| Whether you are looking for a low-cost but reliable | | | | Other benefits of combining print and copy functions |
| photocopier for a home office, a networked copier for | | | | It is well proven that printers are comparatively more |
| an office workgroup, or a heavy-duty full colour | | | | expensive and variable in their cost to run for the |
| photocopier for a print-hungry corporate group | | | | same given volume of print than the photocopier. Print |
| environment, black-only photocopiers black and colour | | | | volumes have been increasing exponentially for a few |
| photocopiers, the choices these days are huge. | | | | years now, but copier volumes have remained flat if |
| Digital technology | | | | not slightly diminishing. |
| If it is a few years since you last took the plunge to | | | | And often, of course, the acquisition of several printers |
| replace an ageing machine, you might be in for a big | | | | from several companies over time can mean |
| surprise at the substantial improvements in design and | | | | piecemeal maintenance and service support. The digital |
| features now available to you. | | | | photocopier on the other hand can be at least four to |
| The most obvious and important advances have been | | | | ten times cheaper to run with a fixed, fully inclusive |
| due to the introduction of digital technology. Digital | | | | cost per page. |
| copiers work by scanning the original document to be | | | | Where to start your research? |
| copied and creating a digital image. This digital image is | | | | If you decide that you want these advanced |
| then used to create all the resulting copies. | | | | capabilities, it pays to shop around, of course. And |
| Essentially, this "scan once, print many" technology | | | | these days, most office equipment suppliers use ever |
| means that digital copiers do a great job of | | | | more sophisticated search mechanisms to help in your |
| photocopying graphics and photos as well as creating | | | | choice. UK-based Officemagic, for example, has its |
| far less wear and tear on parts and equipment. Old | | | | Office Wizard which enables users to specify exactly |
| hands will know that that the technology has been | | | | the type of machine they want in a simple 3-step |
| around for several years, but if you are a newcomer, | | | | process, which yields a selection of systems from a |
| you should not feel that this is a an unproven | | | | large database of possibilities. Many price comparison |
| new-fangled technology - far from it! | | | | websites also exist, including Kelkoo and Pricegrabber, |
| Which photocopier is right for you? | | | | where comparisons between manufacturers are |
| These days, because digital technology means even | | | | made simple. |
| an entry-level copier is capable of operating as a | | | | Copiers are priced, generally speaking on the copy |
| printer when hooked up to a PC or network, it pays to | | | | speed and range of features. Business grade copiers |
| consider ease of use and convenience for your | | | | typically cost from around £350 for a basic, low |
| particular office environment. | | | | volume photocopier model, and several 000's for a |
| One huge advantage of a digital copier is that it can be | | | | high-end solution, which can include double-sided |
| linked to a standalone PC, or more usually, added to | | | | printing, sorting, collating and bookbinding facilities. And in |
| your office computer network. Your photocopier then | | | | terms of total ownership costs, the overall acquisition |
| becomes a high-speed printer, which can be upgraded | | | | and running costs of a higher-specification machine |
| to produce sorted and/or stapled sets of prints without | | | | means that the cost per-copy cost is reduced, and so |
| having to get up from your desk. Not only that, but with | | | | the economies of scale attached to higher volume |
| the right additional components, your photocopiers can | | | | copiers can pay off handsomely in the long run. |
| also act as a fax and high-speed scanner, too. | | | | |
