode would reduce the impact on user productivity when handling large copy jobs such as handling legal discovery.

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To assess copy productivity, BERTL ran a series of 5-page copy jobs to investigate the impact of the first set out on overall engine speed and also to investigate whether specific job attributes impact engine throughput capability. Each job was set
up by feeding paper from the shortest paper route to the shortest available output destination. A separate test found in the finishing section looks into the productivity impact of adding finishing/output destinations.

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Copy Productivity
Real World Testing: Of course, judging productivity based solely on green button to output tray excludes the user, who is the most important element in the equation. BERTL takes the user into account and looks at how the document feeder productivity on different workflow tasks impacts the amount of time a user has to wait at the device before they can walk away with originals in hand. BERTL also evaluates how much time is spent building jobs, using the touch screen interface before the green button can be selected.
Touch Screen Selections Required for Commonly-used Copy Functions
Corner Staple Hole Punch Enlarge to 129% 2:2 Photo Mode Mixed Original Cover Mode (printed front cover on bypass supply) 1 step 1 step 2 steps 1 step 1 step 2 steps 2 steps (media set as default)
Real World Testing: In a perfect world, all original documents are the same size, the same type, and require the same imaging settings. BERTL looks beyond the perfect world to see how devices help those working with difficult workflow situations. Take the example of a paralegal scanning a case file. The file could well contain both letter- and legal-sized documents, requiring a mixed media capability. The report text pages are best captured using the document feeder in Text or Text/Photo mode. However, the accident scene photographs are best scanned using the platen (to avoid damage) in Photo mode, which captures the halftone detail to a much better degree. There may also be simplex and duplex pages in the same batch. Rather than waste more paralegal time, it would be ideal to be able to switch between single-sided and double sided scanning.
Batch and Mixed-Media Copy Capabilities
Batch /job build scanning beyond the capacity of the document feeder Batch/job build scanning incorporating both document feeder and platen scans Change original type (text, text/photo, photo modes between scans) Change between simplex and duplex original scanning in a job build session Mixed-media size scanning capability Yes Yes No No Yes

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Copy Image Quality

Image Quality Summary

Copy image quality was good on the whole across a wide range of originals on the Ricoh Aficio MP C4500.

A BERTL Image quality copy reproduction test pattern with multiple fonts in varying sizes, colors and backgrounds from 4 point. Fine line grids in black and blue from 0.25 pt upwards. Greyshades from 0100 percent in sliding scale and 5 percent block increments. Portions of the copied test chart are displayed on the following page
Real World Testing: Generation Copy Quality When evaluating MFP image quality, analysts are always working with the best possible scenario by using high quality paper and first generation pristine masters. However, the real world is often very different, with people often working with second or third generation copies. Just consider a law firm. The firm is sent a COPY of the materials (quite possibly copies of originals) by a new client (the master set). They then make multiple copies of the master set (working copies), which get passed around the lawyers and paralegals involved in the case. After redaction and other editing work, the working copies may be scanned to create electronic files that are preferably searchable through Optical Character Recognition (OCR). To simulate this real world practice BERTL uses a test pattern of its own design, and, using generic Staples copy paper, makes first, second, and third generation copies of the test sheet in text mode. These copies are then scanned (using the same device) at 600 dpi in text mode and fed through ABBYY FineReader 8.0 at BERTLs workflow lab. The results are displayed in the chart below.
A BERTL digital photograph reproduction test pattern. Photographs carefully selected to highlight ability to reproduce flesh tones, light and dark contrasts, textures, fine detail and solid colors. Original document created in Illustrator with Perceptual Intent, RGB color space, ProPhoto Profile. The originals were printed on heavyweight satin paper using a Canon imagePROGRAF 9000 driven by an EFI ColorProof XF 3.0 RIP.
BERTLs generation copy original containing five fonts ranging from 4 point to 14 point. Originals printed on high quality heavyweight paper using 1,200 dpi laser printer. Each original is checked to ensure 100 percent OCR accuracy is achieved when scanned at 600 dpi binary on an in-house scanner.

