A HUGE shout-out to Sharp for sending us 2,000 face masks to help keep our employees safe while continuing to service our customers. Thank you for your continued support, and going above and beyond to help your dealers! #proudpartner #sharp
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Everyday all businesses face vulnerabilities. Whether its email phishing, ransomware attacks or social engineering campaigns, it’s just a matter of time before a business incurs a security breach.
Most people think of a security breach as an open network port or missing patch updates, but there is also risks with MFPs and printers. Check out what Sharp Electronics has been doing since 2001.
Common Criteria Certification
Sharp was the first document systems manufacturer to obtain Common Criteria Certification on a hardcopy device. Since then, Sharp has continued to be a leader in document systems security by meeting the latest security guidelines by the U.S. Government. Common Criteria is an international standard that defines a set of high-level security guidelines for information technology products. Products that become Common Criteria certified have been rigorously tested over several months and validated by independent third-party laboratories, providing the most up to date security validation for businesses, government and military offices.
Hardcopy Device Protection Profile
In September of 2019, Sharp’s newest line of color workgroups and color desktop MFPs became Common Criteria Certified based on the Hardcopy Device Protection Profile (HCD-PP) V1.0 security target. Hardcopy Device Protection Profile (HCD-PP) is a specific security profile for multifunction printers (MFPs) and is based on requirements specific through the industry collaboration with the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) and the Information Technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA). The profile aims to protect information processed by an MFP from security threats.
Multi-layer Approach
In addition, Sharp takes a multi-layer security approach including the following features that are native to their hardware:
- HDD Data Overwrite
- Firmware Attack Prevention and Recovery
- Application Whitelisting
- IP/MAC Filtering/Port Control
- 256-bit Data Encryption
- User Authentication (Local/LDAP and Active Directory)
- Audit Log (standard Syslog protocol)
- End-of-Lease (overwrite and trade-in)
- Optional Data Security Kit – Trusted Platform Module, Firmware Digital signature, advanced features for highly secure environments
As an MNS provider, Smile Business Products stresses additional ways to minimize risk with your Sharp MFP by:
- Change the Admin passwords regularly or when an employee leaves the company
- Take steps to destroy the existing data on a hard disk when trading in the copier (End-of-Lease)
- Removing the hard-drive completely when retiring a MFP
- Closing unused network ports on the MFP
- Protect wireless LAN’s
Don’t be a statistic, protect your company and avoid a breach. Did you know that 60% of all businesses lose their data through printer security breaches*? Here is a Checklist to Mitigate Threats at the MFP
Contact Smile Business Products for more information to ensure that your MFP is secure.
*Global Print Security Landscape 2019 by Quocira
Microsoft Announcement – Today, Microsoft announced that Office 365 SMB will be renamed to Microsoft 365. Why? The new name indicates that Office is more than Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; including apps like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharpPoint. The new Microsoft 365 is designed to help customers achieve more with apps, intelligent cloud service, AI and enhanced security.
If you are a Microsoft users it would benefit you to take some time to learn about the new Microsoft Certified Windows Collaboration Display (WCD) from Sharp Electronics – It’s definitely a game changer! For teamwork to be truly effective, people need to easily connect and share ideas. The WCD is a 70 inch 4K Ultra HD interactive display that works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 collaboration tools such as Teams. The technology is astounding from plug and play, to built-in cameras, and multiple IoT sensors that connect to Microsoft Azure Digital Twins IoT platform. The WCD technology not only enhances your productivity but also your workplace.
Data Information from Microsoft Azure
To learn more about the 4K camera, built-in microphone array, sensor hub, Synappx Meeting, and more, contact Smile Business Products. We can easily provide a virtual demo to show you how the Sharp Windows Collaboration Display can become a power tool within your company.
*The Windows Collaboration Display has already won an award for Best New Collaboration Board in the 2019 Best of ISE Awards, and for 2019 Top New Technology Award for displays*
Award-winning laptops from Dynabook and Sharp Electronics!
Dynabook is the only “in-house and complete” PC manufacturer that designs, develops, tests, writes BIOS/uEFI (Basic Input Output Systems/Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and manufacturer its own hardware. With over 30+ years’ experience, Dynabook provides built-in quality, reliability and durability.
Features include: ultra-lightweight, magnesium chassis, up to 17 hours battery life, webcam privacy shutter, Intel chips, Windows 10 Pro, pre-configured or built-to-order configurations, and more!
Contact us today to learn more about expanding your office technology with Dynabook.
Better, smarter, faster – that’s the name of the game in the modern work environment. Workplace collaboration and enhanced productivity are hailed as features of the 21st-century company, goals to aspire to as companies push the boundaries of what’s possible – and for a good reason.
Research shows that collaboration helps foster collective goals and a sense of purpose. Likewise, collaborative workplaces are widely regarded as more meaningful, innovative, and successful. Learn how to set effective goals this summer to achieve personal growth.
To address this growing interest in workplace collaboration, many business technology leaders are rethinking the way their products support the modern office. Here’s how Sharp promotes collaboration in the office with its new tool, the Synappx platform.
Transform Meetings Into Productivity Sessions
Scheduling meetings represent one of the most dreaded office tasks. Getting everyone together at once can prove challenging, especially when they’re all professionals on the go who don’t see the point of meetings at all. According to Sharp, employees may attend up to 60 meetings monthly, and the majority of them don’t start on time due to misunderstandings with schedules and issues with technology.
