Every company has thousands of moving parts. The success of the company is wholly reliant on how these moving parts work together and complement one another--so it's important to keep the "machine" well-oiled. For example, employees have to be cooperating, communicating, and collaborating both efficiently and reliably. Information has to flow smoothly from Point A to Point B, and sometimes even from Point A to Point Z. Clients have to be respected and appreciated, not simply tolerated. Of course, these are the big-picture aspects of a company; there are smaller moving parts that are just as important, working behind the scenes to ensure that everything else succeeds--and one example of a small-but-important moving part is the office printer.
Today's Printers
Today's printers don't just sit in the corner and cough on dust or spit out half-inked documents. Modern printers are multipurpose problem-solvers, combining the abilities of fax machines, copiers, scanners, and those old printer ancestors. Of course, while this is good news for the business world, it can be a little bit difficult to decide which combination, which model, and which machine will fit best into your existing workflow. How much power is too much power? Do more functions cause more confusion? Can one device really provide for all of the paper needs of an office, acting as the small moving part that single-handedly supports every other moving part? These questions and more are likely to race through your head when it's time to choose the right multifunction printer.
What to Consider
The vast array of multifunction printer options can be a bit overwhelming. Let our printer experts tell you what to consider when choosing the right device for your company!
- Needs. The first and most important thing to consider is what your office needs. Maybe you have very little need for a scanner; maybe you'd prefer more printing options than faxing options; maybe you need more specialized features. Every company is unique, and a multifunction printer should be able to live up to and support that uniqueness every step of the way.
- Costs. The next big consideration is cost--and unfortunately, it's not as easy as just looking at the price tag and making some simple estimations for the future. The cost of ownership of a multifunction printer varies greatly depending on what options you choose, how often you use the printer, and which features you use more than others. Be sure to take everything into consideration when comparing prices, including maintenance, updates, repairs, and the price of consumables like ink or paper.
- Compatibility. When you hear "compatibility" in the tech world, the first idea that jumps to mind is the ability of one device to communicate with others. However, what about communicating with employees and clients? The multifunction printer you choose has to be compatible with you--it must fit into your workflow, provide smooth and easy-to-use features, and improve rather than impede progress and efficiency.
Need advice from Maryland printer experts? Looking for the right multifunction printer for your company? Contact us today!