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So far Peter Paul has created 262 blog entries.

Unnecessary Print Costs? Here’s How to Fix It

Items that affect a majority of budgets are things that go unnoticed. Either because they are small spending habits or your office is unaware of their actual cost. To zero in on expenses that are cutting into your budget, examine your printing environment.

Creating a Print Policy

A print policy is a document that lays out the do’s and don’ts of printing for your office. This might include when to print in color or how to maximize on duplex printing. A print procedure will lay out printing policies for your employees. With a system in place, you can hold your team accountable for adhering to the guidelines, and in turn cutting printing costs. To create your instructions, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Who is printing what?: Some departments are dependent on printing documents while others print rarely. Instead of putting a cap on your entire company, assess individual groups and vary their guidelines by need.
  • What access limits should exist?: Not every department needs to print in color. By grouping teams based on what type of printing they can access you will cut costs.
  • How is maintenance handled?: When you create a print policy, you have the opportunity to put everyone on the same page. Involving your copier dealer can be beneficial as they have experience with the brand you purchased.
  • What will your communication strategy be?: Involving your office with updates and security tips is an efficient way to keep service costs on your printer to a minimum.

Implementing New Strategies

Once you have a print policy that you are ready to share, follow through for company-wide understanding. It’s easy to distribute a document that no one reads. Check in with team members to see how the new policies are affecting them both positively and negatively. Your print policy can be a living document that changes as […]

2024-04-08T14:58:58+00:00Tags: |

How to Scan Like a Pro

Multifunction copiers present us with a million ways to improve business practices, but if we never utilize them, they will sit idle. One such feature is the scanner. With quality scanning, your business can accelerate its efforts.

Document Capture Vs. Data Capture

When we think about scanning, we tend to have one process in mind. The machine takes a piece of paper and makes a copy. This is true in the case of document capture where the entire document is replicated and can be in the form of a PDF, JPEG, or text editing format. The other type of capture is for data. Data capture takes only information in certain areas of the document. For example, if you have an invoice with a name and credit card information it will just capture the data, not the image of the entire document.

Simple Steps for Quality Scans

Before using a multifunction copier to scan a document follow these easy steps.

  1. Prep your document: To guarantee a quality scan, remove staples, paper clips, and unneeded post-it notes.
  2. Capture the document: Depending on the features of your multifunction copier you can capture materials in various ways. Most likely you will use your scanner, but you can also use a camera phone.
  3. Forms processing: This is when you will differentiate between document or data capture.
  4. Enhancement: If you need to clean up any part of your image you can crop, rotate, or other features depending on your multifunction copier.
  5. Index: Indexing a document ensures that you will be able to find it again. Try utilizing document type, customer name, or information on a barcode.

Maximizing Benefits

Once you have scanned a document into your database and indexed it correctly, other team members should be able to easily find and view the document. Taking full advantage of the scanning feature on your multifunction […]

2024-04-03T10:14:21+00:00

Facts About Managed Print You Need to Know

Managed print is a service that examines your current printing practices and helps implement new strategies to run an efficient and less expensive printing fleet. Here are four facts about managed print you need to know.

You Will Spend Less

With the help of managed print, you will discover money you didn’t even know you were spending. The goal of the service is to pinpoint the areas where unnecessary spending is occurring. This could be in the shape of maintenance on old machines, or departments are printing in color excessively. This process, in turn, will also reduce inefficiencies.

Time Will Be Spent Efficiently

Managed print services let an outside source handle behind the scenes tasks. This frees up your staff to focus on business critical priorities. No longer will you have to concentrate efforts on when and how much paper or ink to order to keep operations running. You also won’t have to think about maintaining machines that are out of date, because managed print runs an analysis of your printing fleet as their first phase.

Your IT Systems Will Be Protected

As part of the initial printing fleet analysis, your managed print service will alert you to any holes in your security system. If you have industry compliance’s to meet, they will update systems and put policies into place. Also, if you’d like to secure sensitive information, they can recommend advanced security measures.

Your Office Will Improve Sustainability

An extended benefit of managed print is the reduced waste that follows. When you enact new policies and restrictions, you minimize the amount of unnecessary printing. You’ll also become more sustainable in your energy consumption. Old and outdated printing equipment uses a lot of energy that is wasteful.

Managed print is a service that will all around benefit your business. You will save money in areas you didn’t expect while increasing […]

2024-04-03T10:12:50+00:00

How to Recycle Your Printer In 3 Easy Steps

Protecting your printer and the data that travels through it is a leading priority. While in use, you are proactive about keeping software up to date and changing passwords regularly. Now that it’s time to get a new printer do you know how to keep your files on the printer hard drive confidential? For companies operating in the public health industry or those taking care of personal financial records, privacy is a significant concern. Read on to learn how to protect your files when you recycle your old printer.