Synappx Meeting helps prevent this. The app empowers employees to digitally attend a meeting from any device on which it’s installed. Additionally, the app comes loaded with numerous tools to help staff get the most out of their meetings. With Synappx Meeting, it’s easy to:
- Track and manage meeting times
- Access attachments or files necessary for the discussions
- Implement hands-free voice control while working with Microsoft Office, Sharp Pen Software, or other display controls
- Automatically update calendars
- Create plans and notes for follow up meetings
- Auto-connect to web conferences such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams
Access Content and Data on the Go
Mobile devices are becoming a reality in the workplace. Fast and convenient, they help professionals get the information and maintain the connectivity they need to keep pace with every change during the day.
While mobile device support has been rapidly becoming more common in many workplaces, Sharp takes it a step further with Synappx Go. This convenient app allows users to set up personalized scan and print settings from their mobile device. That represents a tremendous timesaver for companies with extensive print fleets. Synappx Go standardizes the interface and allows printouts to be released at the MFP from the mobile device. Learn one device – the one the employee already knows – and get back to work.
Finally, Synappx-enabled displays make it easy to display materials on screens. Regarding the workspace, here are the findings. Simply tap the NFC tag with the mobile device, and team members can turn any space into a collaborative workspace by displaying materials stored on the cloud.
Accelerate Team Performance With Total Integration
Integrating devices across an environment is well-known for its ability to enhance productivity. Getting your employees to wear office uniforms can also enhance productivity and promote unity within the organization.
In addition to bringing employee devices into the fold of office productivity, the Synappx platform supports workplace collaboration with total integration between its many product lines. Enjoy features that amplify mobility, the ability to make data-driven decisions, and collaboration across Sharp’s interactive displays, multifunction printers, and more.
Leverage the Internet of Things – In The Future
Released in late 2019, Synappx is still a work in progress. However, Sharp has shared some of the most exciting features that are in the works for this innovative platform.
With Synappx WorkSpaces, users will soon be able to leverage the Internet of Things to track workspace utilization and environmental factors. Using sensor data and technology developed through a collaboration with Microsoft, office technology is about to get smarter, more comfortable, and more effective at helping employees do their jobs.
Remain Secure at All Times
To support the level of connectivity that Synappx offers workplaces, Sharp has loaded it with the best-in-class security features. Synappx leverages many of the same security features like Microsoft Azure, which powers the cloud storage of the platform. According to the Synappx white paper, users will enjoy:
- Enhanced data encryption
- Total network security
- Role-based access permissions
- Biometric authentication
- Unique identifiers for devices
- Advanced system logs
Get the Latest in Workplace Collaboration with a Smile
Looking for new ways to inspire workplace collaboration and innovation? Give Sharp’s new Synappx platform a try. This state-of-the-art software transforms an environment into a connected ecosystem that keeps employees in the loop and communicating no matter their physical environment. With Synappx, everything a team needs remains at their fingertips yet securely stored.
Smile Business Products is a proud partner of Sharp and thrilled to help companies take advantage of this unique technology. With the Synappx platform, collaboration has never been simpler or easier.
Smile excels in helping companies find the best technology solutions for their office. Contact us now to get started.
Anyone paying attention to the world of business technology knows that there have been a lot of exciting innovations in the past year. Technology is getting simultaneously more sophisticated and affordable, unlocking new ways to propel business operations to greater heights. Many of Smile’s partners, like Sharp, Lexmark, and Epson, have unveiled fantastic new products poised to change the way the modern business operates.
Every year, Keypoint Intelligence selects the most useful, innovative business products and awards them with a Buyers Lab Pick Award. In the Winter 2020 awards, Sharp received an astounding 14 of these awards, cementing its position as an industry leader in digital imaging. Here’s why that’s so exciting. When it comes to faxing, there is the email faxing available these days and is very advantageous check over here to know more.
What Are the Buyers Lab Awards?
Buyers Laboratory Inc, or Buyers Lab, was a product testing organization that started in 1961 and acquired by Keypoint Intelligence in 2004. Sixteen years later, it continues to test and report on OEM devices for a business consumer audience.
Keypoint Intelligence is a market research and insights organization widely regarded as an authority in the digital imaging industry. They research, test, and report on specialized printers, scanners, fax machines, multifunction printers, and other digital imaging hardware as they hit the market. These reports are online and include an analysis of:
- Nine key performance points: Reliability, ease of use, productivity, image quality, IT administration, security features, maintenance, advanced features, and overall value.
- Overall strengths and weaknesses: The most unique advantages and disadvantages are highlighted.
- Expert recommendations: Keypoint Intelligence makes honest, unbiased recommendations using test data, firsthand experience, and industry insight.
- Special reports: Many devices also receive field tests and environmental reports according to how the manufacturer has positioned the device in the market.
The product receives a score from one through 10 in each category. At the end of the year, the devices which ranked the highest across all performance points in a given category receive a Buyers Lab Pick Award.
What Products by Sharp Won?
The Buyers Lab Pick Awards represent a coveted prize for the leaders of innovation in the digital imaging industry. A quick browse through previous award winners reveals that it’s rare for a company to earn awards on more than three or four of their devices.
That makes Sharp’s domination of the Winter 2020 awards phenomenal. The technology leader won 14 awards across six categories:
1. Outstanding Color MFP for SMBs
When announcing the award for Sharp’s MS-C304 multifunction printer, Keypoint Intelligence noted the device’s solutions-readiness, security, and environmental data. Additionally, flexible pricing options for supplies and features made it an attractive option for small to medium businesses.
2. Outstanding MFP for Mid-Size Workgroups
The slightly larger device, Sharp MX-B476W, was determined the best MFP for mid-size workgroups (up to 80 users) due to its robust hardware, abundant options, and leading-edge security features. Users could enjoy up to 47 black-and-white pages per minute along with optical character recognition and seamless wireless connectivity.
