Showing posts with label Multifunction Printers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Multifunction Printers. Show all posts

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A 7% Increase in Printer and Copier Market Discovered in Q2 2012

According to the research firm Gartner, the combined serial inkjet and page printers, copiers and multifunction products market in the United States totaled 7,150,202 units in the second quarter of 2012, a 6.8% increase over the same period last year. The total end-user spending reached $208.1 million USD, an increase of 35% from the same period last year as well.

According to Gartner Research Analyst Amrita Choudhury, "The MFP market growth here has been driven by the banking, financial services and insurance, education and government sectors." Choudhury went on to say that the market also gained some traction in the high speed segment, often used by large publishing houses or organizations to print their outbound communications. 

HP remained on top in the markets for printers, copiers and multifunction printers, accounting for 51.4% of shipments. Canon pulled in the number 2 spot with 23%, while Samsung and Epson rounded out the leaders with 8.3% and 8.1%, respectively. In the A4 MFP segment, HP was the market leader as well with a 48.2% market share, followed by Samsung with 22.7% and Canon with 13.7%. The A3 flatbed copier MFP segment saw Canon leading the pack with a 28.9% market share. Konica Minolta took the number 2 spot with 19.7% and Ricoh commanded 12.8% of the market. 

Not everything was positive, however, with the inkjet printer market declining 7.2% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. HP, which accounted for 50.8% of the total sales in the segment, also saw a decline of 23.6%. Epson held a market share of 30% and also had a shipment decline of 8.8%. Canon also improved shipments in the inkjet division by increasing by 136% compared to the second quarter of 2011, contributing 18.8% of market share.

Source: NDTV Gadgets - Printers and copiers market grows 7%: Gartner

Monday, January 9, 2012

USB Security on Lexmark Printers and MFPs

Lexmark printersGo out and buy a computer today and you will find that it is nearly impossible to find one that doesn't have at least one USB port. These ports allow you to pop in a flash drive or some other compatible technology, which opens up the possibilities for both you and your computer. However, USB drives are not solely restricted to computers. A lot of copiers, printers and multifunction devices have USB support as well. What you may not know is that in order to have USB support, you have to have a slight measure of security exposure because anything that can be used for good can also undoubtedly be used for bad.

A plethora of Lexmark laser printers and multifunction printers have support for USB drives so it is definitely necessary to look at all the potential security consequences that come with such support. A full whitepaper from Office Product News talks about all the security considerations that you should take into account if you are looking at a printer or MFP that has USB support. In addition to that, the whitepaper explains all the different protective measures that have been incorporated to address such concerns.

USB devices are used to connect an infinite amount of devices to different technologies and are able to perform a lot of different interactions once connected. Unfortunately, the USB ports that are found on Lexmark devices are a lot more limited than ones you would find on computers or laptops due to the amount of security risks that arise from putting USB support on a copier, printer or other multifunction device.

When you use the USB drives on Lexmark devices this happens:

The device finds and displays all the image files and flash files by name that are located on the flash drive when it is inserted into the Lexmark device.

If you select a flash file to print, the firmware in the printer will update as long as the firmware updates are allowed in the security settings.

Lexmark devices also allow you to scan data to the USB drive directly if the drive is available in a supported scan format.

This definitely gives you something to think about, especially if you have a printer with USB support. Internet and document safety is becoming more and more important, especially with the recent rise of hack attempts on big name corporations and government websites. If you want to check out the full whitepaper, you can do that here.

Source: Office Product News - Security and USB Ports on Lexmark Devices

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Monday, December 12, 2011

HP's New LaserJet Pro 100 Color Multifunction Printer

HP LaserJet Pro 100The new HP LaserJet Pro 100 is, overall, a solid color laser printer that is perfect for personal use. However, the high cost of consumables, along with the rather slow print speeds and missing features help limit the overall productivity of the device for use in home offices. If you are thinking of picking up the LaserJet Pro 100 for your home office, you may want to reconsider, especially since there are far better options out there that may cost you more up front but will, in turn, save you tons of money in the long run.

The LaserJet Pro 100 bears an almost exact resemblance to its predecessor, the LaserJet Pro M1212nf. However, this model is a step-up and cuts out the fax machine in favor of color printing that utilizes HP's innovative new carousel-style cartridge bay. The device also puts off a small carbon footprint by dumping the autoduplexer from the M1212nf and the rotating cartridge bay also helps with size, though at the expense of printing speed.

If you are looking at this device for a larger office, you may prefer to use a heavy-duty printer like the Dell 1355cnw multifunction printer but the LaserJet Pro 100 is still adequate for your small home office needs as it takes advantage of HP's unique features like ePrint and Smart Install as well as the device's own 35-page autodocument feeder.

