Ricoh’s industry-leading Aficio™ (colour) laser printers and multi-function devices (MFPs) support open standards. Furthermore, the new generation of Ricoh digital MFPs include powerful hard disks and advanced network connectivity features. As a result they are increasingly seen as development platforms. In order to utilize this potential, the new Ricoh devices comprise Embedded Software Architecture™, a robust Java technology-based software development platform. Thanks to this innovative machine architecture and its respective SDK (also known as SDK/J), developers can conceive customised solutions and host them on Ricoh’s AficioTM hardware.
Sun Microsystems brought Java technology to market nearly ten years ago. Today, with thousands of organizations around the world developing Java Powered™ products, Sun's Java platform has evolved into a hotbed of innovation for applications.
With the European programming contest – named “Ricoh & the Sun Java™ Platform Powered by U!” - running as of March 1st, 2005 Ricoh and co-sponsor Sun Microsystems are challenging students to develop pioneering applications. Printing files via a PDA or cell phone, or scanning a credit card to make sure the combined device settings are recognised for a print or copy job, are just a few of the numerous possibilities created by the Java Powered Aficio™ products. Adding new functionality and services to these Java Powered Ricoh AficioTM laser printers and multifunctional products (MFPs) is a main criterion for selecting the winner. Prizes will be given to the best applications on university and country level, and the final winning European solution will receive a one-week trip to Sun’s 2005 JavaOneSM event (June, 27 to 30, 2005) in San Francisco, USA.
Mark Herring, Sr. Director, Java Brand Marketing at Sun Microsystems, Inc. explains: “Sun's sponsorship of this contest with Ricoh demonstrates the power of collaboration and community development. By working together, we're able to capture the spirit of originality and innovation from Java developers that enhances the consumer experience.”
“With this challenging combination we want to show our dedication to delivering solutions based on today’s de-facto standards,” said Sonny Mori, Sr. General Manager at Ricoh’s European Marketing Group, “We are convinced that our open Java platform based interfaces will contribute largely to further expanding Ricoh’s leadership as document solution partner.”
Ricoh’s "Embedded Software Architecture" and the “Ricoh Developer Program” (RiDP) are trademarks of Ricoh Company, Ltd.
Sun, Sun Microsystems and Java are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other company names and product names used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors
About Ricoh
Ricoh is worldwide ranked as number 1 provider of colour, and black and white office systems and is market leader in MFP and printer sales. Besides hardware, Ricoh also focuses on developing solution platforms tailored to the needs of different segments and customers.
Ricoh Europe B.V., the European headquarters of Ricoh Company Ltd. of Japan, is located in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, and is responsible for marketing, sales and service of Ricoh products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In Europe, Ricoh has three manufacturing sites: two at Ricoh UK Products Ltd. Telford, UK; GR Advanced Materials Ltd., Stirling, UK; and Ricoh Industrie France S.A., Colmar, France. In addition, Ricoh Europe's European network comprises 14 sales subsidiaries and affiliates. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, revenues from Ricoh's European operations totalled over € 3.1 billion, accounting for 22.6% of the company's global revenues. Ricoh's worldwide sales increased by 2.4% totalling ¥ 1,780.2 billion (€ 13.6 billion).
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The ComputerTM" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://sun.com/.
For further information please contact:
Ricoh Europe B.V.
Peter T. van der Kaag
Tel.: +31 20 5474 153
Fax: +31 20 5474 222
E-mail: postmaster@ricoh-europe.com
For information about the Java platform programming contest:
http://www.ricoh-europe.com/about_ricoh/ricoheurope/events/index.xhtml
