News Release for Archive 2006

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (Canada) Ltd.
Date Posted: 29 September 2006

Buyers Laboratory Inc. Awards Five-Star Rating to Konica Minolta's Hard Drive Overwrite Security Function

BLI Says Hard Drive Overwrite Function Offers Exceptional Value and Superior Ease of Use

RAMSEY, NJ – September 29, 2006 - Companies and organizations seeking improved security for information processed through copiers and multifunctional peripherals can look to KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS U.S.A., INC. (KONICA MINOLTA) for a Hard Drive Overwrite Function with Optional Encryption that has received the highest Solutions Assessment rating, Five Stars, from Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI). Hard Drive Overwrite erases data stored on the device's Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or memory by overwriting it with a series of characters and comes standard on the company's bizhub OP product line. Overwrite is performed immediately upon completion of all copy, print, scan and fax jobs. KONICA MINOLTA offers an extra level of security with a hard drive encryption kit using 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

"Most other manufacturers charge extra for this overwrite security capability," said Daria Hoffman, Managing Editor, BLI. "KONICA MINOLTA is taking a different approach by embedding this function, in fact almost all of their security features, in its firmware as standard with each bizhub OP copier and MFP. This offers an exceptional value since other manufacturers charge from $400 to $995 more for this feature. Even with the purchase of the optional $450 KONICA MINOLTA encryption kit the price is comparable to optional security kits from other manufacturers that offer only overwrite protection. In fact, the KONICA MINOLTA hard drive overwrite capability with optional encryption is the lowest priced security capability that BLI has evaluated to date. KONICA MINOLTA's strategy of offering security capabilities as standard demonstrates a strong commitment to security. Moreover, KONICA MINOLTA's system offers superior ease of setup and use as compared to some competitive systems." According to KONICA MINOLTA, Hard Drive Overwrite is also available for any machine in the field as a no-charge upgrade.

"Data Security is a key consideration for all businesses, and as such KONICA MINOLTA has invested heavily in research and development in this area," said Kevin P. Kern, Vice President, Product Planning and Development, KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS U.S.A., INC. "With legislative initiatives like HIPPA and Sarbanes-Oxley combined with the recent highly publicized cases of data security breaches, we believe that the requirements for end to end document security will continue to increase. By certifying the entire system architecture of our products to ISO 15408 Common Criteria EAL level 3 and offering extended hard drive overwrite capabilities along with our optional Hard Drive encryption, we believe our products are well suited to be an integral part of our customer's document security protocol."

BLI evaluated Hard Drive Overwrite function on a bizhub C450 colour laser copier equipped with the latest firmware, configured with the Emperon Print System with a 40 GB hard drive.

About Buyers Laboratory, Inc.

For over 40 years, Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) has been the leading source for unbiased and reliable intelligence for the imaging industry. BLI was founded in 1961 by the late Arthur Kallet, the co-founder and 20-year head of Consumers Union, the publisher of the highly respected Consumer Reports magazine (BLI is not affiliated with Consumers Union). In February, 2004, BLI was acquired by publishing industry veterans Michael Danziger and Mark Lerch, the current Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of BLI, respectively.

Today, BLI remains the leading authority and provider of critical intelligence on the imaging industry and continually renews its commitment to provide the highest quality products and services to Original Equipment Manufacturers, Dealers and Business Consumers. Our products include comprehensive field and laboratory test reports, specification data including hundreds of individual data items on over 6000 copier, printer, facsimile and multi-function (MFP) imaging devices, insightful industry newsletters, unparalleled custom testing services for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and advisory services for business consumers.

With over four decades of leading the product testing field, BLI is the recognized expert in the industry. With proven, controlled techniques and accurate reporting, BLI's comprehensive array of products and services provide you with the most credible source for competitive intelligence-allowing you to make informed and profitable business decisions.