Imaging at Work

Sharp AR-M550
Low entry-level price. Single pass duplex scanning. Well-designed touchscreen. User-friendly scan to HDD. Extensive security options. Extensive document production options. Fax and LAN fax option. Standard tandem copy and print in AR-M620N version. Flexible, secure scan to email utility. Versatile desktop document management utility (Sharpdesk).
55ppm Copy - Print - Scan - Fax Product Overview
Standard and maximum paper supplies could be higher. Touchscreen panel smaller than some competing units. Stapling restricted to 50 sheets of less. No physical mailbin option.
The Sharp AR-M550 comes in two configurations: the copier-only U model and the network-print enabled N model. Both models can be upgraded to include network scanning and fax capabilities. The Sharp AR-M550 has a 2,000 sheet(letter/A4 capable) tandem paper deck, two 500-sheet universal paper drawers and a 100sheet bypass tray, giving the device a 3,100-sheet capacity. An optional 3,500-sheet (letter/A4) large capacity unit can be added, taking maximum paper capacity to 6,100 sheets. A 150-sheet single-pass duplex document feeder is also included as standard, which Sharp advertises as being capable of scanning in duplex at up to 75 images per minute. Finishing options include a choice of two finishers, with one offering saddle-stitch booklet-making up to 15 sheets (60-page booklets). A post-process inserter unit is also available, allowing pre-printed sheets to be included after the fusing process.

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tel. 732-761-2311 fax. 732-761-2312 info@BERTL.com
Copyright 2004 BERTL, Inc. 31-Mar-04
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 BERTL.com website 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.
BERTL Ratings & Awards on Copiers, Printers, Fax, MFPs and Color Devices are based on rigorous analysis and feedback from buyers, users and service providers.

Product Dynamics

The Sharp AR-M550 is one of three new departmental digital MFP products introduced by Sharp. The new range of products (which span 5570ppm) are the fastest digital MFPs ever introduced with Sharps own technology as the design platform. The Sharp AR-M550 is available in two configurations: the AR-M550U, which is a copier-only out of the box, and the AR-M550N, which shares the same specifications as the ARM550U but includes network printing as standard.
Carbon-copy printing utility; Standard document filing using 16GB partitioned area of 40GB hard drive; LDAP support standard with network scanning kit. User authentication

BERTL SURVEY

In BERTLs March reader survey the following views were expressed about Sharps monochrome product range.
85% rated reliability good. 85% said the devices were easy to use. 82% said they that their productivity was good. 89% said that the service support was good. 89% said they would recommend Sharp devices to a third party.
The pricing of the Sharp AR-M550 is aggressive, with the copier-only AR-M550U having a suggested retail price below that of several of the major 60ppm competitors. The cost benefits of the Sharp ARM550 are still evident when printing and scanning upgrade options are included within the cost equation.
The Sharp ARM550 offers a number of innovative design features spanning BERTL analyst with Sharp AR-M550 paper handling, security, network scanning and printing. Some of the most noteworthy features are: Single-pass duplex scanning (which Sharp calls Scan technology); Advanced security options; Fax and PC-fax upgrade options; Direct TIFF and PDF printing; 110 lb. duplex printing from three different paper supplies; Standard tandem copy and print capability on 550N version;

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Network Printing: Network printing comes as standard on the Sharp AR-550N, and is an optional upgrade purchase for the AR-M550U copier-only entry-level model. Network printing is powered by a 525MHz processor. PCL6 is included as standard, with PostScript 3 being an additional upgrade item. Direct printing of TIFF and PDF files is a standard feature for the printenabled Sharp AR-M550. Printing utilizes the same RAM (128MB standard) and hard drive (40GB) as used by the copier function. Ethernet, USB 2.0 and parallel connectivity are included as standard within the print function. Network Scanning: Network scanning is an optional purchase for both versions of the Sharp AR-M550. To upgrade the Sharp AR-M550U (copier-only version), the printer upgrade kit must first be purchased. The standard network scanning kit includes the ability to scan documents to a range of locations: email addresses, FTP locations, network folder locations and local copier hard drive folders. With the optional fax unit installed, users also have the ability to scan to fax numbers and internet fax addresses. Up to 999 scanning destinations can be stored in the local device address book. The device also supports LDAP which means that users can search a central corporate contact list dynamically through the control panel of the Sharp AR-M550. The device includes user authentication which restricts access to the scanning functionality to authorized users only. Security Measures: Sharp has been at the forefront of MFP security for some time, and was the first to achieve Common Criteria certification for its hard drive overwriting system on its Imager series. Standard security measures include: Confidential print, where jobs are held on the local device until the security PIN code is entered at the control panel. User authentication, which verifies user access on the network before any scan operation is performed. This protects the network from unauthorized scanning and email communications. IP/MAC address filtering, where the network interface card can be programmed to restrict access to the device to specific PCs within a network. 500 user codes, which force users to enter their code before any access to the device can be achieved. This also provides greater monitoring ability, allowing administrators to keep tabs on who is doing what around the network.

User authentication screen on Sharp AR-M550
Sharp also offers a selection of additional security options, including: Data Security Kit, which protects data residing on the hard drive using 128-bit encryption, and can be set to overwrite the encrypted data up to seven times. AirZIP FileSECURE, provides persistent security to sensitive documents, every time they are accessed.
Maintenance/Maximum Duty Cycles: The Sharp AR-M550 has an advertised maximum monthly duty cycle of 250,000 pages, which puts it on a par with most competing units. The main consumable items, namely the drum, fuser unit and developer unit, are all advertised as lasting up to 250,000 pages, meaning that at full monthly volume, that an extensive service visit will be required every month.

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Paper Handling: The Sharp AR-M550 comes standard with four paper sources and a capacity of 3,100 sheets. Included standard are: 2,000-sheet tandem drawer, which can hold two separate 1,000-sheet letter/A4 paper stocks. Unlike some manufacturer tandem drawer designs, the two drawers of the Sharp unit can not be opened and refilled independently. Two 500-sheet universal drawers which can hold paper up to 11 x 17/A3. 100-sheet bypass unit for handling heavier paper stocks up to 110lb. Index / 220gsm. 2. A saddle-stitch finisher (maximum capacity 4,000 sheets) with multi-position stapling up to 50-sheet documents, plus the ability to saddle-stitch booklets up to 15 sheets in size (creating 60-page booklets). A 2 and 3 hole punch unit can be added to either finisher unit, as can the post process inserter unit. Document Feeder: Sharp includes a duplexing single-pass document feeder within the entry-level price of the AR-M550. While this is not unusual, the design of the document feeder does separate it from most competing units. The document feeder scans both sides of an original at the same time using a dual scanner head design, which Sharp calls Scan technology. Sharp promotes this technology as delivering multiple benefits to users: 1. Faster duplex scanning capability versus traditional reversing document feeders, which have to flip the originals over and re-feed the page over the scanner head to read the second side. 2. Wider range of originals supported through the automatic document feeder due to the straight paper path through the scanner unit. 3. Greater reliability of scanner, due to its less strenuous paper path.

