PFU launches Ricoh scanners for shared office scanning

PFU has launched the Ricoh SP-2240N and Ricoh SP-2230N document scanners for routine business scanning tasks, priced at GBP £531 and GBP £416.

Based on Ricoh fi Series technology, the models are designed for day-to-day document digitisation. The SP-2240N scans at up to 40 pages per minute, while the SP-2230N reaches up to 30 pages per minute.

Both scanners are built for shared office use and support a range of document types, including standard business papers, plastic cards and A3 documents folded in half. Each has an 80-sheet automatic document feeder in a compact desktop format.

Shared Scanning

A key difference between the models is the SP-2240N's support for networked and PC-free scanning through DirectScan. The feature is enabled by PFU's new iiGA system on a chip, allowing users to scan directly from the device and send files to preset destinations without needing a connected computer for each job.

The scanners include three on-device buttons that can be assigned to functions such as saving files to set locations or sending them to email recipients. A PC is still required to configure scanner settings.

Brian Fortune, General Manager Sales, PFU EMEA, said the higher-end model was designed for organisations with constrained technology resources.

"The RICOH SP-2240N represents what many organisations are looking for today: a practical and reliable scanning solution that balances performance, ease of use and cost. As businesses work to digitise documents with limited IT resources, the SP-2240N delivers consistent, high-quality results across shared environments, with the flexibility to process scans directly on the device when a PC is not available," Fortune said.

Image Processing

The new models use Clear Image Capture technology and include optical character recognition and image processing tools intended to reduce manual correction work. The software can handle functions such as paper size detection and automatic rotation to improve output accuracy across different document formats and orientations.

The scanners also include a Paper Protection function with real-time image monitoring to help prevent document damage during regular use. This is intended to support uninterrupted operation in offices with frequent scanning workloads.

For PC-based workflows, the scanners come with PaperStream ClickScan software, allowing users to start digitisation from a right-click scan command or by pressing a button on the scanner itself.

The package also includes PaperStream Capture software as standard. Customers needing additional automation or form capture functions can upgrade to Capture Pro, while PaperStream IP Net allows any networked PC and scanner to work together.

Office Demand

The launch comes as vendors continue to position document scanners for small and mid-sized office digitisation, where paper records remain common and IT support can be limited. In this market, compact size, lower upfront pricing and simpler setup are often key buying considerations.

PFU said the SP-2240N's chip also supports the creation of searchable PDF files during PC-free scanning, presenting this as part of a broader push towards one-touch workflows in multi-user office settings.

Fortune said: "With our next-generation iiGA System on a Chip, we are delivering unmatched OCR results for PC-free scanning. Users can now instantly create searchable PDFs and send documents to pre-programmed destinations with the simple press of a button, allowing teams to maintain high productivity without the need for a PC.

"These scanners also provide the flexibility to grow with a business. They come supplied with PaperStream Capture software, which is optimised to deliver the best possible performance for scanning routines. For organisations that need more, an upgrade to Capture Pro offers powerful automation and intelligent form capture, even for handwritten non-cursive text. Furthermore, the inclusion of PaperStream IP Net ensures that any networked PC and scanner can be used together, supporting business scalability from the very first day."

PFU, founded in Japan in 1960, focuses on document imaging products and IT infrastructure services. It said it holds the top global market share in document scanners, citing market research covering Japan, North America and Western Europe.