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Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today opened its 2008 National Dealer meeting in Orlando with a number of new introductions aimed at presenting its dealers with new business opportunities and moving both Sharp and its dealers into the next frontier of opportunity. Sharp is debuting a groundbreaking line of A4 MFPs and printers with a unique, broad set of features, functionality and sleek appearance that will make them the hub of today’s workspace. Sharp will also introduce the next evolution of the Sharp OSA platform and surrounding programs, which will help dealers and developers realize new business opportunities.

Sharp opened the meeting by taking a look back at the last 5 years of dealer meetings. The company highlighted the revolutionary products and technology innovations that had been introduced at previous dealer meetings – products that have gone on to win numerous awards and critical acclaim; and innovations that have changed the face of the market. The company then took a deeper look at one of those market changing technologies, the Sharp OSA platform, with a diverse panel of customers, including Stewart Information Services Corporation, The Biltmore Hotel, Plumbers Supply, Corp., and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, who are running their businesses more efficiently thanks to customized solutions made possible by Sharp OSA technology.

“The theme of this year’s National Dealer Meeting is ‘The Next Frontier’ because, as we’ve done for the past 5 years, Sharp will be taking its dealers – and the industry – to new levels. We’re creating new services based on the successful Sharp OSA platform, launching game-changing new products built from Sharp’s proven architecture, and even introducing a bold new look that will emanate through our product line,” said Ed McLaughlin, President, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “We’re looking forward to bringing these advancements to our dealer community to help them create the next frontier of opportunity – bringing the MFP into the center of the workspace.”

New Business Workgroup A4 MFP and Printer Line
With the unveiling of a new line of A4 MFPs and printers - its largest line of multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) and printers ever - Sharp is providing A3 performance in a sleek A4 footprint, leveraging its heritage in enterprise solutions to offer features and functionality not available in any other line in this class.

Sharp employs a global product development process in which management, business development, R&D, product development, marketing, manufacturing, training and customer service teams all work collaboratively during each stage of the product development process. This gives Sharp a 360-degree view of the MFP market, allowing the company to form a common platform strategy in which the core components of Sharp’s product line are designed, developed and manufactured together. Components, software and processes are engineered to be shared across engine platforms, making Sharp’s award-winning products “look and act” similarly across virtually all segments of the market. This makes Sharp workgroup MFPs and printers easier to operate, maintain, and sell.