NetSilicon, Imaging Portals cooperate on imaging management system

Waltham, Mass. - NetSilicon and Imaging Portals Inc. (IPI, Los Angeles, Calif.) announced Feb. 5 an agreement to develop ImageTrak 500N, an intelligent device for managing, controlling and connecting imaging appliances and multi-function peripherals (MFPs).

By Jim Montague, news editor February 8, 2002

Waltham, Mass. NetSilicon and Imaging Portals Inc. (IPI, Los Angeles, Calif.) announced Feb. 5 an agreement to develop ImageTrak 500N, an intelligent device for managing, controlling and connecting imaging appliances and multi-function peripherals (MFPs). The two firms say ImageTrak 500N will be a standalone network appliance that proactively monitors device condition, consumable status, device use, and operation of imaging and MFPs. It will also communicate data directly to the service organization. In addition to working with newer MFPs, ImageTrak 500N will also function with existing equipment. The product is expected to be available in June 2002.

‘The ImageTrak project we’re undertaking with IPI beautifully illustrates how building connectivity into electronic products offers new ways for OEMs to build customer loyalty, increase revenue and better manage their deployed products,’ says Hiro Kataoka, general manager of NetSilicon’s imaging group. ‘ImageTrak will allow imaging appliances and MFPs to communicate directly with their service and maintenance organization, on a device-to-device basis, proactively providing data that will enable supremely accurate preventive maintenance and better quality service.’

Besides offering its imaging group’s expertise, NetSilicon will provide network support through Net+50, which is the company’s 32-bit, solution-on-chip, networked microprocessor. Net+50 integrates the embedded hardware and software necessary to enable device management and connectivity via Ethernet networks and the Internet.

Also, ImageTrak 500N will be a standards-based appliance, which will allow it to simultaneously support multiple devices manufactured by imaging product vendors. It will also support a large installed base of already deployed MFPs. ImageTrak 500N will locate, monitor, and poll networked MFPs, and then gather and report operational data and alarm conditions. It will also allow imaging service organizations to directly monitor their devices in the field via the Internet, allowing them to know precisely what maintenance is required and when. Being able to perform maintenance before failures occur will improve service and significantly extend equipment life.

The two companies add that ImageTrak 500N will support 10/100 Base-T Ethernet, Internet, e-mail, SNMP, XML, HTTP, and other standard technologies and protocols. It will also possess embedded security provisions, and will have a small form factor.

‘For imaging service organizations, service is the key differentiator. ImageTrak will allow for an unprecedented level of service,’ says Mike Stramaglio, Imaging Portals’ ceo. ‘NetSilicon’s fully integrated, tested and proven solution allowed our design engineers to focus on our unique application, rather than network integration, which is enabling us to get ImageTrak to market as quickly as possible.’