BERTL analyst inspecting Sharp AR-M550s 2,000-sheet tandem drawer paper supply
Paper supplies can be expanded via two optional purchases: 3,500-sheet letter/A4 capable large capacity unit, taking maximum paper capacity to 6,600 sheets. 100-sheet Post-Process Inserter Unit, which allows pre-printed sheets (which would be damaged by the high temperature of the fuser unit) to be added after the printing process.
Sharp advises that 110 lb. paper stock can be duplex printed from the bypass and the two universal drawers. While the standard and maximum paper supplies of the Sharp AR-M550 may not be the highest in its sector, they should prove more than adequate for most office uses. Finishing Options: The Sharp AR-M550 comes with a choice of two finishers: 1. A two tray finisher (maximum capacity 4,000 sheets) with multi-position stapling up to 50-sheet documents.
Saddle-stitch finisher option for the Sharp AR-M550

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Print on Demand Print
The Sharp AR-M550 comes standard with the ability to store documents on its 40GB hard drive. The amount of space allocated to document storage is actually 16GB (which Sharp says can store up to 20,000 pages). The reason for this is that the hard drive is partitioned to provide the dedicated document storage facility while maintaining a large storage medium for fonts, forms, overlays, print spooling, electronic collation and other memory requirements. The document storage utility on the Sharp AR-M550 is well laid out, with a main directory and custom directories. The main directory is a central resource area that everyone can access, while the custom directory allows users to set up individual folders within the storage area. These folders and documents can be password-protected to provide greater document security. By providing a sub-folder system, documents can be better organized to make finding specific files easier than on some competing units which just offer a general file storage facility that forces users to search through every file to find the document they require. Documents can be stored in a folder from either the copy control panel (hard copy) or from the desktop (electronic file). Files can be given a specific name and have a user name/ number attached to them for easier retrieval. There is no ability to merge multiple stored jobs, a feature available on some competing units. There is the ability to reprint documents from the desktop, using the resident web server. Documents can also be pulled back to the desktop as TIFF or PDF files for archiving/ back-up purposes.

Top File storage from the touchscreen control panel Middle - File storage from the desktop printer driver Bottom - File retrieval from the resident web server

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The Sharp AR-M550s network printing (which comes as standard on the 550N and as an option on the 550U models) is powered by a 64-bit 525MHz processor. The processor shares the standard 128MB RAM and 40GB hard drive with the copier function. Ethernet, USB 2.0 and parallel connectivity are included as standard. For greater security, the network interface card can be programmed to only provide access to the device from specified IP/MAC address PCs on the network. Within the standard printing package users get PCL5e and 6 printing. PostScript 3 printing is an optional extra upgrade item which, in addition to opening up access to the device to Macintosh users, also adds the ability to submit TIFF and PDF files directly to the controller through a drag and drop function. The layout of the PCL6 and PostScript 3 drivers are identical, with the addition of a few PostScript-specific features within the Advanced tab including the added ability to set screen frequency and angle, mirror image and job compression levels. The similar operation of the drivers means that users who switch between the two drivers should have no difficulty during the transition. Both drivers are well laid out with a graphical job summary on the left side of each tab. Useful features include carbon copy, which allows the user to create up to three additional sets of any document from different paper sources. This is a novel feature not provided on rival devices, companies, for example, who send out documentation to clients to create three discernable copies of any paperwork. One is kept for the companys own records, while the other two are sent to the customer; one to be
Main and paper tab screens from Sharp AR-M550 PCL6 driver
signed and returned, and the other for the customer records. Page Number 5
Paper Selection Options: Document production options are good on the Sharp AR-M550, with users able to specify a paper source or type for each page within a document. In addition to being able to specify the paper source, users can also choose whether to print on one side, both sides, or leave the sheet blank. The settings can be stored for later retrieval. While there is the ability to specify tabs within a job, there is no method of specifying tab text on the fly (a useful feature available on some competing devices). This means that tabs must be created and stacked in a paper drawer before the print run. Sharp advised us that a software utility is being developed for later release with the product will include extensive on the fly tab-publishing capabilities. Overlay Options: Within the advanced tab is the option to use overlays. Overlays are similar to watermarks, but allow the user to save a background image rather than just a line of text that is placed behind the printed text. The overlay function can be used as a basic form/variable data utility, allowing users to save a common background theme, such as a mailing design or standard form, as an overlay. To create the overlay, a user simply prints the background/form and selects the Create Overlay function within the driver. The user is able to give the overlay a name. The overlay creation process itself was not well explained, but still did not take long to master. The overlay file is stored on the device hard drive. To merge a print job with the overlay file, the user simply selects the overlay file from the list in the driver, as illustrated in the image at bottom right.

More features on the Sharp AR-M550 PCL6 printer driver
Tandem Print: Sharp includes tandem printing within its standard print function (obviously requiring two print-enabled devices). The job is sent to the master tandem device, which splits the job and sends the data file to the slave tandem device with instruction on how many sets to reproduce.

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Bandwidth: Network bandwidth on the Sharp AR-M550s PCL6 driver was among the most efficient we have seen to date. Documents created using standard word processing applications such as Word and Word Perfect were ripped down into small files, and multi-set jobs were collated correctly, maintaining the small single set file size even when using the applications collation function. Graphic files were also handled efficiently, with Acrobat files and PowerPoint presentation documents both producing low file sizes. Direct TIFF/PDF Printing: Within the upgrade price of the PostScript 3 driver, users also get the added benefit of direct PDF and TIFF printing, which is achieved by opening the resident web server for the device, selecting the direct printing utility and browsing to the PDF/TIFF file in question. This means that instead of having to submit TIFF and PDF files to one of other of the printer drivers (where the file is converted into a PostScript or PCL print file and sent to the device), users can submit PDF and TIFF files directly to the controller as raw data. This has historically offered both productivity and bandwidth advantages due to processing time and increase in file size involved in converting these graphic file formats into print files. However, as PCs become more powerful, the processing time is being cut dramatically, with the time involved in opening the resident web browser, browsing to the file and sending the PDF/TIFF file directly to the print controller Bandwidth Used
Print Job Type PCL6 Driver
Adobe Acrobat (10 pages) Microsoft Office (35 pages) Word Perfect (6 pages) Microsoft PowerPoint (15 pages)
1.46 MB 409 KB 232 KB 4.15 MB
often taking as long as simply opening the file and sending the job to print by traditional methods. Furthermore, PCL print drivers in Windows XP are also much more efficient at handling these graphic files with virtually no increase seen between the original PDF files and the PCL print file equivalent. There is still an bandwidth advantage to sending files as direct PDF files versus PostScript 3 files. The 10-page Acrobat PDF file used in the above bandwidth test was ripped into a 3.46MB PostScript 3 file, versus its original 1.47MB file size as a raw PDF file. This may result in some productivity advantages due to the smaller file size that has to be sent across the network, and then processed by the print controller.