3. Outstanding Color Copier MFP
Six of Sharp’s copier MFPs won a Buyers Lab Pick Award for their speed, versatility, and overall performance. These are all mid-range devices that deliver between 20 and 60 pages per minute. For the best color copier MFPs of 2019, Keypoint Intelligence chose:
- MX-2651
- MX-3071
- MX-3571
- MX-4071
- MX-5071
- MX-6071
4. Outstanding Monochrome Copier MFP
Sharp certainly didn’t pour all of its attention into color copiers and forget about the rest. Those same six devices also won in the monochrome copier MFP category, meaning that users now have an award-winning option for either color or black-and-white document output in the same device.
This isn’t the first time Sharp’s monochrome copier MFP line has earned recognition from Buyers Lab. Keypoint Intelligence also issues a Reliability Award, which is presented once every three years and goes to brands dedicated to building devices that last. In 2018, Sharp’s entire monochrome copier MFP line won the Most Reliable Monochrome Copier MFP Brand Award.
5. 2020 Outstanding Achievement in Innovation Award
In late 2019, Sharp rolled out its Synappx™ Smart Office platform. Designed to enhance office connectivity and collaboration while supporting mobile devices, it’s an innovative response to other printer integration software currently on the market.
However, rather than limiting itself to the integration with the printers, Sharp targeted the collaboration services market by bundling a host of connectivity tools designed to make meetings easier and more dynamic. Buyers Lab recognized Synappx™ Smart Office with the 2020 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Innovation.
Harness the Best Business Technology with a Smile
Sharp’s achievements with this year’s Buyers Lab Pick Awards reflect the manufacturer’s dedication to innovation and delivering the best-in-class business technology to its consumers. As an authorized dealer, Smile is thrilled to be among the experts able to provide access to the latest and best from Sharp.
Whether in the market for a new multifunction printer, or just seeking to take advantage of the latest software solutions compatible with an existing Sharp device, contact Smile and get the business products the office needs to succeed.
Smile is an authorized Sharp dealer. Start a conversation now about which business solutions are best for the office.
Modern offices look a lot different today than they did in the past. For years, the office environment has trended towards a digital, connected environment. Employees are now accustomed to seamless digital workflows with tools that integrate across clouds and networks – and there’s no sign of that stopping. Many of Smile’s preferred brands, including Sharp, Fujitsu, and Epson, have been at the forefront of innovation for printing and office technologies. Here’s a recap of what they’ve been up to this year, and what the world has to look forward to in 2020.
What’s New in the World of Printing and Office Tech
Anyone who has been paying attention to the printing industry this year is delighted – and impressed – by some of the latest in printing technology. During 2019:
- Experimental and specialty inks came to the forefront. Industry leaders like Epson, HP, and others have been actively finding new ways to redesign and reconsider the printing industry’s relationship with ink. For Epson, that has meant revolutionizing the cartridge world with cartridge-free printers.
- Production print started going mainstream. The printing industry is finally catching up with Lexmark and Fujitsu, which have both marketed entry-level production printers for years. As this technology becomes more commonplace in offices, expect to see yet more companies leveraging ever more sophisticated printing capabilities.
- Next-generation automation was born. While automation has long existed in the print industry, early examples of advanced automation are taking it to the next level. From prepress to production, automation can handle more parts of the printing process than ever before.
The Most Anticipated Tech of 2020
In 2019, the world saw the first glimpses of some of the exciting things which the future holds in store. Whereas some excitement may have been dampened by the 2018 Bitcoin crash or this year’s burgeoning trade war, innovators aren’t passing up any opportunities. Next year’s most anticipating technology includes:
5G: More Integration with the Internet of Things
Since the first 5G announcements in 2018, the world has been quietly holding its breath in preparation for the rollout of the next generation of wireless connectivity. 5G is expected to revolutionize the way people – and things – connect to the internet.
For offices, 5G will mean more integration and a greater presence of the Internet of Things (IoT), that horde of ubiquitous Wi-Fi-connected devices quietly streaming data in the background. Printers will be able to move data to and from other parts of the data environment seamlessly and employees will no longer be limited to interacting solely with their computers.
Next year, expect to see more efforts to take advantage of the new level of digital connectivity that’s on its way. What will that look like? Consider Sharp, which has just rolled out a line of MFPs that’s fully compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Unlocking Productivity with Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is largely heralded as the next wave of digitalization – at least that’s what Fujitsu called it when they unveiled their latest business productivity solutions that leverage AI. These human-centric AI solutions promise to improve business processes across the board, from smarter printers to more perceptively crafted customer journeys.
However, that’s not the only place where AI is appearing in creative and surprising ways. In 2019, AI began making its way into everyday office management processes such as document management systems. Such AI-powered DMS has the potential to revolutionize not just productivity, but the way data is gathered, extracted, and interacted with at every step of its journey through a company.
Blockchain for the Print Industry
Blockchain rose to fame – or infamy – on the back of cryptocurrency, but it’s since spread into other industries, including that of print. Blockchain offered to create a tamper-proof, secure way to share data. For printers, that means using blockchain to accelerate and transform printing in a secure environment which still benefits from the hyper-connectivity of a digital business.
Blockchain for the print industry is still in its nascent state, but research group Quocirca expects that it will have the same disruptive effect that it’s had in other industries. Stay tuned for next year, as innovators continue to look for ways to refine printing with blockchain.
You can also use a virtual office to use a different postal address for your business, and you can use a big city like London if you want (using a service like Virtual Office London), which looks very impressive.
From Fujitsu to Sharp: Embrace the Future with a Smile
From Fujitsu’s next-generation automation and AI capabilities, to the latest IoT-integrated MFPs by Sharp, the future is looking pretty – well – futuristic. 2019 unveiled some of the most sophisticated and innovative technologies ever seen in the printing and office tech industries. These technologies are promising to unleash unprecedented creativity and productivity for modern offices. Forward-thinking companies need to prepare now to seize the competitive edge which these technologies offer. Prepare for the future with a smile by getting started today.
