Introduction
This white paper has been prepared on behalf of Xerox Corporation by Bissett Communications, publisher of The MFP Report newsletter. It updates a previous white paper (From Peripheral to Platform: MFP Software Development Tools and Xerox’s Extensible Interface Platform) released in October 2006, when Xerox announced its Extensible Interface Platform. EIP is a Web services application development environment that enables software developers to create server-based applications that seamlessly interact with Xerox multifunction printers (MFPs) in the office via the device control panel.

Significant changes have occurred since EIP debuted, thus warranting an updated assessment. The market for MFP software tools has expanded dramatically with regard to the number of participating MFP manufacturers, the scope and level of interest among independent software vendors (ISVs), the evolution of the software tools and partnering programs, and the receptivity of businesses and sales channels to MFP-related software. At the same time, Xerox has gained substantial experience with EIP and has implemented many aspects of its partnering program that were planned but not yet implemented in 2006. This updated and expanded white paper is divided into six sections:
 The first section describes the relevance of MFP software platforms such as EIP from the perspective of MFP customers, software developers, MFP sales channels, and MFP vendors.
 The second section provides a historical overview of the MFP solutions market, highlighting the convergence between document management and MFP-based document capture as a backdrop for the development of today’s MFP software platforms.
 The third section considers MFP software development platforms in greater depth, including the relative merits of the two main technical approaches. Also assessed are key business considerations regarding the way vendors bring their tools to market.
 The fourth section provides a more detailed assessment of Xerox’s EIP, including its origins, development, components, capabilities and device dependency. Also included is a comparison of EIP to competing MFP software
application platforms.
 The fifth section focuses on Xerox’s EIP business strategy, including its partner program and go-to-market activities, and compares Xerox approach to that of key competitors.
 The sixth section concludes with an overall assessment of EIP, pointing to the continuing opportunities and challenges Xerox faces in the MFP solutions marketplace.