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BUSINESS INKJET
Businesses are still reliant on
printing, and colour volumes in
particular are increasing. In a
recent Quocirca study almost half
of organisations said their colour
output had increased over the last
year, compared to 20% who have
seen colour print volumes fall.
This continued reliance on printing
means that businesses should evaluate
the most appropriate print technology for
their needs. Reliability, price and running
costs are seen as the top criteria for print
selection.
A high importance was also placed on
energy consumption and environmental
credentials, particularly amongst large
enterprises. More than half (52%) of
respondents in Quocirca’s study indicate
that sustainability is very or fairly important
when selecting printers, with 33% of
large organisations viewing it as a very
important consideration, compared to just
12% of SMEs.
In this context, the emergence of
professional-class business inkjet printers
and MFPs with lower running costs, high-
capacity ink cartridges and professional
print quality is challenging the traditional
dominance of laser devices in the office
print environment.
The popularity of such devices in
small and large businesses alike is
driving significant growth. IDC expects
the business inkjet market to grow at a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
10.2% from 2015 to 2020.
Quocirca’s research reveals that
the shift to inkjet is already underway,
particularly in the SME sector. Overall, a
third of SMEs say they have already started
the transition to inkjet printers, compared
to 19% of large enterprises.
The main factors driving this transition
are:
n
Lower cost of printing.
Inkjet
printers are claimed to offer up to 50%
lower running costs than comparable
laser devices. Higher capacity cartridges
with higher yields can mean fewer user
interventions, better device uptime and less
waste.
n
Energy saving.
Unlike laser printers,
inkjet printers use no heat in the printing
process, so consume less power. Epson
claims its Workforce Pro printers, based on
Piezo printhead technology, consume up to
96% less energy than lasers, which in turn
reduces running costs.
n
Diverse media compatibility.
Inkjet
printers can print on a diverse range of
paper types. As the ink is directly ejected
onto the paper, it is possible to print even
on specialist media, including heat-
sensitive film and thick card. Epson inkjets,
which use insoluble and marker-resistant
pigment-based ink for all colours, can be
used to print waterproof labels and even
promotional materials on glossy paper.
n
Minimal service interventions.
With fewer components to replace than
Quocirca research reveals that a third of SMEs have already made the switch to business inkjet,
with a further 27% planning to do so in the next 12 months. Here, Louella Fernandes, Associate Director
for Print Services and Solutions, outlines how business inkjet can form part of a broader sustainable
strategy for print
Business inkjet:
a viable alternative to laser technology
laser and high capacity ink cartridges,
business inkjets are likely to experience
less downtime and require less time to be
spent on changing/ordering consumables,
calling for support etc., thereby reducing IT
and overall support costs.
n
Less waste.
Regardless of page
coverage, laser printing uses drums,
transfer assemblies and fusers in
the printing process. In comparison,
business inkjet printers that typically
use a permanent printhead have fewer
components to replace. If coverage is low,
the only consumable used is ink. Epson’s
WorkForce Pro models produce up to 94%
less waste, according to independent tests.
Balanced deployment
Businesses need carefully to evaluate
their printing needs, as, ultimately, there
are benefits to both laser and inkjet print
technologies. Rather than shifting entirely
from one technology to another, the best
approach is to deploy both technologies
depending on the business need.
Quocirca research suggests that
organisations that operate a balanced
deployment model, with a mix of
technologies and distributed and
centralised printers and MFPs, are more
likely to report reduced environmental
impact and lower energy usage.
Different print technologies can help
reduce the environmental impact of
printing, but businesses need to ensure
they have the right tools and policies to
minimise waste. MPS providers are a good
starting point in providing guidance on
how best to optimise the printer fleet and
advising what type of technology is most
suitable.
Quocirca’s
research
reveals that
the shift
to inkjet
is already
underway,
particularly
in the SME
sector
Louella Fernandes,
Associate Director
for Print Services and
Solutions,
Quocirca