As far as pros and cons go, the pros consist of the fact that the LaserJet Pro 100 will save you a ton of space while also offering professional-quality color documents with three-way network connectivity and cloud printing. The cons consist of print speeds being slower than average and the lack of autoduplexing which means more time and paper wasted. You can pick up the LaserJet Pro 100 printer from HP for $350.

Source: CNET - HP LaserJet Pro 100 Color MFP

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kyocera Mita America Introduces New ECOSYS Multifunction Printers

Kyocera Mita AmericaKyocera Mita America Incorporated just recently introduced the ECOSYS FS-1135MFP and FS-1035MFP/DP 37 ppm black and white multifunction printers. The new FS-1135MFP and FS-1035MFP/DP are both a part of Kyocera's ECOSYS line of environmentally friendly products and utilize long-life consumables for consistent high-quality image output while also meeting Energy Star guidelines for both power and efficiency. The result is superior products with a low total cost of ownership and minimal impact on the environment.

Both of these devices are perfectly suited for small and medium-sized businesses as well as shared workgroup environments, incorporating enhanced standard features and functionality in order to help improve document productivity while simultaneously lowering operating expenses. In addition to that, both devices include a 250-sheet paper drawer and a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray while also offering two optional 250-sheet drawers for a total of 800 sheet maximum paper capacity.

Both devices also include standard network printing, copy and color scanning capabilities with the FS-1135MFP also offering standard fax capabilities, allowing your business to have document imaging solutions designed to meet workflow requirements with a single device. Considering both devices were engineered using Kyocera's ECOSYS technology, both devices incorporate long-life consumables and achieve one of the lowest costs per print.

As far as pricing and availability goes, the ECOSYS FS-1135MFP and ECOSYS FS-1035MFP/DP multifunctional printers are available right now via authorized Kyocera Mita dealers with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,371 for the FS-1135MFP and $1,181 for the FS-1035MFP/DP. If you want all the information regarding both the ECOSYS FS-1135MFP and ECOSYS FS-1035MFP/DP or to find the nearest dealer, you can always head on over to Kyocera's official website.

Source: Buyers Lab - Kyocera Mita America Unveils New Black and White ECOSYS Multifunctional Printers


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Monday, May 16, 2011

Things to Consider Before Buying a Multifunction Printer

multifunction printersSo, you are looking at buying a multifunction printer for your office, huh? Well, why shouldn't you? Multifunction printers have become an ideal tool for any type of office and are very useful due to the fact that you get an all-in-one printer, fax machine, scanner and copier in a single device leaving you with less clutter and a more professional office look and feel.

However, you can't just hop on over to Staples and pick up the first multifunction printer you see. I mean, you technically can do that, but don't you think you should weigh your options first? Here are a few things that you will want to consider before buying your first multifunction printer.

Speed. In general terms, the more you tend to spend on your multifunction printer, the faster print speeds you will get. This is typical of most printers and has been for some time. This goes double if color printing is involved and fast color printers can get very pricey.

DPI. Before you buy a multifunction printer, check out what its DPI rating is. DPI stands for dots per inch. Having a higher DPI allows you to have higher quality images when you print. It's kind of the same as a television's resolution. The higher the resolution, the better the picture quality.

Memory. The more memory you need means the more money you are going to have to spend. It's just like speed, if you want the best, then you are going to have to pay for the best. Home offices should shoot for a device that has around 8MB of memory with more traditional offices aiming for 16MB. This isn't a live or die guideline though. Figure out your printing needs ahead of time to determine your memory needs.

Test. The best thing you can do is test your multifunction printer before you buy it. If you start it up and you hate then interface, then you probably are not going to love it in the future. However, don't necessarily rule out a device that has complex functions, you may learn to use them well and find that they are extremely useful.

These are only a few things to consider before purchasing a multifunction printer. If you follow these guidelines and use some common sense, you should be just fine.

