Newsroom
Going Green Brings Financial Benefits
Submitted by Webmaster on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 02:51The health of the environment is a pretty hot topic these days. Hybrid vehicles, biodegradable packaging and reusable grocery bags are just some of the ways society has been inundated by environmental friendly technologies.
It didn’t take long for companies to realize they need to reduce their carbon footprint, too. However, in today’s tight financial economy, it can be hard to adopt expensive albeit green technology. Luckily, designing and implementing a green printing strategy can help save the environment and save money.
A green printing strategy starts with the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of office printing by targeting paper usage and energy usage. When these areas are optimized, the combined environmental and economic impact is amazing.
Utilize Data Capture to Minimize Cost and Errors
Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 07/27/2010 - 02:44Keying in data off of business forms is often a very monotonous and time-consuming process. Plus, the more the processes are rushed, the more errors are made.![]()
Fortunately, you can utilize your multifunction systems to automatically enter routine data. Data Capture software has the ability to read data from scanned documents and translate it into your business applications. It can also index the scanned documents for easy retrieval later on.
Data Capture software uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to translate scanned text into editable text. When the document is scanned using a multifunction system, it is routed to a folder where it is processed.
Utilize Print Management Software for Easy Reporting
Submitted by Webmaster on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 01:03
In today’s work environment, expenses rarely go unchecked. It is very common for a department of a company to be required to create monthly or quarterly expense reports. However, tracking printing costs can be quite the task. Therefore, many companies simply lump the expense in with other various office costs such as supplies or furniture. Although this may seem like the easiest way to complete expense reports, it may also be the most expensive.
Print management software is an easy way to control, monitor and report the printing done by your company. Not only will your monthly reports be made simple, but you will become more aware of where your budget is spent. You will also be able to use access controls to limit printing to certain departments and set up defaults to save ink and paper.
Ignite Productivity Through Managed Print Services
Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 00:54In the office, it seems we are always in a hurry. For this reason, very rarely does anyone take the time to fix a printer. Instead, they are forced to find a different device so they can complete their task in a time-efficient manner.
Furthermore, IT departments rarely have the time or resources to fix mechanical issues in office devices. But still, they are forced to take control of the issue and organize some sort of fix, whether it is an easy paper jam or having to schedule a repair from a local company.
Often this type of situation is multiplied many times a week or even in a single day. It is not wonder why an unmanaged print environment can be a drain on the productivity of your office. Luckily, there is a better way. Managed Print Services Programs continually monitor your printer fleet and deliver valuable productivity benefits to your business.
Proactive Service: Managed Print Service means there will be someone monitoring your printer fleet for you. If a printer is out of service, it can often be fixed before it becomes an issue for your business’ productivity.
Increase Productivity with Multifunction Devices
Submitted by Webmaster on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 00:33There is no doubt most offices have taken advantage of the benefits of wireless internet. Without having to deal with cumbersome cables, employees are able to conduct their work throughout the office, increasing collaboration. Now you can increase the productivity of your business even more with multifunction devices with Wi-Fi connectivity. A wireless device allows documents to be printed from portable laptops, digital cameras or other devices within range.
Through the use of a built-in Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC), printers are now more mobile and versatile than ever. By replacing the standard USB connection, you allow for minimal cabling to connect the device to electricity. Not only does this provide mobile printing, but it also makes reallocating your devices quick and easy.
Wireless multifunction devices still have all the features of a standard device and also reduce clutter and dangerous cables in offices. With access to a central printer connected to a Wi-Fi hub, hundreds of employees will have printing capabilities without having to share cables.
When it comes to designing and customizing the layout of workspaces, wireless devices offer expanded flexibility. Most wireless multifunction systems can work within a radius of about 150 feet.
Reduce Office Printing Costs in Three Easy Steps
Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 07/13/2010 - 01:10Unmanaged office printing can easily consume up to 3% of annual revenues according to the Gartner group. Therefore, if you are searching for an area to trim your company’s overhead, your print environment is a great place to start. To control and reduce this expense there are a few strategies you can integrate.
Consolidate Devices
If you look around your office there are probably areas that have a laser printer, a copier and a fax machine sitting right next to each other. This presents a great cost-saving opportunity. Each of these devices has a separate cost of operation that comes from stocking unique supplies, supporting the network, handling repairs and service and electricity. With today’s skyrocketing energy costs, it is possible that it actually costs more to power your devices than it costs to put supplies in the devices!
You can combine devices with multifunction systems that print, copy, fax and scan in a single unit. These reliable systems can handle applications from desktops to workgroups to departments. Consolidating devices with multifunction systems could provide instant and long-term cost reduction for your organization.
Re-Route Print Jobs
Some of your printing devices are less expensive to operate than others. For the most part, high-volume networked systems have a lower operational cost than smaller desktop devices. While desktop devices may be necessary for productivity or privacy reasons, larger print jobs could easily be routed to network devices to reduce costs.
New software makes it easy to re-route print jobs automatically. You can assess your basic needs and set routing rules. For example, print jobs over 20 pages could be sent to a networked multifunction system. The end user would simply print their job exactly like they normally would. However, with this software a pop up window would let them know that their job was routed to the workgroup device as a cost-saving strategy. Applying print routing to your organization could create cost savings of 30% or more.
Rethinking Server Virtualization
Introduction
Server virtualization is an ever more important tool for reducing cost, increasing availability, and enhancing business agility. But for many organizations, the savings that come from server consolidation are the primary reason for server virtualization.
