QMS Inc has launched three products aimed at enhancing its range of printers and accompanying software and hardware. The Mobile, Alabama company has seen profits and turnover plummet this year and is hoping that its two new printers, one of which is colour, and its new board will improve its performance in what it says is a rapdily expanding market. Special hopes are being pinned on CrownNet, network interface adaptor using a RISC described only as a 16MHz 32-bit part, although QMS usually uses the Intel Corp 80960 family, which enables QMS Crown print systems to connect to almost all network environments while simultaneously serving multiple users on those networks. Scott Chandler, European, Middle Eastern and African sales manager, said QMS was expecting its existing customer base to upgrade their systems using the CrownNet board. He added that QMS was pushing its position in the market as a document processor, not simply as a manufacturer of printers. He said the company believed the three new products helped fill in many of the perceived gaps in QMS’ range. QMS claims that CrownNet is the only system available that can handle incoming data from a number of different network protocols, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet and LocalTalk, all at the same time; it says other multiple interfaces can handle only one network’s data at a time, locking out other incoming information, which then queues within the network, until the data first through the port has been processed, thereby slowing down the system.
Spool jobs internally
The other advantage QMS is pushing is CrownNet’s ability to spool jobs internally in a compressed storage area, so freeing the network from print queue jams; up to 16 file servers and 96 print queues can be connected. Multiple connections are also suported under local area network managers and servers. CrownNet enables the printer to be managed from a remote site, obviating the need physically to alter printer functions; also it enables users to see at what stage of printing their document is, and reschedule if authorised. CrownNet will ship this month and is an option on QMS’ latest black and white desk top printer, the 1060, the next generation on from the 860. It offers 600 by 600 dot per inch printing; 10 pages per minute capacity; sleep facility where energy is reduced by 75% after 15 minutes of idleness; draft facility to save toner; and TrueType font scaler. The QMS 1060 uses PostScript Level 1 and 2, with 39 type faces, Hewlett-Packard Co’s PCL5 with GL/2, HP-GL 7475/7550. Even if CrownNet is not used, the 1060 has simultaneous interface oprations allowing all ports to receive data at the same and has an emulation sensing processor which can determine the language automatically from the data stream. It has 8Mb memory which can be expanded to 64Mb. It costs ?2,400 and installation is free. And not to be outdone by Xerox Corp’s announcement of last month the first rival to its ColorScript 1,000 laser printer, QMS has slashed the 1,000’s price to $8,850 and launched its new generation colour printer, the Magicolor. It has 600 by 600 dots per inch capability and, QMS, claims is cheaper to use than any other multi-user colour print facility. QMS is aiming magicolor at the business sector; it has a document collate facility; handles up to 500 sheets; prints in black and white as well as colour; prints on virtually any paper and transparencies; has 65 standard type faces; can be managed from a remote site; and has enhanced dithering, a system which reduces banding. It connects to most networks and can be used with Macs or Windows. Magicolor also has EPS and SIO facilities and like the 1060 can spool data into a compressed area; its 24Mb memory can be expanded to 64Mb. It costs ?10,000 but 1000 owners can upgrade for ?1,545.
