TOSHIBA AMERICA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS GARNERS PRESTIGIOUS "BEST OF THE BEST" AWARD FROM BUSINESS EQUIPMENT RESEARCH AND TEST LABORATORIES FOR THE e-STUDIO550 MULTIFUNCTION COPIER

Toshiba e-STUDIO550 Recognized for Delivering Exceptional Performance, Flexible Document Production Capabilities and Competitive Price Offering

IRVINE , California ( Aug 20, 2003 ) :

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) today announced its high-volume, monochrome digital copier - the Toshiba e-STUDIO550 - has received the BERTL's Best Award for "Best 51-60ppm Digital Copier-Printer" from the world's leading independent testing lab, Business Equipment Research and Test Laboratories (BERTL¢â). Of the approximately 300 digital imaging and multifunction systems analyzed by BERTL this year, the e-STUDIO550 outperformed all other competitive models in a rigorous evaluation process and was highly praised for "delivering business-critical, easy to use functionality, good print and copy performance, and for providing buyers with a range of productivity-enhancing features." According to BERTL, the combined features offered on the e-STUDIO550 "make it a good all-around value for money proposition."

The e-STUDIO550 impressed BERTL analysts with a number of document handling and performance capabilities including:

High maximum paper capacity of 7,500 sheets with the addition of the Large Capacity Feeder
Ability to support up to a 115 lb. index from all main paper trays
Addition of five next copy job reservation memories
Higher powered print processors and standard RAM memory for excellent print and copy productivity
Significant print driver improvements, enabling users to incorporate up to six paper sources into a single document
An array of finishing options such as the saddle stitch finisher, two and three hole punch feature, and post process inserter for seamlessly custom building documents with preprinted pages

BERTL also noted the extended scan-to-e-mail and scan-to-file capabilities offered on the e-STUDIO550 and cited Toshiba's TopAccess¢â Web-based document management and editing utility as one of the most user-friendly, highly functional scanning solutions available on the market. In addition, in a wide variety of tests, the e-STUDIO550 also topped rival copier-based multifunction peripherals (MFPs) in copy speed, and print and copy processing. Lastly, the e-STUDIO550 received high performance marks during evaluations on configurations using both the Toshiba developed GL-1010 controller and the GA-1040 controller manufactured by Electronics for Imaging (EFI).

"We're very excited to have been awarded the BERTL's Best designation for the e-STUDIO550," said Mark Mathews, vice president, Marketing, TABS. "This award validates our continued efforts and leadership in the development of Toshiba products that deliver real power, productivity, quality and competitive advantage. The e-STUDIO550 is a shining example of Toshiba technology and dedication at work and we're proud of this achievement."

The e-STUDIO550 is a fully-featured, high-volume monochrome copier designed for mid- to high-volume environments. Featuring facedown output, concurrent scan and print capabilities, standard trayless duplexing and an all-new 100-sheet Reversing Automatic Document Feeder (RADF) with stationary scanner, the e-STUDIO550 also boasts a number of advanced finishing options. These include a 50-sheet three-position stapler, post inserter for adding color pages to finished documents and the ever-popular saddle stitch finisher, which enables production of professional looking booklets. In addition, outstanding image quality and graphic detail are achieved through 2,400 x 600 dpi resolution, Toshiba patented serial filter and Image Stabilization Technology.

The BERTL award is the latest in a series of industry accolades for TABS. Buyer's Laboratory Inc. awarded Toshiba's e-STUDIO310c with Fiery Z5¢â controller with both the "Certificate of Reliability for Performance" and "Highly Recommended" designations while Toshiba's DP85F facsimile system received the "Editor's Choice" award from Better Buys for Business. In addition, Richard K. Taylor, senior vice president, Sales, Marketing and Business Operations, was bestowed the award for "Copier Executive of The Year" by Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in its annual dealer survey for a second time. Taylor was last bestowed the honor in 2001.

About BERTL

BERTL is the leading independent test laboratory for digital imaging devices; with offices located in the United States and England. BERTL has pioneered new methods of testing multifunctional devices, introduced a highly sophisticated range of user-relevant tests on connected imaging output devices, and developed the world's leading image analysis software, Page Check¢â. BERTL has been in the office products testing industry for over 10 years.

The end-user is always their primary consideration. BERTL offers a range of subscription services: LabCheck¢â Test Reports, DataCheck¢â Side by Side Comparison Database and PageCheck PRO¢â software for measuring Page Coverage and producing Annualized Print Cost Reports. With over 200,000 trade and end-user subscribers, BERTL is regarded as the premier source for independent test reports and up to the minute product research. For more information, visit BERTL (Digital Test Lab) on the World Wide Web at http://www.BERTL.com.

About Toshiba America Business Solutions

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS comprises four divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division, Toner Products Division, Document Solutions Engineering Division and TBS, a subsidiary which operates a network of acquired office equipment dealers.

Named the most favored manufacturer in seven of the past eight years by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are a marker for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Copier Manufacturer of the Year" by the Marketing Research Consultants (MRC) in 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002 and received the CIO Web Business award for its leading edge intranet site in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the sixth largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world's 62nd largest company in terms of sales. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2002 was approximately $47 billion.

For more information on Toshiba copier, facsimile, multifunction printing products, network controllers and toner products, or for a dealer in your area, call 1 800 GO TOSHIBA or visit the TABS Web site at www.copiers.toshiba.com.