client: Sharp Electronics
Company Highlights Growing Developer Community and Partner Program at AIIM / On Demand Conference and Exposition
BOSTON, April 17, 2007 - Sharp Document Solutions Company of America (SDSCA) is supporting the progress of its successful Sharp OSA™ technology at the AIIM / ON DEMAND Conference and Exposition with demonstrations of integrated applications from eight different vendors on multifunctional peripherals (MFPs). Google™, Microsoft® and Yahoo!® are also exhibiting in Sharp’s booth with OSA applications.
The rapidly expanding Sharp OSA program has drawn more than 70 developer members in less than a year. Sharp also recently announced the availability of the OSA Marketing Program, which gives the developers an opportunity to drive increased sales through several co-marketing opportunities from Sharp.
“Since Sharp OSA technology entered the marketplace less than a year ago, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and dealers who have embraced the architecture have gained a competitive edge in the industry,” said Ed McLaughlin, President, SDSCA. “The Sharp OSA platform turns the multifunctional peripheral into a multifunctional portal, enabling dealers to provide better service to their customers by tailoring MFP-based solutions that meet each customer’s unique business challenges.”
At AIIM / ON DEMAND, Sharp and 11 Sharp OSA program participants are demonstrating how Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs can improve productivity, reduce operational costs and provide targeted solutions for particular business needs.
Google is demonstrating the integration of Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs with the Google Search Appliance™ to create valuable enterprise search solutions. The Google Search Appliance allows customers to locate and access information housed virtually anywhere on the network--including intranets, document and content management systems, file servers, corporate desktops and business applications--directly from the touch screen of the MFP.
Microsoft
Microsoft is highlighting core Microsoft technology that embraces the open standard of web services to help make Sharp OSA a versatile, easy-to-use development platform. By using Sharp OSA developer tools that leverage the Visual Studio® environment, standard and custom .NET libraries and Windows® Workflow Foundation design elements, Microsoft and Sharp are demonstrating how MFPs can improve productivity in the workplace through an accounts payable workflow that fully integrates the Sharp® MFP with Microsoft SharePoint®.
Yahoo!
Yahoo! is showcasing innovative MFP-based promotion opportunities made possible by the integration of Sharp OSA with web services APIs from the Yahoo!® Developer Network, including Yahoo! Local, Mail, Search, Weather, and Flickr®. Web Services APIs from Yahoo! make it easy for developers to build applications and “mashups” that take data and content from one application and merge them with content from another. For example, through an application created with Sharp OSA technology, users can access and print Yahoo!-supplied local information such as restaurants or shops--complete with maps and ratings--directly from the MFP touch screen.
DocuLex
DocuLex™, a document imaging and management software creator, is featuring the Archive Studio application, which when coupled with Sharp OSA technology, enables walk-up convenience for a secure connection directly from the MFP. Once users have been authenticated, they can scan and index documents directly into the DocuLex Archive Studio for secure document management.
DocuTeam
Docuteam’s Drivve/Image for Sharp OSA™ turns Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs into intelligent scanners with Scanner Power Tools that expand the feature set of a Sharp MFP, increase document/image processing capabilities, take advantage of 1D and 2D bar code recognition, and enable MFP connection to almost every database and e-mail server currently in use. Drivve/image also provides easy database, application, and fax integration. The Universal E-mail Connector enables MFP connection to most email applications.
Equitrac®
Equitrac® is featuring the Equitrac Embedded for Sharp OSA application, which puts full cost management for copies, scans and faxes in the touchscreen control panel of an OSA-enabled MFP. Widely deployed in education and general office environments, the application provides access to print management, tracking and cost-control solutions without the need for an add-on terminal. Users can access Equitrac features directly on the front panel of the MFP including User Authentication for Secure Print Release and Mobile Printing with Follow-You Printing™.
InfoDynamics
InfoDynamics’ InPOINT software provides an affordable, value-rich solution for small to midsize enterprises. InPOINT provides document automation that supercharges the Sharpdesk™ experience or directs documents into the feature rich, affordable Intact Document Solution Software, which enables direct scanning into Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs.
LibertyIMS™
Liberty IMS™, a leading software provider for the electronic content management industry, is demonstrating document capture, panel indexing, index value retention and enforcement of a unified security model using Doc2NET™ for Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs. The integrated software captures, organizes, retrieves and secures an organization’s business documents to create automated workflow on Sharp MFPs. Doc2NET turns a Sharp MFP into an access point for Doc2NET and LibertyNET servers.
Notable Solutions Inc. (NSi)
Notable Solutions Incorporated (NSi), a leading provider of content capture solutions, will spotlight its AUTOSTORE program. When used with the Sharp OSA technology, AUTOSTORE enables customers to streamline business processes, initiate workflow processes at the MFP control panel and enforce rules-based compliance.
Prism Software
Prism Software’s DocRecord and DocSystem software provides rules-based distributed print and workflow when paired with Sharp OSA technology. Benefits include scalable document management, both local and Web-based; more than 300 file types and an audit trail; rules printing and workflow along with powerful print rules; and scalable workflow and document imaging.
ScanPoint
ScanPoint, a leader in document management, is showing the benefits of integrating its VirtualTWAIN™ software with Sharp OSA technology, a patent pending application that leverages Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs to provide direct scanning into any TWAIN compliant imaging application. Benefits include a solid return on investment and increased value to customers. Combining VirtualTWAIN with Sharp OSA technology is like gaining a scanner on every desk.
Sharp OSA Marketing Program
Sharp’s OSA Marketing Program is designed to help developers gain visibility for their Sharp OSA applications. The program is open to all Sharp OSA developers and includes both validation of the developer’s product integration and a wide array of marketing activities designed to promote integration with Sharp MFPs. As members, developers will be able to market to Sharp’s distribution channel as well as Sharp’s direct customer base of government and corporate accounts. The program is intended to leverage development efforts and drive increased sales through the many co-marketing opportunities available from Sharp.
About Sharp OSA Technology
Sharp OSA technology creates a truly customizable MFP designed to meet virtually any business need. This development platform turns an MFP into a gateway for document-based business communications by integrating the device with network-based applications. It allows businesses to connect their MFPs with a wide range of enterprise applications, including document management applications, reporting functions and programs developed internally. For example, businesses can use Sharp OSA to create an application that allows users to scan an invoice on an MFP and transfer that invoice into an accounting software package instantly without user intervention at the desktop. For faster deployments and easier development, Sharp OSA technology uses industry-standard protocols such as XML and SOAP.
Sharp OSA technology is available now on many Sharp MFP models, including monochrome models between 35 and 110 pages per minute and all color MX models. For more information about the complete line of Sharp document products and integrated applications, contact Sharp Document Solutions Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07430, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp’s Web site at sharpusa.com or sharpusa.com/documents.
# # #
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Insight® Microwave Drawers, IMAGER™ digital multifunctional systems, and Notevision® multimedia projectors. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at http://www.sharpusa.com
Sharp is a registered trademark of the Sharp Corporation
Sharp OSA and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies
Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc.
Google and Google Search Appliance are trademarks for Google Inc. in the United States and/or other countries
Microsoft, Windows Vista and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries
All other trademarks and registered marks are property of their respective holders