If you think your printer is just a printer, think again. Today’s advanced multi-function printers (MFPs) are more like powerful computers. They’re intelligent, connected, intuitive and eco-friendly. They incorporate automated workflows, state-of-the-art security and full mobile support.
So are you getting the most out of yours? Or like many small businesses, are you so focused on doing business you’ve overlooked how your MFP can help your bottom line?
Let’s have a look at some of the things you probably didn’t even know your printer could do – saving you time, effort and expense.
1. Go multilingual.
¿Hablas español? Don’t worry – your printer does. It also speaks French, German and 35 other languages. So if you want a quick and easy way to distribute documents to a multilingual audience, simply scan them on your MFP and out comes a translated version.
2. Learn as you work.
Don’t know how to send a fax? Wondering how to print double-sided or collate complex documents? Help is at hand. MFPs now have online support available from the front panel, using the same knowledge base as support professionals use. Automated help videos also guide users through common issues such as replacing consumables or using the document feeder.
3. Simplify support.
If your users can’t find the answers they need in the help screens or videos, assistance is just a click away. With remote support, you can easily take control of the printer wherever it is, resolve problems and configure print jobs. There’s no need to run around.
4. Print from anywhere.
In a mobile world, you’re not always at your desk when you want a hard copy of a document – and you certainly don’t want to make the journey back just to hit ‘print’. The good news is that you don’t need to: next‑generation MFPs are fully cloud and mobile-ready, so you can print from your tablet or phone (Android or iOS) as easily as you would from your computer.
5. Cut costs, stay secure and go green.
Gone are the days when you printed sensitive documents and either hurried to the printer to pick them up before anybody else did, or got side-tracked and forgot to collect them. Modern printers now incorporate secure-print technology, releasing documents only when you swipe a card or enter a PIN. So you reduce waste, stay safe and help the planet.
6. Get more done.
Advanced MFPs don’t just print on regular paper. They can handle a huge variety of media, from gloss paper to heavy stock and even fridge magnets. They can also handle incredible complexity: binding, stitching, Z-folds, variable printing, document assembly and even image enhancement.
7. Do it in color (but only when you need to).
There’s no doubt that color documents are eye-catching – but not everybody needs to print in color. Next‑generation MFPs allow you to set policies and grant permissions, so color is available only when it makes
sound business sense.
8. Stay in control.
Who’s accessing your printer, and what are users printing? Detailed MFP logs will allow you to delve into the data and get a true picture of your print environment. It not only helps you to control access. It’ll also allow you to optimize your print environment by making sure printers are in the right place, balancing usage and distance to printer.
9. Automate workflows.
Today’s advanced MFPs not only allow you to save regular print jobs so they’re easy and repeatable. They also let you set up complex workflows that are push-button simple. So when you scan an invoice, it’s converted from an image to text, routed to your network and the cloud, and sent to whoever needs to see it.
As you can see, multi-function printers are pretty smart. They can do a whole lot more than just print, helping you decrease costs, increase productivity and do more with less.
Be sure to check out our Short, Sweet Print Tips videos to find out how you can use your printer in better, smarter ways.
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