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Print Scan
With the optional network scanning upgrade, the Sharp AR-M550 becomes an efficient document distribution solution, giving users the ability to convert hard copy documents into electronic files (TIFF or PDF) and send them to a variety of locations. Locations types are: Scan to email - individual or groups; Scan to Folder - routes files to a specific file location on the network - restricted to SMTP Windows-based network locations; Scan to FTP - routes files to FTP locations, expanding the range of network locations to include Macintosh and Unix; Scan to HDD - sends documents to local device hard drive location. network, and can instead rely upon the central company address book, which should be easier to keep up to date than lots of individual fax and scan to email devices scattered around the building. To access the LDAP address list, users simply enters the first few characters of an address using the QWERTY keypad on the touchscreen control panel, and the device searches the LDAP address list for matches which appear on the touchscreen (see below). Personalizing Email Messages: To ensure that the recipient knows an email has come from a trusted source, the Sharp AR-M550 allows users to select their own email address from the sender list, rather than having the email arrive from a digital MFP. In addition, they can also add a message and subject line, plus name the file attachment.
With the optional fax module, the range of scanning options increases to include scan to internet fax and scan to fax. Users can select multiple destinations within a single scan job, called group sending. Groups can comprise of a mix of email addresses, internet fax and fax numbers, or FTP and SMTP folder locations, but not a mix of folder/ FTP and email/fax addresses. For added security, Sharp has included the ability to restrict access to the scanning function to only those users who can provide an authenticated network ID and password. With the printer administrator utility, administrators can also keep a track of all scanning carried out throughout the company, satisfying one of the data security measures within the Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA and other data protection acts. LDAP Support: To facilitate efficient and accurate address entry, the Sharp AR-M550 includes support for LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) servers. With LDAP support, users do not have to maintain individual address books on each Sharp AR-M550 around the

Scanning windows on the Sharp AR-M550

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AirZIP FileSECURE: To expand its document security portfolio, Sharp has teamed up with AirZIP to provide a more secure method of sending/sharing scanned documents. With AirZIP FileSECURE, security is persistently applied to electronic content wherever the content may go and every time the content is accessed. Access restriction is achieved by wrapping a security tag around the file when distributing the document using FileSECURE Author. To send files with AirZIP security from a Sharp MFP, a security profile for the document is first created using the FileSECURE Manager and associated with the Sharp MFP, or group of MFPs. When the user selects the ImageSEND button on the MFP control panel, they will be see the AirZIP profile button. To open the file, recipients must have the free FileSECURE Reader application (available at www.AirZIP.com) loaded on their system. This in itself may cause issues for some companies which restrict users downloading applications. To open a secured file, the recipient must be online, which again can cause issues for mobile users. The reason for this is that the FileSECURE Reader application communicates with the senders internetbased FileSECURE server. The user enters their username and password (see top screenshot). The FileSECURE server then checks the security access that has been associated for the user. User names and profiles are set up using the FileSECURE Manager utility. The security options include limiting: Viewing access to specific personnel; Start and expiration dates during which the file can be accessed; Printing, screen capture, file save and other means of reproducing the file.
Due to the verification process, every time a document is accessed, a complete log of the document activity can be produced using the FileSECURE Server software. The screenshot below shows the file tracking history for one report and includes the number of times the file was viewed, printed and copied by each user.
FileSECURE Server report for a secured document listing each user and their activity

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Though smaller than some competing units, the touchscreen control panel of the Sharp AR-M550 is very crisp, with the high resolution display making text and images easy to read. The touchscreen control panel cannot be tilted, which means that it may be harder for wheelchair users to access the device compared to some rivals with a tilting panel design. The menu system is easy to navigate. Due to the smaller screen, there are more menu levels than found on some rival units. Sharp advertises a first page out time of 3.9 seconds with a warm-up time of only 120 seconds, which for a device over 60ppm, puts the Sharp AR-M550 among the fastest devices out of the gate. Productivity is further enhanced by the single pass, duplex scanning document feeder which is able to scan double-sided images at up to 76ipm. This could give Sharp AR-M550 users considerable productivity advantages versus devices with the more traditional reversing document feeders when doublesided original are copied. The reason for this is that the job will be scanned into memory faster on the single-pass scanning Sharp ARM550 than the slower reversing document feeder alternatives, which have to flip over each page and re-feed the second side back over the single scanner unit. This scanning speed advantage allows Sharp AR-M550 users to return to their desks with the originals and carry on with productive work. Also, in addition to being slower, reversing document feeders are also more prone to misfeeds than the straight paper path design of the Sharp AR-M550. The Sharp AR-M550 is able to queue as many copy jobs as its memory can handle. This gives the device a copier concurrency advantage in busy copy environments over several competing units, which have a finite number of copy memories. The range of copy jobs that can be carried out on the Sharp AR-M550 is extensive, with a wide range of finishing options including multiposition stapling, hole punching and saddlestitch booklet making. There is also an optional post process insertion unit which allows users to incorporate pre-printed material, such as color covers, that would otherwise be damaged by the high temperature of the fuser unit. Tandem Copy: The Sharp AR-M550N (print enabled) includes tandem copy capability as a standard feature. This is achieved through connection of two Sharp AR-M550 devices via the Ethernet port. The tandem copy process operates with one of the two copiers becoming the slave, and one the master. The tandem copy link is set up using the resident web server application.

Control panel of the Sharp AR-M550

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Software Utilities
Sharpdesk: Sharpdesk is a desktop document management utility that comes standard with the Sharp AR-550N model (and with the printer upgrade kit for the AR-M550U). 10 seat licenses are included within the basic printing package. Additional seats are available for a nominal fee. Sharpdesk allows users to integrate scanned documents into everyday workflow. Sharpdesk includes tools that allow users to organize, edit, annotate, combine files, OCR and send documents to print, email and fax. Sharpdesk includes a search and indexing feature to make locating documents a simple process. LibertyNet: LibertyNet is described as an integrated enterprise-wide flexible and feature-rich platform designed to meet a wide variety of information management needs. In a single platform, LibertyNET provides capabilities for electronic document and records management, process automation, workflow, digital asset management, COLD/ERM, eforms, email management and collaboration, and more. Doc2NET: Also developed by Liberty, Doc2NET provides a sophisticated, workgroup document management utility with advanced document filing and archiving features with structured indexing, full text search. Using a Sharp MFP, documents can be sent directly to a specific cabinet within the Docu2NET archiving system as either a PDF or as a TIFF file with a user-defined file name.
Sharpdesk document management utility

