The COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the world for forever. It has left its mark in all sectors and introduced some changes. One of the most significant changes is the work-from-home concept.
Undoubtedly, it is one of the most convenient work arrangements for employees and employers. Employees do not have to travel for hours to reach the office and can manage a good work-life balance.
On the other hand, employers save vast amounts of money (zero office expenses).
To maintain workflow and productivity in the work-from-home mode, employees must introduce the ideal tools, such as high-speed internet, right tables, desktops or laptops, and multifunction printers (MFPs).
Choosing an MFP can be a daunting task because the market is full of options. Knowing all the benefits and features is important before the investment so that you don’t feel like bogging down in the crucial hours.
You are at the correct place if you are stressed about knowing it. Today’s detailed article will elaborate on the benefits of using a multifunction printer at home.
Hence, without much delay, let’s start!
What is a Multifunction Printer?
Before jumping to the benefits, starting with the basic definition is essential. Typically, multifunction printers are all-in-one printers. It does printing, copying, scanning, faxing, and emailing.
Are you surprised? Well, some multifunction printers have more than all of these. For example, if you go for the a3 multifunction printer, you will get facilities like faxing, emailing, and storing previous copies, along with top-quality, high-speed printing service.
The cherry on top is that the model is energy efficient. Hence, it consumes only a lower amount of power. Additionally, it is smaller in appearance and requires a small space to store. Besides, it can be connected with mobiles with ease. This means that printing any document from the cloud is no longer a heavy task.
How does an MFP Differ from a Regular Printer?
Printing service is one of the essential and inevitable parts of any office or workflow, and as the market is changing rapidly, the demands are also changing. Currently, only printing text and images (traditional or regular printers do this only) is insufficient for a dynamic workspace.
It requires a lot of other features like scanning or faxing, and here, the multifunction printer (MFP) comes as a saviour. MFPs are capable of doing all these tasks. Here is a brief view of how the MFPs differ from your regular printer.
1. Diverse Functionality:
Regular printers handle printing jobs only (black and white and colour), while a multifunction printer performs tasks like copying, printing, scanning, faxing, and sending emails. It can connect to WIFI, Ethernet, and mobile devices. Overall, it increases convenience, efficiency, and work speed.
2. Printing Speed:
During rush hours or right before the meeting, one must quickly print a load of documents. Usually, the regular printers print 5-15 pages per minute. On the other hand, the MFPs print 40 to 42 ppm (pages per minute). Again, it contributes to workflow and overall progress.
3. Convenient to Use:
Regular printers are not very user-friendly. Although some have printing and scanning features, switching between them is difficult. Additionally, they are clunky.
On the other hand, a multifunction printer comes with a touch-sensitive user panel and easy-to-understand instructions. Some also have vibrational feedback features to make their use more accessible for our blind counterparts.
4. Cost Saving:
Many people argue that the MFPs are costlier than the regular printers. However, they might not be counting the other factors. Single multifunction printers can save the requirement of various gadgets such as scanners, fax machines, etc., and models like the a3 multifunction printer come with an energy-saving feature. It means it consumes minimal power and saves the current bill.
5. Storage Space:
Most offices or people prefer gadgets that require less storage space because they help keep the area clean and manage things in a shorter space.
Remember, a large working space means a higher charge, and at home, one can’t even manage it. Regular printers typically have a larger appearance than MFPs. Multifunction printers are way more compact and lightweight, which helps with easy movement, too.
If you work from home and are looking for a compact solution for your daily office needs, a multifunction printer is all you need. However, remember that a multifunction printer requires a certain amount of maintenance. Thus, communicate directly with the multifunctional printer supplier about after-sales services to avoid future complications.
Can I connect an MFP to My Home Network?
You can’t rely on anyone like you do in the office for a perfect and productive work-from-home setup. Hence, knowing all the factors before jumping into the process will help you.
Many buyers get confused about whether they can connect MFPs with their home network or internet service, and the answer is yes.
Typically, the seller or company provides the installation; if not, you can do it yourself. It is easy; you must follow some easy steps and consider a few things.
Let’s start with the factors first to make the process easier. The factors are-
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Whether you have an active and robust internet service or not
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Your router is running wirelessly
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The proximity of your router and printer
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Proper printer setup
Let’s elaborate on the pointers:
1. The Right Internet Service:
To get the printing job done accurately, you need strong and steady internet service. Without it, nothing can be done. Always opt for high-speed internet for zero to minimal disruption.
2. Wireless Connection:
Many times, buyers connect their Ethernet with the printer directly, which enables the process. Thus, make sure you have a wireless router. To avoid this inconvenience, always opt for a wireless connection and gadgets.
