Panasonic Introduces Intelligent Color Laser Printer; DP-CL22 Offers Speed, Networking and a Host of Features and Functions Including the Ability to Treat Elements in an Image Individually for Optimum Print Quality

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2005--Panasonic unveiled a new network color laser printer loaded with the latest technology this week at AIIM 2005. The DP-CL22 prints at speeds up to 22 ppm in color and monochrome, while delivering crisp print quality with high resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dpi. This single-pass printer also features a fast 600 MHz RISC processor and simultaneous Ethernet 100 Base-TX/10-Base, USB 2.0 and IEEE 1284 interfaces.

The intelligent DP-CL22 automatically selects the appropriate color setting for image, text and graphic objects. This feature enables the essential elements in a document to be treated individually and rendered with precision. The Photo Mode feature produces a glossy finish by applying additional toner layers and adjusting the fusing temperature--ideal for many vertical market applications such as real estate, healthcare and insurance.

The DP-CL22 features enhanced utilities such as the new device monitor that can direct end-users to their dealer's website where they can order consumables when they run low. The printer automatically sends email notification in response to other conditions as well. Productivity is further enhanced by the remote maintenance/setting tool, which allows a dealer's technician to do configurations and setups from an off-site location.

Panasonic also designed longer life consumables for the DP-CL22. Toner cartridges have a potential yield up to 6,000 pages and its drums have a potential yield up to 15,000 pages. The new printer also has capabilities that enable dealers to respond more quickly to their customers, and the printers are especially well-suited to the industry-specific needs of healthcare, insurance and real estate, based on Panasonic's vertical market research.

Another enhanced utility is the embedded web launcher, which uses the Internet to communicate with the DP-CL22, enabling users to monitor the device and giving administrators the ability to change its settings from a remote location. The new printer is also certified for the latest standard of Internet Protocol (Ipv6), which is now a requirement of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The DP-CL22 is SMTP authentication compliant and enables certain addresses to be added or restricted. In addition, the DP-CL22 offers additional network security features including the ability to disable ports such as TCP/IP, FTP and Telnet.

Because the new printer features an intuitive, yet powerful graphical user interface (GUI) that is uniform across Panasonic's other color printing devices, including its new award-winning DP-C322 and DP-C262 color MFPs, once a user learns to use one machine, he or she is trained to print with all the machines in the group. The shortened learning curve for a group of machines can translate into lower total cost of ownership.

Enhanced productivity is equally important. The color toner replacement feature, for example, lets users continue printing monochrome documents even when color toner replacement is needed. Users will also benefit from a new print tool, direct PDF printing, which is available when its optional PostScript(R) Upgrade Kit is installed.

When the Upgrade Kit is installed the DP-CL22 can be used as a document routing system and PDFs can be sent to multiple destinations. This is a highly efficient method of disseminating information. The printers also have a parallel print feature that allows the user to automatically and simultaneously split the output of PDF files among up to 10 machines and 8 separate files, significantly reducing the time required to print larger print runs.

With Print Count Manager, users can be assigned access to color and black & white printing, limited to only black & white printing, or have their access completely restricted. In addition, other usage limits can be imposed, such as the number of copies a user can print, ensuring a high level of control over office resources. The DP-CL22 also offers a Print Media Test Pattern feature, which optimizes machine performance for a specific paper type, as well as a new feature for end-users with Novell. Novell NDPS Gateway supports LPR/Rprinter port and can check the status of the printer via Printer Control screen.

Security in the DP-CL22, which carries an MSRP(1) of $1,499, is enhanced with hard disk drive security functions that include NSA standard data removal for spooled files and a secure hard disk drive disposal function. With the hard disk drive option, which offers up to 40GB capacity and secure data removal, the DP-CL22 features Check then Print, Memory Print and Confidential Print.

The printer features automatic duplex printing, a 530-sheet drawer and a 100-sheet multipurpose drawer. Two optional 530-sheet paper feeders boost the printers' total capacity to 1,690 sheets.

The DP-CL22 also uses Induction Heating (IH) to fuse toner onto paper, as opposed to traditional fuser lamps. Its benefits are low power consumption and fast warm-up time. Also, the DP-CL22 is ENERGY Star compliant.

ABOUT PANASONIC

In the United States, Panasonic Digital Document Company, Unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, markets a broad line of digital imaging systems, computer peripherals and office system products designed specifically for business use. Products available include fax and Internet fax machines, digital copiers, network multifunction devices, document management systems, scanners, electronic whiteboards, color and monochrome laser printers and impact printers. Headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE:MC) of Osaka, Japan. For more information, visit http://www.panasonic.com/office.

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(1)Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Resellers must decide for themselves the prices at which our products are actually advertised and sold.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

End users may obtain sales information by contacting Panasonic at 1-800-742-8086 or 201-348-7000, or by visiting http://www.panasonic.com/office. Please do not publish the editorial contact telephone number. If you wish to review this or any other Panasonic document-imaging product, please contact Chris Florentz at 215-592-8601, or at chris@bartgil.com.

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