{"id":3674,"date":"2013-02-15T12:18:08","date_gmt":"2013-02-15T12:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theweekinimaging.com\/?p=3534"},"modified":"2013-04-10T12:01:00","modified_gmt":"2013-04-10T16:01:00","slug":"xerox-looks-to-simplify-and-secure-workflow-with-connectkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/feature-articles\/2013\/02\/xerox-looks-to-simplify-and-secure-workflow-with-connectkey\/","title":{"rendered":"Xerox Looks to Simplify and Secure Workflow with ConnectKey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Xerox_Logo_2008Jan71.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3536\" title=\"Print\" src=\"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Xerox_Logo_2008Jan71-300x129.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"129\" \/><\/a>You know Xerox is onto something big, or what portends to be something big, when they present an hour-long, well-scripted and choreographed Webinar hosted by industry analyst Bob Palmer. That happened this past Monday, February 11 in advance of the February 13 rollout of ConnectKey, a software system embedded in Xerox MFPs along with a set of solutions designed to accommodate the mobile workforce and the need for more advanced IT security across connected devices.<\/p>\n<p>Starting this month Xerox is rolling out 16 ConnectKey MFPs, including the WorkCentre 5800 and 7800 Series, which reportedly use the industry\u2019s first embedded security protection from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.xerox.com\/information-security\/mcafee-security\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">McAfee<\/a>. This, according to Xerox will give IT managers more control and peace of mind in \u201cbring your own device\u201d (BYOD) workplaces. ConnectKey MFPs also have an extra layer of security via <a href=\"http:\/\/www.consulting.xerox.com\/cisco-partnership\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cisco\u2019s TrustSec<\/a>, which protects data paths to and from the devices.<\/p>\n<p>With ConnectKey\u2019s open Application Programming Interface (API), sales channel partners, systems integrators and resellers can develop and embed apps on the MFP with no additional software requirements.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cConnectKey was designed for one purpose: to simplify how work gets done in a secure, \u2018always on\u2019 world,\u201d says <a href=\"http:\/\/www.xerox.com\/about-xerox\/executive-leadership\/corporate-officers\/douraid-zaghouani-biography\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">Douraid Zaghouani<\/a>, president, Channel Partner Operations, Xerox. \u201cThrough the MFP as a secure hub, ConnectKey\u2019s features include the ability to scan and upload documents to cloud repositories, send business-critical documents directly into workflow processes and print securely and easily from any mobile device.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Xerox claims ConnectKey\u2019s solutions give IT professionals, channel partners and large, medium and small workplaces fast and easy ways to get work done, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00b7 <strong>Standard apps or build-your-own: <\/strong>Xerox\u2019s App Studio will let users and channel partners customize apps that make daily work processes faster. For example, a custom app for a health insurance company could scan reimbursement claims directly into the payment system from the MFP screen.<\/li>\n<li>\u00b7 <strong>Print from anywhere:<\/strong> Workers can print from any email-enabled mobile device without special software with <a href=\"http:\/\/www.office.xerox.com\/software-solutions\/xerox-mobile-print-solution\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">Xerox Mobile Print<\/a>, or use apps with additional convenience features developed for iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry. Users have the added flexibility of choosing to implement mobile print as either a cloud-based or on-site solution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cloud access:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0With a single touch \u2013 and no middleware \u2013 ConnectKey Share to Cloud moves\u00a0documents to repositories, such as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office365\/sharepoint-online.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">SharePoint Online<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.google.com\/ServiceLoginAuth?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2F%23&amp;followup=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2F&amp;service=wise&amp;ltmpl=drive\" target=\"_blank\">Google Drive<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">DropBox<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/evernote.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Evernote<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.paperport.com\/anywhere\/\" target=\"_blank\">PaperPort Anywhere<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Salesforce.com<\/a>.\u00a0It also allows automatic conversion to searchable PDF, Word or Excel,\u00a0making documents easier to manage for the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Connect to SharePoint: <\/strong>Office workers can browse, convert and store documents in SharePoint and network folders, or store directly to their SharePoint\u00a0My Site or home folder. With a focus on ease of installation and \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 maintenance, it\u2019s designed for small and midsized businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Easy IT integration:<\/strong> ConnectKey MFPs can be managed as a central part of the network, much like servers, for straightforward set-up and service. Troubleshooting and\u00a0training can be addressed remotely by IT administrators, or self-help can\u00a0be initiated with online support and videos on the front panel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All components are designed to fit together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe platform approach is essential because you want to move the solutions where the customers want them, laptop, device, cloud, etc.