Canon Marketing Services has announced three new bubblejet printer and scanner in one models that also offer scanning features. By replacing the print-head with the optional colour image scanner cartridge, the three models become colour sheet-fed scanners performing at 360 dots per inch (dpi) with 24-bit colour, Canon said.
Among the models, the BJC-80 is light, compact and targeted at the business traveller. Printer and scanner in one carries a retail tag of S$479. The BJC-4300, targeted at the home and office user, offers banner printing facilities and retails at S$599. And the BJC-4650, with photo-quality output and ability to scan A3 size pages, is priced at $929.
Canon said these models come with Canon’s Drop Modulation Technology (DMT) and Image Optimiser, which allows the printers to use two different-sized ink drops within one scan line. “This precision printing system creates greater tonal expression and smoother transition between colours. The result is greater detail, higher contrast and reduced graininess,” the company said.
Symbol Technologies Inc., a maker of bar-code scanners and related equipment, said it entered a three-year service contract with retailer Kmart Corp. Terms weren’t disclosed. Symbol, mostly known as an equipment provider, said the agreement is part of an effort to expand its services business.
Symbol said it will service its own products and those made by other companies, including scanners, mobile computers, printers and related devices, at Kmart’s 2,161 retail stores. Symbol, Holtsville, N.Y., said the deal is its largest service contract ever and expects its service operations to account for about 13% of revenue this year, compared with about 10% a year earlier.
Revenue was $978 million in 1998. Symbol said Kmart, Troy, Mich., has been using Symbol equipment for more than 10 years. In New York Stock Exchange composite trading, Symbol fell 31.25 cents to $38.125.