Many of virtualization’s additional benefits—including built-in, cost-effective high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR)—require external shared storage with a comprehensive feature set to support them. Without proper planning, it is all too easy to see the savings from server virtualization be misdirected toward inefficient storage systems. IP SANs are frequently seen as overcoming cost and management limitations of traditional storage area
networks (SANs) and are becoming very popular in virtualized server environments.
Advantages of scale-out iSCSI SANs
HP StorageWorks P4000 G2 SAN Solutions are iSCSI-based and use storage clustering—a form of scale-out storage that creates a scalable storage pool by aggregating the critical components of a number of storage systems into a single pool of resources or storage cluster (Figure 1). The cluster accepts and responds to iSCSI requests as a single system. In an HP P4000 G2 SAN all physical capacity is aggregated and is available to all volumes created on the SAN.
When more storage is needed, additional P4000 storage nodes can be added to the SAN cluster online; the SAN seamlessly, non-disruptively reorganizes its storage to incorporate the new node into the cluster.
Built-in support for HA and DR implementations, superior, scalable performance, and straightforward management that any server administrator can understand and put into use make HP P4000 SANs the preferred choice to support virtualized infrastructures. This white paper describes the advantages of scale-out iSCSI storage in four areas—cost, high availability and disaster recovery, performance, and management—and illustrate how the HP P4000 SANs provide better overall support for virtualized environments.
Sharp Adds Two New Monochrome Laser Multifunction Products to Complete its Hi-speed Workgroup Engine Lineup
Mahwah, NJ, July 8, 2010 -- Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA) today introduced the new MX-M623N and MX-M623U monochrome hi-speed document systems to its extensive lineup of multifunction products (MFPs). These new higher-volume MFPs are designed to help businesses maximize their document workflow efficiency while providing outstanding performance and ease-of-use. The MX-M623 models follow the recently introduced MX-M753, another model in Sharp’s hi-speed monochrome MFP lineup released this past Spring.
Engineered to increase workflow productivity, the MX-M623 and MX-M753 devices come with an 8.5-inch high-resolution touch-screen color display and a powerful 800 MHz multi-tasking controller that processes complex jobs quickly, even while documents are being scanned. Moreover, the MFPs produce copy/print speeds of 62 and 75 pages per minute (ppm) respectively, while feeding up to 110 lb index stock through the paper trays, providing power and reliability to handle professional-level printing needs.
The customizable Home Screen and My Menu simplify use by bringing access to Sharp OSA® applications and commonly-used features to the forefront of the display for one-touch operation. The MX-M623N and MX-M753N also offer a standard retractable keyboard, simplifying jobs that require repetitive data entry tasks such as email-distribution, archiving or scanning to a document management application, while also enabling quick interaction with network applications.
“Customers in high end workgroup markets need easy-to-use machines that can handle large and complex jobs quickly, while also maintaining a high level of efficiency and a low cost of ownership,“ said Mike Marusic, vice president, Marketing, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “The high-performance engine, customizable functions and seamless integration of the OSA 3.5 development platform enable users to set up the devices in a way that meet their own personal business needs. Adding these new models to Sharp’s high-volume MFP lineup gives customers a number of different options to choose from that do just that.”
Ten Things to Know About Data Security
Submitted by Webmaster on Wed, 07/07/2010 - 02:37The intellectual property of your business is vital to its continuing success. Therefore, it is important to ensure confidential documents are not susceptible to security breaches. Whether it is a computer virus or a disgruntled former employee, you need to ensure your information is safe from unauthorized viewers. Luckily, with document management systems, it is easy to integrate advanced security features into your current workflows. Electronic Document Management can help protect your documents and increase productivity. If you are unsure if a document management system is right for your business, here are ten things you should know about document security: ![]()
1. Document management seeks to prevent data loss from the various kinds of threats to data. Unless a systematic approach is adopted for document security your business could be shut down by a breach of security.
2. Very few businesses can survive a complete loss of business data. Even partial losses can prove extremely serious, especially to smaller businesses. Consider what would happen if you lost all your customer data and invoice records from a computer virus. It can render you unable to recover your fees from credit customers that can equal a few months of sales. Or consider the secret product formula that gives you an edge in the market being stolen.
3. Document security starts with an intricate look at all the risks documents face and the impact of each. A clear view can make upper management aware of the real dangers that can easily occur, and as a result they are more likely to support security-enhancement measures.
4. One of the primary security measures is preventing unauthorized access to documents. Only authorized persons should be able to access each type of data. Access restrictions should be placed both on classes of data and levels of employees and can be integrated easily with the access controls on your multifunction device.
Utilize Access Controls for Reduced Print Costs
Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 03:05Most multifunction systems today come equipped with advanced access controls. Despite having a large breadth in functions, these controls are actually very easy to use. Plus, by monitoring print usage, you can reduce your costs greatly by supervising usage by department, work group, or even individuals.
Access controls work in conjunction with the security features of your
multifunction to set up PIN codes or card-access for desired users. By requiring every user to log in to the multifunction, you can get a clear report on how the device is being used. You can also set authorizations based on access groups. For example, you may want your Marketing Department to have access to color printing, but feel it would be unnecessary for the Sales Department. With access controls, you can minimize unnecessary color printing and reduce your costs.
Effective print monitoring also allows you to create defaults for certain access groups. You can set print jobs to automatically duplex (two-sided printing) to help save paper. This is a quick and easy solution that will yield instant results.
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