The recent trend away from desktop printers and towards a centralised digital networking solution will see the introduction of increasingly feature-rich and powerful products able to meet the exacting demands of the busy corporate environment.
Minolta`s digital output solutions director Lucien Tager says this trend is growing due to the increasing cost-effectiveness of digital networked printers over their desktop `cousins`, with the purchasers` investment in a central digital networked printer continually enhanced through an unmatched price:performance ratio. It has been conclusively proven that the cost per printed copy on larger machines is comfortably less expensive than would be the case with standalone applications.
But what about the security offered by the desktop printer, where confidential documents are printed out alongside the author, and the chances of unauthorised access are virtually eliminated?
Tager argues this concern, long cited as an argument against the centralisation of the printing function and in favour of dedicated, standalone machines, has been overcome with the introduction of an impressive range of mailbox features - now standard on just about all leading products.
"Recent developments in software mean that users of a current centralised digital copier /printer will print their documents, which will remain in memory until they key in their password at the centralised printer. Only then will the document be printed, thus ensuring that even in a multi-user environment, the security remains as tight as was the case in the desktop environment," he says.
New technologies also allow for greater management of the printers, tracking the number of copies generated by a company or department.
Another recent innovation, spearheaded by Minolta, is the introduction of the concept of web-ready printers to all the new networked and colour printers. This new technology means the network administrator can now install the printers personally, from a remote desktop via the Internet.
The technology is such that Web-ready printers allow the network administrator to install the software and printer drivers - as well as monitor the status of the printer - from, say, Johannesburg, for a machine in Cape Town.
"One needs to think only of the tremendous savings in time and travel expenses to understand the growing appeal of Web-ready printers," says Tager.
There is also noticeable growth towards multifunctional devices, with companies opting for one machine for copying and printing - and even faxing in some brands.
Within the trend towards a centralised digital networking solution, network administrators have a choice between multifunctional devices or standalone networked machines. And while the concept of one machine performing the function of many is appealing, the decision makers need to be aware of the risks involved.
While multifunctional applications - incorporating copier, facsimile and printer capabilities - will retain their appeal and remain effective in the small office, home office (SOHO) market, in larger, faster-moving business environments, multifunctional devices have often proved to be problematic. For while a number of functions may be processed simultaneously, the output of only one function can be accommodated at any given time.
Multifunctional devices suffer from the `cluttered effect` which is a result of too much technology packaged in one machine. This clutter increases the chances of a break-down, and when the copying function of the machine is out of order, access to the other functions is restricted.
The advantages and disadvantages need to be assessed within each networked environment, and manufacturers will continue to supply both forms of equipment to allow the administrators to make a choice.
"Manufacturers are also responding to customer whims for features they felt they`d have to forego in the move away from the desktop machine, and towards a centralised networking environment. The net result, we believe, will be increasingly feature-rich products catering for just about every need - but with the major benefit of unrivalled cost-effectiveness," says Tager.
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