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Network Utilities / Fax
Sharp Administrative Utility Suite: Sharp includes a suite of utilities for the management of the Sharp AR-M550. The suite includes: Printer Status Monitor, which allows network users to view printer conditions, checking paper levels, toner and more before they send their jobs; Printer Administrator Utility, which helps IT managers speed up installation and configuration of printers on the network as well as monitor any third-party networked SNMP-compliant devices; Remote Email Diagnostics allows IT managers, key operators and authorized Sharp dealers to automatically receive emails regarding the AR-M550; Imager Home Page is a resident web-serverbased application which provides both user and administrator-level access to the ARM550. Users can create and manage their own scanning templates and profiles. Administrators can access device configuration, network settings, IP filtering and protocol control right from the desktop. Fax: The Sharp AR-M550 can be upgraded to include a fax function. The upgrade includes a 33.6kbps modem and 2MB of dedicated fax memory (expandable to 10MB). JBIG, MMR, MR and MH compressions are all included as standard. With the printer upgrade included, desktop users also have the ability to use the fax function on the Sharp AR-M550 from their desktops, using the Sharp LAN fax software utility. With the printer and scanner kit installed users also get the added ability to send scanned documents to internet fax numbers, using the T.37 internet fax protocol. The Sharp AR-M550 is one of the few 55ppm+ MFP devices on the market to offer a walk-up fax capability. Summing Up: The Sharp AR-M550 has a lot to offer, with well designed user interfaces for both walk-up and desktop users, a wide range of upgrade options, good paper handling and document production options and one of the most diverse range of document communications options, all achieved while maintaining a low entry-level price. One of the key strengths of the Sharp AR-M550 is its range of security options, including both standard and optional security measures designed to make the device an attractive proposition to companies needing to comply with data security regulations.

AR-M550N DIGITAL IMAGER

Versus

imageRUNNER 5020i
Industry Analysts, Inc. Client Report June 2004
This bulletin is intended solely for the use and information of Sharp Electronics, its designated agents and their employees. Some of the specifications in this guide were obtained by Industry Analysts, Inc. from several different sources that are deemed reliable by all industry standards. To the best of our knowledge, the information is accurate in all respects. However, neither Sharp Electronics, Industry Analysts, Inc., nor any of their agents or employees shall be responsible for any inaccuracies contained herein.
2004 INDUSTRY ANALYSTS, INC.

TEST DATA SUMMARY

Sharp AR-M550N Digital Imager Versus Canon imageRUNNER 5020i
In an effort to determine the competitive performance of the Sharp AR-M550N Digital Imager versus that of the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i, Industry Analysts, Inc.s Technical Services Division (IATSD), an independent testing organization, ran a battery of tests. The tests were designed to objectively evaluate the respective performance of the Sharp AR-M550N Digital Imager versus that of the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i. IATSDs testing of the performance of these digital copier/printers included an evaluation of some or all the following, depending on the devices performance: Network-Interface Installation and Functionality Software Installation Print-Driver Operability and Functionality Software-Utility Operability and Functionality Copier Operability and Functionality Image Quality Network Productivity Printer Productivity Copier Productivity Ease of Operation Ease of Maintenance
Both systems were fully configured and installed on local area networks running Novell Inc.s IntranetWare 4.11 and Microsoft Windows 2000 network operating systems in confidential connectivity test suites in IATSDs facility located in Fairfield, New Jersey. Sharp provides a coherent and comprehensive software package for the AR-M550N and other Sharp products that is much easier and less time consuming to install than the NetSpot Suite software provided with the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i. Consequently, dealers can be more cost effective as significant time is saved in the installation process. Additionally, network installation requires the most knowledgeable technician and his/her compensation is among the highest in the dealership service department. Terry Wirth Director, Industry Analysts, Inc.

industryanalysts.com

Page 3
PRICING AND CONFIGURATION
In testing, the Sharp AR-M550N Digital Imager and Canon imageRUNNER 5020i were configured as follows:
Sharp AR-M550N Digital Imager
List Price Sharp AR-M550N*..19,100 Saddle-Stitch Finisher..$4,350 PostScript Level 3..$895 Network Scanner Expansion Kit**.$1,195
*Includes standard network printing. **Enables Sharps ImageSEND network scanning.

$25,540

Canon imageRUNNER 5020i
List Price ImageRUNNER 5020i*.. $23,350 Saddle-Stitch Finisher. $5,300
*Includes Canons Universal Send network scanning and standard network printing, the last of which includes a PostScript Level 3 emulation print driver.

$28,650

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PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

The following performance highlights represent only a portion of the tests and evaluations that IATSD routinely performs on digital imaging devices. The following comparisons were determined to have strategic relevance for this particular product-performance comparison.
Copier Productivity: Copies per minute (cpm) when copying a 10-page document. Jobs were timed from the press of the Start button until the complete exit of the copy using the document feeder (when applicable) and default automatic settings. (Note that a denotes that the device has the advantage. In some cases, neither device has the advantage.) Sharp AR-M550N Rated Copy Speed Paper Source Paper Feed 55 cpm LCT Long-edge Advantage Simplex First Copy Speed 1 Set Simplex 3 Sets Simplex 5 Sets Simplex 10 Sets Simplex Duplex First Copy Speed 1 Set Duplex 3 Sets Duplex 5 Sets Duplex 10 Sets Duplex Simplex Ranking* Duplex Ranking*
*On a scale of 1 to 2, with 1 being the best.
Canon imageRUNNER 5020i 50 cpm LCT Long-edge
8.73 seconds 32.2 cpm 44.4 cpm 47.6 cpm 51.4 cpm 13.0 seconds 30.2 cpm 43.3 cpm 47.5 cpm 50.4 cpm
6.7 seconds 33.8 cpm 44.9 cpm 46.5 cpm 48.6 cpm 12.7 seconds 26.6 cpm 39.2 cpm 43.3 cpm 47.1 cpm

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Network Printer Productivity: Pages Per Minute (ppm) using PCL and a 10page Microsoft Word text document on a Windows 2000 local area network. Tests were performed under controlled conditions using a workstation running Windows 2000 Professional client. Jobs were printed from the application using the latest print drivers and sent over the network to a port installed on a Windows 2000 server. Jobs were timed from the click of the mouse until the complete exit of the print. (Note that a denotes that the device has the advantage. In some cases, neither device has the advantage.) Sharp AR-M550N Rated Print Speed Paper Source Paper Feed 55 ppm LCT Long-edge Advantage Simplex First Page Out Speed 1 Set Simplex 3 Sets Simplex 5 Sets Simplex 10 Sets Simplex Duplex First Page Out Speed 1 Set Duplex 3 Sets Duplex 5 Sets Duplex 10 Sets Duplex Simplex Ranking* Duplex Ranking*
Canon imageRUNNER 5020i 50 ppm LCT Long-edge
8.5 seconds 30.8 ppm 43.5 ppm 47.9 ppm 50.6 ppm 11.8 seconds 32.1 ppm 43.6 ppm 47.8 ppm 50.9 ppm
7.5 seconds 31.0 ppm 41.0 ppm 43.5 ppm 46.7 ppm 12.2 seconds 26.9 ppm 37.1 ppm 41.7 ppm 46.0 ppm

