【NEC】 MULTINA i2000 / MULTINA Ai7000 / MULTINA Ai7000D

NEC, in May 1996, announced three models of networked multifunctionals, called the MULTINA series. These multifunctionals combined the functions of a fax machine, printer, and copier that had existed separately in offices, simplified the transfer of data from computers, and enabled data processing.
The MULTINA series consisted of the i2000, which communicated by email with Windows 95 computers and was the first machine in the industry that could email or fax from a computer using the same control and the Ai7000 (a G3 model) and the Ai7000D (a G4 model) that combined the functions of a fax machine, printer, and copier and had a network printer function that supported various LAN protocols.

Features of the units:

• （1）It had a fax server function that linked with Microsoft Exchange to enable users to send and receive faxes over a LAN from their own computer in the same way as sending an email. Users could check received faxes on their fax inbox screen.
• （2）Using Windows 95’s standard Microsoft fax communication procedure, it was possible to communicate between Windows 95 machines and the i2000 by email and to distribute received data and fax images to selected computers on the LAN.
• （3）Multiple computers on a LAN could access the i2000 as a network printer or network scanner.

The Ai7000 and Ai7000D had the following features:

• （1）These models came standard with a printer function, as well as a plain-paper laser fax and digital copier functions, and they supported two simultaneous computer connections. As an option, they supported multiple computer access as a network printer on a LAN.
• （2）NEC’s Check & Go function made a sample print before sending scanned documents or computer-created documents. After the user checked the sample print, the machine sent the document directly from memory, making operations more efficient while avoiding degradations in image quality.
• （3）Because the machines could fax a standard A4 page in just four seconds (in G3 mode), the fastest in the industry, they dramatically reduced communication costs. Their document scanning speed of 0.9 seconds was also the fastest in the industry.
• （4）The copy function delivered top quality thanks to a 400 dpi resolution and ultrafine toner particles. It also offered multiple editing functions.
• （5）The large, easy-to-read LCD touch panel and the multi-access function, which simultaneously processed multiple operations, such as document scanning, printing, and sending and receiving faxes, gave the machines excellent operability.