No piece of office equipment—printer, scanner, copier, etc.—is designed to last forever. With technology evolving at an ever-increasing rate, you have to balance function, timing, and cost to determine when it makes sense to upgrade your devices. We’ve compiled a list of cues that can help you determine when it’s time to move on. If any apply in your office, it may be time to consider an update.
Lengthy print queue – If jobs are piling up and people are waiting too long to collect outputs, your demand may have outgrown your printer’s capacity. You may not have enough machines for your team, or you may need a more powerful piece of hardware.
Paper jams – If you’ve gotten to know the inside of your printer a little too well thanks to frequent error messages and general maintenance doesn’t seem to help, it’s time to move on to a new machine.
Poor printer placement – If you’re wasting too much time and energy making lengthy trips to your devices, it may be time to review your print infrastructure. Making strategic decisions about the location of each device or upgrading to a multifunction machine can help you recoup precious time and mental focus.
Changing needs – Your company’s equipment needs change over time—it’s part of success and growth. Multifuction printers or high-quality color printers can take your brochures, newsletters, and graphic-heavy materials to the next level.
Too much paper handling – If you frequently have to take your team off-task to fold letters and stuff envelopes, consider a machine that can automate document finishing. Equipment that can handle folding, stapling, cutting, collating, and other finishing options will provide a more professional output, while saving you time and money.
Questionable security – Security is one area where outdated machines make your business vulnerable. Encryption, hard drive management, and pull printing found on modern devices can all add an extra layer of protection to your data. Employee, financial, legal, and HIPAA-protected information can be guarded by up-to-date security features.
Increased downtime – If you’re frequently calling your office equipment provider for repairs, maintenance, or other troubleshooting, it’s time for an upgrade. Your time is too valuable to waste on idle, non-functional machines waiting for repair.
All equipment has a lifespan, so keep an eye out for these signs to help determine if it’s time for an update. Your age-related problems will dissipate, and you’ll get to take advantage of today’s technology to drive your company forward.
Contact Golden Gate Office Solutions for a complete review of your print fleet and an overview of your upgrade options.
