Blog
Are You Using Outdated (and Unsecure) Technology?
Thu May 27, 2021
It’s been a tough year and most of us are using outdated equipment that was thrown at us in the midst of a pandemic—there were enough things to worry about and our technology became very low on that spectrum. If you are using outdated technology though, it is most likely not secure, which means you are putting yourself and your company at risk.
Whether you are working from home or are back in the office, having equipment that is up to date and secure is a must—especially with the increase in cybercrimes. Not to mention, a little upgrade will save you a lot of time and help you to be more productive. Newer equipment means advanced features and functionality!
We get it though...printer shopping is never fun. There are a lot of complex products out there that can make the search long and confusing.
So, if you’re in this boat (or about to be), here are some things you should consider when shopping for new printer technology for yourself or for your employees.
1. How often will you need to print?
In order to choose the right printer, you first need to figure out how much you print. A great way to do this is by figuring out how much paper you buy and how quickly you go through it. If you print more than a few pages per day, then you need to worry about how much a printer is designed to print—so make sure you find a printer that includes “monthly duty cycle” information in its specifications. If you only print a few things per day, this won’t matter as much to you!
You should also decide if you want the ability to print on both sides of the page or not. If so, you will want to look for a duplex printer.
2. Do you want to be able to print in colour?
For many offices that only print business documents, a coloured printer is really not needed. However, if you think you’ll ever want to print your own brochures, advertising materials, etc., having the ability to do this in-house rather than at a print shop can save you a significant amount of money.
If you don’t plan on printing anything in colour though, you can save money by not worrying about colour output functionality and by eliminating the need to maintain colour toner cartridges. If this sounds like you, you’re probably looking for a monochrome laser or LED printer or MFP (multifunction printer).
3. Do you need an “All-in-One” printer?
If you’re looking for something low-cost, plain, and simple (i.e. if you only plan on printing notes and documents), then a single function (print-only) printer is most likely for you. However, all-in-one, multifunction printers can have a lot of benefits! They usually have the ability to:
- Photocopy
- Scan (+ scan to email)
- Fax
- Bind documents together
- Create booklets
All-in-one, multifunction printers are much more popular these days.
4. How much space do you have? Does it need to be easily portable?
Are you planning to jump on the “flex-work” train and need the ability to bring your printer home at times? If that’s the case, you will definitely want to look for a printer that is specifically made for on-the-go use. These printers are smaller and weigh less, making them easier to travel with. These printers tend to be more expensive (due to the convenience factor) but they are also great for people who have smaller workspaces and/or travel for work.
5. Do you print graphics (does output quality matter to you?)
Believe it or not, printers can vary significantly when it comes to output quality. You will want to look at the output quality of photos and graphics versus plain text if you plan on printing graphics and/or photos. This information will be included in the specifications and you can always read the reviews as well.
6. Would you prefer wireless connectivity?
Most printers can connect to your computer via USB but with new technology, now many have wireless capabilities as well. This means that your printer doesn’t need to be right beside you on your desk. It also means that connecting to your printer is quicker and easier.
Better yet—some printers can now connect right to your mobile phone. So, if you want that functionality (who doesn’t!), you should be sure to keep this in mind.
7. Cost Considerations
It’s important to figure out how much money you want to spend on your printer. You will of course want to get a piece of technology that will last, and therefore, be less expensive in the long run. However, you will want to consider the items mentioned above as well because investing in a printer that won’t work for you defeats the purpose of having one. You could also consider using our managed print services to ensure you get the most out of your investment.
We wish you luck on your search! If you want help choosing the right printer for you or your team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to learn more about your needs in order to find the best printer for you.