When it comes to office equipment, multifunction printers are ubiquitous in today’s office environment. Yet, desktop printers are not entirely obsolete. You can still find them in offices worldwide, which made us wonder why so many people are still using them. Can MFPs stand alone or do some professionals still prefer a desktop printer? Let’s take a look.
Comprehensive, Not Complex
Your print fleet is likely comprised of multiple devices. Since there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, it makes sense that you still have a combination of printers, copiers, and MFPs handling the workload. And that is fine, as long as it works for your business. Your print program is sophisticated and robust, but it should not be complicated and burdensome. If you have too many devices costing you a lot of money, it is time to reassess.
Cost Considerations
When it comes to cost concerns, desktop printers win out—they are more compact, less expensive, and less costly to maintain. However, unless you manage a small-to-mid-sized business with a low print volume, you could still be wasting money since, in the long run, MFPs generally have a lower cost per page (CPP) than desktop printers.
Space Considerations
A centrally placed MFP can serve multiple employees versus a desktop printer that is typically only for one or two people. Needing numerous printers to serve one department or group gets convoluted and expensive.
When it comes to managing office equipment, save space with a multifunction device and provide desktop printers for select employees only, such as executives. High-level management may feel more comfortable with a private printer since they are most likely printing and scanning high-security documents.
Security Concerns
When it comes to keeping documents from prying eyes, a personal desktop printer might help, but it won’t protect your data from outside security hacks. To ensure the safety of your intellectual property, it is vital that all print devices on your network are secured. Regardless of which office equipment employees print on, be sure to implement security measures, such as “pull” printing, password protection, and individual access codes.
Before you decide to toss your desktop printers and make everyone print on multifunction printers, contact us for a print assessment to see how your print program is currently functioning and identify areas for improvement.
