CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE AFRICA ISSUE 0024 | Page 34

INNOVATION

For the ITS Colour printers (L series), each set of high-volume ink bottles can print up to 4,000 pages in black and 6,500 pages in colour, and offers a low running cost of 0.85Ksh per page, or just 425Ksh per ream of paper (500 sheets). In addition, two extra black ink bottles included in the box increase the combined print output to 12,000 pages. On the other hand, for ITS Monochrome printers (WorkForce M series), the ink is available in a highvolume 140ml bottle, which can print approximately 6,000 pages, and offers a low running cost of 0.34Ksh per page, or just 170Ksh per ream of paper (500 sheets). All the printers come with two black ink bottles – one starter bottle and one standard 140ml bottle – with a large combined page yield of 11,000 pages for ultralow-cost document printing. “2013 is an important year for us, as we strengthen our range with more ink tank system models, offering more features. Wireless connectivity and Epson iPrint, for example, are just a few that we’ve included, as well as offering our very first mono ink tank system printers,” said Mukesh. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Epson has established a panel of distributors and re-sellers of their products throughout Africa. Early this year, the manufacturers came up with an ‘ultra short throw’ projector that was aimed at promoting interactive learning in Kenyan schools. The projector has since been used equally in the corporate environment for its flexible and diverse features which enable presenters to add notes, drawings and save them directly to the presentation or use the interactive flip charts.

Epson adopts strong ink system in new direction
By Simon Mbuthia

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lobal innovation company, Epson, is set to stop selling consumer and small business cartridge printers in Kenya and some other African markets. According to the firm, the change of the product came after customers on the first generation of ink tank system printers sent positive responses. This move is also a part of Epson’s new ‘low-cost’ and high quality ink tank system strategy that will allow focus on expanding its ink tank system range, a plan that intends to counter problems associated with non-genuine inks or other refill systems. “We’ve listened to customer feedback on our current ink tank system printers and what they want from their printing. By stopping the sales of ink cartridge printers in markets with

strong ink tank system sales, we will be able to strengthen our commitment to offering ultra-low-cost printing, while maintaining the kind of print quality that our customers expect from us,” said Epson Regional Sales Manager for East Africa Mukesh Bector. He added that the firm’s new direction was aimed at providing home and office users with affordable and reliable printing solutions. Last year, Epson brought a vast array of inkjet printing, including the Micro Piezo technology, Ink Tank System (ITS) printers. This made it the first inkjet manufacturer to create a range of printers with ink tanks built in. This year has moved further in the direction with eight new models being added to the range. The models include Epson L series (L550/L355/L300/L210L/L110), which are colour printers that consists of Ep ???????HH?\?Y\?
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