Here are 5 additional copier features to save you time and money in your business.

Here are 5 additional copier features to save you time and money in your business.

(Submitted by Wayne Parrish) This week’s blog is going to focus on the (5) additional copier features that will help you to save time and money in your business. Those features are:
  1. Multi-crop (also referred to as “Receipt Scanning”)
  2. Secure Print Release
  3. Simultaneous Copy and Scan
  4. Pull out Keyboard
  5. Mobile Printing
  1. Multi-crop
  2. Sometimes referred to as “Receipt Scanning,” multi-crop is a valuable feature for anyone who scans a large number of checks, receipts, or even identification cards, such as driver’s licenses or social security cards. By selecting this feature, a user can place all the items on the glass at the same time—leaving approximately a half an inch of space around each of the items—press the scan button, and the multifunction device will proceed to scan all the items currently on the glass with one pass and then save the scan of each item as separate PDF files. These PDF files can then be emailed directly from the MFD to the user’s own email or to another email, the company’s accounting email, for example.
  1. Secure Print Release
  2. Sharp’s new Advanced series machines have a built-in feature called “Sharp Serverless Print Release” that comes standard without the need for additional software or special drivers. If your copier doesn’t include a similar feature, then a third-party software, such as PaperCut, can be used to achieve the same functionality.
  3. Sometimes referred to as “Follow Me” or “Find Me” printing, the secure print release functionality allows a user to print a file from their laptop or other device which gets stored onto one main hub copier device that is connected, via the customer’s network, to up to 5 other copier devices. This means the user has the option to print, not only from the main hub copier, but from any of the subsequent connected devices. This proves especially helpful if the user wants to print from their office on one floor to a device located on a different floor or even to a completely different building, either locally or across the nation, wherever the network has a connected device!
  4. Another aspect of secure printing comes from the use of third-party software like Cloud Connect in conjunction with applications such as SharePoint online, OneDrive for Business, Box, and Dropbox. These solutions allow users to perform functions like sending print jobs from their laptop or device to a folder on their Dropbox, then going to the multifunction device to securely access that folder and print on the spot from the machine. In this way, sensitive or confidential print jobs can be sent by users whenever it is convenient, then printed on-demand, all while ensuring that these priority documents are not left on the copier for accidental viewing by unauthorized users.
  1. Simultaneous Copy and Scan
  2. In today’s digital world, being able to copy and scan a document at the same time is a highly desired feature which can, in some cases, dramatically enhance your daily workflow by reducing the amount of time required to complete complex copy and scan jobs.
  1. Pull out keyboard
  2. A built-in retractable keyboard on the MFP touchscreen is a standard feature on Sharp multifunction devices that greatly simplifies the process of email address and subject line entries, especially on repeated scanning tasks. This feature also speeds up entering information for user authentications.
  1. Mobile Printing
  2. Available on both Apple and Android devices, the mobile printing functionality makes it easier than ever to wirelessly print to your MFP from your smartphone. Sometimes referred to as “wireless printing,” you can use this feature so long as your phone and multifunction device are operating on the same network.
Want to learn even more about Sharp MFD features? We would be happy to assist you! Contact us to schedule a personalized demo with a member of our sales team.
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How much could it cost to upgrade to a color copier?

How much could it cost to upgrade to a color copier?

(Submitted by Wayne Parrish) In today’s world, 75% of all multi-function printers (MFPs) are color devices. When trying to decide whether to upgrade from your current black-and-white device to a color device, here are some items you may want to consider:
  1. First off, determine if having color is more of a want or an actual need. For example, if you are trying to promote your company in the marketplace and want to create some “WOW” factor, then printing your marketing materials—brochures, flyers, etc.—in full color can go a long way in making a lasting impression on potential customers.
  2. Also, ask yourself if you currently own or lease desktop color devices that you yourself are having to purchase supplies for, such as toner or parts? If the answer is yes, then you may be surprised to find that over time these devices can become quite costly for you to operate. In these cases, it may make sense for you to upgrade your device to a larger color MFP. Upgrading may allow you to have more control over your overall operating costs as well as having the added benefit of providing you with a device that has increased functionality and produces higher quality printed materials.
  3. Another factor to consider is the paper type that you are using to print your color documents on. The paper weight and texture will greatly affect the end result of your color prints. For example, normal copy paper weight (or thickness) is 20 lbs. per sheet and tends to have a less smooth finish or texture to the touch than higher quality papers. With a thinner paper like this, the ink tends to soak in unevenly and can create a blotchy appearance to your color print. However, with heavier weight papers that have a smoother finish, the ink will sit on top of the paper instead of soaking in, producing a crisper, more vivid print. Therefore, if you need the color on your prints to be the best that it can be, then printing on higher quality or heavier stock paper will help you to achieve this goal. Just remember that the additional cost of higher quality paper will have to be factored into the overall cost of the print project.
Some final facts to leave you with:
  • Typically, in today’s market, upgrading to a color MFP may only increase the lease or purchase cost between 10-30%, depending on the system options, incentives, and size of the product.
  • With some service contracts, the cost to print color pages is typically between $.03 – $.08 extra per page versus black-and-white prints.
  • Furthermore, costs can be better controlled with service contracts versus purchasing supplies on your own. Under a service contract the cost per page to print in color remains constant no matter how much ink you run on a single page. For instance, the cost to print a page that has only a color banner across the top is the same as it would be to print a page edge-to-edge with full color. The same is not true if you are purchasing supplies on your own because, of course, if you use more ink, then you will therefore have to replace the toner sooner due to the increased ink usage, resulting in higher print costs overall.

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