\u201d notes Rick Dastin, president, Xerox Office &amp; Solutions Business Group. \u201cWhat we\u2019re selling is our platform value proposition. \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing here is changing the value proposition and raising it above the box.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a value proposition that sits above our box, you buy into our platform story, and then we\u2019ll have whatever you need to fit your price point, etc. This is where the ConnectKey solution comes, creating software that\u2019s consistent and standardized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The key to ConnectKey is simplicity, especially when it comes to mobility.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, there\u2019s mobile systems all over the place, they don\u2019t connect together well, and they create a system where it\u2019s hard to manage and we think our ConnectKey will make it a lot simpler and connect all the pieces together and have the ability to be mobile and to get the workflow people want and do it in a secure way,\u201d notes Dastin.<\/p>\n<p>I spoke to a few industry analysts to get their take on the ConnectKey, and while some are still digesting the information, others aren&#8217;t ready to rave about it just yet. A couple of analysts were\u00a0able\u00a0to go on the record by my deadline, including Andy Slawetsky, president of Industry Analysts, who said, \u201cThe ConnectKey suite offers some great enhancements to workflow and addresses serious needs with respect to mobile printing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ron Glaz, program director for hardcopy software and services at IDC adds, \u201cXerox ConnectKey is big in the sense that this is the first OS that consolidates all the digital transformation features required for today and future businesses under one umbrella. What I mean by that is that all the technologies that are available under ConnectKey are available to business as individual applications. Today businesses are acquiring similar solutions to those available with ConnectKey (such as security mobile print solutions, remote management. cloud, scanning etc) as individual apps and stack them into their MFP\/MFD. The issues with the current way is the complexity of integration and deployment. ConnectKey alleviates these issues, all the solution are already integrated and that simplifies deployment enabling deployment across the entire business spectrum.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn addition, adding secured solutions designed to support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) will help IT accept employees use of personal devices in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll hear more about ConnectKey from the analyst community in the weeks and months to come.<\/p>\n<p>The Xerox WorkCentre 5800 Series (45-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 90-ppm) and the WorkCentre 7800 Series (30\/30-, 35\/35-, 45\/45-, 50\/55-ppm) are available now; the WorkCentre 7220\/7225, the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.office.xerox.com\/multifunction-printer\/color-multifunction\/colorqube-9300-series\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">Xerox ColorQube 9300 Series<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.office.xerox.com\/multifunction-printer\/color-multifunction\/colorqube-8900\/enus.html\" target=\"_blank\">Xerox ColorQube 8700\/8900 Series<\/a> with the ConnectKey Controllers will be available in the second quarter.<\/p>\n<p>The ConnectKey for SharePoint and ConnectKey Share to Cloud are available now; the Xerox Apps Studio will be available early in the third quarter.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like to learn more about ConnectKey, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.xerox.com\/connectkey\">www.xerox.com\/connectkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You know Xerox is onto something big, or what portends to be something big, when they present an hour-long, well-scripted and choreographed Webinar hosted by industry analyst Bob Palmer. That happened this past Monday, February 11 in advance of the February 13 rollout of ConnectKey, a software system embedded in Xerox MFPs along with a set of solutions designed to accommodate the mobile workforce and the need for more advanced IT security across connected devices. Starting this month Xerox is rolling out 16 ConnectKey MFPs, including the WorkCentre 5800 and 7800 Series, which reportedly use the industry\u2019s first embedded security protection from McAfee. This, according to Xerox will give IT managers more control and peace of mind in \u201cbring your own device\u201d (BYOD) workplaces. ConnectKey MFPs also have an extra layer of security via Cisco\u2019s TrustSec, which protects data paths to and from the devices. With ConnectKey\u2019s open Application Programming Interface (API), sales channel partners, systems integrators and resellers can develop and embed apps on the MFP with no additional software requirements. \u201cConnectKey was designed for one purpose: to simplify how work gets done in a secure, \u2018always on\u2019 world,\u201d says Douraid Zaghouani, president, Channel Partner Operations, Xerox. \u201cThrough the MFP as a secure hub, ConnectKey\u2019s features include the ability to scan and upload documents to cloud repositories, send business-critical documents directly into workflow processes and print securely and easily from any mobile device.