Whether you need software updates or hardware repairs, Smile’s service technicians are some of the most tech-savvy there are. Contact us today to discuss your technological ambitions for the future.
Sharp Has a New Line of Monochrome MFPs
Has the topic of upgrading the office printer been floating around meetings recently? Good news: Sharp has a new line of monochrome MFPs – eleven new MFP/printers, to be exact.
For years, Sharp has made a name for itself, delivering innovative devices which propel offices, board rooms, and educational institutions to the next level of collaboration and productivity. With the introduction of their new Advanced Series multifunction printers, Sharp is now changing the way businesses think about their printing environment.
Smile Business Products is thrilled to introduce the new line of multifunction printers. Read on to learn exactly why they’re so exciting.
What’s New With Sharp
Sharp already had a line of color multifunction printers under the Advanced and Essential series. Announced in August 2019, these A3 monochrome workgroup MFPs are the monochrome counterparts of the former.
Monochrome, or black and white printing, is an invaluable setting for offices which need to print large quantities of documents rapidly but still retain a professional quality. With the monochrome addition to the Advanced series, Sharp users can now enjoy the marriage of unbridled speed with the many leading-edge features which the manufacturer loads into its devices.
Key Features of the Advanced Series
Several key features set Sharp’s Advanced series printers apart from the competition. Whereas MFPs are designed to be the workhorse of the modern office – and many fine selections exist on the market – Sharp takes the idea further with numerous unique features not commonly found in other devices. Working with a Sharp color or monochrome Advanced series, MFP involves features such as:
- MFP Voice Feature, which allows users to give printers verbal commands to keep the process entirely hands free. This feature also works with Amazon Alexa, introducing a new layer of integration into the workplace.
- Adobe® Embedded Print Engine technology lets users direct print PDFs with new heights of accuracy and clarity.
- Application Portal makes printer administration easier than ever by creating a central interface where apps can be added, updated, or removed.
- Multi-layered, leading-edge security features such as proprietary Firmware Attack Prevention and Self-Recovery modes.
- Greater paper handling flexibility to support heavier papers, sizes up to 12” x 18”, and even print media that isn’t paper.
- Walk-up motion sensors to detect approaching users and wake the machine, so it’s ready to go when it’s needed.
- Multiple finishing options including the stacking, stapling, saddle-stitching or corner-crimping capabilities.
- For offices with demanding and dynamic print environments, Sharp MFPs rise to the challenge. Enjoy printing power and efficiency married within one convenient machine.
Advantages of Sharp Advanced Series MFPs
Sharp monochrome MFPs are the latest addition of devices designed to help transform an office into a lean, efficient beehive of productivity. Offices which rely on Sharp to power their most critical devices enjoy advantages such as:
An Emphasis on Collaboration and Streamlined Workflows
The many features of Sharp’s MFPs are designed to enhance collaboration and document processes across a department or organization. Employees can:
- Distribute, access, and work with documents easily through Sharp’s connectivity software.
- Leverage mobile scanning and printing to keep business flowing while on the go.
- Standardize and collate file types to keep data organized across teams.
- Maximize productivity with flexible printer and copier solutions.
Industry-Leading Security Features From End to End
Sharp approaches security from an ecosystem perspective, introducing more than simply strong passwords and access controls. With Sharp in the office, users enjoy a secure environment which focuses on the document workflow, introducing layers of security such as:
- Firmware attack prevention installed on the printer.
- Authority groups and whitelisting to keep unauthorized users and software away.
- Remote device management to keep security centralized.
- End-of-lease data erasure to prevent private information from leaking.
Demonstrated Environmental Commitment
The new monochrome MFPs in the advanced Series adhere to the company’s Green Products Guidelines, which have won Sharp the Excellence Award from ENERGY STAR for several years in a row. An office using a product from this lineup will consume less power, benefit from recycled materials and benefit from the ability to upgrade the devices easily.
Upgrade the Office Printer With a Sharp Monochrome Advanced Series MFP Today
Smile Business Products is thrilled to introduce Sharp’s latest lineup of monochrome MFPs. These robust, technologically-advanced devices complement the modern office which needs printing power and next-generation security balanced with a commitment to environmental sustainability. With an array of capabilities and features, they’re the smart option for a company’s next printer upgrade.
Smile helps companies develop robust productivity infrastructure to support sustained success. Contact us today to learn more about Sharp’s latest innovations.
Office hardware services are a fantastic way to save money and enhance both efficiency and productivity in business today. Firms that do not utilize these services can end up lagging behind competitors or over spending. Here’s what managers should look for in a office hardware service and how they should go about choosing the best fit for their business.
What Is a Managed Network?
Managed networks are outsourced networks which are built, operated, secured, and managed by third-party service providers. It provides some or all of the required network solutions. Cloud services deliver managed networks or installed by the service provider.
These networks provide hardware resources like servers, routers, and switches, along with operating systems and firewall software to secure the data stored in it. The service provider maintains the entire system. Other services that may include managed LAN managed WAN, managed gateway, managed wireless networks, and automated network support services.
What Are Print Hardware Services?
Another thing to look into are managed printing services which handle the maintenance of office printers and copiers. Printing hardware requires traditional maintenance with occasional repairs. The key is to find the provider with the knoweledgeable and reliable technicians that can sevrice the machines with ease and avoid downtown to customers.