Source: Office Product News - Considerations Before Buying a Multifunction Printer

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Keeping Your Copier Protected

protecting your copierIdentity theft is a serious thing and something that nobody wants to have happen to them. Most people fear identity theft such as a thief getting their credit card numbers, social security numbers or other kind of personal information. That is why people shred old credit cards, receipts and other personal documents. However, I doubt a lot of people think about becoming a victim of identity theft via their copier. Recent reports involving copier security have brought to light how some information that is stored on your copier's hard drive can be accessed by somebody other than yourself which could ultimately lead to identity theft. What is interesting is that while this news may be new to some, it is definitely something copier manufacturers have seen as important for a long time. If you own a copier, you need to know that it needs data safeguards just like antivirus software on your computer. So what kind of tools can help you protect the information flowing through your multifunction printer? IT specialists and users should definitely talk to their vendors in order to make sure that the security features that are already on their copier are enabled. Network authentication and authorization is a nifty tool that allows administrators to restrict access to people by verifying network usernames as well as passwords in a network directory. Encryption is also built into a lot of multifunction printers in order to make sure that the data stored on it is protected. These printers even have features that protect your information from a hard copy theft. If you are about to buy a new copier, make sure you choose a vendor that offers options for the removal of the hard drive before the printer or copier is disposed of or turned in after a lease. Another thing to consider is that new threats are created everyday so it is important to update your protection on a regular basis as well. New patches are generally available for multifunction printers and copiers and they are typically an easy download. Copiers are an important part of business so it is equally important that they are protected. You wouldn't use your computer unprotected so why use your printer unprotected? Source: SC Magazine - Protecting data on copiers

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Friday, June 11, 2010

Choosing the Right Copier for your Business

How to choose the right copierThe copier has been an office staple for several decades and has made some big strides since Xerox first introduced the fully automated plain-paper photocopier in 1959. Today's photocopiers tend to have more in common with computers than the first Xerox 914 as most modern copiers combine copying, laser printing, faxing, scanning, and more into a fully functional and well-oiled business machines. With so many copiers on the market that can do pretty much about anything, its hard to make the smart decision for your business. Here is a short list on what to consider when shopping for a business copier.

Analog vs. digital


One of the most frequently asked questions when evaluating a copier machine is whether you should buy a digital or analog. Older analog copiers have an advantage in simplicity over newer digital models as they allow users to make copies by pressing a single button. However, most companies tend to choose digital black and white copiers or digital color copiers that come with variety of features which older analog copiers do not have. Digital copiers, also called multifunction printers (MFPs), produce less noise than analog copiers, have fewer moving parts meaning fewer maintenance problems, and can produce more detailed photocopies.

It just makes very little sense to buy analog these days. The majority of copier manufacturers have stopped introducing new analog models and there is little price difference between analog and digital copiers with similar features. The only reason to buy analog is if the prospect of dealing with futuristic equipment is daunting to you and your staff. Even with minimal training you and your employees will find that a digital copier isn't as complicated as it looks. With that said, here are a few options your business should consider depending on your copying needs.

Multifunction printers: Digital black and white printers now use modules to combine the functions of copiers, network printers, scanners, fax machines, and even e-mail devices all into a single piece of equipment. MFPs are designed in many shapes and sizes and range from home and small business capabilities to enterprise and commercial use. Naturally the cost, output quality, and other included features will all vary greatly from model to model, but generally they all perform the same functions - Print, Scan, Fax, and Photocopy. In the commercial/enterprise area, most MFPs utilize laser printing technology while in the personal and home environments, Inkjet Printer technology is more widely used. Typically Inkjet printers have struggled with delivering the performance and color saturation demanded by enterprise and large business use but HP has recently launched an enterprise grade MFP using Inkjet technology.

Digital Color Copiers: Color copiers support color printing and work much like a computer scanner connected to a laser printer. The color copier simply scans an original document and transfers the information via laser to a charged image drum. The color toner adheres to the drum while the copier heats the toner and permanently fuses the image onto paper. High-end color copiers will apply all four colors in a single pass while low-end color copiers take four passes of the same image. Low-end color copiers cost less than high-end color copiers, but have slower copying speeds. Color copiers will typically cost 20 or 30% more than black and white copiers of similar speeds and volume ratings. Then there are dedicated graphic color copiers which cost more due to very accurate print-quality color specifications and faster processors which may not be very practical in a corporate environment.

Hybrid Copiers: These are great for small and medium businesses that only need the occasional color printing or copying. Hybrids typically operate in black and white reproduction mode the majority of the time and can switch to color mode when necessary. Much of the expense of color copying comes from the consumables like special color toners, fuser oil and paper. Hybrid copiers allow you to keeps your operating costs down while still giving you the benefits of a color copier.

Lease a Copier: Copier leases are a fantastic way to avoid blowing a large portion of your capital while also evening out the payments. Some businesses also find that their printing demands come with the seasons and only need a high-end copier for relatively short periods of increased workloads. In addition, due to the rapid rates at which technology advances, copier leases often include provisions that allow you trade up to a newer model giving you the ability to upgrade without buying brand new. Other leases allow you to walk away from a machine, increasing your financial flexibility if you can not afford ongoing monthly payments.

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