Friday, September 15, 2017

Do More With An MFP Machine

By Gary Ellis


Modernization and industrialization has always gone hand in hand. As more people flock in the city, houses and office spaces grow smaller, and so does the space that can be freed up to accommodate various furniture and equipment. Remember when a washer and dryer used to be separate, but now you can have both in one? This is modernization's response to this new need. It's the same now with a scanner, fax machine, copier, and printer. You can have all of these in one multifunction peripheral or MFP Machine.

This machine went forward as technology evolved. It provides a combination of different functions, and even allows users to access the Internet to get the input, or to save it. Majority of these machines come equipped with touch screens, which most people are more comfortable using nowadays.

Although an MFP device comes with additional functions, they generally have a single main function. For example, you can have a copy machine that also functions as a printer and scanner. It may even provide extra functions like fax and automatic sorting capabilities.

Another example is a fax machine that may look like your normal fax machine, but has the capability to connect to a computer for the input, save incoming faxes as a soft copy, or be able to scan, print, and copy documents. Another example may be a combination of printer, scanner, and copier, with the capability to send and receive faxed transmissions.

MFP machines come in different types, driven by how manufacturers in the industry started developing theirs. The basic types are Production Printing, Office, SOHO, and all-in-one. Usage differentiates these types. Furthermore, the customer base is also a determinant, whether it's for enterprise, commercial, small business, family, or individual use. These considerations all dictate the throughput, output quality, ease of use, features, and price of these machines.

An all-in-one machine or AIO is typically small. It is best used in the office or at home. The core functionality of this type would be limited to scanning, printing, and copying. Users can connect to the device using WiFi, Ethernet, or USB. They also have an added option of choosing between an ink jet or laser printer. While laser printers produce better text output, ink jet printers produce better pictures.

A SOHO device could be desktop-sized or larger, but it is normally used in Small Office/Home Offices. It would normally have the options to scan, print, fax, copy, and, in some instances, allow the user to use the machine for storing documents. Like AIOs, users would connect to it through WiFi, Ethernet, or USB. Because of the bulk, this type of device normally have extra feeders or paper trays, and provide additional functions such as sorting and automatic paper feeding.

Office MFPs are designed for offices that are networked. Similar to the others, it offers print, scan, copy, and fax options. Management can add authentication protocols that may limit a person's capacity when using the machine based on his/her credentials. In addition, input can be provided using a USB, or through email and FTP due to its network capability.

The least technologically capable type are the Production Printing devices. However, the excellent output quality, advanced functionality for finishing prints like book binding, and fast speed in producing output, more than make up for the lack of the usual features. This is best used in companies where the number of printouts are priority.




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