Choosing an Office Hardware Service Provider
Choosing the right service provider for a company can be tricky. The first thing companies will have to do, is to find providers in their area. Not all service providers are available in every area. However, some will have very large service areas, such as Smile. It’s important to compare plans and pricing, including extra fees such as set up, delivery and installation. It doesn’t matter whether it’s managed network services or traditional copier/printer mainteance, it’s imperative that plans and pricing are reviewed in full to make sure both parties are satisfied with the terms.
If a company wants to switch service providers, they should check if there will be any extra fees, costs, or complications with their contracts. There may be fees from the existing provider for ending the contract early.
Finding the Right Tech for the Job
Providers needs to choose the right technician for the job. Depending on the complexity of job, a certified engineer may be needed. Ask questions about who is assigned to the job, or install, and make sure the particular engineer or technician is on site. Many times promises are made but then when it comes time for installation, the promised engineer to technician gets pulled for another job.
Look for Certified Service Providers
Certification is one of the absolute musts on the checklist when shopping for a office hardware or network service provider. Service providers that are certified stand above competitors and customers can rest assured in knowing that they are partnering with masters in the field. Being certified is a major benchmark for quality among service companies and ensures a high level of professionalism and expertise.
What Certifications are Available for Service Providers?
Depending on the level of support a provider offers, ISO 27001 is the largest certification needed for service providers. Other certifications are HIPPA-HITECH for the medical field and SSAE-18 SCO1 Type 2.printing services. Also look for technicians with a CompTIA certificate as a minimum.
Service Checklist When Planning Future Scope of Work
Managers should keep a checklist when looking into office hardware maintenance services. Among other things, this checklist should encompass the future scope of work the company plans to take on. Knowing the scope of future work will help determine how many features and extra services the firm will require. Knowing what services won’t be needed can save a lot of money.
Choose a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider
Sharp Platinum Level service providers are dealers who have shown excellent customer service and support. Customers receive professional, and reliable service for their high performing multifunction copiers. Being a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider is the highest honor and reserved for the best service providers in Sharp’s industry. Smile has been a Sharp Platinum Level Service Provider for the past 5 years.
Partner with a Service Provider You Can Trust, Partner with Smile
Get in touch with Smile and start enjoying the worry-free benefits of a managed service today. Trust is one of the biggest factors of all when deciding on a hardware service provider, especially when planning to engage in a long-term business relationship. No one wants to waste money and get trapped in a sticky contract with a business that can’t deliver. This wastes time and money, and in today’s market firms can’t afford to lose either one. Smile is associated with Sharp, a trusted industry leader, and as a service provider they offer some of the best features for the price.
Get in touch with Smile and start enjoying the worry-free benefits of a managed service today.
Organizations of all sizes have a constant need to reduce the price of printing while improving workflow efficiency and communication. These needs transcend individual products, methodologies, and infrastructures, yet are deeply affected by the choices executives make in those areas.
While small businesses and enterprises alike need to spend time developing efficient infrastructure and workflows, these processes will never achieve optimal efficiency without the right tools. Great products are key to minimizing the cost of office processes, both in terms of capital and time.
This is especially true when it comes to imaging equipment. This is where office solutions by Sharp can play a pivotal role in improving office workflows while reducing operational costs.
The newest Sharp products in the manufacturer’s catalog represent the cutting edge when it comes to office productivity. These offerings span the range from high-performance entry-level devices to professional workflow solutions for enterprises. All of the manufacturer’s products come with comprehensive Sharp printer support.
Entry-Level Printers and Multifunction Devices – New Office Solutions by Sharp
Sharp has recently released updated versions of some of the company’s most in-demand entry-level A4 printers and desktop MFP’s. The four new additions to the Sharp family include the MX-B350P, MX-B450P, MX-B350W, MX-B450W, MX-B355W and MX-B455W.
1. The Sharp MX-B350P | B450P
Sharp designed these entry-level printer to interface with the broadest possible range of mobile devices. The 35 | 45 -pages-per-minute A4 printers offers an intuitive user experience in a compact form factor, with built-in wireless capabilities, low cost of ownership, large volumes at minimal cost and best-in-class security standard.
2. The Sharp MX-B350W | B450W
The next item in Sharp’s new line-up is a 35 | 45-pages-per-minute multifunctional A4 copier/printer that extends print capability to the cloud. This economical multifunction device offers mono printing, plug-and-play copying capabilities, scanning, advanced network compatibility and can handle any workload.
3. The Sharp MX-B355W | B455W
The Sharp MX-B355W | B455W is an energy-efficient network-enabled multifunctional A4 copier/printer that offers industry-standard cybersecurity features to protect user data from unauthorized exfiltration. It prints at a brisk 35 and 45-pages-per-minute pace and is prepared to handle impressive workloads with Sharp’s characteristic reliability. Standard features include copy, print, scan and fax.
Sharp Enterprise Workgroup Devices
As of late 2018, Sharp has announced that it will release 11 new enterprise multifunction printer models in Summer 2019. These devices will feature some of the most in-demand features of today’s imaging systems – voice-activated interfaces, cloud integration, and robust cybersecurity.
Amazon’s Alexa technology powers Sharp’s new voice-activated printers. This technology allows users to communicate with the device using verbal commands. This carries the potential to reduce inefficiency and improve productivity in busy offices.
Sharp’s new multifunction devices offer native access to an expansive list of cloud services. Some of the newest services included on Sharp’s list are DropBox and Box integrations. Adobe Embedded Print Engine users may print PDF files directly from any of these sources with industry-standard rendering accuracy and print performance.
These new devices automatically verify their own firmware upon startup. This prevents hackers from developing malicious firmware and implanting it on enterprise imaging equipment in order to compromise sensitive data. The new printers also have whitelisting features that help the device differentiate between authorized and unauthorized users.
