Today, technology is known for its ability to multitask: it seems like any gadget, device, and machine is capable of doing a little bit of everything. Cell phones text, call, surf the web, play games, and take notes. Computers do everything we can imagine, and then some. Even everyday office equipment has joined the “multitasking revolution,” and now networked copiers and multifunction printers are vying for work to do when it comes to a company’s paper needs. It can be too easy to get caught up in this multitasking revolution. While multitasking office equipment may seem similar, there are actually some specific differences that may make one better than the other for your needs.

Printer or Copier?

Multifunction printers are a relatively innovation, but they’ve certainly taken the business world by storm. Multifunction printers offer printing, copying, faxing, and scanning capabilities in any combination you need, and they’re good for managing workflow and minimizing wasted time, too. But recently, copiers too have gotten the multitask treatment, and many networked copy machines also offer a variety of print, scan, and fax capabilities. Although the goal was to create more options for consumers, it’s an unfortunate truth that confusion, too, was created in the shuffle. How do you know if it’s a networked copy machine or a multifunction printer that you need?

What to Consider

While it can be difficult to decide which multitasking device to add to your office, there are some things to consider that will make the decision easier. Here’s a quick look!

  • Goals. The first thing you need to know doesn’t have anything to do with copiers or printers–your first job is to know your company. What are your goals? What are your values? What is going well, and what isn’t? Knowing your workflow is key to knowing what kind of office equipment you need.
  • Functions. The next thing to identify is the functions offered by each device. Networked copiers work by connecting up to office computers and printing, scanning, faxing, and copying depending on the computer user’s needs. Multifunction printers are much the same–but they have more features that require walking up to the device, and the focus is less on the network and more on the functions.
  • Features. The real differences between networked copiers and multifunction printers can be found in their features. Networked copiers work well under pressure; they can be used for high volumes of production, they generally offer document finishing features, and the price tag is high but the cost of supply and ownership is low. Multifunction printers work a bit slower, but they’re more reliable when used infrequently than copy-based machines used under the same circumstances. The bulk of their price is not in purchase cost, but in supply and maintenance.

Interested in a multifunction printer or network-based copier? Looking for San Diego Corporate Office Equipment? Contact us today!