The Six Tenets of the Copier Company (and how you can get a better deal)

Here, unclassified for the first time, is the office machine salesperson’s manifesto. It was obtained using enhanced interrogation on several successful highly-trained multifunction equipment-sales operatives…

Ten Things to Consider When Buying a Multifunction Printer: Article 4

Know How Easy It Is To Connect To An Existing Network 

For most businesses the acquisition and supply/service price for a new multifunction printer is a only small part of the potential cost.   If your new device won’t easily integrate into your existing network you’ll pay IT costs that far outweigh the differences in price between a good machine and the best one!  Attend to features first, then price.   Here are a few tips to help you keep you focused before buying.

A) Will you need to train your staff?  How easy is the device to setup and use?  If you will need training will the seller, when needed, come out and help.  Ask this now, before you buy and find out it isn’t available.

B) How easy is the software driver to install?  The best manufacturers understand that an IT professional might not always be available to install a driver or re-configure software.  Look for easy-to-use software installation wizards that walk users through the networked driver installation.

C) Look for Easy Troubleshooting   Try calling the prospective manufacturer’s or dealers help desk.  If you get lost in the menu system, put on hold forever or reach a technician with little knowledge, you might rethink your purchase.  The best manufacturer’s have pro-actively installed software that see any problem the user might be experiencing and will pop their screen to suggest ways to troubleshoot. 

D) How Easy is it to Upgrade or Replace?  Many devices need firmware upgrades or have accessories that you can add later.  Is this easy to do?  Will the seller do it for you as needed?  Some top manufacturer’s have made it very easy to install more features.  If a tech needs to do it, be sure the seller will help at no cost.

Next topic.  Know How Easy It Is to Use.  Have any questions or comments about this article?   Visit us at DocuSense or post a reply

Previous articles:
1. Know your requirements
2. Know the Total Cost of Ownership
3. Know what third parties have to say

Upcoming articles: 
 
 5. Know how easy it is to use
 6. Know its multitasking abilities
 7. Know its bi-directional communication capabilities
 8. Know the available device management, remote intelligence, and support
 9. Know whether it provides the level of security and confidentiality you need
10. Know what software and solutions are available

Multifunction printers can help you streamline duplicated and cumbersome document processes and electronically organize, edit and archive your paper documents. With an MFP and a simple software application you can turn paper documents into electronic format and send to multiple destinations – email, document repositories, network folders, even remote printers – with a single scan.

Once you’re armed with the knowledge you’ve gathered by asking these questions, you’ll be prepared to make the right decision for your business.

Please contact us with any questions. Docusense 1-800-422-0080

DocuSense Inks Deal with The Philadelphia Inquirer

DocuSense Inks Deal with The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia, PA

DocuSense announced today they’ve signed a 5-year agreement with the Philadelphia Inquirer to provide print managed services for all their locations.

Under the agreement, DocuSense will be updating all of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s office printer equipment and providing a simplified “cost-per-page” billing.  “We are able to cut their office document printing costs and refresh their equipment with newer models at the same time” said Donna Melso, President of DocuSense.  “We’re reducing the variety of devices the Inquirer uses from 20 different types of equipment  to 5 basic models.” 

DocuSense will provide a monthly report showing print/copy volume and cost.  “The Inquirer wanted to get a handle on costs and spending for the equipment in all of their offices”, explained Melso.  “Using cost-per-page, DocuSense will provide this data and, at the same time, shrink dozens of monthly purchase orders and invoices to just one.  That’s Complexity Simplified.”

DocuSense (formerly Laser Supply), celebrating its 20th year, is a Hewlett Packard authorized vendor and Xerox Peak Elite authorized partner.  DocuSense consults with clients to help them understand, manage and reduce their office printing, copying and faxing costs.

For more information, contact DocuSense at 610-719-8700 or visit their website at www.docusense.com

How to do a cost per page calculation

In order to discover your approximate cost per page, you’ll need to know the cost of each supply and its anticipated yield.  The anticipated yield of supplies is usually based on 5% print coverage (5% print coverage is equal to about one page with 20 sentences in 12 point type).  If you typically print more than 5% coverage, your yield for each toner will be less and your supplies cost per page will be higher.  Want to find out how much coverage one of your own documents has?  Go to Free Coverage Calculator to download a 30-day trial version of software that will show you the % coverage for any of your documents.  You can also go to Page Coverage for more information on determining page yields. Don’t forget to add maintenance kits, fusers etc.., divided by their yields.   Generally, the lower the aquisition cost for the device, the higher the cost per page for supplies.  For service, take the cost of a service contract and divide it by the number of anticipated prints/copies for the period of coverage.  Total all of the supplies and service costs per page and you’ll have a total estimated service/supply cost per page. 

Acquisition cost per page is determined by taking the purchase price divided by the number of months of estimated service divided by the estimated pages you will copy/print per month.  Add the acquisition and service/supply cost per page to get total cost per page for the device.  Or, call DocuSense and we’ll help you do the calculation.

DocuSense can help with all your questions. 1-800-422-0080 we supply MFD service and solutions.