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InfoTrends Launches Ground-Breaking Study on the Future of Distributed Scanning

(Weymouth, MA) April 30, 2008. . .InfoTrends is pleased to announce the commencement of a ground-breaking study entitled The Future of Distributed Scanning – The MFP vs. Scanner Tipping Point. In a recent InfoTrends study, 70% of respondents reported using MFPs for scanning in U.S. business environments. This number has risen significantly since our 2004 survey, when only 48% of respondents indicated using MFPs for scanning. Customer interest in utilizing the scanning function that is present in equipment they already use (and which is distributed around the office) is driving interest in this market.

Nevertheless, single-function scanner devices currently perform in a vastly superior manner to MFP devices. According to Anne Valaitis, Associate Director of InfoTrends’ Image Scanning Trends Service, “Single-function scanners often provide more robust and diversified paper handling, better image quality, and automatic adjustments, as well as advanced flexibility to integrate with the software applications, often at an enterprise level, that a company uses. Other attributes of single-function scanners, such as user conformity for accurate and complete document capture, security, and privacy, will likely sway many companies to employ single-function scanners for use by a smaller pool of operators.”

This comprehensive multi-client study aims to assess the opportunities for MFP as well as scanner vendors. Project objectives include:

• Understand the future and importance of scanning for the MFP and stand alone scanner markets
• Outline the key differentiators in scanning methods between MFPs and scanners
• See if traditional stand alone scans could be displaced by MFPs and, similarly, if MFP scans will be displaced by stand alone scanner devices
• Determine what customers are willing to pay or not pay for in scanning – gauge feature and function interest in a stand alone product or MFP for future products and the price they are willing to pay for those technologies
• Examine customers’ purchasing decisions and methods when scanning becomes a primary feature
• Evaluate what channels will be able to deliver these future technologies most effectively
• Determine what the market today is for electronic scans (page volumes) and what the scan forecast is for the future

Research for the study will consist of a structured end user survey as well as personal interviews with end users, dealers, and OEMS. In addition, relevant research reports and forecasts previously published by InfoTrends will be leveraged as part of this study. We will also thoroughly examine existing market information from a variety of sources, including government and industry association data and published reports.

For more information on the study or to sign up as a participant, contact Scott Phinney at +1 , ext. 123 or via e-mail at . Early subscriber discounts are available until May 30, 2008. Clients that sign up early can also provide input and review of the structured surveys.

InfoTrends, a Questex company, is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com

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