Johannesburg, 15 Aug 2007
In line with the recent research released by the renowned multi-specialist research company, Ipsos, Lexmark is launching a wireless-enabled inkjet printer range that promises to increase productivity when working from home.
The research was conducted in 18 countries, including Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. It predicts that in the next five years the following will have the most significant impact on productivity and time saving:
* Wireless networks (50%)
* Greater computing speed (44%)
* Smart cards (41%)
* Internet/broadband (40%)
* All forms of portable computing (39%)
Sixty percent of respondents noted that the Internet was the most time-saving and increased productivity innovation of the past 50 years. This was followed by personal computers/laptops (50%), mobile phone (43%) and e-mail (23%).
Eighty percent of respondents who already had wireless networks at home agreed that they were more productive. Respondents who did not have a wireless network at home, but were familiar with it in their workplace (54%), believed that they would gain 68% flexibility and mobility if they had one at home.
The increase in purchase intent was strongest among professionals who work from home and individuals who run home-based businesses, with an increase for family use of wireless printing at home.
South Africa has also embraced the wireless arena with laptops, networks, WiFi hotspots, mobile phones, mice, keyboards, audio and video equipment becoming a common wireless occurrence.
Complicated infrastructure problems like Internet connectivity in remote areas were also resolved through wireless connectivity. This also resulted in a more cost-effective and faster route than going the copper cable.
Coffee shops, restaurants, guest lodges and airports offer WiFi hotspots as a means of drawing business. For example, the city of Knysna converted to WiFi in 2005.
Over half of the South African respondents indicated they would consider installing a wireless network at home if they received a good offer and that they would need it to complete work from home.
It is thus not strange for Lexmark to bring productivity and mobility to the consumer's doorstep with the launch of the wireless-enabled inkjet printer range.
Kicking off at only R899 (recommended street price, including VAT), the Lexmark range of wireless printers enable users to print with the same freedom and mobility they enjoy when working on a wireless-enabled laptop. The printer can be positioned anywhere in the home with a wireless network. Multiple computer users can enjoy the added convenience of sharing the same wireless printer and eliminate the need for multiple devices.
"Consumers are embracing wireless networking. However, they have been slow to adopt wireless printing because of the price and complexity of the devices. We have addressed this with our new wireless printers from Lexmark that are affordable, easy to install and easy to use," said Branislav Zivkovic, Managing Director, Lexmark International South Africa.
Demonstrating its commitment to wireless printing, eight out of Lexmark's 12 new inkjet printers being introduced in 2007 will have wireless capabilities spanning four-in-one, three-in-one and single-function printer categories.
Available in the third quarter of 2007 are the Lexmark X4550 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One, the Lexmark Z1420 Wireless Colour Inkjet Printer, and the Lexmark X3550 Colour Inkjet All-in-One with wireless as an optional feature. Once the full line is available, it will include six inkjet printers with integrated wireless and two with optional wireless capability.
Share