What do printers and iPhones have in common aside from a few letters? More and more these days.

Xerox recently rolled out come copiers and MFPs (no the Phaser 8860 is unfortunately not among them) with technology they call an Extensible Interface Platform (EIP), which actually comes with a SDK and allows the creation of server based programs that work with the devices. Cool.

The really cool part is that a company by the name of triboni has developed what they call the Xerox MFP Suite. This app enables document transfer, workflow creation and a bunch of other goodies to be initiated from a myriad of devices, including, sweetly, the iPhone.  iPhone users can receive documents and collaborate with team members without needing a in-between device like a laptop.

What’s it mean? Basically, scan a document in to a device and boom, its accessible to everyone, even the project manager on that business trip in the Caymans. That translates into a lot less error in document transfer, elimination of document loss, streamlining collaboration and making project managers feel uber-important.  Sounds good to me.

So if you travel a lot and don’t feel like lugging your laptop out every time you need to work on a project, this is your stuff.

Hey does anybody smell innovation cooking?

Via: Macworld

Well, Xerox Phaser 8860 users know that the 8860 solid ink printer is a great improvement over traditional laser printers when it comes to the environment, no question. It turns out that Xerox is seeing how this new brand image is worth pursuing, because they’ve recently announced a whole program of printer paper products that are “greener” than ever.

Lest I bore you with ALL of the details, let me just outline one of the paper products that serves as a sort of flagship for Xerox’s greener paper brand position.  It is called the Xerox Color Xpressions(R) Planet 20 Paper, and its is a 20 percent post-consumer, recycled-content offering paper that is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  The idea is that less trees are used in the paper production process, and that what trees ARE used are harvested in a environmentally conscious manner. Sounds great!

Ok, I guess I’m still a little more enamored with the Xerox erasable paper idea, but I’ll take progress in whatever form it presents.  There are several different paper types in the new Xerox lineup, and each possess individual qualities that meet different needs and each posessing some virtue to the environment.  They even have a paper that is made of 50% mechanical fibers. Now I can officially sneer at that archaic Egyptian use of papyrus. Pffsh.

Xerox bolstered the announcement of their new  paper products with a cooperative web component as well. At this site you’ll find a comprehensive paper reference guide with information about environmentally responsible paper choices, tips for “greener” printing, industry expert webcasts about  sustainability and links to the Xerox Green World Alliance recycling program.

To highlight this latest greening of their product line, Xerox is also rolling out a new “green” logo that will identify the sustainability-focused products they offer, as well as give some background on other environmentally friendly initiatives the company is taking. So, while it IS clear that Xerox is attempting to boost its brand with the green movement, at least they’re backing up what they say.

If it makes my life easier AND the earth better, I’m all in.