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Network Printer Productivity: Pages Per Minute (ppm) using PostScript and a 10-page Microsoft Word text document on a Windows 2000 local area network. Tests were performed under controlled conditions using a workstation running Windows 2000 Professional client. Jobs were printed from the application using the latest print drivers and sent over the network to a port installed on a Windows 2000 server. Jobs were timed from the click of the mouse until the complete exit of the print. (Note that a denotes that the device has the advantage. In some cases, neither device has the advantage.)
Sharp AR-M550N Canon ImageRUNNER 5020i
Rated Print Speed Paper Source Paper Feed Simplex First Page Out Speed 1 Set Simplex 3 Sets Simplex 5 Sets Simplex 10 Sets Simplex Duplex First Page Out Speed 1 Set Duplex 3 Sets Duplex 5 Sets Duplex 10 Sets Duplex
Simplex Ranking* Duplex Ranking*

55 ppm LCT Long-edge

Advantage
8.6 seconds 30.9 ppm 43.6 ppm 47.3 ppm 50.8 ppm 11.8 seconds 30.9 ppm 43.1 ppm 46.8 ppm 50.8 ppm

50 ppm LCT Long-edge

11.0 seconds 26.5 ppm 38.6 ppm 41.6 ppm 45.7 ppm 15.1 seconds 23.4 ppm 36.0 ppm 40.0 ppm 44.1 ppm
IATSD On The AR-M550Ns Productivity: In network printer mode, the Sharp AR-M550N clearly outclassed the imageRUNNER 5020i in PostScript mode while the imageRUNNER had a faster first page out time in PCL printer mode. In copier mode, the Sharp AR-M55N was more productive when producing multiple sets of copies while the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is faster first copy out time made it more productive for single sets of copies.
industryanalysts.com Page 7
Software: Performance of the administration utilities, print drivers and client software. (Note that a denotes that the device has the advantage. In some cases, neither device has the advantage.)
Software Unified Installation Customizable Installation Automatic Deployment Document Management for Network Scanning Network Monitoring Device/Job Status Web Browser-Based Client/Administrator Tool Combine Print Jobs Ranking*** Sharp AR-M550N Yes No No Optional Sharpdesk* Printer Administration Utility (coming soon), Printer Monitor, ----Advantage ---------Canon imageRUNNER 5020i No No No Optional ImageWare Document Manager Remote UI, NetSpot Console Optional Job Monitor** NetSpot Console, Remote UI Page Composer 2
Printer Web Page, Sharp Composer 1
*Included with optional Network Scanner Expansion Kit. **Not shipped with device, Job Monitor software must be downloaded from Canons Web site. ***On a scale of 1 to 2, with 1 being best. IATSD On The AR-M550Ns Software: Aside from a server/web based administration tool (coming soon), the Sharp AR-M550Ns administrative and client software was somewhat more capable than that of the imageRUNNER 5020i. Additionally, installation of the Sharp software was considerably easier than the Canon software due to its unified installation tool that allowed the administrator to click the tool icons of the software that they wish to install from the installation menu. With the imageRUNNER software, since there is no unified installation tool, administrators must know beforehand what software must be installed, as well the order in which it is installed and/or downloaded from the Web and installed. administrator up to three+ hours. Moreover, a full installation of Canons NetSpot Suite (including NetSpot Console) listed above can take an

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IMAGE QUALITY
Image Quality: The quality of the images produced by the Sharp AR-M550N as evaluated by Industry Analysts, Inc. All images were produced under controlled conditions using automatic or default settings. (Note that a denotes that the device has the advantage. In some cases, neither device has the advantage.)

Sharp AR-M550N Copier Optical Density Copy Resolution (Minimum line pair reproduced per millimeter [lp/mm]) Printer Resolution (Horizontal/vertical point lines produced) Copier Halftone Reproduction (Moir effect noted in auto mode expressed as line screen/halftone) Minimum Copier Halftone Reproduced (Before White) Maximum Copier Halftone Reproduced (Before Black) Printer Halftone Reproduction (Halftones ranging from 10% to 100% coverage in 10% gradations) Positive/Negative Line Reproduction (Differences in horizontal and vertical line widths when printing 1-6 pt. lines) Positive /Negative Dot Reproduction (Percent of correctly printed 1 and 2 pt. positive/negative dots) Ranking* *Ranked 1 or 2, with 1 being the best. 1.(h) lp/mm; 6(v) lp/mm Advantage Canon imageRUNNER 5020i 1.lp/mm (h); 6 lp/mm (v)
4 pt. 150/30, 20, 10% 133/30, 20% 120/30, 20% 85/90, 30, 20, 10% 133 line screen/5% 85 line screen/100% No noticeable difference in halftones was noted between the 40% and 50% halftones. Positive 1, 2 pts. 1 pixel

35% 0%

150/30, 20, 10% 133/30, 20, 10% 120/30, 20, 10% ----133 line screen/5% 85 line screen/100% No noticeable difference in halftones was noted between the 10% and 40% halftones. Positive --1, 2 pts. 1 pixel

10% 45%

Negative 1, 2 pts. 2 pixel

100% 0%

Positive Negative Positive Negative
IATSD on the Sharp AR-M550Ns Image Quality: With the exception of copier halftones (that can diminish when copies are made in photo mode), the Sharp AR-M550N and the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i displayed above average image quality that is more than suitable for nearly every black-and-white office imaging application.
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PRINTER INSTALLATION SOFTWARE
Figure 1 Above is the Sharp AR-M550Ns NICManager utility for installing the printer via a series of prompts. The Canon imageRUNNER 5029i has no unified installation tools.
Figure 2 With the Sharp installation software, administrators may choose either a standard or custom installation of the print drivers. The Canon print-driver installation tool provides similar functionality once the administrator locates it on one of the included CDs. industryanalysts.com Page 10
Figure 3 Above, the user is installing the Sharp AR-M550Ns PCL 6 print driver.
Figure 4 From the main installation menu administrators can select Utility Software and install the Sharp Printer Status Monitor utility (enables clients to monitor the printer/copier and install the PC fax driver).
Figure 5 From the main installation menu, an administrator can select Administrator Tools to install the Sharp AR-M550Ns Printer Administration Utility and/or NICManager.

