EPSON warns end users to look at total cost of ownership

Consumers should look beyond special offers on inkjet printers and consider total cost of ownership (TCO). This is according to Lisa Goosen, EPSON SA`s retail channel manager, who stresses that TCO involves not only the price of a particular printer, but also includes the cost of consumables required for the long term operation of printers, such as cartridges and media types.

Goosen says that TCO, with regard to EPSON`s inkjet printers, is significantly lower than other manufacturers for a number of reasons. "EPSON has conducted research into TCO and results prove that EPSON`s consumables are 35% cheaper when compared to its nearest competitor," she says. "Cartridge life also plays an integral role in the cost of our printers and EPSON is presently one of the few manufacturers to publish any figures for cartridge life."

Tests were done on the cartridge life of the EPSON Stylus Color 850. The figures, which appear on EPSON`s web site, claim the EPSON Stylus Color 850`s black cartridge can print a minimum of 900 pages of the ISO/IEC test page.

According to Goosen, EPSON`s built-in MicroPiezo printhead technology, which utilizes a mechanical rather than thermal printing technique, has also helped to reduce the price of EPSON`s ink cartridges. The technology involves the separation of the ink reservoir and the printhead, which means that only the ink cartridge needs to be replaced therefore reducing costs.

"EPSON`s MicroPiezo printheads are an integral part of the printer and are designed to last for the life of the unit, eliminating the need for periodic replacement, as well as helping to reduce running costs," says Goosen.

She goes on to say that when one purchases an EPSON printer a CD driver and creativity software are also included in the box, adding value to the printer. "The software teaches one to create ones own business cards, letterheads, invitations and banners, allowing one to utilize the printer to its full capacity."

Goosen continues that consumables are an integral part of EPSON`s hardware, as they determine the best output quality. "A sample pack of all EPSON`s media offerings, such as coated and glossy paper types as well as transparencies are also included in the box, allowing users to experiment with the various media types," she adds.