PRINTERS: RELIABILITY IS KEY

With many printers constantly in use throughout the day reliability and performance are key - and OEMs and dealers are responding to this challenge.

W

hile the COVID-19 pandemic changed how many people work, one of the things that didn’t change was the importance of the printed page and, whether employees are at home or in the office, physical paperwork will continue to be a central part of working life.

This means that, with hybrid working the new norm, businesses are investing in infrastructure that allows employees to have a remote workstation that mirrors the quality of technology available in offices, says Andy Johnson, solutions and alliance partner development manager at Brother UK.

“This is shaping demand for smaller devices that users and IT managers can trust as being reliable and cost-effective, in order to make flexible working arrangements headache-free. In response to customer demand for smaller printers, Brother UK will be launching a range of robust, compact and cost-effective devices later this summer.”

Andy adds that the rise of cloud-enabled solutions has also helped facilitate the shift to remote working. “The rollout of cloud native printing under Microsoft Universal Print will make it easier for workers to print remotely while being connected to workplace systems,” he says. “Under a managed print service contract remote devices that are connected to a company network via the cloud can be

Non-original cartridges can end up in landfill

remotely monitored by IT managers, or channel partners, for diagnostics and repair, and to manage supplies.”

Deyon Antoine, product manager for Toshiba Tec UK, agrees that demand for smaller personal printers, or small MFPs for home office use, has increased, along with demand for mobile cloud-printing solutions where customers can walk up to any MFP and release their print jobs from their mobile devices. “Solutions that replicate the MFP’s user-interface are also useful for this – enabling users to do more than just release print jobs as they can scan, copy and change settings using the touchscreen on their mobile devices,” he explains.

Deyon also believes that size is an important factor because space is at a premium in a home office. “Our customers are looking for access to a similar feature set to their main print infrastructure – for

example, scanning into workflows from home – so the performance of home devices, and their integration with officebased systems, has been critical. In addition, customers are also looking for low running costs, as well as easy–to-service devices with user-replaceable parts should anything go wrong.”

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is also increasingly valued by consumers, says Richard Wells, head of business sales at Epson UK. “Recent Epson research showed that 83% believe the environmental credentials of products and services is important,” he says. “Printers with strong eco credentials will be those that appeal the most.

“Epson invented cartridge-free printing for homes in its EcoTank model, providing ultra-high ink yields to minimise the need for buying new ink. This offers consumers the costeffective, reliable, and sustainable print option they are now demanding.”

Sustainability concerns are also leading some consumers to switch away from laser printing, which requires toner. “This is outdated and unsustainable,” Richard says. “Switching from laser printing to heat-free inkjet technology reduces running costs and lowers environmental impact without compromise.

“Heat-free business inkjet printers can help cut energy consumption and costs significantly, consuming up to 83% less energy than an equivalent laser printer - plus, with far fewer replacement and total parts overall than laser, there’s minimal need for intervention with inkjet, and even a lower eco footprint from manufacturing them.”

SECURITY

Security is also an important factor when working away from the office, as Neil Sawyer, channel director UK&I, HP Inc, notes. “Print industry strategic market insight and intelligence provider, Quocirca, found that home workers print equal, if not larger, volumes whilst working remotely - yet without the security infrastructure of the office environment and dedicated IT teams. Home devices can be more susceptible to attacks,” he says.

“It is, therefore, crucial that customers prioritise security when it comes to choosing a print solution. HP+ is a new, cloud-based, printing ecosystem that’s designed for the way we work now. Features include the HP Wolf Essential Security, helping users to stay ahead of hackers and prevent malware attacks.”

INK AND TONER

Homeworkers can also look to cheaper alternatives for ink and toner - but Neil warns against this. “Though off-brand products can be appealing, their quality is unpredictable, and usage can cause performance and reliability issues. It is always advised to use branded cartridges, which meet strict quality standards and benefit from superior performance and results.

“What’s more, non-original cartridges can end up in landfill as they don’t always come with a closed-loop recycling process. Throughout 2020, HP has manufactured over 4.9 billion ink and toner cartridges using 125,000 tonnes of recycled plastic, including empty HP cartridges. This has kept 5 billion plastic bottles, and 916 million original HP cartridges, out of landfills and oceans.”

Michele Mabilia, head of product marketing at Kyocera Document Solutions (UK) Ltd, agrees that off-brand toner does not meet OEM standards. “A recent

comparative performance test carried out by Independent Research Bodies demonstrated that non-original toner cartridges significantly affect reliability and image quality,” he says. “Moreover, on average, third-party toners did not achieve the rated yield/page volumes. In fact, non-original cartridges caused damages to the printer fuses. Kyocera devices come with a no quibble, two-year, warranty; however, any damage caused by third party cartridge may invalidate such warranty, leading to downtime and productivity loss.

“Overall, end-users must be able to assess what their priorities may be. Original parts and cartridges come with peace of mind, reliability and quality, leading to higher employee productivity, time savings and, ultimately, cost savings.”

Home workers print equal, if not larger, volumes whilst working remotely