IATSD on the Sharp AR-M550Ns Installation Software: The Sharp Printer Software is considerably easier to install. This is due to the fact that the Sharp software has a unified installation routine, while the Canon NetSpot Suite does not. This means administrators must know beforehand which components of NetSpot Suite to install. Additionally, the components must be installed in a particular sequence that administrators must learn through trial and error.

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PRINTER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
PRINTER ADMINISTRATION UTILITY Sharps Printer Administration Utility allows the network administrator to configure and monitor all MIB (Management Information Base)-compliant printer/copiers on the network, and indicates current device status and configuration. NICManager software provides an easy, step-bystep utility for installing the device on IP/ IPX networks. Designed for clients, it enables them to monitor the printer/copier, including its configuration and status, as well as print jobs, from their computers. It resides as an icon in the Microsoft Windows system tray on the computer desktop. The icon appears green when the printer/copier is ready to print, but turns red when there is a problem.

NICMANAGER

PRINTER STATUS MONITOR
Figure 6 The Sharp Printer Administration Utility allows the administrator to check the status and configuration of most Sharp copier/printer products. To obtain more information on an individual printer/copier, the administrator clicks on the printer/copiers name. With the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i, initial setup must be performed at the device or initialized by DHCP. Once the IP address is established, printer installation can be finalized using NetSpot Console or Remote UI.

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Figure 7 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is NetSpot Console software, a Web-based network-printer management utility that is here indicating MIB-compliant networked printer/copiers. To obtain more information on an individual printer/copier, the administrator clicks on the printers name.
Figure 8 Above, the Sharp Printer Administration Utility is providing advanced information on the status and configuration of the AR-M550N. industryanalysts.com Page 13

Figure 9 Above, the Sharp Printer Administration Utility is showing installed paper sizes and types, as well as current paper level.
Figure 10 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is NetSpot Console indicates MIB-compliant printer/copiers current status and installed paper sizes and types. It provides more information for Canon-brand printer/copiers than competitive devices. industryanalysts.com Page 14
Figure 11 The Sharp Printer Web Page provides a significant amount of real-time status and configuration information
Figure 12 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is Remote UI may also used be to monitor device status and configuration. It also provides users access to their mailbox bins, where they may access scanned documents stored in their mailbox bins. industryanalysts.com Page 15
Figure 13 The Sharp Printer Web Page Status Page shows extensive status and setup information including paper types and level, toner and staple supply and a comprehensive meter count that administrators will appreciate. Extensive device setup can also be performed from the Printer Web Page.
Figure 14 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is Remote UI Status (Web) Page indicates installed paper types and sizes, and available device memory, but no counter information. industryanalysts.com Page 16
Figure 15 With the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i, users must consult another screen in Remote UI in order to obtain page-count totals.
Figure 16 The Sharp Printer Web Page has numerous setup options that can be used to remotely configure the AR-M550Ns wide range of features. industryanalysts.com Page 17
Figure 17 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is Remote UI enables administrators to remotely configure network-printer/copier settings, as well as e-mail and Internet-fax options.
Figure 18 - The Sharp AR-M550N provides LDAP-compatibility. With LDAP-compatibility, the administrators may conveniently point to various network address books located on the network. Changes made to the network address book are automatically reflected in the devices address book. industryanalysts.com Page 18
Figure 19 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i incorporates a new enhanced version of Canons Universal Send that also provides LDAP-compatibility, as well as network authentication for a key administrator or user. With LDAP-compatibility, the administrators may conveniently point to e-mail address books located on the network. Changes made to the network address book are automatically made to the imageRUNNER 5020is address book.
IATSD on the Sharp AR-M550Ns Printer Management Software: While both devices offer software with similar management and monitoring capabilities, the Sharp Printer Management Software is shipped with the unit. Canon does not ship the entire NetSpot Suite with the imageRUNNER. Job Monitor and NetSpot Console must be downloaded from Canons Web site.

Note: Both the Sharp AR-550N and the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i PCL 6 print drivers allow users to save and recall frequently printed jobs.

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Figure 33 The Sharp AR-M550Ns PCL 6 print drivers Properties settings that enable administrators to automatically obtain real-time device configuration settings by clicking on the Auto Information button. This conveniently eliminates having to manually specify what options and paper sizes and types are installed.
Figure 34 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is PCL 6 print drivers Properties settings, which enables administrators to automatically obtain real-time device configuration settings by clicking on the Get Device Status button.
Figure 35 The Sharp AR-M55Ns PostScript Level 3 print driver. This is the first tab, which, as may be seen, is exactly the same as the PCL 6 print drivers interface (but, because it is a PostScript emulation, it does not use the standard Adobe PostScript print driver interface). Note that nearly all critical selections are on the main tab.
Figure 36 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is PostScript Level 3 print driver. This is the first tab, which is exactly the same as the PCL 6 print drivers user interface (but because it is a PostScript emulation, it does not use the standard Adobe PostScript print driver interface). Also note that the finishing and duplex are not located on this first tab.

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Figure 37 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is PostScript Level 3 print drivers Finishing tab, which, again, is the same as the PCL print drivers Finishing tab. This tab is where users must navigate in order to find such critical settings as duplex and finishing.
Figure 38 The Sharp AR-M550N PostScript level 3 print drivers Paper tab. It is identical to the PCL 6 print drivers Paper tab.
Figure 39 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is PostScript Level 3 print drivers Paper Source tab. Again, its the same as the PCL print drivers Paper Source tab.

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Figure 40 The Sharp AR-M550Ns PostScript Level 3 print drivers Advanced tab, which provides somewhat different image-quality options from the PCL 6 driver.
Figure 41 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is PostScript Level 3 print drivers Quality tab, which also provides somewhat different imagequality options from the PCL 6 driver.
Note: Both the Sharp AR-M550N and the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i PostScript Level 3 print drivers allow users to save and recall frequently printed jobs. IATSD on the Sharp AR-M550Ns Print Drivers: Both devices provide PCL 6 print drivers with a user interface (tabs) that is virtually identical to that of the Postscript Level 3 print driver. This is desirable because it minimizes user training and support. However, with the Sharp print drivers, frequently used settings such as duplex and stapling are conveniently located on the first tab. With the Canon print drivers, users must navigate to another tab in order to locate these frequently used functions. This procedure is more time consuming and more prone to error.

