| p>Cost is an important factor for any business or | | | | help to pin point the best position for the photocopier to |
| school evaluating their print strategy. It is often tempting | | | | stand according to the office areas that carry |
| to go with the cheapest option initially, but, to find the | | | | out the most printing. |
| total cost of ownership, possible savings need to be | | | | Speed |
| weighed up against user convenience, speed of | | | | Information about how many pages a printer or |
| printing, versatility and reliability. | | | | photocopier can print per minute is usually readily |
| Cost effectiveness | | | | available and easily comparable. A multifunctional |
| Cost effectiveness is better evaluated in two sections: | | | | photocopier that has replaced several desktop printers |
| initial cost to purchase the equipment and ongoing | | | | will have to have a relatively high print speed to |
| running cost. Undoubtedly a desktop printer will most | | | | compensate for the increased number of users |
| likely be cheaper to purchase initially than a large | | | | printing to a single device. |
| photocopier. However, factors such as life-span, how | | | | Versatility |
| many devices are needed, consumables cost and | | | | The importance of versatility really depends on |
| cost per print need evaluation to find a total running | | | | individual business needs. Photocopiers can achieve a |
| cost. Photocopiers can also be leased, which can | | | | large number of different functions, giving businesses |
| spread their cost over time. It is important to | | | | the opportunity to centralize not only their printing but |
| remember that, just as over using a number of printers | | | | also their scanning, faxing and sending. |
| can be expensive, so too can be under using a | | | | Reliability |
| photocopier. | | | | Depending on their initial price, most desktop printers |
| Convenience | | | | are not built to last more than a couple of years, which |
| Ideally, printers and photocopiers need to be | | | | is partly why most people simply choose to replace |
| conveniently positioned and easily accessible to all | | | | any broken printers rather than having them repaired. |
| users. Clearly a desktop printer within arm's reach is | | | | Most businesses have a photocopier service |
| more convenient than having to collect prints from a | | | | agreement for large devices, meaning that a service |
| photocopier positioned in a central position. However, | | | | engineer can be called out for any problems. Replacing |
| being forced to collect prints from a less conveniently | | | | a printer every time it breaks can cause costs to spiral |
| positioned photocopier could encourage users to think | | | | out of control, especially if the device is over used. |
| more carefully before printing, reducing wasteful prints. | | | | There are several factors to consider when |
| Investigating which devices handle the most printing | | | | deciding whether to centralize printing with one large |
| can help develop an overall print strategy. A print audit | | | | multifunctional device, but evaluating whether or not this |
| will deliver a detailed analysis of the number of prints | | | | is viable is one step towards developing an effective |
| sent to each device. These figures not only show | | | | print strategy and gaining control of print costs. |
| which devices are the most cost effective but also | | | | |
