Canon introduces Web Access software for multifunction devices

Canon already the major player in the networked imaging solutions arena, but the latest move by the company is still an interesting one. The Canon Web Access Software Kit is the first ever Web browser to be designed to run on multifunction devices. Unique to Canon, the software allows the use of Canon multifunction devices (MFDs) as"information kiosks" that access and print information directly from an intranet or the Internet. This makes it ideal for organisations that have a significant number of staff who do not have access to PCs but who need to access forms, documents or information on the company intranet, such as in retail, logistics or manufacturing industries.

It will also be popular with universities, libraries and all classes of organisations where important documents are regularly updated on an intranet but where access to PCs may not always be available. As employees can access the company intranet direct from the device, frequently accessed documents like leave forms, contracts, maps and manuals can be printed immediately at the MFD. This provides the obvious benefits of not only speed of access and security but most importantly accuracy.

Loaded on a Canon imageRUNNER MFD, the Web Access Software Kit enables users to call up an intranet or the Internet on the full-size colour LCD panel so they can print forms, documents or pages directly. The easy to navigate browser interface includes storage of up to 100 favourite addresses to further simplify use, just like that of a standard browser.

Based on the popular NetFront browser for PDAs, the Web Access Software Kit also lets users download and print PDF files directly through Adobe Acrobat Reader. When browsing web pages that use dialogue boxes or pop-up fields that require data entry from users, they can enter information using the number keypad or QWERTY keyboard on the same colour LCD panel.

The Web Access Software Kit has a number of security features that can be enabled to control usage. Users can select whether to use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) settings for certificates, and can specify settings for the cache and cookies so they can be erased. IT managers also have the ability to restrict access to certain URLs as required.

The Web Access Software Kit is compatible with the new range of Canon imageRUNNER multifunction devices, including the iR C3170, iR C2570, iR5570 and iR6570. It is also available on the recently released iR2270, iR2870, iR3570 and iR4570 multifunctional devices via a simple automatically administered firmware upgrade.

The Canon Web Access Software Kit is available now from Canon.