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DEVICE AND DATA SECURITY
The Sharp AR-M550N offers comprehensive security measures: File Security File Security refers to protecting documents sent to others so that they cannot be read, printed or accessed by unauthorized users. Sharps File Security option provides AE 256-bit encryption, so that documents are sent encrypted and can only be accessed by the designated recipient. Additionally, users can restrict access to documents they scan and then send to other users. For instance, users can specify that the recipient can view the document for a specified amount of time; and whether the user can print or distribute the document. Last, users can also apply file security to native electronic documents at the users computer workstation. Hard-Disk Security Whenever documents are printed, copied, scanned, faxed, archived or emailed, the MFP digital/copier/printer MFP retains this data in its hard disk. Unfortunately, the hard disk and the data recorded on it, can be accessed. Hard-disk security refers to any method of protecting this data whether it means automatically overwriting the recorded data, or designing the MFP so that the hard disk can be physically removed. Sharps Data Security Kit provides both 128-bit encryption and hard-disk overwriting. With 128-bit encryption, image data is encrypted before its written to the hard drive, or to RAM or ROM memory for printing, copying, scanning or faxing. Administrators can also choose to have the Data Security Kit automatically overwrite all memory when the Sharp AR-M550N is powered-on, and/or after each print, copy, scan and fax job. Network Security Network security refers to protecting network resources, such as network scanning, so that unauthorized users cannot access them. With the Sharp AR-M550N, users must enter their network password in order to use network scanning. They may also elect to use confidential printing that is, when they send a print job, they may have to enter a special code at the devices control panel in order for the device to actually print. Additionally, the Sharp AR-M550N, may be equipped with third-party Equitracs Secure Document Release, which holds the print job on the print server not on the device itself providing an additional layer of security. Sharp also markets a Secure (Ethernet) Network Interface Card (NIC) for the AR-M550N. The Secure NIC provides Internet Protocol (IP) filtering, so that administrators can restrict user access to the MFP and its printer Web page. It also enables administrators to disable protocols and close ports, reducing outside the threat of unauthorized access to the network.

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The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i has considerably less security measures: File Security Sent files cannot be encrypted, and senders cannot restrict recipients access to sent files. Hard-Disk Security The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i may be equipped with Canons optional imageRUNNER Security Kit software, which initiates overwriting of the hard disk only, completely erasing previously recorded data. Network Security Canons Universal Send network-scanning solution now includes network authentication so that users must enter their network password when they wish to use network scanning. The units print drivers also provide a confidential printing option (users enter a password at the devices control panel in order to release a print job for printing). As with the Sharp AR-M550N, users must enter their network password in order to use network scanning. They may also elect to use confidential printing that is, when they send a print job, they may have to enter a special code at the devices control panel in order for the device to actually print. Network administrators can also control users access to printing and networkscanning modes by enabling Department ID Mode

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USER INTERFACE
At first glance the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is touch screen appears easy to use. However, in order to select paper sizes, duplex or finishing, users must contend with layers of menus and read and respond to various prompts. On the other hand, with the Sharp AR-M550N, basic copy functions are clearly labeled and easy to find on the razor-sharp, high-contrast touch screen.
Figure 42 The Sharp AR-M550Ns main touch screen.
Figure 43 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is main touch screen.

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Figure 44 The touch screen displaying the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is MEAP capability. MEAP is standard on the imageRUNNER i models. MEAP allows customers to purchase third-party applications (such as eCopy) or develop in-house applications. MEAP applications are costly and complex to develop since they are coded in the Java programming language. Plus, Canon technicians will not support MEAP applications developed by the end user.

IATSD on the Sharp AR-M550Ns Touch Screen: At first glance, it appears that both the Sharp AR-M550N and the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is touch screens are easy to understand and use. However, a closer examination reveals that in roughly the same screen area, the ARM550N features larger (easier-to-use) keys, includes both text and icons for ease of use, displays installed paper sizes and levels and features a graphic display of the device configuration.

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SUPPLY MAINTENANCE
CHANGING TONER Changing the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is toner has the potential to be a messy job, especially for those who dont do it regularly. The user first opens the toner-supply cover located on the top of the unit. Next, the user aligns the toner bottle with slots on the toner-supply port, and then presses down on the toner bottle until it clicks. Next, the user presses down on the toner bottle while pulling out the tonersupply ports black cover as far as it will go. Next, the user pulls out the toner bottles shutter (cover) and pulls it out. This empties the toner into the toner hopper. The user taps the toner bottle to make sure all the toner has been deposited, and then pushes back both covers, removing the toner bottle. Finally, the user removes the empty toner bottle, and closes the toner-ports cover. If the user prematurely removes the bottle, toner may be wasted or spilled on the floor, the device or the user.
Figures 45-46 Affixing the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is toner bottle into the toner port.

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Figure 47 - Removing the Sharp AR-M550Ns toner cartridge. Users must hold down the clip shown in order to remove the unit.
IATSD on Changing the Sharp AR-M55Ns Toner Cartridge: With the Sharp Sharp customers need not worry about emptying a toner bottles content. They simply remove the old bottle and replace it with the new one, which remains attached inside the device until it is empty.

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CHANGING PAPER SIZES
Figure 48 Above, the user is adjusting the Sharp AR-M550Ns paper-size guide in the paper drawer. To change paper sizes, the user pulls open the paper drawer, loads the paper, and then adjusts one papersize guide by guide by squeezing it and pushing it into the correct position, then adjusts the other papersize guide by sliding it into the correct position. The user must indicate the new paper size via the touch screen, which is a disadvantage.
Figure 49 Above, the user is adjusting the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is back paper-size guide for paper drawer #3 in order to load a new paper size. Only paper drawer #3 is user-adjustable for different size papers. In order to load a new paper size, the user opens the paper drawer as described above, slides the back guide to the appropriate position. The user then adjusts the side guides into the appropriate position. Finally, the user loads the paper. The new paper size is automatically indicated on the touch screen and over the network, which is an advantage. industryanalysts.com Page 33

Figure 50-51 On the left Sharp AR-M550Ns misfeed-access area for the duplex paper transport area. On the right is the finisher misfeed-access area.
Figure 52 The Sharp AR-M550Ns transport misfeed area. The finisher (if installed) must first be pulled away from the device before this area can be accessed.

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Figure 53 The Canon imageRUNNER 5020is imaging unit pulls out like a drawer and gives the user access to the fuser, developing unit and duplex unit.

