| The world of document imaging devices is constantly | | | | cartridge and add them all together. |
| changing – new copiers, scanners, printers and | | | | Bundled Software |
| multifunction devices (MFD's) are being released all the | | | | If you're buying a new document imaging device, it's |
| time and it's understandable that many buyers feel | | | | perhaps surprising to hear that its bundled software |
| quite bewildered when it comes to making choices of | | | | can make a real difference to how much of the |
| their own. To guide them through what may seem | | | | machine's performance potential you will actually be |
| something of a minefield, Falcon Document | | | | able to enjoy. Bundled software is particularly important |
| Management have released five easy-to-follow tips, to | | | | when it comes to scanning – the power of the |
| ensure no one is led too far astray. | | | | various applications on offer directly determining how |
| Functionality | | | | much of the document will be visible and usable later |
| First comes functionality. In recent years, the | | | | on in its lifecycle. Briefly, when buying a new document |
| multifunction device/printer (MFD/MFP) has | | | | imaging device, it's not just resolution that you should |
| transformed the way businesses are working. It's a | | | | be concerned with, but the quality of the software |
| very quiet technological revolution, but the MFP is | | | | that's actually powering the machine. In the recent |
| providing companies and organisations the world over | | | | Buyers Laboratory Inc (BLI) ‘Fall Pick' Awards, such |
| with huge improvements to the way they do business | | | | was the importance of bundled software as a |
| - saving space, time, money and energy and also | | | | selection criterion that Canon's imageFORMULA |
| bringing in exciting new capabilities, dramatically | | | | DR9050C was distinguished above all for its |
| enhancing imaging and communications potential. When | | | | ‘excellent software functionality'. If buyers have |
| buying a new document imaging device, buyers should | | | | trouble making a comparison between the various |
| do their homework and know exactly what capabilities | | | | bundles on offer, they should follow Falcon's final piece |
| the machines they're considering have to offer. If it's | | | | of advice and consult a document management |
| not a multifunctional device, perhaps consider one. | | | | specialist. |
| Typically, an MFP will provide photocopying, network | | | | Energy Ratings |
| printing, scanning, faxing, and all usually colour printing | | | | When buying a new copier, printer, scanner or |
| and copying capabilities too. And today, most MFP's will | | | | multifunction printer (MFP), be sure to check a |
| be internet and network ready, so they can be quickly, | | | | product's environmental credentials. Various |
| simply and seamlessly integrated into existing office | | | | organisations, such as Energy Star, based in the US, |
| systems and workflows. And combining all roles into | | | | set out very specific and rigorous criteria, to ensure |
| one, an MFP will save on office space and | | | | only the most energy efficient machines bare its mark. |
| considerably reduce exposure to multiple repair | | | | At any one time, no more than fifty percent of |
| maintenance bills for separate single function devices. | | | | products in any particular appliance market should |
| Calculate the Prospective Cost per Page | | | | have Energy Star accreditation, so buyers can be |
| When buying a new document imaging device with | | | | confident when they see it, both that standards are |
| printing capabilities, i.e. a copier, a multifunction printer | | | | high and continually rising. |
| (MFP/MFD) or a printer, one should always calculate | | | | Consult a Document Management Specialist |
| the prospective cost per page. Making a comparison | | | | A whole industry has grown up around copiers, |
| between machines based on the device price alone, is | | | | scanners and multifunctional devices, offering |
| useful for determining top-line affordability but in the | | | | document management solutions that are cost |
| long run, potentially quite misleading. To take a very | | | | effective and energy efficient. Software packages are |
| familiar example - purchasing an inkjet printer will | | | | available that monitor staff print/copy usage, so it's |
| typically be very much cheaper than buying a laser | | | | possible to determine where in a company, new |
| printer. However, laser printers will usually come with a | | | | resource might be required and whereabouts it could |
| larger ink cartridge which will require much less | | | | be being wasted. Other applications allow for the |
| frequent replacement than the inkjet equivalent, even | | | | configuration of copiers and MFD's to work in the most |
| though the respective cartridges are usually fairly | | | | efficient way possible, so machines aren't misplaced or |
| similarly priced. So, it's always advisable to work out | | | | misused. So before taking the plunge on any new |
| cost per page. You do this by taking the cost of the | | | | devices, it's always advisable to consult a document |
| cartridge and dividing it by the cartridge yield, typically a | | | | management specialist, to get a more informed picture |
| figure in the 1000's. With multiple colour cartridges, you | | | | of all the options. This could save you considerable |
| work out the cost per page per individual colour | | | | time and money. |
