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How much does it cost?
The initial cost of an MFP should not be a deciding factor in your decision. Your costs to keep the machine running will be small in comparison. When it comes to your MFP (in addition to a service contract- which we’ll touch on) you’ll be spending money on:
Ink and toner
Fueling your printer can be expensive- depending on which ink source you select. You should be asking about the cost per print of the machine, the number of prints you can get from either ink r toner and the price of the cartridges. An ink printer may be attractive at the first glance (after all, it will generally have a lower price tag). For more information on the cost effectiveness of ink vs toner, click here.
Energy consumption
Start looking at environmentally-friendly machines. An office machine will not be all things environmentally-friendly, but some are better than others. Despite it’s large size, an MFP is less expensive to power than several dedicated machines.
How fast is an MFP?
MFPs have a variety of speeds. To get a better idea about which printer speed will work best for your business, speak with a local dealer and ask them to show you comparable PPM (pages per minute). This is also the area where you may be able to cut costs a bit. If you don’t need a printer that can print a high number of pages per minute, don’t waste your money on a feature you don’t need.
What kind of service does the dealer provide?
Consider the cost of maintenance and repair when you’re making your decision. This will influence who you buy the machine from. Key points to consider:
1. Does the company that you are considering buying from have an in-house service department?
2. Would you have to hire outside service from a third-party provider?
3. How close is the third-party provider to your business?
4. Would you be considered a priority for that provider?
5. Can you afford to have down time?
For more information on why you should choose a local dealer when choosing your MFP, click here.
