Fuji Xerox Tie-Ups With Eight New
"Apeos Partners" Launches new software kit
Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0

In order to expand the application of the ApeosPort multifunction device series, which was designed based on an all-new concept, Fuji Xerox will launch the Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 support pack (6 months/12 months) on February 3, 2005. Meanwhile, eight new companies have partnered to provide business solutions through the utilization of the software development kit. The companies have been aptly named Apeos Partners.

The newly launched Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 is a software kit that facilitates the linkage between the ApeosPort series (new information systems based on digital multifunction devices) and external systems. In the past, Fuji Xerox disclosed the interface specifications of multifunction devices on an individual basis when supporting systems establishment. The new software makes the development far more efficient.

Up until now, it was a complex and time-consuming task linking paper documents with mission-critical data systems case-by-case. But the enactment of the e-Document Law in Japan will lead to a rapid increase in the need for the effective digitization of key paper documents such as contracts and receipts.

The primary aim of the Apeos Partners is to provide total solutions to management issues. This is accomplished by linking their products (for operational systems) with ApeosPort multifunction devices (for document systems) via Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0.

To join, Apeos Partners must first acquire the Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 support pack (6 months/12 months). Fuji Xerox will then adjust the participation of each Apeos Partner. In terms of specific activities, each will assist with events, conduct reciprocal sales of solutions packages and jointly respond to individual requests.

Innovations in technology and the enactment of new laws have led to greater assurance that electronic documents remain true to the original. This has accelerated the use of digitization for documents such as contracts, order forms, invoices and receipts, and as a result, it will energize Japan's industries. In order to make the most of this opportunity, however, it is necessary to link mission-critical systems with an infrastructure that enables paper documents to be transformed easily into digital format and output. Fuji Xerox aims to expand this emerging market and contribute to the advancement of society by providing such a solution.

Plans call for Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 to continuously provide information to strengthen linkage with the ApeosPort series, which is scheduled for successive release. Plans are also in place to gradually build on the network of Apeos Partners to ensure that customers' solution needs are readily met.

Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 enables simple access to multifunction device functions from outside the office through open, platform-independent specifications for standard protocols such as XML, SOAP and HTTP. Basically, it will be provided as an Internet service in which users can utilize the functions of other Web servers. The new technology employed in the ApeosPort machines was coined Apeos iiX^{Note 1} by Fuji Xerox because it realizes bi-directional communication with the Web server.

The architecture of Apeos iiX is described and an application sample included with Apeos IntegrationPlus 1.0 to ensure the effective design and development of a Web service that provides for the mutual leveraging of the ApeosPort multifunction machine series.