eWeek 21mar2007: Konica c550 etc.: Konica Minolta Launches Next-Generation Bizhub MFP Product Line

the snippet below makes me curious whether the list-price tag of $33K CAD [as per Hub Canada 8/07 issue page 44 ] is competetive to overall value, alternate manufacturers etc... if the biometrics are so cool, why didn't this succeed back in 2004?

Konica Minolta Launches Next-Generation Bizhub MFP Product Line: "...Konica Minolta's next-generation bizhub MFP product line provides business users with enhanced security features such as a biometric authentication unit, which scans a user's finger patterns and then encrypts and stores that information so that it can be used to distinguish users. 'Our next-generation bizhubs provide businesses with end-to-end security as we certify our systems by following necessary security protocol,' said Kevin Kern, vice president of product planning and development at Konica Minolta Business Solutions, based in Ramsey, N.J. Konica Minolta's bizhub product line was originally launched in 2004, but the company has since then added to it with new MFPs and advanced features. 'Our goal with our bizhub product line is to offer customers a full portfolio of MFP products that deliver improved color print quality and workflow capabilities,' said Jun Haraguchi, president and CEO of Konica Minolta Business Solutions, in a statement. The next-generation bizhub product line now uses Simitri HD (high definition) color polymerized toner, giving users strong image quality while also being energy-efficient by using induction heating, which involves less energy and heat during startup...."