Canon Australia has signed Softlog, an Australian software developer for the corporate cost recovery market, as an independent developer of applications for Canon's Multifunctional Embedded Application Platform (MEAP). The Java based platform allows Canon, its customers, integrators and developers to create software applications that fundamentally change the behaviour of multifunctional devices (MFDs) to suit the business needs of organisations.

Brisbane-based Softlog plans to use MEAP to create software for controlling and recovering the costs associated with printing, copying, faxing and scanning by allocating them to specific departments, clients or projects.

According to John Farrell, managing director, Softlog, "We chose to use MEAP because the platform allows us to develop an application which resides inside Canon MFDs and provides comprehensive cost recovery features that the market demands-all conveniently accessible from the device's touch screen display.

"MEAP gives our customers the opportunity to eliminate the workstation that normally sits next to the MFD. This means that there is less clutter and more importantly, the system is less expensive to run. It makes sense and the only way to do it is with MEAP."

Peter Matthews, market segment manager, software, service and solutions, Canon Australia said, "Staff will enjoy the convenience of accessing Softlog's full range of features directly from the Canon touch screen display. Every print, photocopy, facsimile and scanned job will be automatically captured in the Softlog database for on-charging to their clients.

"Since we unveiled the MEAP kit in April 2005, we've been overwhelmed by the interest in the new platform from customers, integrators and software developers worldwide as it enables them to create solutions that would otherwise be impossible."