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POINTS TO CONSIDER
In order to protect its installed base of the more expensive and ruggedly constructed imageRUNNER 6000 models, Canon took care to position the 50-ppm Canon imageRUNNER 6000 as a workgroup device, designed to meet mid- to high-volume printing, scanning and copying needs. Note that testing showed that overall, the Sharp AR-M550N is a superior digital imaging device compared to the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i. However, the imageRUNNER 5020i does have several minor advantages that you should be aware of, in the following section Points to Stress, we will show how the Sharp AR-M550N is demonstrably superior to the Canon imageRUNNER 3200). Following are the Canon imageRUNNER 5020is minor advantages that you should be aware of before you go into a deal against the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i:
Canon imageRUNNER 5020i Advantages
Standard and Maximum Paper Capacity The Sharp AR-M550N has a standard paper capacity of 3,150 sheets, while the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i has a standard paper capacity of 4,150 sheets. Similarly, the Sharp AR-M550N has a maximum paper capacity of 6,600 sheets, while the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i has a maximum paper capacity of 7,650 sheets. Consumables/Maintenance Toner can be added to the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i while it is running. The Sharp AR-M550N must not be running while toner is added. For misfeed access, the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i has a convenient pull out drawer that give the user access to most misfeed areas. However, sensitive components reside in the drawer that are vulnerable to damage by the user. Changing Paper Sizes The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i automatically indicates newly installed paper sizes on the touch screen, while the Sharp AR-M550N does not (Sharp users must enter the new paper size at the touch screen). Network Scanning The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i features standard network scanning (Canons Universal Send), while the Sharp AR-M550N must be equipped with the optional Network Scanner Expansion Kit.

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SHARP SALES REPRESENTATIVESPOINTS TO STRESS
When you find yourself competing with the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i, stress the following points:
RECOMMENDED MONTHLY PAGE VOLUME
The Sharp AR-M550N has a greater recommended monthly volume (250,000 pages), versus the Canon imageRUNNER (200,000) pages.

PRICING

In the same configuration (digital copying, network printing, network scanning, PCL and PostScript 3 print drivers, and saddle-stitch finisher), the Sharp AR-M550N is priced at $25,540, which is less than the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i, which lists at $28,650 in the same configuration.

PRODUCTIVITY

In PCL network printing mode, the Sharp AR-M550N was more productive than the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i in both simplex and duplex modes. In PostScript network printing mode, the Sharp AR-M550N was more productive than the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i in both simplex and duplex modes. In copying mode, the Sharp AR-M550N was virtually evenly matched, as neither device was overwhelmingly more productive than the other.

DEVICE SECURITY

The Sharp AR-M550N features extensive document and device security: Sharps optional Secure NIC, which provides Internet Protocol (IP) filtering, so that administrators can restrict user access to the MFP and its printer Web page. Sharps optional File Security option provides AE 256-bit encryption, so that scanned documents are sent encrypted and can only be accessed by the designated recipient. Users can also restrict access to documents they scan and then send to other users. A hard-disk overwrite option, so that files and images recorded using the copy, print, scan and fax functions can be automatically overwritten. In contrast, the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i offers only limited device and data security optional hard-disk overwriting.

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TANDEM PRINTING/COPYING
The Sharp AR-M550N features standard tandem copying/printing capability, as the customer can link together the AR-M550N with another AR-M550N, the AR-M620N or AR-M720, doubling copy/print speeds. The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i does not provide tandem copying/print as either standard of optional.

WARM-UP TIME

Sharp rates the AR-M550Ns warm-up time at 2 minutes, while Canon rates the imageRUNNER 5020is warm-up time at a much-slower 5 minutes.

SUPER GROUP 3 FAX

The Sharp AR-M550N features optional Super Group 3 fax, an option that enhances it versatility, but which is not available for the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i.

DOCUMENT FINISHING

While both units may be equipped with an optional document finisher or saddle-stitch booklet maker, the Sharp AR-M550N may also be equipped with an optional document hole-punching and post-process sheet inserter, while these options are simply not available for the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i.

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What Canon Will Talk About: The imageRUNNER 5020i is a fast, 55-ppm high-volume digital copier/printer
What Canon Wont Talk About: In testing, the Sharp AR-M550N was more productive than the Canon imageRUNNER 5020i in all networkprinting modes PCL, PostScript, simplex and duplex. In copier mode, the devices were nearly equally productive. The software shipped with the Sharp AR-M550Ns is much easier to install and offers equivalent if not superior printer/copier management and monitoring via Sharps Printer Administrator Utility, Printer Status Monitor, and NIC Manager. MEAP is available on all imageRUNNER i models. It allow the user to created customized applications that display on the imageRUNNER touch screen. However, MEAP applications are considerably expensive to develop because they are written in Java programming language. Moreover, the programmer must learn how the Java software controls the imageRUNNER software, making it a time-consuming procedure. Finally, Canon technicians will not support non-Canon MEAP applications. SharpDesk document-management software is easier to use and offers a richer set of features. Sharps Network Scanner and Expansion Kit, along with SharpDesk document-management software has the same functionality and is easier to use.

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The imageRUNNER 5020i provides Canons extensive NetSpot Suite network-printer/copier management software
Customized MEAP applications
The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i may be equipped with optional eCopy Desktop document-management software. The Canon imageRUNNER 5020i has Universal Send that it a communications hub as well as a printer/copier.

Sharp AR-M550N

Maximum Monthly Volume Scanning Resolution Gray Scale Standard Memory Power Source Dimensions (HxWxD) Weight SPEED Warm-Up Rated First Copy Rated Copy/Print Speed Quantity ORIGINAL COPY SIZE Maximum Original Size Minimum/Maximum Copy Size PAPER CAPACITY Standard Paper Capacity Stack Bypass Optional Paper Supply 250,000 pages Digital 600 dpi 256 shades 128 MB, 40 GB hard drive 12V, 60Hz, 16A 46.93x28.67x26.lbs. 120 seconds 3.9 seconds 55 ppm 1-999 11x17 5.5x8.5/11x17 3,150 sheets 150 sheets 2,000-sheet tandem paper drawer; 2x500-sheet universal paper drawers 110 lb. index 6,600 sheets

ADVANTAGE

200,000 pages Digital 600 dpi 256 shades 256 MB, 10 GB hard drive 150V/60Hz/15A 44-3/4x25-3/8x29-1/lbs. 5 minutes 3.8 seconds 55 ppm 1-9,999 11x17
4-1/8x5-7/8/11x17 4,150 sheets 50 sheets 3,500-sheet LCT 110 lb. index 7,650 sheets 5R, 4E 25-400/1% 2,000 sheets 50 sheets
Maximum Paper Weight Maximum Paper Capacity REDUCTION/ENLARGMENT Preset 4R, 4E Reduction/Enlargement 25-400/1% Zoom %/Increments OPTIONAL FINISHER 2,000 sheets Total Capacity 50 sheets Staple Capacity OPTIONAL SADDLESTITCH FINISHER 2,000 sheets Total Capacity Optional Hole-Punching Optional Post-Process Sheet Inserter NETWORK SCANNING Yes* Scan-to-Desktop Yes* Scan-to-FTP Site Yes* Scan-to network folder Yes* Scan-to-fax Yes* Scan-to-e-mail Yes LDAP compatibility Yes Authenticated scan-to-e-mail *Can scan documents up to 11 x 31 in size. **Requires eCopy desktop software. ***Requires optional via eCopy software and hardware ($6,995).