SA businesses get print savvy

SA's printing and imaging industry is on par with its international counterparts. SA has all the latest technologies; customers are far more aware of costs; and they are seeking ways to manage the cost of printing more effectively.

This is according to Mark Hiller, MD of Lexmark SA.

There is also a shift in purchasing behaviour, from organisations initially buying the cheapest device upfront, to now considering the best device for their needs, Hiller continues. Organisations are also taking the total cost of ownership into consideration, by looking at hardware, supplies and service.

“Many organisations are entering the 'click charge' or managed services era in printing”, he says.

Typically, inkjets have dominated the entry-level print market, but there are concerns about high running costs in this market, Hiller says.

There is no 'best technology' when choosing a printing solution; users must consider the following factors: the number of users who will print to the device, the volume of printing the device will perform per month, colour versus monochrome printing, and the print quality of images, he suggests.

Printing costs are still a large factor that plagues organisations, Hiller says. One of the most obvious ways in which organisations can reduce their printing costs is duplexing, which is printing on both sides of a sheet of paper, he says.

This has a trickle-down effect, Hiller continues, because, aside from saving costs, there are environmental implications, which more organisations have become aware of. Hiller says there are a few small steps organisations can take to decrease their carbon footprints in terms of printing.

Recycling empty cartridges and using the printer fully, by making use of tools such as 'stand-by' mode or 'toner save' mode, will save organisations money, and help the environment, he notes.

Lexmark is running a printing and imaging survey. There is a Lexmark Genesis S815 printer up for grabs if you participate in this survey. For more information, click here.