Proper Tools for the Job: OEMs Offer Glimpse into Vertical-Specific Solutions

Any concerted venture into a vertical market by dealers and resellers would be incomplete without showcasing an array of products and solutions that can adequately address those markets on a granular level or, in some cases, a broader perspective. Some of the following solutions speak specifically to a given market, such as health care or legal, while others address a common denominator that speaks to the needs of multiple sectors.

Thus, in conjunction with this month’s State of the Industry report on effectively serving vertical markets, we offer a large sampling of the products that industry manufacturers are currently offering. These products can be effective elements in the portfolio of any reseller that seeks to develop or bolster its strength in one or more sectors.

Avision

The WGT Model 6 is a high-speed, color continuous well log scanner designed for the oil and gas industry. Built by Avision with a custom driver and firmware, it’s packaged with Well Green Tech’s WGT Scan software. This scanner is easy to use and works with USB3.0 to make data transfer to PC robust with speeds up to 16″ per second.

Three color settings—color, black and white, and grayscale—make it efficient to capture and preserve well logs. There’s also an option of 75 to 600 dpi, which allows you to create perfect reproductions of well logs documents into a single tiff or PDF file. The Model 6 scanner works with originals printed on paper, Mylar or even photographic film up to 12″ wide with unlimited length.

Modernizing paper well logs is an essential business function in the exploration and production (E&P) industry. With the WGT model 6 scanner, users can safeguard the archiving of paper-based logs. It can also be used to scan maps, photos, reports and other data commonly found in the E&P environment.
Well Green Tech Inc. partnered with Avision to create this fast, affordable solution for those who need unlimited-length scanning.

Brother

The health care technology landscape is changing at a rapid pace. Administrators and IT professionals want to digitize health care records and promote interoperability. The challenge is integrating paper and digital content while streamlining daily operations and securing sensitive patient data to meet HIPAA compliance. The Brother MFC-L9670CDN color laser all-in-one meets this demand. It offers flexible, reliable and secure document management technology and solutions that can make a measurable difference in capturing patient information, helping support HIPAA requirements and cutting costs. With features such as advanced, high-speed scanning; triple-layer security (device, document and network security); cloud-sharing abilities; and flexible paper-handling options, the unit is ideal for mid- to large-size workgroups in the health care industry.  

The MFC-L9670CDN includes high-yield replacement supplies for low-cost printing, duplex print speeds that can reach up to 42 pages per minute, flexible connectivity options such as mobile device printing and an easy-to-use user interface that’s customizable to business workflows. It provides advanced color printing that’s optimal for brochures, medical records, patient communications, administrative documents, statements and billing. High-speed black-and-white printing is ideal for patient records, staff notes, work orders, prescriptions, consent forms, lab reporting and scheduling, and more. 

Security is the number-one priority for many health care offices, and the MFC-L9670CDN is equipped with Triple Layer Security features to help secure devices and documents while also safeguarding networks. With advanced security features including an integrated NFC card reader for easy badge authentication, this model can keep up with the rapidly evolving health care industry and ensure all documents remain secure.

The MFC-L9670CDN supports Meditech and Epic, and it’s equipped with an ISIS-compliant driver for scanning from applications such as Allscripts. It passed the Keypoint Intelligence security testing protocol and earned the Buyers Lab (BLI) Security Validation Testing seal for device penetration to ensure further protection against vulnerabilities in the device’s firmware/OS, ports and print.

Canon U.S.A.

To help serve the health care space, Canon U.S.A. supports EPIC environments in health care organizations through uniFLOW features such as Secure Print, mobile print and device authentication, which can be accessed through the uniFLOW Epic connector. The addition of optional uniFLOW in combination with Canon’s single and multifunction printers, multifunction devices, production print capabilities and scanners can empower hospitals to simplify print architecture and help streamline vendors. Because the uniFLOW Epic connector works with a wide array of Canon devices, hospitals and health systems can gain access to extensive analytics that can help monitor costs and provide audit trails for many print and scan activities.


