The paperless office may be a pipe dream, but SMEs can still reduce their impact on the environment and slash operating costs by investing in a multi-function printer (MFP). Printing is traditionally a core function of all business operations but the ability to digitize documents using the same device can reap rewards in terms of reduced paper usage, less equipment and improved efficiency.
Combining print, copy, scan and fax functions into a single device brings many other benefits. Productivity can be enhanced by integrating scanning into your workflows so instead of printing a document, you could send it by email, as a network file or even to the cloud.
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By centralizing document printing and processing, an MFP makes it easier to manage the use of these facilities. Left unchecked, printing and copying costs are a big drain on company profits so it pays to implement strict controls. Many businesses are already seeing the benefits of MFPs and this increased demand is driving costs down, making them an affordable option for SMEs.
Defined benefits
Before purchasing, determine clearly what you want the MFP to achieve and how many users it will be supporting. An MFP with slow print, copy and scan speeds has the potential to become a bottleneck as staff queue up to use it.
Many MFPs claim print speeds ranging from 20ppm (pages per minute) to 31ppm but we found these could only be achieved at all resolutions when printing simple text-based documents. You'll have to accept compromises when producing quality colour marketing material as almost all are slower when printing at their highest resolutions.
Double-sided printing, or duplexing, should be on your check list as this will halve paper usage. However, staff must be encouraged to use it as we've yet to see an MFP (or a printer for that matter) that can enforce this mode.
Most MFPs come with good-quality colour flatbed scanners but if you anticipate a high scan volume, you'll need one with an automatic document feeder (ADF) which can handle large quantities of documents. For increased performance, check that the ADF supports duplex operations allowing it to scan both sides of a page in one pass.
When duty calls
How much do you expect your MFP to be used for printing and copying? We suggest estimating your expected monthly print volume and choosing an MFP with a recommended (not maximum) duty cycle that's at least two times higher leaving you with plenty of headroom to cater for increased demand.
When selecting an MFP, don't be seduced by a low purchase price. Vendors will claw back these savings by making their consumables more expensive and in a high-demand print environment, this will increase running costs massively.
Choosing the right printing technology is just as important but don't discount inkjets, as today's business models have shaken off the perception that they're expensive to run. We've reviewed laser, LED and inkjet models and running costs are all in the same ballpark.
Inkjets are a natural choice for photo printing but lasers and LEDs are less choosy about paper quality. We found they produce far better results than inkjets on cheap 75gms recycled paper, helping to cut costs further. Also, encourage staff to use the driver's draft mode to print internal documents where quality isn't so important as this will also save on consumables.
Well connected
A networked MFP is a must-have in a shared office environment and with wireless now all-pervasive, it makes sense to specify this as well. Not all MFPs include wireless as standard so check they can be upgraded and for how much, as costs for add-on modules vary considerably.
Workforces with Apple mobile devices will appreciate AirPrint support as this allows them to print documents directly over the network. NFC (near-field communications) is another boon for mobile users as they can walk up, tap their device on the MFP's operator panel and pair it for quick printing.
Vendors are focusing even more on mobile device support with many offering free apps for iOS and Android devices. These let users remotely print to the MFP with some also allowing them to access the scanner over the network and pull images directly to their mobile.
Cloud support is very variable across different vendors, so it pays to check what features are available. How useful would it be to email a document to the MFP and have it print immediately or scan a document using the MFP's touchscreen and send it straight to shared cloud storage?
Security first
Internet-connected MFPs can be easily hacked so change all default passwords immediately. If you're handling confidential information, look for driver features that provide extra security such as assigning a PIN to print jobs so they can only be released by walking up and entering it at the touchscreen.
Some MFPs can enforce user authentication from their web interface, allowing you to strictly control access to print, scan, copy and fax functions. Unfettered access to cloud storage is another back door so ensure accounts set up at the MFP as scan destinations can be secured with a password or PIN.
Many businesses are unaware of just how much uncontrolled personal use is costing them so it pays to lock this down. Look for management features that place page limits on colour usage or block it completely, restrict access to the copier and provide job accounting facilities so you can see who is using them.
An MFP is more than just a printer and copier, as it combines all the features SMEs need to streamline their document management workflows. The best MFPs are affordable options for SMEs and can help you reduce costs, increase productivity and be more environmentally friendly.
