There are a few notable documents that come with the purchase of a printer, and one of those will extensively lay out everything you need to know about your machine.
It’s called the Customer Expectation and Installation Guide, and it is a crucial document to look over before delivery and installation day.
What is the CEIG? Why is it important? Do I need to sign and send it back?
These questions will be addressed in this blog, so you’re better informed on what role the CEIG plays in the pre-delivery process.
It should be noted that in the case of this blog, CEIG applies specifically to Xerox machines, which we sell, and may not pertain to other models or brands of printers.
If you own a printer from a non-Xerox brand and are curious about a customer expectation guide, contact your local vendor or support agent with your manufacturer to see if they have something similar to Xerox’s CEIG.
What Is the CEIG?
The CEIG is an extensive document for a certain model or series of models that outlines critical information about your new machine. This includes:
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Installation Planning and Requirements, which specifies space, network and electrical requirements, model dimensions and general settings you need to know about your machine.
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Product Overview, which states key information about the machine, including security and productivity features.
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Product Expectations, which lays out what you should expect in your machine, including its image quality, network connectivity, service and security expectations.
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Maintenance and Support, which provides information on supplies and parts, as well as support services.
The CEIG is provided after the purchase of your new machine by the sales representative you worked with during the sales process.
Along with the Customer Requirements Input Form (CRIF), the CEIG is one of two documents that need to be looked over before installation and delivery.
Here’s an example from the AltaLink B8100 CEIG of some of the information you’ll get from the document:
2 Things to Know About the CEIG
Now that we’ve discussed what the CEIG is, let’s get into the two things you need to know about the guide:
1. Read Over Before Installation
The CEIG is a lengthy document (usually over 30 pages), so it can feel overwhelming to have to read through all of it, especially when the information can be tedious.
But it’s highly recommended to read over the entire document before installation because it spells out key requirements and things you need to consider before delivery.
Let’s get into the sections of the CEIG that deserve careful attention in more detail:
Space Requirements/Service Space Envelope
A key element to the CEIG is that it alerts you to the space requirements of your machine, which is essential to know before installation.
Space requirements, also referred to as space envelope, are the set parameters required to adequately accommodate the machine and ensure that there is enough space to perform basic printer tasks such as changing toner, opening the top of the machine or performing general maintenance tasks.
It should be noted that space requirements are not the same as the machine’s exact dimensions.
It’s imperative that, before delivery day, you look over the space requirements for your new machine and assess whether you have the necessary space to fit the machine. If you don’t, it can result in a prolonged delivery process or even a failed installation.
An example of the space requirements for the AltaLink B8100 Series:
Electrical Requirements
In addition to space requirements, you must ensure you have the electrical capacity to suitably house the machine in your workspace.
Just like the space requirements, the electrical requirements for the machine will be detailed in the CEIG.
If you don’t have the proper electrical outlet to fit the machine, you would need to update your outlet to meet the needs of the machine.
Here’s an example of the electrical requirements for the AltaLink B8100 Series:
Read our blog about printer equipment measurements and space requirements to learn more.
Installation Planning
Another portion in the CEIG that requires specific attention to detail is the “Installation Planning” section, which defines your responsibilities as well as the company from whom you purchased the machine.
Example of AltaLink B8100 Series Installation Planning section:
This will specify the actions you need to take before installation day and reigns as one of the most imperative sections of the document.
To not feel bombarded with the abundance of information in the document, there is a “Table of Contents” section at the beginning that you can reference to get to the most pertinent parts of the CEIG.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Some of the information in the CEIG is technical and can be difficult to understand if you’re not privy to industry lingo.
For instance, the module dimensions of a machine can change depending on the finishing options, if any, you choose to include on your machine.
An example of the dimension's changes with different configurations for the AltaLink B8170:
Say you can’t remember the exact finishers you had included with your purchase and get stuck on the dimensions you need to account for so you can accommodate the machine in your office.
Don’t let that be the impetus to neglecting the planning portion you need to conduct before the delivery day and instead, reach out to the sales representative you dealt with during the sales process.
It’s their job to answer any questions you may have, and because the CEIG includes information you must consider before delivery, such as space and electrical requirements, it’s critical to reach out for help if you get confused about what you need to do before delivery day.
Want to Learn What Delivery Day Will Look Like?
Think of the CEIG as the cheat sheet for your printer; it has the answers you need to know before installation and is worth reading through in its entirety to be as informed as possible on delivery day and throughout the process of your printer ownership.
Failure to adhere to the “Installation Planning” portion of the document, as well as not having the proper space and electrical requirements, could result in a failed installation or an elongated delivery process.
The CEIG is a helpful document full of information about your new machine and, in most cases, has not been a problem for customers.
However, if you have any questions or concerns about the CEIG, reach out to your sales representative and they will promptly assist you.
In the meantime, read our blog on what to expect from the delivery process of your printer to learn how a typical delivery day plays out.