Through this integration with Epic, a leading electronic health record (EHR) provider, and through Cerner certification of many Canon devices, Canon U.S.A. authorized dealers have the capability to print to and scan from EHR systems in 85% of large hospitals throughout the United States.

Finally, through its FedRAMP-authorized offering, the Canon Office Cloud solution, Canon U.S.A. provides extensive fleet and output management capabilities that enable hospitals and other organizations handling government-level information to manage device discovery, print release at the device, meter collection and toner replenishment using a federally authorized and continuously monitored cloud service. From a convenient dashboard, administrators can proactively monitor asset costs and device problems, usage, contracts, locations and configurations for compatible Canon and non-Canon devices. This device-agnostic discovery enables users to track asset inventories, device use, automatic supply replenishment and fleet health to relieve stretched IT resources.

Epson

The Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series of A3 line head color multifunction printers, powered by PrecisionCore printing technology, delivers outstanding quality with low waste.

These multifunction printers are designed for large workgroups and departments while also providing vertical markets such as education with cost-effective, reliable, high-quality printing and ease of service. A competitive alternative to laser multifunction printers, the AM Series keeps things moving in fast-paced environments with a variety of high-performance features. The WorkForce Enterprise AM Series multifunction printers have the lowest power consumption in their classes—up to 65% lower for the AM-C6000, up to 55% lower for the AM-C5000 and up to 45% lower for the AM-C4000 versus color laser printers—to help educational institutions meet sustainability goals. Convenient for administrative offices and other space-constrained environments, they use the least amount of floor space in each of their classes and support an optional inner finishing accessory without adding to the footprint of the main unit.

Offering fast print speeds—60 ISO ppm (black/color) for the AM-C6000, 50 ISO ppm (black/color) for the AM-C5000 and 40 ISO ppm (black/color) for the AM-C4000—and a fast first page out, these solutions deliver productivity for a variety of work environments. Whether printing for administrative or student requirements, the AM Series provides versatile options for stacking, stapling, creating booklets and hole-punching as well as fax and multi-network options. Single-pass duplex scanning offers efficient workflow, and the DURABRITE Pro fast-drying, water-resistant pigment ink produces high-quality images with vivid color and crisp black text. The AM Series also features a large, user-friendly 10.1” color touchscreen with a customizable interface and a full suite of advanced security options.

Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta – Video Security Solutions (VSS) has developed a new module for its platform— REACT – Visible Weapon Detection (VWD)—that can detect firearms and provide another layer of protection against gun-related crimes.

With the increase in active shooter incidents over the last few years—and schools top of mind—Konica Minolta’s VSS development team recognized the urgent need for a detection solution. Working with Scylla AI, it created an algorithm that can detect visible firearms. Integrated into Konica Minolta’s VSS platform with AI and automation capabilities, VWD can provide schools, government offices and other organizations with an unparalleled level of safety and security that isn’t dependent on continuous in-person monitoring.


The firearm must be visible for the algorithm to function and, depending on the parameters (lighting environment, type of firearm and distance from the camera), detection can be within two to five seconds with a high level of accuracy.

VWD is compatible with the majority of IP cameras and camera installations, as long as the camera’s field of view and resolution meet usage guidelines, preferably with at least 30 pixels on target. Security teams that already have a security camera setup (IP cameras, server and VMS) can easily add the VWD module. Konica Minolta can also work with customers whose cameras don’t meet the requirements by providing them with its MOBOTIX IP cameras along with an on-premises/hybrid MX HUB VMS or a Cloud VMS that the VSSE team offers.

Kyocera

The Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan (KCPS) software application enables users to print and scan documents from anywhere, at any time, and with any device that has an internet connection. It helps users avoid the limitations of traditional printing and scanning methods and enables them to streamline workflows, increase productivity and/or improve document security.

