Ricoh Announces Launch of New Developer Program Enabling Customised Software Solutions to Run on Aficio™ Hardware | Ricoh Europe: copiers, photocopiers, printers, gelsprinters, multifunctional printers

Amstelveen, The Netherlands, October 2004 -- Ricoh Europe B.V., the European headquarters of the leading global manufacturer of office automation equipment, today announced the launch of a new Developer Program in Europe. The comprehensive program facilitates the integration of third party solutions with Ricoh's hardware. Subscribers will have access to the tools required to develop customised software applications to run on Ricoh's Aficio™ hardware models.

Ricoh’s renowned Aficio™ laser printers and multifunctional devices (MFPs) support open standards, allowing other parties to build customised software applications. By launching the Ricoh Developer Program™, Ricoh backs its mission to bring ‘solutions that fit’ to customers.

The Ricoh Developer Program™, also registered as ‘RiDP™’, offers an extensive range of development tools allowing developers to easily integrate their solutions with Ricoh’s hardware and/or software. The tools include Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Software Development Kits (SDKs). Target RiDP™ users are independent software vendors, value added resellers, system integrators and in house developers. Users can subscribe to one of the three different membership tiers: Basic, Premier and Premier Plus, with corresponding technical and marketing support levels.

One of the main tools offered through RiDP™ is Ricoh's Embedded Software Architecture™ SDK. This robust Java™ technology based (J2ME) software platform allows developers to conceive customised solutions and host them on Ricoh Aficio™ laser printers and MFPs. Ricoh teamed up with Sun Microsystems, Inc. to leverage the large number of engineers using Sun Microsystems’ Java™ language and to support the rapid expansion of web based solutions and services. Next to machine independency, the Java™ platform provides ease of use and expandability.

“With RiDP™ and a state-of-the-art Java™ platform SDK, 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 interfaces will contribute largely to further expanding Ricoh’s leadership as document solution partner.”

An industry frontrunner in digitisation and connectivity, Ricoh focuses on developing solution platforms tailored to the needs of different segments and diverging customer requirements. Ricoh’s ‘Document Highway’ concept entails the complete integration of hardware and software. As a first step, the company adopted a standard UNIX based architecture across its entire laser printer and MFP line up in 2000. With the future in mind, the company used these foundations to deliver its first SDK in 2002. As of today the SDK based on the industry standard Java™ technology enables a vast majority of software developers to create innovative solutions by combining their applications with Ricoh products.

Ricoh will launch a special Software Developer web portal for Europeand the United Statesin November 2004. After registration, developers will have access to development tools, as well as a wide suite of related services.

The “Embedded Software Architecture™” logo depicts a ‘bridge’ symbolising the seamless connectivity possibilities between Ricoh’s platforms and external developer solutions.

Ricoh’s "Embedded Software Architecture" and the “Ricoh Developer Program” (RiDP) are trademarks of Ricoh Company, Ltd. Sun Microsystems and Java are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other company names and product names used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.