Canon U.S.A. and ECi Collaborate to Launch Dealer Gateway for Canon, Increasing Efficiency for Canon Dealers Using e-automate®

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

To help streamline information updates for its independent dealers, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that it now offers Dealer Gateway for Canon. The Dealer Gateway for Canon is a new cloud-based solution that allows dealers using ECi Software Solutions' e-automate® Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, a subscription service, to easily access and incorporate the latest Canon item information through an integration between the two technologies.

"The Dealer Gateway for Canon helps dealers have the most up-to-date product information in their management systems," said Junichi Yoshitake, senior vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Canon is committed to investing in new technologies to help increase productivity and save time for its dealers."

The Dealer Gateway for Canon, created in alliance with ECi Software Solutions, gives dealers the ability to quickly push information updates about Canon's items into their management systems as soon as new information becomes available. This helps increase accuracy for several business functions, including ordering new products, inventory management, finances and analysis.

"We're excited to be working with Canon on this project," said Laryssa Alexander, president, ECi, Service Technology Division. "We understand the importance of accuracy and efficiency to Canon dealers and will be able to deliver that through this collaboration."

Canon was the first manufacturer to form an alliance with ECi's Service Technology Group, formerly known as Digital Gateway, Inc. (DGI), by offering its dealers the ability to place orders via the PO Processor™ solution. This latest solution gives dealers the ability to place orders to Canon directly through their own e-automate ERP system, streamlining the ordering process and eliminating the duplicate work required.

"Canon has been and continues to be a strong partner for independent dealers by investing in integrations to automate key business processes like the Dealer Gateway for Canon and the PO Processor solution," said Mike Kirkpatrick, chief information officer, SOS, Atlanta. "We were thrilled to learn about the latest integration between Canon and e-automate. We feel the Dealer Gateway for Canon will really help to streamline that aspect of our business."

"We are excited to take advantage of this integration with Canon," said Jeff Taylor, systems engineer, Kingsport Imaging Systems, Inc., and executive committee, former chairman and vice chairman, e-automate Users Group. "I anticipate a tremendous amount of time savings and a more accurate item catalog and pricing as a result of utilizing the new Dealer Gateway for Canon."

The Dealer Gateway for Canon is now available to Canon dealers using e-Automate. To learn more about Canon's offerings and products, visit usa.canon.com.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico) markets. With approximately $31 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. CAJ, ranked third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2014† and is one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2014. In 2014, Canon U.S.A. received the PCMag.com Readers' Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the 11th consecutive year. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. In 2014, the Canon Americas Headquarters secured LEED® Gold certification, a recognition for the design, construction, operations and maintenance of high-performance green buildings. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.

About ECi

The ECi Software Solutions family of companies provides business and e-commerce solutions, offering on-premise and cloud-based technologies. For 30+ years, ECi's companies have served the manufacturing, service technology, office supplies, contract office furniture, lumber and building materials, hardware and jan/san sectors. Privately held, ECi is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with offices and companies throughout the U.S., Australia, England and the Netherlands. For information, email info@ecisolutions.com, visit www.ECiSolutions.com, or call (800) 959-3367.

† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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