One of the standout features of KCPS is its security measures. The application encrypts all documents during transmission and stores them securely in the cloud, providing protection against unauthorized access. This level of security is especially important for specialized working environments such as real estate, where independent contractors and agents need a secure and reliable method of printing and scanning.


Another significant benefit of KCPS is its mobility, allowing authorized users to print and scan securely from any location using any device with an internet connection. They can easily send print jobs from a mobile device or laptop directly to Kyocera printers without the need for drivers or cables. Users can also scan documents to email or their preferred cloud storage services such as Google Drive or SharePoint Online.

Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan is also equipped with management tools such as usage tracking and cost allocation. These features allow any business to monitor and manage print-related costs effectively, making it ideal for real estate companies that need to manage print costs for independent agents or contractors. The application can even integrate with existing fleet management systems such as Kyocera Fleet Services, providing a comprehensive view of print usage across the organization.

Lexmark

Lexmark Industry Advantage (LIA) is a program designed to help Lexmark’s channel partners differentiate themselves from their competition through industry-specific knowledge and expertise. The program offers a range of resources and tools that help channel partners identify and address the unique needs of customers in specific industries including government, education, health care, financial services, manufacturing and retail. 

Through LIA, channel partners gain access to industry-specific training, sales tools, and marketing materials and more. These resources are designed to help partners better understand the needs and challenges of customers in different industries and develop solutions that meet those needs by helping them find unique ways to stand out from the competition and be viewed as a trusted advisor. 


One of LIA’s key benefits is in helping channel partners become experts in the industries they serve. By gaining a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing customers in specific industries, partners are better equipped to offer tailored solutions that address those challenges and capitalize on those opportunities. This expertise can help partners win new business and differentiate themselves from competitors who may not have the same level of industry-specific knowledge. 

LIA also offers channel partners a range of other benefits, including access to Lexmark’s extensive product portfolio, technical support and sales and marketing resources. By leveraging these resources, partners can provide customers with a comprehensive range of solutions and services that meet their specific needs. With LIA, partners of any size can build in-house industry expertise to differentiate and grow.

Ricoh

RICOH ProcessDirector is a print workflow software solution ideally suited to print service providers (PSPs) within the commercial print vertical market, especially PSPs serving heavily regulated industries such as insurance, finance and health care. These businesses are under pressure to ensure their production centers can meet current SLAs and adhere to strict compliance and regulatory requirements—all while controlling costs, boosting profitability and hitting production output targets.

RICOH ProcessDirector gives PSPs an automated, end-to-end production print workflow management solution controlled from a single, web-based dashboard. The vendor-neutral, scalable design and open architecture assist in solving some of their most common challenges: streamlining operations by unifying legacy and disparate systems, reducing total cost of operations by automating manual steps, and improving customer confidence by providing visibility at every stage of job production. It also helps minimize the risk of human error and streamlines mail handling to lower costs.

A key benefit of this software is that it increases throughput and equipment utilization by integrating disparate systems into a single, vendor-neutral, centralized workflow. Users can view and control jobs via an intuitive dashboard, achieve a high level of integrity in a fast-paced environment and uphold rule-based processing that saves time by expanding the ability to work with fully composed PDF files.

RICOH ProcessDirector also helps users achieve 100% output integrity and satisfy reporting requirements while reducing manual touchpoints. The software generates audit trails down to an individual piece level to respond to queries or audit requests. With this, users gain visibility from receipt to delivery and enhanced capacity planning, production optimization, and problem identification with reporting data.

With both subscription and perpetual pricing options, RICOH ProcessDirector is accessible to a wide array of PSPs.

Sharp

When selecting a laptop for student use, the operating system, portability, battery life, performance, durability and cost all need to be considered. Sharp’s laptop division, Dynabook (formerly TOSHIBA PC Company), has designed its E10 line specifically for K-12 educators and students And because funding is always top of mind in education, the E10 line offers a range of models at different price points, making them accessible to schools with varying budgets.