All of these features operate within the context of the Sharp Application Portal. Sharp will release the Application Portal in Spring 2019 and begin directing print administrators to the portal to add and update printer applications to meet specific business needs.
Why Choose Sharp?
Sharp’s latest releases show the manufacturer’s commitment to innovate and increase user productivity. Sharp earned BLI 2019 Copier MFP Line of the Year Award earlier this month, and in addition scored 12 BLI Pick Awards for the last year. Sharp’s over-all support is among the most dependable in the imaging industry, regularly helping customers and dealers get the most out of their equipment and solutions.
Let Sharp Redefine the Office Experience
With an entire catalog full of new printers and multifunction devices there has never been a better time to become a Sharp imaging user. Consult with our team to find out how Sharp equipment can help you reduce the costs of your daily office operations.
You could outfit your entire office with cutting-edge office solutions by Sharp. Start the process by talking to a Smile imaging expert!
Sharp is well-known for leading the way in paper economy and consumable efficiency. However, many offices and institutions are looking for an even greater focus on preventable paper waste, user accountability and enhanced tracking.
Deploying a fleet of highly efficient printers and multifunction devices is just the first step when it comes to truly reducing office waste. To truly make a difference, executives and directors need to commit time and effort into reducing overall print usage and establishing systems of accountability.
When it comes to print tracker software, there is no name more respected than PaperCut. The company’s output management and user tracking software has proven itself invaluable time and time again.
However, office managers are right to question whether PaperCut will truly deliver results with their existing equipment. Will PaperCut MF provide the kinds of results it promises even with a print fleet full of hyper-efficient Sharp imaging devices? Are they even compatible with one another? This is exactly the question that Smile’s imaging experts answer on a regular basis.
Are Sharp Imaging Devices Compatible with PaperCut?
There is nothing worse than going through the time-consuming acquisition process only to end up with software and hardware that are incompatible with one another. It’s a mistake that has cost office managers their jobs in the past – executives expect their teams to perform due diligence.
Fortunately, when it comes to integrating PaperCut with Sharp printers and multifunction devices, the answer is simple: Yes, they are compatible with one another. There is no need to worry about whether your Sharp equipment will play nicely with PaperCut MF.
In fact, the latest PaperCut release incorporates advanced functions with eligible Sharp multifunction devices. For instance, office managers can incorporate their Sharp device’s stapling unit into the PaperCut Global Print Driver.
The PaperCut is continually working towards new finishing option compatibilities for its software and Sharp devices. As the company releases more drivers and integrated systems, Sharp users will enjoy automatic increases to their cost-efficiency and tracking capabilities. Simply check the PaperCut Knowledgebase to find out what the latest developments are at any time.
Why Choose PaperCut MF?
PaperCut does something that no multifunction printer on the market can do by itself. PaperCut Software establishes a sophisticated rule-based print environment for individual users and places control over that environment squarely in the hands of print administrators.
The management powers that PaperCut confers on administrators are extremely valuable. With PaperCut, system administrators can enjoy immediate real-time visibility into print processes at the individual user level and set or restrict user access based on that data.
This means that with PaperCut, an office manager could restrict print usage for a particular employee who has been abusing print resources wastefully. This happens at the software level, with no need to issue a reprimand or to confront the employee at all – the system simply produces an error message explaining that the monthly print quota has been exceeded.
Alternatively, office managers can use PaperCut to issue format and file-specific rules for office printing. For example, an office manager may wish to reduce color printing for internal documents without affecting color printing processes for external documents. With PaperCut, external documents could enjoy a special exception to an otherwise strict no-color rule, based on document format, origin, or content.
The benefits of PaperCut MF go beyond the cost-saving advantages that accountability provides. They extend to visibility and transparency at the executive level. They ensure that corporate stakeholders know what’s happening with the company’s print processes at any given time. This is one reason why PaperCut is popular among academic institutions.
Making the Most of PaperCut
To make the most of PaperCut, implementation and training are necessary. Not only does the office print manager need to become a qualified PaperCut expert, but individual users need to be aware of the new rules of accountability concerning print usage.
PaperCut training is easy to administer with the help of a reputable vendor. Our team of technicians is happy to take on the task of implementing PaperCut throughout the entire office and instructing the appropriate employees in its proper use.
With PaperCut training and Sharp printer support offered in a single service, office managers can entrust the entirety of their print accountability framework to our team. With these tools and services at their disposal, print managers can enjoy the peace of mind that complete accountability and visibility offer.
Have Smile Perform Your PaperCut Integration
Entrust your print processes to Smile to earn the qualified expertise of some of the industry’s finest minds. Our imaging professionals can help your office capitalize on its Sharp imaging equipment using PaperCut MF’s sophisticated print tracking technology.
You could start tracking print usage at the level of individual users starting today. Talk to a Smile imaging expert to find out how.
Improve BYOD Security to Protect Your Company
As employees increasingly turn to their personal devices to handle business documents and data, the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement continues unabated. The trend is not new, but it has only recently become a headline item.
Multiple factors contribute to BYOD’s increasing importance in Business. These include a steady rise in the number of freelance specialists hired, a greater market saturation of mobile devices, and new mobile functionalities that allow individuals to do more with their phones and tablets than ever before.
For business owners, the tradeoff is simple to understand. Encouraging employees to supply the equipment they use for work offers clear cost benefits but presents security risks. Employees with access to corporate resources from private devices may compromise important data, either accidentally or deliberately.
The major issue at stake is that employees tend to use their personal devices for work-related purposes anyways. Having a BYOD policy simply establishes rules about their use.
But those rules are extremely important. Having them in place gives you a critical modicum of control over the way your employees handle corporate data and may offer you the ability to thwart a catastrophic loss of data if you remain vigilant.