3. Network Proximity:
Always try to place your printer and router in adjacent areas; it helps speed up the network and contributes to faster job completion. It is important to mention that if you have a strong internet connection, the router might get connected even if the printer is far away; however, this can sometimes cause issues.
4. Set-up of the Machine:
Once you finish the internet setup, you can focus on the printer setup. Follow all the instructions in the manual, connect it to a power source, and keep it in a comfortable place.
After this, you can directly connect the printer to the router. To do this, use the panel, find your router name, and connect. If you face any issues, get help from the manual.
It is not the only way to connect your MFP with your home network; you can do it via Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). If your router and printer have WPS, you can switch on either and find the correct network to connect to. Please note that to follow this process, both the router and printer must have the WPS feature.
Additionally, some multifunction printers are capable of receiving print instructions from mobile devices, and new users may be confused about how to print from the phone.
For that, you have to connect your phone and printer to your home network or Wi-Fi connection, find the printer network or name from your phone, connect it, and give the printing instructions.
Advantages of Multifunction Printers:
The market is changing rapidly, and so is the demand. Most clients ask for a lot of work within a limited timeframe. This increases the work pressure, and primarily, if you work from home, it can become hectic because you do not get an office-type setup or help.
One must have the right environment and setup to deal with it efficiently. Precisely, all-in-one gadgets are mandatory here. They help manage all the work with a singular effort and investment in a limited space. One of those gadgets is the multifunction printer.
It helps to meet various demands, such as printing, faxing, mailing, scanning, etc., in one place. Is it the only benefit of MFP? Well, no, there is a long list of benefits, and some of them are-
1. Digitization of Documents:
A dynamic workspace needs to work with a lot of data and files. It is impossible to store them all physically, especially in your home. Here, a casual approach can cause termination or other issues (because it can get stolen, ruined, or lost).
To avoid these issues, invest in the best multifunction printer. It helps store digitized documents in the printer storage. Moreover, MFPs can scan documents from the cloud, and you can find all of them with a location.
2. Streamline the Work Process:
If you want to shine in your workspace, you must finish your work before the deadline, and MFPs help with that. They help in doing many things in one place or together. For example, a multifunction printer can scan, print, and fax at once. Thus, you don’t require taking out the document and running to different gadgets, and it streamlines the process.
3. Ideal for Smaller Spaces:
Not everyone has a large house or ample space for an extensive work-from-home setup. Many employees live in smaller apartments, and for them, MFPs are ideal. They don’t have different machines for scanning, faxing, or copying. Additionally, most multifunction printers are smaller in size, so they fit comfortably.
4. Cost Effective:
Some buyers often take second thoughts while investing in multifunction printers due to the higher price point than the traditional printer; however, the concept is incorrect. The MFPs are way more cost-effective. It is because, with this one device, you are not required to invest separately in a scanner or a fax machine. Hence, it can be noted as a one-time investment.
5. Lesser Maintenance Cost:
You might be surprised by this pointer because MFPs require maintenance or supervision once in a while (once every six months is enough). However, if you buy separate tools like a fax machine, a scanner, etc., then you must invest in and take time for their maintenance, too. As they come as a combo, one-time maintenance (every six months) is enough to take care of it all, and you can continue your work peacefully.
6. Sustainability:
Almost everyone knows that due to rapid technological advancement and a rising population, the carbon footprint is increasing rapidly. To meet the demands of this competitive market and survive, no one can stop using technology. However, reduction is possible. With an MFP, you can cut out different gadgets like scanners or fax machines, and it contributes to reducing the carbon footprint in an indirect way.
Some multifunction printers, like MFP A4 Colour printers, are made from recycled materials.
7. Lower Power Consumption:
Almost 99% of users are focusing on buying gadgets that consume lower amounts of power or electricity. This reduces expenses and carbon footprint (electricity from fossil fuels) and helps fulfill social responsibilities. A regular printer consumes almost 250 watts, while an MFP can run at 0.954 Kwh/week.
8. Security Features:
For your professionalism and the organisation’s future, you must maintain the safety of essential documents, and MFPs help with that. Many MFPs in the market come with features like superior SSL security, IPSEC, authentication, standards based on encryption, and memory overwrites. Therefore, be assured that no hacker can steal your data.
9. Easy-to-Use:
Most multifunction printers come with a display panel through which you can choose the modes and use them efficiently. The instructions are easy to understand, so even a beginner can use them effectively. Additionally, the MFPs can connect with mobile (iOS and Android) and Google Cloud with just one tap. This makes the whole printing task more accessible than ever.