One of the prime directives of educators is to prepare students properly for higher education and beyond. The Dynabook E10 is attractive to educators because it uses Windows 10 Pro Education and Microsoft Office 365 while offering something that the competition doesn’t—practice with using a Microsoft Windows device and Microsoft productivity applications.

The E10 Series is lightweight compared to competitive models, weighing in at less than 2.6 lbs., and are manufactured with student-proof durability. The laptops have a slip-resistant design, reinforced hinges, spill-resistant keyboards and protective rubber bumpers to endure daily usage.

Maybe the most important benefit of Dynabook laptops is the built-in security features such as encryption and a proprietary, high-security BIOS to help keep sensitive information secure. Dynabook laptops also offer a long battery life and powerful processors with ample storage.

Toshiba

As dealers seek to diversify revenue streams in light of decreased office print volume, Toshiba’s label and receipt printers present an opportunity to leverage the rapid growth in online shipments and compliance.

Label and receipt printing is expanding at double-digit rates, and it’s fundamentally a printing solutions business. Dealers know how to sell and service printing equipment while understanding the benefits of the aftermarket, where opportunity is significant and Toshiba has unique technology with protected consumables. Moreover, they’re the only vendor in the multifunction printer (MFP) space, enabling resellers to optimize the escalating demand for label and receipt printers.

Its label printers range from portable models for on-demand labeling in transportation/logistics, field service operations and retail settings, to high-speed industrial models that are ideal for manufacturing, health care, commercial service and supply chain applications. Toshiba’s premium HSP Series receipt printers are IP21-certified; the rugged, splash-resistant design protects against solid objects and liquids prevalent in bar, restaurant and hotel environments.

The company’s latest printing innovation, the Duplex Linerless Thermal Printer, significantly simplifies everyday packaging applications for shipping and logistics operations. Beyond streamlining everyday tasks for warehouse professionals, the newly available DL1024 reduces costs and boosts productivity while helping organizations meet the demand for more sustainable printing solutions.

The Duplex Linerless Thermal Printer simultaneously prints on both sides of a label without using a liner or backing material. This eliminates the plastic pouch and additional packing slip without producing any label liner waste, enabling organizations to function more sustainably. Using the Premier Print & Services Group’s Linerless DuplexPackSlip label, the Duplex Linerless Thermal Printer reduces up to 40 percent of labeling costs. It also provides a significant aftermarket opportunity.

Xerox

The Cures Act aims to accelerate medical innovation, setting rules to make an individual’s health information accessible at no charge, ideally via smartphone applications. With the accelerating pace of change in the health care industry, there are more mandates requiring providers to adopt interoperable methods. This is happening at the state, local and even at the specific health care system level for any provider who wants to work within that system. This activity is the trickle-down effect of national legislation such as the Cures Act. An example of this is in North Carolina, where a law requires that every provider who cares for Medicare or Medicaid patients must ensure that their electronic health system (EHR) is connected to the North Carolina state Health Information Exchange.

These trends result in increasing pressure to move away from traditional paper-based methods (such as traditional fax) towards secure, digital, interoperable forms of information exchange.

The Kno2-enabled Xerox Healthcare MFP solution provides digital interoperable information exchange and supports the move away from traditional paper-based methods of protected health information exchange. The solution is sold as a bundle—with Kno2’s secure cloud-based platform, health care clients can easily and securely share patient information while the Xerox device provides top-of-the-line printing, scanning and copying capabilities. In other words, Xerox provides a way to scan documents into EHR systems while facilitating interoperable exchange of information between providers so that, ultimately, individuals can quickly access their health information. The Xerox Healthcare MFP’s capabilities are unique to Xerox and successfully serve hundreds of providers in the acute and post-acute segments.

Erik Cagle
About the Author
Erik Cagle is the editorial director of ENX Magazine. He is an author, writer and editor who spent 18 years covering the commercial printing industry.