1. Always Install Encryption Software

Encryption is when you write over your files, so they are unreadable should a hacker get ahold of them. If you haven’t been using this software, previously it’s your best defense against malware and should be implemented in your systems immediately. If you’re recycling your printer, why do you need to encrypt your information now? You’ll want to encrypt it now in case you decide to move any of these files to the cloud or another hard drive. This ensures that they are uncompromised in the transfer.

2. Wipe the Hard Drive

The next step in recycling your printer is to make sure you wipe the hard drive completely. When you delete a file, the hard drive merely marks the record as deleted, but until you overwrite the disk, it still exists in some form. A disk-wiping tool will over-write everything on your drive and make it unreadable. Once you have overwritten your data, you can pass the printer on to a new owner.

3. Know Your Hard Drive’s Final Destination

If you are returning your printer to a copier dealer at the end of your lease, ask whether your hard drive will be destroyed or not. While not necessary for every situation, deconstructing the hard drive ensures no data will be leaked. If you […]

2024-04-08T12:09:14+00:00Tags: |

The Practical Guide to Leasing a Copier

Whether it fits your budget or you’ve decided you want a lease that includes service, you’ve decided to lease a copier over buying. Now that you’ve made the decision to lease, you need to make sure you get the best possible contract. Here is a practical guide to leasing a copier.

Understand What’s Included

Different copier dealers will present leases that vary in what they provide. Your responsibility in choosing who to lease from is to decide what offer is the most cost-effective for your business. The first feature to look at is your cost per copy. You’ll contract for a certain number of pages at a specific price point per page. Your needs are determined by how much you print, and the amount that you need to print in color. Next, you’ll want to look at your service agreement. Does the copier dealer include service in your leasing agreement and is it limited? Does the copier dealer have a backup machine available if they need to remover your printer? These are all items to look for in your contract.

Ask the Right Questions

Once you feel confident that your contract meets your minimum requirements, you can begin to look at price and security details. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Are you able to print on alternative paper sizes?: If you frequently use different paper sizes, you don’t want to be stuck with a bill that charges for different sizes.
  • Is the cost of shipping supplies to your location included?: This will make a difference in your budget creation.
  • What happens to your hard drive after the lease expires?: Ask if they include the destruction of the hard drive or return it to you.

Leasing a copier includes a lot of decisions. If you know what questions to ask and how you want your contract crafted, you […]

2024-04-08T14:55:56+00:00Tags: |

4 Questions to Ask Yourself When Buying a Multifunction Copier

A multifunction copier brings to mind a particular image and definition of what the machine can do. You might be surprised then, that multifunction copiers can have different sets of features. Some are better suited for larger companies while others benefit smaller businesses. Take a look at the following questions to figure out what your perfect multifunction copier would look like.

1. What type of printing do I do?

There are many reasons to buy a multifunction copier, mainly the fact that one machine can fulfill multiple office needs. The most used function will most likely be the printing part of the device, so it’s important to ask yourself what kind of printing you are most likely to do. Specifics to look at are speed and output quantity. If you are printing a minimal amount, then you can see machines on a lower budget. If you print frequently and need it quickly, it will be worth investing in a high-tech device.

2. What are automatic features and why do I need them?

This question fits in with the previous one. If you are printing a high output at a quick pace, an automatic document feeder is necessary and is not included on all machines. For your multifunction copier to benefit your business, you’ll want a model that grabs sheets automatically. This feature is also beneficial for duplex printing, so you don’t have to re-feed the paper to get a print on both sides.

3. How will I want to connect to my multifunction copier?

The three main modes of connection to a multifunction copier are a standard USB connector, Ethernet, or wireless capability. If you work in a large office building, wi-fi connectivity can be beneficial for people who are located a distance from the machine. For those in a small space working on laptops using a USB connector […]

2024-04-03T10:03:53+00:00

10 Values Every Managed Print Provider Should Deliver

Choosing a managed print provider should take some consideration. Here are ten values you should look for.

Performance Metrics

1. Assessment: An analysis of your current printing practices is key to implementing new print structures that will have positive changes.

2. Transition Management: Changing the way your business handles printing will not happen overnight. A successful managed print provider knows how to transition your team the right direction.

3. Infrastructure: A managed print provider that has a solid IT and problem-solving infrastructure already in place will be most beneficial.

4. Business Intelligence: Tracking, measuring, and reporting data should be transparent and readily accessible.

5. Reduced Printing: A prominent and vital metric to judge a managed print provider off, is the amount of printing you can limit. Improved printing infrastructure will help cut out unnecessary printing.

6. Balanced employee-to-device ratios: An analysis of your printing fleet will tell you if you have too many printers and which ones aren’t working efficiently.

7. Machine Performance: A managed print provider will keep tabs on your machine and prevent downtime from overtaking the whole day.

8. De-Stress Your IT Department: By removing the maintenance of your printing fleet from your IT Department’s to-do list, you open their schedule up to working on business-critical tasks.

