Canon Adds Equitrac Tracking to imageRUNNER Devices

For companies looking to provide document tracking and management through the interfaces of their multi-function printers, Canon's imageRUNNER MFPs now support print tracking software from Equitrac.

MEAP (Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform) enabled imageRUNNERS will run Equitrac's software as embedded applications that can be used directly through an MFP's front-panel user interface to let users add more authentication, security, administrative and document management features to their MFPs, including print, copy, scan and fax tracking capabilities like Follow-You Printing and Secure Document Release.

Canon's MEAP, which is part of most Canon imageRUNNER devices, lets Equitrac's MFP software module be embedded directly into MEAP-enabled Canon devices, rather than needing to be run in a separate external hardware terminal device.

"This is part of the trend to enable network MFPs to be a 'walk up appliance or portal,' rather than tethering on a custom terminal," said Brian Bissett, editor of the MFP Report. "Now users get the complete UI customized to the task, right on the MFP, and IT can leverage their existing network authentication/role-based security infrastructure, rather than set up another one. For companies concerned with job tracking/charge-back, or controlling access, e.g. for security, controlled and tracked access to color-capable devices, or compliance requirements for audit trails, this is an economical easy-to-use way solution."

Additionally, Equitrac provides tracking and transactional reporting and costing of all print, copy, scan and fax activity, including does comprehensive audit trails, that is for Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance reporting.

"Our embedded platform gives third-parties like Equitrac the ability to control our device functions like authentication, and gives them the entire landscape of the user interface, so the user gets the Equitrac experience," said Ryan. "IT managers are concerned about managing their fleets of devices. They may have chosen an Equitrac solution, we want to make sure we can provide them with the same integration."

The Equitrac software consists of the Office, Express or Professional server software, plus an application module. The Professional server is geared primarily to the legal profession and Express to the higher-education market; the Equitrac Office server is intended for enterprise and general office environments.

The Equitrac software module for Canon imageRUNNER devices are available now. The MEAP software for Equitrac Office costs $850 per server, or are priced as low as $560 in larger quantities. Pricing for the Small Business Edition of the Equitrac Office server software starts at $995; the full product costs $2,795 for the first server, with per-user enterprise licensing available.