But aside also from those rules, having a strong security service provider could also be a good choice. AGB Investigative offers world-class Cyber Security Consulting services for your business. They can protect your network, data and information from a cybersecurity threat.
A BYOD Security Policy Helps You Control Data Risks
The primary way that incorporating BYOD security in your overall cybersecurity policy helps keep company data safe is through communication and standardization. 77 percent of employees say they have not been trained on the cybersecurity risks of using their mobile devices at work.
When a member of your sales team sends a customer invoice – with their address and financial information on it – through an unsecured mobile email platform, it isn’t because he or she is trying to sabotage your business or invite cybercriminal behavior. Employees simply don’t know better and will not go out of their way to protect data if there is no policy instructing them to do so.
There is also an important legal dimension to implementing a BYOD security policy. Consider what would happen if a cybercriminal incident occurs and it turns out one of your employees accidentally left the digital door open through an unsecured mobile device. Who is responsible for the damages and costs of the incident? In the absence of a policy, you have no legal recourse but to accept it and move on, this is why it is so important to pay more attention to cyber security, a Cyber Essentials Certification is must for you organization.
A BYOD security policy lets you set the ground rules for what is and what is not acceptable employee behavior concerning company data. It establishes a precedent for handling company data on personal mobile devices and may give you insight into how employees are using that data.
Suggestions for Developing and Implementing a BYOD Policy
The first step to tightening mobile device security at work is developing a sound BYOD policy. To gather the building blocks you will need to write this policy, consider your top 20 critical security controls and view them from a BYOD perspective.
Determine whether your particular security concerns are easy to implement and maintain within the context of a BYOD security policy. This depends mostly on the unique hierarchical structure and culture of your workplace, as well as the workflow processes you use on a daily basis.
Use these concerns to set limits for acceptable use of employee-owned mobile devices. There will be many instances where you have to draw an arbitrary line, indicating which activities can be performed on mobile devices and which ones cannot be.
Consider the type of data being handled, as well. Ideally, your BYOD security policy should cover device types, communication platforms, data formats, and content in a categorical way. It should also incorporate a sitescope monitoring platform that is compatible with mobile devices – if your current monitoring solution is not, you will have to procure one that is.
Make sure your policy includes directions for training employees. A BYOD policy is only good if employees follow it. Distinguish cybersecurity training by giving it importance and explaining the thought processes involved – most employees will follow policy if they understand why they have to.
A final touch to your BYOD security policy should be to include a provision for keeping an inventory of all devices on the company network. You do not want to have stray devices connecting to your local network, so you will have to identify each and every device that uses it to connect to the Internet.
Lastly, before rolling out any new policy, always consult with your in-house counsel or attorney for additional information and legal advice.
Do you need help identifying how a BYOD policy can help your overall network security? Contact us today!
Sitting at the Big Table with Sharp at the Sharp National Dealer Meeting
Since the Sharp National Dealer Meeting in Phoenix Arizona at the end of 2017, the electronics manufacturer has been making headlines.
The event, called Pulse 17, included 939 guests representing 166 individual Sharp dealerships and took place in Phoenix, Arizona. The company took advantage of the first major dealer meeting after its acquisition by Foxconn to demonstrate that the brand has been revitalized, and is now ready to tackle some of tech’s most promising ventures.
Aside from a robust collection of high-performance printers and multifunction devices, Sharp has delved into the world of AI Technology (artificial intelligence), relying on the upcoming bandwidth advantage that 5G will offer once it becomes mainstream technology. This is apparent in the brand’s dedication to 8K video resolution cameras and its new Amazon-powered conference bridge device.
What’s New with Sharp, From Foxconn Onwards
In late 2016, Foxconn purchased Sharp for $3.5 billion. Foxconn put Tai Jeng-wu in charge of the company, tasking him with making more disciplined investment decisions and reorganizing its spending habits. Tai has overhauled the company’s compensation system, which used to be overly reliant on seniority when determining which employees would get wage increases or other bonuses.
Foxconn, well-known as the primary manufacturer for a great number of Apple iPhone parts and components, gave Sharp a much-needed cash flow boost alongside new leadership. This strategy has culminated in the December 2017 Sharp National Dealer Meeting, where the manufacturer unveiled a promising line-up of new machines.
Sharp Light Production Color Document Business Systems
Sharp retains its layered product catalog, consisting of Essential series products for small offices and Advanced and Pro series devices for more extensive operation. Some of the most exciting products the company showcased during the National Dealer Meeting are in the Pro series product line.
For instance, the MX-7090N and MX-8090N are both high-speed color document systems with multifunction features and extensive networking capabilities. Both devices are compatible with Fiery print server architecture, giving offices unparalleled control over the features and capabilities of their document systems.
These systems operate at a print output rate of 80 pages per minute and feature full edge-to-edge printing capability. This lets operators produce professionally finished full-bleed booklets of up to 120 pages in length exclusively using inline finishing options. The devices feature an intuitive touchscreen display based on the easy-to-understand user interface that Sharp is known for.
These devices represent the height of light production printing. Enterprises that need precise color control, workflow automation, and integrated job management will find the MX-7090N and MX-8090N offer versatility and power at an attractive price. Optional features include print server upgrades and specialty feeder and finishing options.
Sharp Advanced Series Monochrome Desktop Systems
The MX-B335W and MX-B445W are monochrome multifunction devices that incorporate printing, scanning, and copying capabilities in one small-format product. These two devices offer print output speeds of 35 and 45 pages per minute, respectively, and both offer industry-leading print quality for letter and legal-sized documents.