9. Cost Savings: Your goal upon working with a managed print provider is to reduce your printing costs. You want to make sure this metric is met.

10. Increased Compliance and Security: Your managed print provider should be aware of your industry compliance guidelines and have suggestions for increasing data security.

This is a great list to start with when you are deciding to work with a managed print provider. A well-rounded service will reduce costs, increase security, and indicated that the company is confident in their ability to deliver superior service.

To learn more about working with a managed print provider, call us today! […]

2024-04-03T10:01:50+00:00

5 Hidden Costs of Printing

Your printer incurs daily use and obviously takes energy and products to use. While you know that some expense must be made, it’s hidden costs that are an issue. Here are five to look for.

1. Consumables

Having to pay for paper and ink isn’t a hidden cost, but there are ways they can sneak up on you. If the ordering of consumables isn’t managed correctly, you can end up spending a lot more money than you wanted. Make sure everyone in the office is on the same page about when to order and who will place it, so you don’t end up with a closet full of extras.

2. Hardware

When you purchase a printer, the initial cost is upfront and visible, but it’s how much expenses pile up in the long run that can be hidden. Before you automatically choose a printer because it’s cheaper, remember that the cheaper the printer, the higher the operating cost.

3. Lost Productivity

Downtime means lack of productivity, lack of productivity means minimized profits. If you are wrestling with a printer that continually requires service calls your probably losing more money than you think.

4. Unnecessary Use

If your office does not have printing policies in place, it’s time to consider implementing them. Without guidelines, printers can be abused for personal use or inefficiently. If people are printing emails in color, it’s time to set some rules.

5. Maintenance

When there is an issue with the printer who do you call? If you said your IT department, then you’re not alone. Your IT team can repair and service a printer but then they are not focussing on the tasks on their list, therefore costing you.

Your printer can run more efficiently if you are aware of hidden costs. If you have more questions about strengthening your printing fleet, call us today! […]

2024-04-08T12:07:26+00:00Tags: |

All You Need to Know About Buying a New Copier

If you are spending more time servicing your copier than actually using it, it’s time to get a new one. Downtime results in a loss of productivity and thus a loss of revenue. Here’s all you need to know about buying new office copiers.

Ask These Questions

What is my volume and usage?

What is my budget?

Is color mandatory?

Asking these question will give you a good jumping off point. First, by questioning how much you will be using a new copier, you can determine what output it needs to be able to produce. You don’t want to be stuck with a device that breaks down from overuse. Second, copiers come in a wide variety of prices ranges. If you don’t need all the features of an expensive machine, then you can reduce the pool of available devices. Lastly, keep in mind that not every copier has color capabilities. If color is necessary for your marketing advertisements, it will be a feature that is required and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Working with a Dealer

Choosing a copier can be overwhelming, but that’s why experts at copier dealers are there to help you through the process. Instead of trying to comb through the features on your own, a dedicated employee can help you talk through what you are looking for. Copier dealers also have experience with businesses from every industry and may bring some ideas to light that you hadn’t thought of. Don’t be worried about working with a copier dealer because you think they will push you to buy a more expensive brand. They understand they are creating a relationship with you and will want to make it a positive experience.

Being prepared with a list of needed features makes buying a copier so much easier. Working with a copier dealer also ensures that you will walk away with the right machine for […]

A Guide to Office Machine Maintenance

Your office runs off multiple machines that make your work possible. It makes sense then that you would want them to last as long as possible. Taking care of your devices will ensure they produce needed output without downtime.

1. Multifunction Copiers and Printers

Office machines like multifunction copiers and printers are used a lot. For this reason, they are susceptible to paper jams and worn out parts. Maintaining these devices can help prevent frustrating issues that cause downtime. Testing motors, updating software, and performing routine device cleaning are all necessary steps. Wipe down your multifunction copiers and printers to remove dust and schedule monthly tests for any arising issues.

2. Computers

In today’s technologically driven world, our computers are the source of a majority of our work output. To make sure your computer is always working correctly, adhere to these maintenance guidelines. First, keep ad blockers and other security software updated. Second, keep the machine free of dust that can cause hiccups in the use of the keyboard.

3. Office Projectors

An office projector is not used quite as often as other office machines which means it might be forgotten and thus fall victim to abandonment. To take care of an office projector keep it clean so that images are clear and readable. You can include office projectors in your office supply ordering schedule so you can check if you need a new lightbulb.

4. Paper Shredders

Paper shredders are essential to keeping data secure. Letting your shredder run down can lead to additional security problems. To maintain the paper shredder, apply oil to the metal to prevent the paper from stalling in the shredder.

The best way to keep your office machines running well is to set up a schedule that allows for regular maintenance. Keeping multifunction copiers and other devices clean will ensure their longevity is maximized. To […]

2024-04-03T09:55:49+00:00
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