First Look: Sharp’s 80-PPM Document System

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Sharp Electronics Corporation announced that it is now shipping its AR-800 Digital IMAGER, the company’s first 80 page-per-minute (ppm) digital “workhorse” multifunction machine and solution for networked office environments.

The AR-800 is the latest product from Sharp’s Digital IMAGER series of monochrome and color copier/printers. According to the company, the new printer provides the advantages of digital technology and meets the high-volume copy/printing requirements of business. In addition, its “plug and play” capability should integrate with networked systems. With an optional embedded print controller, the AR-800 can also serve as a workgroup printer, able to connect to workstations across multiple network operating systems and protocols.

The AR-800 Digital IMAGER generates documents at 600 x 2400 DPI. Its feature highlights includes monthly volume capability of up to 440,000 copies. With a standard 32 MB Copier Memory and 3.2 GB Hard Drive, the AR-800 may reduce the time spent on documents. Other highlights include 120 access codes, confidential/secure (PIN) printing capability and a heat roller fusing system.

With the optional embedded print controller and Network Interface Card, the AR-800 Digital IMAGER upgrades from a standalone copier to a networkable document distribution system. Controller functions include access to print functions, finishing options, zoom ratios, and paper size, and the ability to track jobs directly from work desktops. Controller features include PCL5e, PDLXL, Postscript Level II emulation, and MacIntosh and UNIX client support.

The AR-800 is currently available through Sharp’s authorized dealers.