Fujitsu Targets Channel With Network Scanner

Fujitsu said it plans to roll out a new, small-footprint network scanner for workgroups, and the product will ship through distribution with front- and back-end financial incentives for VARs.

Fujitsu's Sunnyvale, Calif.-based U.S. computer peripherals unit said the fi 6000NS scanner scans at 25 pages per minute, or 50 ppm in duplex mode, and can password-protect documents before they are e-mailed over the network. The fi 6000NS will carry a street price of $2,995 when it ships next month, said Scott Francis, senior director of product marketing for the Imaging Products Group of Fujitsu Computer Products of America.

Fujitsu announced the new scanner at the AIIM/On Demand Expo in Boston, as the company bids for growth in the document capture segment.

"Scanning has really shifted to a decentralized model," Francis said. In addition, new regulations for public companies and sectors such as health care and insurance continue to provide growth opportunities in document capture and storage.

The fi 6000NS connects directly to a network, enabling solution providers to integrate it with archiving solutions. The device also creates searchable PDF files, adding efficiency in data warehousing.

The compact scanner measures 12.4 inches by 10.8 inches by 15.5 inches and fits easily on a desktop. Its feeder can hold 50 pages, and a network administration module can track any employee's actions on the system. The device is not yet fully customizable, Francis said.

Nina Lutjens, senior director of distribution sales for Fujitsu's Imaging Products Group, said the company has about 2,000 U.S. solution providers and several distributors, including Tech Data and Ingram Micro. Fujitsu's channel program include several partner tiers for resellers.

The AIIM/On Demand Expo, the industry's annual conference for the document capture, imaging and printing segments, officially kicks off Tuesday at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, with several hundred companies showcasing their product lines for several thousand attendees.