A look at the 2017 MFP trends

best multifunction printer

The market for innovation in office copiers and printers may have seemed to slow down in the last several years. During the 1980-90s the office automation industry accelerated with new technology at a very rapid pace, but basic printer technology hasn’t seen a great deal of innovation recently.

The same can’t be said for the industry as a whole. Though the basic technology has remained the same, the industry trends point to more combined technology. We’ve already seen this within the office automation industry with the rise of multifunction printers.

The rise of the MFP

Basic technology of printers and copiers, like paper and toner technology, have seemed to go stagnant in their innovation. However, there have been major advancements in light-sensing technology, inexpensive computing components, and wireless antennae have resulted in major leaps in the capabilities of multi-function printers and office equipment.

This increase in multifunctionality of these office automation products has given way to a new trend. The industry is moving towards increasingly more versatile and all-in-one products.

A changing standard

The business world is also moving towards more business-oriented tablet devices. These devices need to be able to do anything from anywhere via wireless connection. The increased use of WiFi in business spaces makes for wireless enabled MFP’s to be not just a luxury, but a staple in businesses of any size.

In 2017 business owners can expect to see more and more smaller and multifunctioning printers and copiers. As these multifunction printers shrink in size, so will their price. With the increasing standardization of a one-product-fits-all MFP these price tags are going to come with fewer numbers.

Increasing mobility

The use of tablets and laptops has increased in business, pointing to a trend of increased mobility for businesses both small and large. What does this mean for your office automation equipment?

It means that in 2017 businesses will begin to see increasing compatibility with mobile devices and their MFPs, as well as an increased demand for wireless capabilities. Rather than transfer a document to a desktop computer hardwired to a printer, there will now be more products available for documents to be printed directly from a tablet or smartphone.

The document scanner will likely follow suit, being able to be delivered directly to a phone rather than passing through an e-mail server. This creates a more efficient use of time, as well as helps ensure data is kept more secure.

To learn more about what your office printer or MFP can do for your company, and see how the trends of the industry are showing up in the products, visit us at Brock Office Automation. We’ll help find exactly the right fit for what your office needs.

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