Sharp's New MFPs: A Secure Production Powerhouse for the Modern Office

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – August 05, 2026 – In a strategic move that challenges the conventional boundaries of office equipment, Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. today unveiled its High-Speed Colour Office Series, the BP80C70 and BP80C80. While the broader market for hardcopy peripherals navigates cautious enterprise spending, Sharp is making a decisive push into the high-value, high-volume space. This launch isn't merely about faster printing; it's a calculated response to the evolving demands of the modern enterprise for a single platform that merges production-level capability, AI-driven workflow automation, and fortress-like cybersecurity.

Bridging the Office and the Print Shop

For years, organizations have faced a trade-off: rely on standard office multifunction printers (MFPs) for daily tasks and outsource complex, high-quality jobs to commercial printers, incurring extra costs and delays. Sharp's new series aims to obliterate that compromise. With print speeds reaching up to 80 pages per minute and a 300-sheet duplexing single-pass feeder that scans an impressive 300 images per minute, the BP80C series is engineered for raw throughput. But speed is only part of the equation.

The true innovation lies in its production-class paper handling. An optional triple air-feed system ensures reliable feeding of diverse and heavy media up to 300 gsm, while a staggering maximum online capacity of 13,500 sheets minimizes downtime in high-volume environments. This capability allows departments to move beyond simple reports and tackle marketing collateral, direct mailers, and bound publications at engine speed.

This in-house production vision is solidified by a suite of robust finishing options. Educational and government institutions can leverage the fully automated GBC® SmartPunch™ Plus for punching, creasing, and perforating course packets and policy manuals internally. Plockmatic booklet makers can produce professional-grade publications, while various in-line folding options (Z-fold, C-fold, accordion) automate the creation of complex mailers. For organizations demanding elite color control, an optional Fiery® BPPE14 print server integrates Fiery Command WorkStation® directly onto the MFP’s 10.1-inch touchscreen, bringing commercial-grade color management and job scheduling in-house.

"Today's organizations require print infrastructure that goes beyond standard document output—they need systems that act as secure, highly efficient productivity hubs," said Hiro Okumura, Director, Marketing, Planning & Analytics, Smart Business Solutions Group. "The BP80C70 and BP80C80 series bridges the gap between traditional office MFPs and production-level finishing."

An Intelligent Hub for Digital Workflows

Beyond its mechanical prowess, the BP80C series is positioned as an intelligent nerve center for document workflows. Sharp has integrated AI-assisted image processing that automatically manages common scanning frustrations. The system intelligently corrects skewed pages, optimizes resolution for clarity and file size, and detects page orientation in real-time. This reduces manual prep work and ensures digital archives are clean and professional from the point of capture.

This intelligence extends to its role in the modern IT ecosystem. Recognizing that work is no longer confined to the office, the series offers seamless, native integration with essential cloud repositories including Microsoft Teams, Google Drive™, OneDrive, and Dropbox. This allows for direct scanning to and printing from the cloud, a critical function for hybrid teams. Compatibility with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and Active Directory ensures that device access aligns with corporate identity management policies, while support for the Microsoft Modern Print Platform enables driverless printing in cloud-native environments. This deep integration signals a shift from the MFP as a standalone peripheral to a fully-fledged, secure node in the corporate network.

A Fortress in the Network: Validated Cybersecurity

As network-connected devices, MFPs have become a prime target for cyberattacks, often overlooked in corporate security strategies. Sharp directly confronts this vulnerability with a multi-layered security architecture built on its CR5.X Controller Platform. Crucially, this platform's security has been validated through rigorous device penetration testing by Keypoint Intelligence, a leading independent industry analyst firm. This third-party validation provides a level of assurance that goes beyond marketing claims.

The security stack begins at the most fundamental level with a BIOS Integrity Check, which automatically initiates self-recovery if an anomaly is detected during startup, preventing malicious code from taking root. This is bolstered by Firmware Attack Prevention and Real-time Intrusion Detection to guard against unauthorized modifications and network threats. For an additional layer of defense, the series offers optional Bitdefender antivirus integration for scheduled and on-demand scanning of incoming and outgoing data. For industries handling sensitive information, such as finance and legal, features like end-of-lease data erasure compliant with NIST SP800-88 standards ensure that no residual data remains when a device is decommissioned.

Navigating a Shifting Market Landscape

Sharp's launch comes at a pivotal moment. According to recent data from International Data Corporation (IDC), the global hardcopy peripherals market saw a contraction in laser shipments in early 2026, reflecting cautious IT spending. However, the overall MFP market is projected to grow significantly by 2033, driven by demand for devices that support digital transformation. Sharp's strategy with the BP80C series is to target the growth segment: high-value, feature-rich systems that deliver a clear return on investment through efficiency gains and insourcing.

This ambition is backed by growing industry recognition. In its 2026 Vendor Assessment for Worldwide Laser Production Printers, IDC named Sharp a "Major Player," acknowledging its commitment to innovation and workflow automation in the production print sector. This validates the technology and strategy underpinning the new BP80C series, positioning it as a credible competitor against established players like Xerox, Ricoh, and Canon.

Further reinforcing its value proposition, Sharp has engineered the series with a strong commitment to sustainability. The chassis is constructed with approximately 50% recycled plastics, and the models are both ENERGY STAR® 3.2 qualified and EPEAT® Gold registered. This focus on low power consumption and responsible manufacturing meets a critical procurement requirement for a growing number of corporate and public sector organizations, adding an ethical dimension to the clear operational benefits.