| Photocopiers are necessary in most office | | | | keep your machine running. For those who have |
| environments, but the costs can tax even the biggest | | | | experienced the frustration of a copier meltdown, you |
| businesses. | | | | know how important a maintenance contract is. |
| Consider the basics of what most businesses need in | | | | Costs for both the lease and the maintenance |
| a copier and you'll see why: networked to provide | | | | contract are generally fixed, meaning you know your |
| printing and copying functions; options to copy in color; | | | | monthly budget well in advance. |
| collating; double-sided copying. Some need even more | | | | With leasing, upgrading to the next model is easy. |
| functionality, including high-speeds, high-capacity and | | | | When the lease expires, you get a whole new |
| volume, e-mail and scanning, fast warm-up times, and | | | | machine with the latest specs and functions. |
| security features. | | | | What You Need To Know About Copier Leasing |
| A high-end copier can cost in excess of $40,000, and | | | | Many copier leases charge on a volume basis. Be sure |
| even one that meets an organization's most basic | | | | you have an accurate idea of the volumes you |
| needs can run into the thousands of dollars. Because | | | | produce each month to know for certain whether |
| of the need for the best technology at an affordable | | | | leasing is the most cost-effective option for you. You |
| cost, many businesses consider leasing over buying. | | | | may want to ask your vendor about a minimum copy |
| Benefits of Copier Leasing for Your Business | | | | requirement too - if they are charging on volume, they |
| Costs are the most tangible benefit recognized by | | | | may require a base number of copies each month. |
| businesses. Copier leasing allows you to avoid large | | | | Although maintenance is often included in the lease, |
| capital expenditures, which frees up cash for more | | | | toner typically is not. Toner cartridges are expensive |
| pressing needs. | | | | so be sure to include an estimated cost for |
| With IT assets, you are really buying the use of the | | | | replacements in your budget. Again, a clear idea of the |
| machine. Ownership of the machine itself is secondary | | | | number of copies you generate per month will help |
| in importance, especially when you consider how | | | | with forecasting. |
| quickly IT equipment depreciates. In the case of a | | | | Parts may not always be included in the maintenance |
| copier or copier/printer combination, the return on | | | | agreement. You need to know what is and is not |
| investment comes from its output, not the hardware | | | | covered. Also ask the leasing company about |
| itself. When you look at it that way, leasing often | | | | emergency repairs - are they provided, at what cost, |
| makes more sense than buying. | | | | and when? If you need someone at 7:00 at night, will |
| As with any leased IT asset, there may be significant | | | | they be available? |
| tax savings available. Speak to an accountant to learn | | | | Lastly, ensure you can get a replacement copier if |
| more about the possibility of writing off a copier lease | | | | yours goes down. You don't want to be left without a |
| as a business expense. | | | | copier for any length of time. |
| Copier leasing typically includes a maintenance plan to | | | | |