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Text Mode:

Text/Photo Mode

Photo Mode:

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Print-On-Demand
Print on Demand Features Summary
Job Storage From the Device Yes Yes No
Job Storage From the Desktop Finishing Options Included at Time of Storage Document Images (incl. thumbnails) Provided on the Device Touch Screen Document Images (incl. thumbnails) Provided on the Desktop
Viewing documents either from the desktop or from the color touch screen as full color images with zoom-in capabilities is a valuable feature. The user can read the document data prior to printing, reducing errors. Combining multiple files into a single job can make multi-author tasks easier to manage.
Attaching documents stored in the Document Server to outgoing communications can be a valuable, timesaver. Combining multiple destination delivery types into a single task can save time in complex processes. Permissioning of documents allows the time saving functionality of print on demand to be used without jeopardizing security or confidentiality of information. Sophisticated search and retrieve functionality, including the ability to filter by user name, makes finding documents in heavily used repositories fast.
Multiple Jobs Can Be Combined Yes and Printed as One Finished Job Multiple Jobs Can Be Selected and Printed as Separate Jobs Yes
Stored Jobs Can Be Edited After Yes Storage Stored Jobs Can Be Combined With Send Features Yes
The ability to create personal folders within the document server rather than using the flat storage design would aid in organization.
Productivity would be increased by adding the ability to create collated batch jobs from Document Server where a selection of documents are printed as a batch set, but are treated as individual pieces that should be finished in isolation. Documents stored on Document Server from the Print or Copy functions must be pulled to the desktop using the File Convert utility, resaved, and resubmitted prior to being faxed or scanned to different destinations. Print on demand from portable media sources like USB memory sticks or SD cards is a useful feature that lets walk-up users take advantage of the device in airport terminals, hotel business lounges or Internet cafes.
A selection of commonly used jobs stored in document server

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Print Features Summary
CPU RAM and Hard Drive Operating Platforms Supported Printer Drivers 835MHz 1GB, 80GB Hard Drive Windows 9x, ME, 2000, Server 2003, XP, NT 4.0, Macintosh OS X or higher PCL5c/6, RPCS, optional Adobe PostScript 3, Direct PDF IPX/SPX , TCP/IP, Ethertalk, Appletalk, NetBIOS, LPR/LPD, IPP, SMB, SNMP, Netware, Port 9100, 10BaseT/100BaseTX Ethernet, USB 2.0 802.11b Wireless, Bluetooth, 1394 FireWire, parallel, USB host interface for PictBridge interface printing from digital cameras. DeskTopBinder, SmartDeviceMonitor, WebSmartDeviceMonitor 35 Intellifonts, 10 TrueType fonts, 1 Bitmap

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PCL Print Driver Functionality
The PCL6 driver has a familiar look and feel following industry-standard layout and design. The Set up tab provides the main print functionality. Job delivery options include private and sample print modes, plus an option to send jobs to the Document Server for print on demand purposes. For those not needing multiple media supplies in a single document, all major features are found on the opening tab. This eliminates a need to navigate away from the opening tab, reducing job build times.
For those searching for more media flexibility, the Paper tab allows users to specify a media supply for the front, back and chapter/insert pages. This flexible feature set allows a wide range of professional documents to be produced. Unlike the Copy mode, users can chose the media supply for each section on the fly rather than having to use the preassigned cover stock.
Print Quality settings provide both automated and custom adjustment opportunities depending upon the user color experience. Resolution is set to 600 dpi with no enhanced mode (RPCS offers up to 2,400 x 600 dpi interpolated mode). Within the manual Advanced settings, users can choose specific color settings including an HP Color LaserJet-simulated profile that allows migrating users to keep accustomed output qualities.

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RPCS Print Driver Functionality
To change a custom setting, users select Add/Change Custom Settings icon on the opening screen. From here, they have five tabs that can be used to build the job profile. The Set up tab has the main media features, job delivery mode options and set selection.
A wide variety of layout options are available, including poster mode (useful for creating large display materials), multiple booklet and magazine layouts, and a selection of publishing features including page and date stamping, overlay insertion, watermarking and more.
The RPCS driver comes with four predefined image quality profiles as standard. Users can also program their own styles and store them as user settings.
Chapter and designate page programming can be assigned on a page by page basis, allowing complex jobs with multiple media supplies to be built up.

