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Dot matrix printing: There's life in the old dog yet

It's the cheapest way to print a page, and is used in all applications where multi-part paper is needed, says Shaun Robinson, Epson product manager at Tarsus Distribution.


Johannesburg, 03 Feb 2016

Who would have thought that dot matrix printers would still be manufactured and find a sizable niche market in 2015, 20 years after industry pundits started to predict their imminent demise? Even though inkjets and laser printers hold most of the printer market share today, there is still a healthy role for the humble single impact dot matrix (SIDM) device.

Epson, the world leader in dot matrix printers, for example, offers new dot matrix printers with the same technology and quality of their predecessors, but with a more compact footprint and increased robustness. Devices such as these - which use robust SIDM technology and include new features such modern connectivity - still find a place in workplaces that need affordable, multi-part printing.

"Thirty years ago nobody would have predicted that the SIDM printer would still exist, but this is indeed the case," ?says Shaun Robinson, Epson product manager at Tarsus Distribution. "It's still the cheapest way to print a page and is used in all applications where multi-part paper is needed. Dot matrix printers are dependable, easy to maintain and cost-effective to run - all factors in their enduring popularity."

Robinson says the Epson LX-350 is the best-selling dot matrix printer in South Africa, shifting significant unit volumes each month at Tarsus Distribution, part of the Tarsus Technology Group. This unit is based on the old dot matrix technology, but also offers modern trimmings such as low power consumption and a choice of serial, parallel and USB high-speed interfaces for connectivity.

The new LX-350 has fast and durable Epson 9-Pin technology, prints up to 347 characters per second (10 cpi), and is ideal for front and back office applications needing continuous paper or multi-part stationery. The LX-350 has a mean time before failure of 10 000 power-on hours. A single ribbon can yield up to 4 million characters. It's also small enough to fit tidily on a desk.

In addition to their cost-efficiency, dot matrix printers still have some other advantages over laser and inkjets. They use paper continuously, unlike other printers where paper needs to be frequently changed. And they tolerate the dirt and heat of industrial settings better than printers based on other technologies. Dot matrix printers can also print sheets for carbon copying - a requirement that remains surprisingly common.

Robinson says with so many businesses still needing to print multi-part invoices, waybills, picking slips, secure pay slips, and the like, dot matrix printers could survive for another 20 years yet. "Tarsus Distribution's dealers say they still have many customers who need the cheap, heavy duty printing that dot matrix provides," he adds. "These customers are in no hurry to change to laser or inkjet."

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Tarsus Distribution

Founded in 1985, Tarsus Distribution (formerly Tarsus Technologies) has a 31-year track record as one of South Africa's foremost value-added IT distributors, providing hardware, security and consumables from the world's most recognised and respected brands.

Tarsus Distribution strives to meet the channel's needs for credit funding, stock availability and efficient logistics. In addition, there is a focus on providing resellers with all that they need to deliver the highest quality service and product solutions to their customers. This enables the reseller to focus on adding value to their customers and providing the support that helps them to become a business partner as opposed to merely a mover of tin.

Tarsus Distribution is part of the Tarsus Technology Group (formerly MB Technologies) and has as its sister companies Tarsus SecureData, Tarsus Cloud On Demand, Tarsus Channel Capital, Tarsus Channel Risk Management, Tarsus Emerging Markets, Tarsus Academy, Tarsus Dispose-IT, Printacom and GAAP.

The Tarsus Distribution head office is situated in Johannesburg, with branches in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Polokwane. The Tarsus Technology Group has an extended footprint in Africa with operations in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Kenya and Nigeria with teams on the ground in Uganda, Ghana and Ivory Coast.

More information about Tarsus Distribution is available at:

www.tarsusdistribution.co.za

www.twitter.com/TarsusOnline

facebook.com/TarsusTechnologies

Editorial contacts

Megan Cowley
join.the.dots
(+27) 11 568 0709
tarsus@jtd.co.za
Ross Moody
Tarsus Technology Group
+27 11 531 1000
rmoody@tarsus.co.za