Canon revolutionises business workflow through open standards technology

This revolutionary new approach to customisable office systems is based on an open-standards based embedded JAVA™ platform, designed to bring bespoke office applications to Canon's next generation iR multi-functional devices.

The launch of MEAP sees Canon strengthening its role as an IT innovator by transforming the printer copiers of yesterday into a dynamic central hub for total office automation. By introducing JAVA technology onto the multi-functional device, Canon is creating infinite opportunities for easily embedding diverse and customisable applications to suit a wide range of individual business workflow requirements.
Ammar Alul, Director of Canon Middle East, commented: "The introduction of MEAP is going to spark a quiet revolution. IT departments and technology integrators can now use their existing software development skills to create powerful applications which integrate with the rest of their information systems. MEAP is a revolutionary leap forward in the office automation and business communications market, and has the potential to streamline the development of any application that an organisation could need."

Business benefits arise from significant cost savings and more efficient working practices, as the need for incorporating additional hardware and software is eliminated. MEAP provides a central environment through which businesses can gain improved returns on document management and business communications investments. Devices also have the potential to be truly customised to an industry, business, departmental or individual's working needs.

In order to deliver a wide range of readily available applications for the MEAP platform, Canon is inviting JAVA application developers to join its Business Solutions Developers Programme. Upon joining the programme, developers gain access to a software development kit (SDK) to build applications for MEAP and enable the creation of a totally connected central environment for office automation.

As MEAP is based on Java2 Micro Edition (J2ME) and leverages the Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGi) framework, Java developers can reuse existing skills, objects, code fragments and development environments when creating MEAP applications.

As an example of the unique applications that MEAP can provide, Canon is working with Toyme Lab Oy Ltd, a leading Finnish fixed and wireless JAVA business solutions specialist, addressing MEAP's potential for enabling users to access and manage Canon's iR devices remotely via a mobile platform, such as using a mobile phone to communicate with an iRi device through MEAP to pay for copy charges from a mobile phone account.