Ricoh launches eWriter package: Another stab at the paperless office

Ricoh became the latest company to try and make enterprise paper-free zones with a novel eWriter tablet, software and services effort to rid offices of those pesky paper forms, scanning and other chores.

The eWriter package is essentially a tablet---the eQuill---that acts as a digital clipboard as a front-end to workflow tools. In a nutshell, the eQuill mimics paper and recreates forms you'd usually sign and fax, scan or send. On the backend, Ricoh has added eWriter workflow tools to relay data to a central server and back.

Like other tablets, the eQuill has Wi-Fi and 3G and a long battery life. Ricoh is targeting healthcare, insurance, police departments and other key verticals. The eQuill will run less than $500.

Among the key points:

• The eQuill will have prepopulated forms, allow handwritten notes and attachments.
• Once a form is submitted it goes to an eWriter server that authenticates signatures, date, time and other key details.
• This authentication is completed via biometric stroke recognition.
• The data is encrypted and authorized only to approved workers.
• PDF files can be exported, but the eWriter package is designed to work with electronic medical records and other formats.

Ricoh plans to ship the eQuill tablets in the summer with an eWriter development kit available this month. Workflow services will be sold to businesses direct.