All of the manufacturer’s new devices incorporate Sharp’s new security suite software. This cybersecurity solution protects print and copy jobs from unwanted network exposure using a variety of state-of-the-art methods. Incoming projects undergo 256-bit data encryption during print processing, and then undergo a 10-times data overwrite process after the fact. The innovative End-of-Lease feature allows users to erase all personal data when trading online using an online trading platform.
New Sharp Essential Series Document Systems
The MX-M3050, MX-M3550, MX-M4050, MX-M5050, and MX-M6050 document systems make up Sharp’s new releases in its Essential product category. These ledger-sized devices are designed to meet small business needs while placing a high priority on workflow efficiency and print quality.
All of these printers are monochrome and feature print output speeds of between 30 and 60 pages per minute. Sharp also announced an entry-level color printer that operates at 26 pages per minute that is slated for release in Spring 2018.
Professional Displays and Atmospheric Water Generation
Sharp announced the release of a range of powerful high-definition display screens, including a best-in-class 8K display. 8K technology offers 16 times the pixel resolution of 1080p, firmly establishing Sharp as a leader in the display screen manufacturing market.
Among everything else, however, the manufacturer’s most interesting and unexpected product was an atmospheric water generator. Sharp has consolidated a strategic alliance with Skywell to create a combined technology solution for generating water directly out of the atmosphere.
At this stage, the Skywell atmospheric water generator is an office water solution designed to reduce employees’ reliance on plastic bottles while addressing workplace demand for sustainable solutions. The ability to generate water with help from a plumber can pave the way to greater environmental benefits inside and outside the office.
Want to outfit your office with industry-leading Sharp hardware? Talk to our product specialists about the equipment that interests you most today!
6 Free Web Resources for Teachers Using Sharp
Interactive Whiteboards
As school budgets tighten, educators across the United States are looking to new technology to drive student engagement while reducing costs.
For teachers in many secondary and tertiary education institutions, Sharp interactive whiteboards represent the ideal combination of innovation and long-term cost savings. Compared to traditional whiteboards, these devices are less wasteful and better-suited for modern students’ mobile lifestyle.
It is a well-known fact that education remains underfunded. The need to invest in cost-saving teaching materials is as urgent as ever. At the same time, teachers and professors are constantly looking for resources to help them improve the quality of education they can deliver.
As part of an initiative to help educators make the best possible use of their Sharp Interactive Whiteboards, we’ve compiled a list of free resources educators can use. These resources help teachers encourage collaboration, share data, and improve student interaction. Use them to obtain maximum value out of your touchscreen whiteboard without paying out-of-pocket expenses.
6 Free Web Resources for Sharp Interactive Whiteboard Users
The interactive whiteboard is a powerful tool for education. Long seen exclusively business meeting settings, the technology is increasingly part of classroom lesson plans and presentations. But not all teachers are equally familiar with interactive whiteboard technology. The following web resources offer guidance and templates for teachers to use on a variety of common subjects.
1. TeacherLED
One of the most useful places to start is TeacherLED. This website offers a set of resources for implementing common teaching tools like Venn diagrams and Cartesian coordinate systems on a variety of interactive whiteboards. TeacherLED resources are free-to-use and universally compatible with any web browser.
Setting up a lesson plan using TeacherLED resources is simple. With over 50 distinct modules, it’s easy to find a resource that matches the lesson you wish to teach. Simply find the tools you are looking for and input the figures and values that your lesson dictates.
2. TopMarks
TopMarks is an interactive whiteboard education resource website founded in 1998. This website features a broad range of modules designed for lessons in multiple subjects. Teachers can access mathematics, literacy, science, biology, chemistry, geography, music, history, and religious lesson plans through the website.
The website features both whiteboard-exclusive lessons for teachers and tablet friendly exercises for students. It is regularly updated and has an active blog full of games, additional lesson plans, and third-party resources.
3. MathFrame
This independent website offers a variety of interactive math games. The website’s founder and primary content creator is a schoolteacher who has spent years adjusting each of the games on the site for optimal student engagement.
The website also offers apps for Android and iOS, as well as printable worksheets that accompany some of the lessons. Lesson categories include arithmetic, fractions, measurements, geometry, statistics, partitioning, word problems, and more.
4. Stellarium
Stellarium is a free, open source digital planetarium that works on any Linux, Mac, or Windows computer, making it compatible with Sharp Interactive Whiteboards. It is the perfect tool for astronomy lessons, displaying a realistic night sky complete with planets, moons, stars, and constellations taken from 10 different cultures.
Stellarium contains a default catalog of over 600,000 stars. Power users can extend this catalog to contain more than 177 million extra stars and an extra 1 million deep-sky objects. It also shows realistic atmosphere conditions, including sunrises, and sunsets.
5. Zygote Body
Zygote Body is every anatomy professor’s best friend. It lets students interact directly with an anatomically correct model of the human body. Users can zoom in and out, peel away anatomical layers, identify organs, and search for specific body parts using the engine.
Basic users have access to the body’s entire anatomical structure. Premium users pay for the ability to save scenes, create their own annotations, and save lesson plans directly to the Zygote Body platform.
6. The Eco Zoo
A 3D interactive touchscreen adventure, The Eco Zoo teaches young children about the environment, basic ecology, and basic standards of eco-friendly living. The website is essentially a drag-and-drop interactive game in which individual users interact with a fanciful animal world. The website content is available in both Japanese and English.
Sharp Interactive Whiteboards Improve Student Engagement
While the benefits of interactive whiteboard technology on preschool and primary education are well- documented, the technology has much to offer high school and college-level lessons as well. While hands-on interactivity is less critical for more mature students than it is for young children, the ability to share information between subject materials in different formats is an advantage.
Are you considering the implementation of Sharp Interactive Whiteboards in your classrooms or lecture halls? Ask one of our experts to guide you through the process.
