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Copiers and printers serve as the backbone for so many of our office processes, that oftentimes we take them for granted when we’re going about our day. But the truth is, office equipment technology has changed so much, that it’s worth noting some of the most interesting aspects of these machines.
1. Copiers Have Evolved
From the first commercialized invention by Xerox in 1959 which was just a simple photocopier, to a complete workplace assistant today, copiers have evolved tremendously in the past 60 years. There are now personal copiers for desktops, large copiers for offices, and even production-style machines for print shops.
Not only have copiers themselves changed, but the way that we use them has too. The business climate of today means it’s important to have as many resources available to staff members as possible, and copier technology has risen to the challenge. These days copiers have apps, print management systems, mobile print functions, Wifi adapters, and just about anything else you could need for a full suite of office efficiency.
2. The Quality of Output Has Improved
It used to be that in order to produce a copy, there was a camera that would flash for each impression taken.
Products these days just scan instantly, and produce thousands of impressions, with optimal quality and speed.
3. Color is Now the Standard
The cost to print a color page in the early days of color impressions was so expensive that it would cost almost $1 a page, and many considered it to be an unnecessary luxury.
Now, a color impression costs less than 10 cents a page and has become the customary requirement for most potential customers. Color is so popular, however, it is still more expensive than black and white. Because of that, there are now several different types of software available to track its usage, two examples being Y-Soft SafeQ Print Management Suite and Xerox Color Tracking.
4. The More the Machine Costs Upfront, the Less it Costs to Use it
When a lot of people start looking for a copier or printer, the first place they check is retail giants like Walmart and Best Buy. However, what they don’t know, is that even though these stores might offer cheaper initial costs, they will end up spending significant amounts of money in the long run on things like toner, repairs, and replacements.
Doing business with a local copier vendor and trained document consultant that specializes in office equipment technology will save your company lots of money, because these companies (like ours!) often ship toner automatically to your door when your machine is running low, and include service agreements that will send trained service technicians on-site to fix any problems that may arise.
5. Copiers Still Have Mechanical Moving Parts
As much as we’ve discussed the evolution of copiers and printers, they are still machines with several parts and aspects to them. It’s inevitable that service issues will occur, and especially in offices with multiple users on a single machine. Repairs are customary, and with an experienced service technician, shouldn’t be much of a hassle at all.
Details about the ins and outs of your office equipment technology are always good knowledge to have, and can certainly come in handy when it’s time to replace and repair. We’re always here to assist in any way we can and to educate as much as possible when it comes to optimizing your office equipment technology.
