NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Sharp and eCopy Partner to Offer eCopy Ready Digital Copiers That Integrate With Key Enterprise Applications

eCopy ScanStation OP v3.0 Enables Sharp Customers to Easily Scan Documents Into Application Workflow

ECOPY PAPER CONNECTION FORUM -- Sharp, an industry leader in secure network office and digital document solutions, and eCopy, Inc., a leading provider of solutions that integrate paper documents into enterprise software applications, announced today that the companies are working together to enhance customer workflow. The first step in the partnership is that Sharp has joined the eCopy Ready Manufacturers Program. As a result, Sharp digital copier users now can use eCopy ScanStation OP v3.0 to scan documents easily and securely to more than 20 enterprise software applications, including Interwoven WorkSite, Biscom FAXCOM, and IBM Lotus Notes.

When using eCopy ScanStation OP v3.0, Sharp users transform their digital MFPs (multifunctional peripherals) into an information hub that leverages customers' application software to improve business processes and the security of paper-based information. eCopy ScanStation OP v3.0 consists of eCopy ShareScan v3.0 software and an ergonomic, integrated touch screen, keyboard, and PC, which is used to operate the software, capture document-specific data, and extend the application's security and permissions to the copier. eCopy announced ScanStation OP v3.0 today, see the press release and photo at www.ecopy.com/news/040505_ssopv3.htm and www.ecopy.com/news/040505_ssopv3_pic.htm.

"Companies store a significant amount of their information on paper documents making it a challenge to reference, share, and integrate this information into accounting and other vital business processes," said Ed McLaughlin, president, Sharp Document Solutions Company of America. "Our partnership with eCopy better enables customers to use Sharp digital IMAGER(TM) to scan documents to business-critical enterprise software systems. We are pleased to provide a comprehensive offering that leverages eCopy's leading integration technologies on Sharp's advanced digital IMAGERs."

The eCopy partnership enhances Sharp's award-winning scanning capabilities* by providing customers access to eCopy's intuitive user interface right at the digital IMAGER. eCopy's application connectors provide native integration and operate as clients of the enterprise application server. In this way, the connectors provide the same look and feel at both the Sharp copier and at the desktop enterprise application, which reduces training and improves ease-of-use. Native integration also extends the application's authentication to protect against unauthorized users, provide a comprehensive audit trail, and enable user rights at the copier. These security measures are critical requirements for organizations that use enterprise applications to manage Sarbanes-Oxley compliance information or other sensitive information.

"Experts agree that the most efficient, error-free method of incorporating paper-based information into software applications is to capture it as it enters the organization," said Edward Schmid, president and CEO, eCopy. "With eCopy ScanStation OP, any office worker can incorporate any document into the appropriate workflow by scanning it with one of Sharp's industry-leading digital MFPs."

Today, Sharp is demonstrating eCopy ScanStation OP v3.0 operating with a Sharp color digital IMAGER, model AR-BC320, at the eCopy Paper Connection Forum, a global summit for ISVs, digital copier and scanner manufacturers, dealers, VARs and system integrators being held in Miami, Fla.

As a member of the Program, Sharp can include the eCopy Ready label on its digital copiers, which signals to customers that the digital copier is compatible with eCopy software, with its robust scanning services and large number of enterprise applications. The eCopy Ready label can be viewed at www.ecopy.com/news040505_ecopyready_label.htm.

The eCopy Ready Manufacturers Program is one of four components in the eCopy Paper Connection initiative, which seeks to expand the use of document scanning to millions of office workers. The other three components include the eCopy Open Platform Architecture, eCopy Connections Alliance Program, and the eCopy Solution Provider Network. For more information on the eCopy Paper Connection, see www.ecopy.com/news/020705_paperconnection.htm.

About eCopy, Inc.

eCopy, Inc. is an innovative provider of open and flexible solutions that rapidly integrate paper-based information into existing business processes and applications. Numerous industries, including legal, healthcare, and financial services, use eCopy to easily access, modify, distribute, and share information to add value to their business. eCopy customers include General Motors, Clifford Chance, Siemens, Cisco Systems, SAAB, and Sony Corporation. eCopy, Inc. is a global company headquartered in the United States, with a subsidiary in Japan, offices in England, Germany, France, Scandinavia, and Australia as well as sales operations in Mexico, Canada, Latin America, Singapore, and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.ecopy.com.

About Sharp

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the Mahwah, N.J.-based marketing and sales subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of the core technologies that are integral to shaping the next generation of home entertainment products, appliances, networked, multifunctional office solutions, solar energy and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit(TM) digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Carousel® microwaves, IMAGER(TM) digital multifunctional systems, and Notevision® multimedia projectors. Sharp Electronics Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people throughout the U.S. supporting more than 50 product lines. For more information, visit www.sharpusa.com.

All referenced product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

*Buyer's Laboratory Inc. (BLI) recognized Sharp's scanning products with the "Outstanding Multifunctional Imaging Device Scan Solution" award, which acknowledged that the company's scanning products and solutions delivered superior performance and ease of use consistently throughout BLI's extensive lab testing of many Sharp products.

Distributed by Market Wire