| All in one printers, also often referred to as | | | | As you are probably well aware, having a dedicated |
| multifunction printers, are so called because they | | | | copier is an expensive business. So being able to |
| incorporate a number of additional features on top of | | | | expand its functionality further to incorporate the printer |
| the obligatory printer function. This includes a fax, | | | | and fax provides an ideal solution for businesses |
| scanner and copier. So how exactly do all these | | | | looking to save space in their office and money from |
| devices manage to converge and work in one single | | | | their budget. A multifunction printer really brings all of |
| device? | | | | these essential characteristics into one neat bundle, |
| Well, the best place to start is with the printer itself. In | | | | without losing any of the quality the individual |
| most instances, this is just a standard laser printer. | | | | component parts offer. |
| These work by transposing a powdered ink onto the | | | | The fax input works in the same way as a standard |
| page guided by laser precision. This is a very quick and | | | | fax, simply by relaying a message between the two |
| effective way of producing prints, avoiding much of | | | | ports via a telephone connection. It is a precursor to |
| the mess, drying time and other associated issues of a | | | | the email, but is still favoured by many businesses, |
| liquid ink - as used in inkjet models. | | | | especially when it comes to signing work off. Again |
| Laser printers are also offer a more cost-effective | | | | the functionality of the fax is largely dependent on the |
| method of printing. Whilst the toner cartridges are | | | | printer itself. Why have a standalone fax machine, only |
| initially more expensive, they last far longer than their | | | | capable of printing out the occasional message, when |
| ink compatriots and as such save you the time and | | | | you can have one integrated within a fully functional all |
| money of replacing them. This is what makes them | | | | in one printer? |
| such a useful foundation for the all in one printer. | | | | All of these components work in harmony, each one |
| Another essential element of a multifunction printer is a | | | | adding something to the core process - printing. As |
| scanner. This is vitally important to many of its | | | | they are all entwined, requiring printer functionality as |
| functions, including the copier. A scanner in itself is a | | | | well as that of the scanner, it is common sense that |
| very useful tool to have in an office, even if it has | | | | they ought to be combined. For this reason all in one |
| become largely outmoded due to the digitalisation of | | | | printers have been increasing in their popularity over |
| most documents and images. That said, you can enjoy | | | | the past few years, not least in busy offices. |
| all of the benefits of having one around - even if it is | | | | It's not hard to see why either. You can save yourself |
| only used occasionally - by getting an all in one printer. | | | | time, money and plenty of space just by bring your |
| The scanner produces an exact digital copy of a | | | | scanner, fax machine, copier and printing requirements |
| physical document, which can then be distributed | | | | into one compact device. Whilst the quality might not |
| however you wish. In a multifunction device, you can | | | | be quite the same as the high level standalone models, |
| combine the scanner with the printer to create a | | | | it's certainly not to be sniffed at either. Most are able to |
| copier function. So rather than creating a digital file of | | | | offer a very high level of quality, certainly in terms of |
| the physical document, you can instead just print an | | | | printing and reproduction of prints, making it is an ideal |
| identikit version straight out of the printer. | | | | device for the modern integrated office. |