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Print Image Quality

Image Quality

Visual Representation of Print Originals

Print Output Scanned at 600 dpi
Above: Black Font Output Right: Red Fine Line

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Scan Features Summary
Maximum Scan Speed (Mono) 63 opm 38 opm (58 opm with opt. File Format Conversion) 100 sheets 10/100BaseT Ethernet IEEE 1394 / IP Over IEEE 802.11b Wireless Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (job stored on Document Server with email sent with URL link) Yes Yes No Yes Yes TIFF, PDF, JPEG, High compression PDF Yes 100, 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi, (1200 dpi BW TWAIN) Yes Yes Yes
Maximum Scan Speed (Color) Document Feeder Capacity Connectivity Options Scan to e-mail Scan to SMB Scan to FTP Scan to HDD Scan to URL Scan to Internet Fax TWAIN Scanning Scan to External Memory Source (USB/SD card) Network Authentication LDAP Authentication File Formats Supported
Color dropout capability allows users to remove unwanted form backgrounds, highlighted edits to text documents, and other areas where color can have a negative impact on scanning workflow.
The high compression PDF mode reduces bandwidth of files significantly, which will reduce the risk of firewall rejection and increased transmission rates. Extensive security capabilities, including PDF encryption and permission settings, make communications more secure and users less vulnerable to personal information data breaches.
Preview mode allows users to check that each page of a scanned document has been captured before releasing the job to a destination. The Scan and store function stores the document on the Document Server and emails a link to the recipient, allowing them to make the decision of when to download the data.
Encrypted PDF Format Resolution Options Ad hoc Subject Line Entry Ad hoc Message Line Entry Ad hoc File Name Entry
We would like to see better productivity when scanning duplex originals and when handling mixed original batches, with both of these workflows resulting in significant slowdowns in scanning productivity. Better productivity when scanning in high compression PDF mode would be more efficient.
Better batch scanning capabilities including the ability to switch between color and black modes, simplex and duplex and image quality settings.
Ricoh document feeder processing purchase orders on thin NCR media stock successfully.

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Scan Data Capture Accuracy
Real World Testing: Scanning in its simplest workflow is to convert a hard copy printed image into an electronic image. This may be all that is needed when sending a scan to email or making an archive copy of an order using scan to desktop. However, the vast majority of scanning workflow involves converting hard copy into an intelligent image that can be further processed by OCR engines, forms processing applications, or other automated information management processes. In all of these workflows, the conversion of text (captured as an image by the scanner) into editable, searchable text is a critical first step. To investigate this important workflow issue, BERTL ran a series of standard test patterns with multiple font types, sizes, and colors, capturing the data at various resolutions using both text and text/photo settings. After scanning each page of its test originals, BERTL analysts ran the scanned files through OCR softwareABBYY FineReader 8.0 in default configuration. The accuracy of the scanning process at the various resolutions and settings is reflected in the number of words that the OCR application converts correctly without human intervention.

Batch and Mixed-Media Scanning Capabilities
Batch/job build scanning beyond the capacity of the document feeder Batch/job build scanning incorporating both document feeder and platen scans Change scan settings such as original type, original size, etc. from scan-page to scanpage Mixed-media size scanning capability Yes Yes

Limited Yes

Real World Testing: While scanning speeds and duty volumes may be based on perfect standard letter/A4 sized office-grade laser printer paper, there is a much wider range of media substrates that is commonly used and handled in the office world every day. Manufacturers advertise a range of media sizes and weights that they have tested and feel comfortable with their device handling efficiently. BERTL looks beyond the manufacturer quoted capabilities and on many occasions finds that the limits can be considerably extended to accommodate those occasions when office staff need to copy non standard office paper. Note: A device should not be considered a failure if it does not get a 100 percent success rate in any of the original handling tests. These tests are deliberately designed to push the boundaries.
Advertised Document Feeder Specifications
Minimum Original Size Maximum Original Size Minimum Original Weight Maximum Original Weight 5.5 x 8.x lb. Bond 34 lb. Bond
Original-Handling Results
(50 originals scanned at 200 dpi monochrome) setting 67 lb. Cover Stock Registration Cards Yellow Pages (newspaper grade media) Magazine with heavy glossy cover and 20 lb. glossy coated inside pages Carbonless Purchase Order Forms Business Cards Coated Inkjet Paper 4 x 6 Index Cards 20 lb. bond office paper fed with leading edge damage due to staple removal Fed successfully Jamming on long edge feed, but fed successfully on short edge feed Fed successfully Fed successfully Could not be fed Fed successfully Jams occurred repeatedly Fed successfully

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Multifunction Triple Play Test
The Ultimate Multifunction Test: Manufacturers promote their devices as being multi-tasking, multi-functional solutions. BERTL aggressively tests this claim with its new Triple Play test. In BERTLs other tests, analysts are careful to ensure that only one factor is entered into the equation at a time to provide the reader with specific result that stem from one user selection/action. In the triple play test, the devices overall multifunctional capabilities are put under the microscope. A BERTL test master file has been created as a standard CMYK document, using Adobe Illustrator to ensure the highest quality original with vector graphics, then RIPped at 1,200 dpi into a PDF format using Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Professional set to Press Quality. This document contains Times New Roman and Arial fonts in 10 pt. text in black, blue and red on a white background, plus 12 pt. white and yellow text on a black background. The document is first printed using high quality color laser paper on the test device, using the PostScript driver set to its highest image quality to ensure the best print quality. The printed output is then copied in text mode, using default settings. The output is then copied (to create second generation output), and the second generation output is copied, creating a third generation copy.