10. Boost Confidence:
To grow in this competitive market, hard work alone is not enough. You must also be confident and plan well.
Confidence lowers when an employer runs to different switches (to scan, print, fax and mail) and misses the deadline. Additionally, complicated gadgets increase operational hours, reduce productivity, negatively impact the overall image and reduce confidence. However, if you opt for MFP, you will never face any of these issues due to the streamlined workforce and easy handling.
Choosing the Right Multifunction Printer for Your Home
An MFP can shape and change your work pattern. It makes the whole process easier and streamlined, manages quickly, and maintains your privacy. However, how to choose the right one? The market is entire of options, and it can be highly confusing if you are not tech-savvy or a new one in this arena.
Here are some tips to resolve your questions and help you get the right one.
1. Specify the Purpose First:
A wide range of multifunction printers is available in the market; to get the right one, you must specify your demand first. According to experts, if you are buying it for work-from-home, go for a business printer. They produce bulk printouts and contribute to a flawless workflow. For example, the d-Copia 255MF has a capacity of 600 paper prints and can hold up to 1600 sheets. Thus, it is ideal for office work.
2. Check the Speed:
Speed is non-negotiable. Under high work pressure, you can’t wait; hence, it is important to make the decision wisely.
Well, how much speed you need depends on your needs. The market is full of options. If you have an extreme workload and need everything faster, you can go for printers like d-Copia 7001MF—8001MF, which has a capacity of 80 ppm.
3. Ensure the Quality:
Speed or capability gets ignored if the printout quality is not good enough. Hence, it is essential to have a printer with higher resolution.
For high-resolution printouts, you can choose d-Color MF759 A3 colour multifunctional printers. These printers have a 1,200 x 1,200 DPI printing resolution and are great for monochrome or colour prints.
4. Weight and Size:
As the article aims to help people working remote jobs, it is advised to consider the printer size carefully. Small and compact printers are best for handling and are easy to store.
At the same time, always go for lightweight printers because they are easy to install, and you can replace the machine at any time. Heavy printers tend to get ruined while replacing them.
5. Features:
Take ample time to know and understand the updated features available in the market and the features you need. Currently, multifunction printers come with features like wireless connectivity (with mobile and Ethernet), high-speed printing job, high resolution, a wide range of network protocols, different language fonts, low power consumption, lightweight, high storage (more than 250 GB RAM available), security feature to ensure the data safety, faxing, scanning, mailing, data recording and so on. Take a closer look and select according to your preference.
6. Per Page Cost:
Before making any decision, do not forget to consider the per-page cost. It is important to mention that ink quality is one of the key factors in controlling this cost. According to experts, laser toner cartridges are best because they last longer and produce more pages per cartridge. Hence, they are a cost-effective option.
7. Look for Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) and Duplex Print:
Automatic document feeder (ADF) is a must-have feature of MFPs for scanning, copying, or faxing quickly. ADF automatically feed pages to the printer and saves manual labour. It also helps in doing the work smoothly and reduces operational time.
At the same time, duplex printing helps in automatic printing on both sides of the page and provides a professional look. Therefore, check both these features before selecting the one.
8. Sustainability:
Professionalism and sustainability can go together. To meet your eco-friendly goals, always opt for printers that consume less electricity and are built from recycled material. These printers leave a lower carbon footprint by using less electricity and reducing waste materials.
9. Optional Features:
Although the technological features are already mentioned, this pointer will elaborate on the optional system feature you require for a smooth printing service.
If you have a high workload, always opt for printers with multiple paper tray capacity and handling options. This allows you to use different paper types and sizes and feed additional papers without removing or replacing the main paper tray content.
Once you consider these tips on the available printers in the market, you can shortlist some of the best multifunction printers. After this, you can compare the price points and choose the perfect one.
Get a Multifunction Printer and Unlock the Door of Convenience
A multifunction printer is the best gadget you can ever have for your work-from-home setup. It is convenient, smaller, cost-effective, and easy to use, and most importantly, it allows you to print from your phone. Hopefully, the above-mentioned tips will help you find the best multifunction printer in the market.
However, if you are confused about what model to choose or want to learn more about multifunction printers, contact Munster Business Equipment. They are one of Ireland’s leading printer sellers and printing service providers.
The organization is known for their wide range of affordable and updated multifunction printers. They also provide printing services according to the demands of their consumers. The cherry on top is that they are running this business sustainably. They are following the ‘Green Line’ policy in their business. The policy aims to use recycled materials and waste management.
Don’t waste your time; connect with Munster Business Equipment to get your multifunction printer.