TCPglobal - news, views and issues on total cost of printing

Issue #0921/1 – New printer and All-in-One hardware continues to fuel the inkjet vs laser argument as technology developments takes each category forwards. As inkjet print speeds continue to increase, laser technology focuses on faster single-pass printer engines and A3 inkjet A3 enters the arena, what is it that a small business needs and what are the costs involved?

Issue #0920/2 – A massive 47% price increase on the Ricoh SP C232SF, as units bought (by the supplier used as the price source in last week’s article) under a special purchase came to an end, demonstrates more clearly than ever before that the purchase price is almost entirely irrelevant to the long-term Total Cost of Printing of a printer, AiO or MFP.

Issue #0920/1 – Not only was Brother the first (and only to date) printer manufacturer to bring us an A3 inkjet multifunction device but now we have the long-awaited duplex printing version in the form of an A3 MFP with print, copy, scan and fax functionality. Sadly, duplex printing is at A4 only in this first iteration of the product but the MFC-6890CDW again places a Brother model firmly at the top of the functionality pile, alongside its 6-function MFC-990CW office communications hub, with a very attractive Total Cost of Printing.

Issue #0919 – As Kyocera enters the A4 small colour MFP market, the offering is well-specified and competent but lacking the edge offered by ECOSYS technology for low Total Cost of Printing. The FS-C1020MFP is overshadowed by Ricoh’s own use of the same engine in the SP C232SF, proving to be a clear winner on hardware purchase and Cost of Printing.

Issue #0919/1 – As we see UK printer users venting their anger against OEM supplies price increases by turning to third party supplies, see , we drill a little deeper and find that price increases (Manufacturer Recommended Sales Price – MRSP) from at least one major OEM have been pushed up considerably higher even than prices on the street – meaning that the channel is absorbing a portion of the manufacturer’s increase.