When good printers go bad
February 21, 2018
A new blog offers recommendations as to when you will know your printer is in need of replacement.
Bytes Document Solutions, a South African document management technology and services company, has published a new blog which aims to make readers aware of when it’s time to replace your printer. Most businesses, it argues, don’t give their printers much thought until there’s a problem, but they should be able to recognise the danger in advance.
The blog offers seven key clues to knowing when the end is nigh, with the first being simply that “your print costs are higher than they should be.” Older printers which don’t meet your needs adequately can increase your printing costs, it argues, “even if your organisation is small.” Secondly, a lack of built-in security features is also a sign that your printer is past its sell-by-date. Bytes cites a 2017 report that showed 43 percent of cyberattacks were on small businesses, with printer vulnerability a key factor. It argues that if your printer doesn’t have built-in features such as authentication, print encryption, and password protected scanning as standard, it may well be time to reinvest.
Other tell-tale signs, the blog asserts, include the fact that your printer doesn’t boast the capability “to help you streamline your document workflows, and improve productivity,” as well as it not being mobile or cloud ready; “for a productive, efficient office,” Bytes recommend, “your team needs to be able to connect and print from any device, anywhere, and at any time.”
Similarly, although acknowledging that this is not a concern for every business, the blog states that the need to translate documents can become a major concern if you are relying on a printer with a quick and easy translation service.
“Growth is the watchword for nearly every SMB,” the blog continues. “If you’re among them, you’ll want an MFP that can grow with you.” If your printer hasn’t, and doesn’t come with the additional features, tools, and solutions your business requires, you will need to reconsider your printer so you can “ensure your MFP will not only move with you into the future, bur also keep up with your employees in the field.”
Finally, if you’re making too many calls to service or IT, it is a surefire sign that your printer’s days are numbered. The blog offers the statistic that an average 40-60 percent of helpdesk calls concern print, and recommends a printer with built-in help tools, searchable help on the front panel, and video tutorials.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Blogs Bytes Document Solutions Office Technology Printers South Africa
