LONG BEACH, Calif. - August 11, 2010 - Epson America today announced an agreement with Royal Philips Electronics that will help pair Epson ink jet printers and WorkForce all-in-ones, designed specifically for business environments, with Philips ultrasound medical imaging systems in healthcare clinics and hospitals in the U.S. and around the world, wherever Epson printers are available. This is possible due to the unique Epson ESC/P-R Print Class Driver that enables users to print to a full line of Epson ink jet printers from a wide variety of digital equipment.

"Epson is pleased to offer world-class ink jet printers and all-in-ones - including several in our WorkForce line designed for business - that incorporate the Epson ESC/P-R driver which supports all compatible Epson models when paired with Philips ultrasound devices," said R. Craig Allen, product manager, consumer ink jets, Epson America, Inc. "Now healthcare clinics and hospitals worldwide that use Philips ultrasound devices will have more flexibility when selecting a dependable printer or all-in-one to print patient information with ease and clarity."

Prior to incorporating Epson printers, Philips Healthcare was using printer models that each used a unique printer driver and Philips was tasked with qualifying each one. This was a laborious process since Philips’ ultrasound devices had long lifecycles and the selected competitive printers often became obsolete before the process was complete. When paired with a supported Epson printer or all-in-one, compatibility is no longer an issue due to the innovative Epson ESC/P-R driver.

"Providing new options to Philips Ultrasound Customers for off-cart printing using Epson Universal Print Drivers will help simplify and enhance our customer experience," said Andrew Hatt, vice president, business unit controller and interim general manager, Ultrasound, for Philips Healthcare. "Adapting new innovations into our products by leveraging partners’ core competencies helps Philips broaden our product and market offerings. Our customers will have choices to select from additional printer families at several price points that meet their specific needs."

The Epson ESC/P-R Print Class Driver supports applicable media types, paper sizes and associated printing modes suitable for Philips ultrasound systems and Epson inkjet printers. This unique driver allows many kinds of devices to connect and communicate with Epson inkjet printers, expanding possibilities for use with medical equipment, measuring equipment, electronic whiteboards, and in the home with home electronics and game machines.