Canon Australia has unveiled a software development platform for creating information and imaging solutions for its range of multifunction devices (MFDs).

Dubbed MEAP (Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform), the platforms allows Canon, its customers, and integrators and developers to create solutions that fundamentally change the behaviour of MFDs.

Canon has been adding MEAP capability to its MFDs for 18 months, creating a rapidly growing market for integrators or developers interested in building applications for the new platform. In Australia, Canon says it has already issued its first MEAP Software Development Kit (SDK) licences and is working with several local developers.
 
Ernst & Young is the first local organisation to commission its own MEAP solution. Ernst & Young employees now use their building access cards to identify themselves whenever they collect their printing, which is often client-confidential. And with eCopy for MEAP, the MFD can  scan paper documents, convert them to text, encrypt and compress the originals, and automatically send the lot to a database or any other application.