Sharp Helps Dealers 'Align' for Success at 2009 National Dealer Meeting

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - September 1, 2009) - At its 2009 National Dealer Meeting, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, is showing its dealers the path to aligning the full range of hardware, software and service tools available in order to customize solutions to business needs. Having delivered on its goals of bringing together a full suite of products with a flexible, common product architecture, and an ecosystem of software solutions, Sharp will underscore the theme "Align '09" throughout the meeting to demonstrate how all of these elements can be brought together to customize a solution that meets the particular needs of nearly any project.

"Over the past five years, Sharp has delivered a series of groundbreaking technologies and product offerings that allow our dealers to adopt a customer-centric focus," said Ed McLaughlin, president, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "In this tough business environment, it is important to return to the basics and understand how to align these products and programs with the dealer expertise to deliver strong business results now and in the future."

Common Architecture

Sharp employs a global product development process in which management, business development, R&D, product development, marketing, manufacturing, training and customer service teams are aligned and work collaboratively during each stage of the product development process. This gives Sharp a 360-degree view of the MFP market, allowing the company to form a common platform strategy in which the core components of its product line are designed, developed and manufactured together. Components, software and processes are engineered to be shared across engine platforms, making Sharp's products "look and act" similarly across virtually all segments of the market. The culmination of this approach is a line of award-winning products universally praised for exceptional reliability and superior performance.

The "Common Platform" philosophy of product development provides the customer with a user-friendly experience and the dealer with easier maintenance and servicing. This was first manifested in the Renaissance Series as the common platform was extended across both the color and monochrome products. The practice has since been extended throughout Sharp's MFP lineup, allowing both dealers and end users an easier path to understanding the product functions and capabilities.

The common platform has also meant quicker times to market, enabling the company to ship product and meet demand in a timely manner. The Frontier series, introduced in 2008, is a prime example. Sharp leveraged its common platform to bring a full A4 line -- not just one or two models -- to market very quickly, allowing its dealers to capitalize on market trends and meet customer needs.

Sharp OSA® Technology

Sharp OSA technology itself is the result of inter-department collaboration and refinement since it was first introduced. Over time the platform has been developed to account for the needs and demands of the modern-day customer so dealers can create a truly customized MFP for virtually any business need. This development platform turns an MFP into a gateway for document-based business communications by integrating the device with network-based applications. It allows businesses to connect their MFPs with a wide range of enterprise applications, including document management applications, reporting functions and programs developed internally.

Sharp OSA technology also leverages the high-resolution display of Sharp MFP models to enable user interfaces that support richer graphics, web-based HTML, JAVAscript and Flash clips for the integration of motion video. Sharp OSA technology also allows developers to provide a broader range of access control, such as the ability to log in via a swipe card and the ability to authenticate via a proximity card.

One of the most valuable tools in the Sharp Dealer arsenal is the Sharp OSA Partner Program, which provides an ecosystem around the Sharp OSA platform and establishes a support structure for dealers and developers. Extending this ecosystem is the Sharp OSA Authorized Integrator Program (AIP), an enhanced dealer recognition that provides additional resources, such as best-of-breed software and enhanced support from Sharp, to dealers who meet certain standards.

To date the Sharp Partner Program has 134 authorized members in the United States. The AIP dealer network includes 60 members who have access to the full library of Sharp OSA integration modules and Sharp Compatible products that enable the dealer to provide a truly customized solution set.

Sharp Front Panel Technology

Streamlining across manufacturing divisions within Sharp has also led to new Front Panel services and features that dealers can provide to their customers. These include an enhanced version of the My Sharp™ program that enables customers to troubleshoot and learn right from the MFP's LCD screen instead of going back to their desktops and an email print feature that gives users the ability to print email attachments without having to go to a PC or even an email account on a local network. There's even a My Sharp Digital Signage connector that gives users the ability to post information like sales, special events and promotions directly on the LCD screen of their Sharp MFP.

Dealer Meeting Sessions, Seminars and Demonstrations

During the 2009 National Dealer Meeting, Sharp will provide a number of sessions and seminars aimed at helping dealers better understand how to align all of the tools they have been given to optimize their business. SIICA president Ed McLaughlin and the Senior Management Team of SIICA will set the tone for Align '09 during the general session by outlining the many tools available to the Dealer Community to solve their customers' needs and expand their business opportunities.

Seminar topics will include managed print services, Sharp OSA Technology and service best practices. The seminars will provide dealers with both hands-on experience with new product as well as the chance to interact with the Sharp sales team to gain an insider's perspective on the newest Sharp technologies. The seminars also offer an invaluable opportunity to interact with other dealers in the same industry to discuss best practices and interesting implementation tips and tricks. Finally, dealers will also have the chance to listen to presentations from certified Sharp OSA dealers who will expand on the best techniques for implementing Sharp OSA technology.

The Align '09 concept will extend to the Product Showcase. Dealers will get a first hand look at how Sharp products and technologies can be properly paired with partner products and services to create solutions in channel marketing, device management, and managed print services, among others. "Rather than the individual products, our focus is on the alignment of many tools to solve customer needs. It is this alignment of product, features, software and the dealers' expertise that is the core of Sharp's competitive advantage and the cornerstone of Align '09," McLaughlin said.

For more information about the complete line of Sharp document solution products, contact Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp's Web site at www.sharpusa.com or www.sharpusa.com/documents.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products, SharpVision® projection products, Notevision® multimedia projectors, Insight® Microwave Drawer® appliances, SuperSteam™ ovens, Plasmacluster® air purifiers and the OnEnergy™ solar system. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at www.sharpusa.com

My Sharp is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation

Sharpdesk is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation

Sharp OSA is a registered trademark of Sharp Corporation

Contact Information: CONTACT: Karl Pawlewicz Crenshaw Communications Phone: 646-484-4523 Email: karl@crenshawcomm.com Chris Loncto Sharp Electronics Corporation Phone: 201-529-8680 Email: lonctoc@sharpsec.com