\u201d Xerox claims ConnectKey\u2019s solutions give IT professionals, channel partners and large, medium and small workplaces fast and easy ways to get work done, including: \u00b7 Standard apps or build-your-own: Xerox\u2019s App Studio will let users and channel partners customize apps that make daily work processes faster. For example, a custom app for a health insurance company could scan reimbursement claims directly into the payment system from the MFP screen. \u00b7 Print from anywhere: Workers can print from any email-enabled mobile device without special software with Xerox Mobile Print, or use apps with additional convenience features developed for iOS, Android, Windows and Blackberry. Users have the added flexibility of choosing to implement mobile print as either a cloud-based or on-site solution. Cloud access:\u00a0\u00a0With a single touch \u2013 and no middleware \u2013 ConnectKey Share to Cloud moves\u00a0documents to repositories, such as SharePoint Online, Google Drive, DropBox, Evernote,\u00a0PaperPort Anywhere\u00a0and Salesforce.com.\u00a0It also allows automatic conversion to searchable PDF, Word or Excel,\u00a0making documents easier to manage for the future. Connect to SharePoint: Office workers can browse, convert and store documents in SharePoint and network folders, or store directly to their SharePoint\u00a0My Site or home folder. With a focus on ease of installation and \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 maintenance, it\u2019s designed for small and midsized businesses. Easy IT integration: ConnectKey MFPs can be managed as a central part of the network, much like servers, for straightforward set-up and service. Troubleshooting and\u00a0training can be addressed remotely by IT administrators, or self-help can\u00a0be initiated with online support and videos on the front panel. All components are designed to fit together. \u201cThe platform approach is essential because you want to move the solutions where the customers want them, laptop, device, cloud, etc.\u201d notes Rick Dastin, president, Xerox Office &amp; Solutions Business Group. \u201cWhat we\u2019re selling is our platform value proposition. \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing here is changing the value proposition and raising it above the box.\u201d It\u2019s a value proposition that sits above our box, you buy into our platform story, and then we\u2019ll have whatever you need to fit your price point, etc. This is where the ConnectKey solution comes, creating software that\u2019s consistent and standardized.\u201d The key to ConnectKey is simplicity, especially when it comes to mobility. \u201cToday, there\u2019s mobile systems all over the place, they don\u2019t connect together well, and they create a system where it\u2019s hard to manage and we think our ConnectKey will make it a lot simpler and connect all the pieces together and have the ability to be mobile and to get the workflow people want and do it in a secure way,\u201d notes Dastin. I spoke to a few industry analysts to get their take on the ConnectKey, and while some are still digesting the information, others aren&#8217;t ready to rave about it just yet. A couple of analysts were\u00a0able\u00a0to go on the record by my deadline, including Andy Slawetsky, president of Industry Analysts, who said, \u201cThe ConnectKey suite offers some great enhancements to workflow and addresses serious needs with respect to mobile printing.\u201d Ron Glaz, program director for hardcopy software and services at IDC adds, \u201cXerox ConnectKey is big in the sense that this is the first OS that consolidates all the digital transformation features required for today and future businesses under one umbrella. What I mean by that is that all the technologies that are available under ConnectKey are available to business as individual applications. Today businesses are acquiring similar solutions to those available with ConnectKey (such as security mobile print solutions, remote management. cloud, scanning etc) as individual apps and stack them into their MFP\/MFD. The issues with the current way is the complexity of integration and deployment. ConnectKey alleviates these issues, all the solution are already integrated and that simplifies deployment enabling deployment across the entire business spectrum. \u201cIn addition, adding secured solutions designed to support BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) will help IT accept employees use of personal devices in the office.\u201d I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll hear more about ConnectKey from the analyst community in the weeks and months to come. The Xerox WorkCentre 5800 Series (45-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 90-ppm) and the WorkCentre 7800 Series (30\/30-, 35\/35-, 45\/45-, 50\/55-ppm) are available now; the WorkCentre 7220\/7225, the Xerox ColorQube 9300 Series and the Xerox ColorQube 8700\/8900 Series with the ConnectKey Controllers will be available in the second quarter. The ConnectKey for SharePoint and ConnectKey Share to Cloud are available now; the Xerox Apps Studio will be available early in the third quarter. If you\u2019d like to learn more about ConnectKey, visit www.xerox.com\/connectkey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[82],"tags":[395,362],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3674"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4345,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3674\/revisions\/4345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.enxmag.com\/twii\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}