In the market for a copier? Confused by all the options? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Selecting and purchasing office equipment can oftentimes seem like a daunting task. The evolution from copiers to multifunction printers that now copy, print, scan, and fax is baffling and a bit stressful.
The following are a few tips that can help find the right multifunction printer for your business…
Assessing Your Requirements
Define the copy problems you are now having in your office.
- Has the size of your office staff changed?
- Is it causing employees to wait for access to the copier reducing productivity?
- Would it be better to have multiple devices and replace a large centrally located copier?
- Are you wanting some increased security needs?
- Are additional features needed, such as handling different paper sizes, managing jobs, wireless connectivity, or finishing capabilities?
Decide Which Features Your Office Copier Absolutely Must Have
Make a list of the top three to five features your firm cannot live without…
- Duplexing capabilities
- Automatic sorting
- Stapling
- Scanning
- Network printing
- Faxing
- Color Prints
- Security
- Mobile / Cloud / Wireless printing
Having a must-have list removes the confusion and allows you to focus comparing options.
What Size Paper Do You Need to Print On?
Knowing how much space you currently have and what you may need for a new copier is important.
Know your measurements. An A4 copier, printer, or MFP can only produce a letter, legal, and perhaps postcards and envelopes, but cannot handle 11×17 sizes. If you look at the paper supply and see you do not need the 11x 17 size option, then an A4 Multi-function printer is all you need.
However, if you see you use 11x 17 printing then you will need an A3 copier. An A3 can handle A4 paper sizes, plus 11×17 paper.
Budgeting For Your New Multi-Function Printer
When it comes to price, you will pay less for an A4, but consumables will need to be replaced more often. If you have a large print volume, an A3 is most likely better suited for your business.
Printer Duty Cycle
If a printer indicates that the duty cycle is 100,000 pages per month. The manufacturer is essentially saying that this is the very maximum volume the printer is capable of in a month.
This does not mean that you can produce this volume month in and month out during its life.
Knowing your average monthly page volume and how many pages are printed in an average print or copy job can be a good indicator of the machine speed and scalability the new copier should provide.
PPM (Pages Per Minute)
The higher the PPM (pages per minute) of a machine, the faster your print job will be finished. A faster machine, however, is more expensive than a lower PPM machine.
Finding the balance between price and PPM is key when purchasing a copier. You will need to know how your page volumes increased over time on the current device, and if so by how much.
Do you print more 3-page jobs or more many-page jobs? The more data you have from past performances and the more data you have from your projected future performances, the better you will be able to select a new copier.
Why Buy from an Authorized Copier and Printer Dealer?
Purchasing a copier or printer for your office or business requires thought and consideration. There are many elements involved in the decision-making process, from budget to what features are needed.
One element should be at the top of your list… who are you going to purchase the product from?
With a large purchase like this, it is important to consider the quality of the vendor you are buying from.
Protecting that investment after installation calls for working with a qualified dealership that has a credible track record in supporting the copier after your purchase.
Waltz Can Help You Find The Right Business Equipment For Your Business
Whatever your need, whatever the size of your company, Waltz is here to help you work more efficiently. We are partnered with the leading suppliers of technology in the industry—Kyocera, Epson, and HP. This partnering coupled with our in-house expertise means we can bring you the latest in technology at an affordable price. All of the products and solutions we sell are backed by Waltz’ commitment to quality.
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