 Q&A: Elizabeth Olivier
Imaging Solutions Division (ISD) product manager at Lexmark
Q: Multifunctional devices/printers seem to be all the rage these days. Why is this?
A: It’s all about convergence and cost saving. Consumers are looking for devices that can meet various needs as opposed to just one. Why have three separate pieces of office hardware when a single machine can print, copy, scan and fax? The requirement for less hardware definitely has its cost- and space-saving benefits.
Q: What is the next big thing consumers can expect in the home printing environment?
A: Three-second scanning is an exciting new feature in the pipeline as well as more touch-screen features on printers. Some exciting and revolutionary hardware designs are also on their way. As printing technology progresses, more features to support Lexmark’s “Print Less, Save More” strategy will continuously be developed and implemented into new models. Providing consumers with the knowledge and tools to help them manage and lower their printing costs is a key focus for Lexmark’s way forward in the printing industry.
Q: Also making a big splash these days are internet connected devices. What is the benefit of these and why this trend?
A: This adds yet more functionality to the device and again relates back to convergence for consumers. A primary benefit of internet connected devices is the availability of regular solution updates at your fingertips. Lexmark has created a number of SmartSolutions that offer a platform for small businesses to tailor their business process requirements to suit their needs through these solutions. Internet connectivity also acts as a tool providing access to the internet for sourcing any data applicable to the task at hand as well as an avenue for sending and receiving information or documents at the simple touch of a screen. Multifunction devices are no longer the traditional out-put devices we once knew.
From a convenience point of view, users can now even download latest world, weather and sports news alerts to their printer screens at the touch of a button.
Q: We all know the saga of ink/toner being very expensive and costing more than gold in liquid weight. Why is this?
A: In order to ensure the highest quality of ink for consumers, considerable research goes into ink and toner development and testing, which comprises a significant portion of the price of the final product. Cost by weight (or volume) is not the relevant base to consider, i.e. that the same weight or volume of one brand’s ink may not yield the same as another brand. The best comparison to assess is the cost per page, which can easily be determined as the standard yields are indicated on the cartridge packaging. When you compare the total printout with the cost, it offers good value for the price of the technology.
Consumers also perceive printing to be expensive without seeing what can be done to reduce their printing costs and how to go about buying a printer that will suit their unique business or home-use needs as well as their printing budgets. The purchasing of high yield cartridges and shopping around can make a huge difference to a consumer’s total cost of printing.
Q: What are your tips for consumers to save on printing cost at home?
A: There are a number of tips that would facilitate consumers in saving on their printing costs:
- Setting the right print mode – for documents that are not of highest importance, print in ‘draft’ and use the duplex or page-up options wherever possible;
- Preview your prints before you print to ensure they fit correctly onto the pages to avoid having to reprint;
- Don’t make last-minute cartridge purchases - do your homework and identify who your most affordable cartridge suppliers are, and stick with them.
- Keep your printer on Power-Save mode - up to eight percent of power used by your printer can be saved;
- Don’t print unnecessary documents - if you can read it on the screen and/or save it onto your computer, then do so.
- Buy the appropriate device for your needs – print volumes, quality, colour/mono, workload, functionality and running costs should all be considered before buying the most attractively priced unit on display in the store. The MFDs today are really powerful tools that do a lot more than just print. The best printer to buy may not necessarily be the cheapest on promotion on the day – a slightly higher priced printer may give better results and offer a lower cost over the life of the product.
- Check out terms and conditions and look out for the warranty - Lexmark offer good warranties on their products.
Q: Why is it said that ink refills – those with which you fill old cartridges (and are cheaper) – are bad?
A: With ink refills, usually much less research and development has been undertaken, which often results in a lower quality ink being used, therefore compromising both the consumer’s printing results as well as risk of degradation to the printer itself. It could be compared to putting low-quality oil into a car, which is likely to negatively affect the engine’s performance and life-span. Lexmark does not recommend the use of refill cartridges for their printers.
We have had numerous incidents with customers where the refilled cartridge damaged the consumer’s machine and voided the warranty. The quality control process in refilling is far from the manner in which a new cartridge is manufactured. The yield of a refilled cartridge is also not assured and often a consumer may not get the same yield as an original cartridge, therefore not effectively addressing ways to minimise the cost of printing or positively aligning with the Print Less Save More objective.
However, at the end of the day it is the consumer’s call to make. |
