For all of our digital innovations, the modern office is still reliant on paper. In fact, as many as 99% of small businesses say that paper-based processes are still integral to their business.
Yet it seems that finding solutions that support efficient, reliable, cost-effective printing is still a challenge for many small businesses. In our 2016 consumer insights survey, 40.95% of small businesses cited IT-related issues as their greatest source of office frustration, and 31.09% (more than any other category) placed printing issues at the top.
When it came to rating printing specifically, paper jams were the leading source of frustration (28.05%), followed by cost of printing (22.66%) and the need for frequent toner replacement (21.53%). It appears that many small businesses want a better printing solution, but aren’t sure which device is suitable for them.
To start, ask yourself what does my business need?
The answer depends on a number of factors ranging from the type of documents you print to the amount of floor space you have available. While every business is different and not all small businesses will have the same printing requirements, it is important for business owners to assess their visual communications strategy.
Understanding how your business can benefit from more intuitive printing capabilities, and investing in the appropriate devices can be a smart business decision, particularly if you rely on the use of complex and detailed visuals.
Here are 5 important topics to consider when choosing the right device for your business.
What do my employees want?
Instead of imposing infrastructure on your organisation, perhaps it’s time to ask your employees about the solutions they would like to see around the office? It’s an important time for Australian businesses to be taking this step with 85% of Australian human resource professionals saying that their biggest priority in 2017 is developing a better experience for their employees.
For many businesses, this means enabling their staff to do their jobs well, with the right tools, efficient processes and training. You may have heard of the ’10 step rule’ SMEs are adopting, when it comes to printing. The basic principle is that organisations place smaller multifunction devices such as the DocuCentre SC2020 closer to individual workgroups.
It’s a de-centralised printing solution that saves staff from walking 10 or more steps to the printer or copier. It may not sound like much, but it will save your company, on average, $50 a month per person in productivity gains. For a small business of 19 people this equates to $11,000 saved every year, not to mention happier, more productive staff.
What are the printing needs of your business?
First impressions count and well-presented, professional documents have the potential to make or break a business opportunity. This is especially true for companies that rely on detailed drawings, large spreadsheets or complex graphs to better communicate with customers, or keep staff up to date on important information affecting the business.
Compromising on print quality and size by relying solely on an A4 size page can result in missing important details and making unnecessary mistakes, which can look unprofessional. Using an A3 page can increase the font size, making data clearer and easier to read and understand.
How you present proposals, new concepts, plans, reports and financial information has a direct impact on the way prospective customers, existing clients, staff, suppliers and other stakeholders experience your business. It can influence their perceptions of your professionalism, attention to detail and level of commitment.
What kind of office space do you have available?
Unfortunately, many people still believe that A3 printers are beyond the realm of affordability for smaller businesses and are too bulky for tight office spaces. With advancements in modern printing technology, this is no longer the case.
The printing game has changed significantly. A3 multifunction devices are now available in compact desktop models that are similar in size to A4 multifunction devices.
If your business needs the functionality of an A3 printer but doesn’t have a lot of office space or a big budget, there are A3 multifunction devices that can fit comfortably on a desktop, making it easier for staff to collect printouts.
How important is colour to your business?
In a previous article, we mentioned that colour printing is one of the most underrated tools in your marketing toolbox. An A3 colour multifunction device that uses high-precision print-head technology such as S-LED (Self-Scanning Light Emitting Diode) gives you access to vibrant colour in-house, reducing your reliance on outsourced colour A3 printing.
Better yet, this kind of advanced print-head technology reduces paper jams, has fewer moving parts than a conventional laser printer, ensuring ultra-quiet operation, reduced energy usage and a high level of operational reliability.
What are the ongoing costs?
As part of a Managed Print Service, which includes regular maintenance, troubleshooting and consumables management, A3 multifunction devices can be available from as little as $1.85 a day.
