Sharp Rolls Out Four New A3 Mid-Volume Workgroup MFPs with Aries Touch Screen

 Sharp has extended its A3 color MFP lineup with four new additions, the 41-ppm MX-4110N and MX-4111N, and 51-ppm MX-5110N and MX-5111N, all of which feature the firm’s new Aries touch screen that it had introduced earlier this year. The icon-drive 10.1” color touch screen operates in a manner similar to that of some advanced smartphones with “flick”, “tap”, “slide” and “drag” operation.

The icon-drive 10.1” color touch screen operates in a manner similar to that of some advanced smartphones with “flick”, “tap”, “slide” and “drag” operation. There’s also a full-size retractable keyboard under the control panel for entering text. The touch screen also displays full document previews, so that users can proof an entire document before printing, and specified output settings, such as page layout and staple or hole-punch locations, are also shown onscreen in order to minimize user mistakes.

The touch screen can also be customized, so that for instance a different language or icons are displayed. Dealers can also create customized touch screens that feature their customer’s logo on the background, and can also incorporate different workflows into a single icon.

The new MFPS, which Sharp will distribute through direct sales and dealers, incorporate Sharp’s latest OSA Development Platform for integrating the MFPs with network applications and Cloud-based services. They also feature Sharp’s latest security feature, called “End of Lease.” With End of Lease, administrators just press a button to erase all information stored by the system, essentially restoring it to virtually the same condition as when it first left the factory. Also standard is a new “persistent security” mode, which leverages both 256-bit data encryption as well as hard-drive overwrite protection to ensure that data recorded and stored by the hard drive is protected. 

New Belt-Fusing System
The new MFPs, which are Energy Star-qualified, also feature a more energy-efficient belt-fusing system that Sharp says lowers power consumption, and provides faster warm-up times and enhanced print quality.

 Other features of note include:  

• Gigabit Ethernet network connectivity; PCL 6 and PostScript 3 print drivers, as well as direct printing and an XPS option; USB convenience port located on the front panel for print from and scan to USB memory drives.
• Maximum 5,600-sheet paper capacity; support for paper up to 110 lb. index stock and heavy media up to 140 lb. index stock.
• Sharp’s ImageSEND (users can scan documents up to seven different destinations, including USB memory drives, network folders, etc.). Send-to-Group also enables users to send to a mixed group broadcast of e-mail, fax, and Internet fax destinations in a single operation.
• 86-GB document-filing system; documents stored in the hard drive can be previewed on the touch screen.
• Optional Super G3 fax with available automatic routing of received faxes to e-mail addresses.
• Remote Front Panel software utility that enables users and administrators to view and control machine operations from a PC.

Sharp has not released list pricing for the new MFPs. For complete specifications, see here.