Nowadays, imaging equipment has become indispensable for most organizations. However, if your printer is still just a printer, your organization is overlooking a vital component of the productivity puzzle.
Legacy equipment that only does one thing could be weighing down your day-to-day workflows. Modern printers and versatile multifunction printers (MFPs) offer a suite of advanced features essential for streamlining productivity, reducing operational costs, and ensuring data confidentiality.
Here are the three print features every organization must have to create a secure, efficient workplace in 2024.
1. Mobile Printing
For years, employees have had the ability to print from their computers to a central machine. But in today’s mobile-centric business landscape, where remote work is more common than ever, teams need even more flexibility with their printing capabilities.
Unlike traditional printing, which requires a direct connection between the printer and the computer, mobile printing allows users to send print jobs wirelessly from their smartphones, tablets, or laptops to a printer. This technology leverages Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to establish a connection between devices, eliminating the need for physical cables. This feature is particularly beneficial for today's remote workforce, enabling team members in different locations to collaborate and maintain productivity from anywhere at any time.
To use mobile printing, you'll first need to ensure your equipment is compatible with this print feature. Next, you'll need to install a mobile printing application on your device. Many printer manufacturers, such as Konica Minolta, offer proprietary apps, but there are also third-party applications available that support a wide range of printers.
Here are some of the best multifunction printers that support mobile printing:
- bizhub C250i
- bizhub C750i
- bizhub C3120i
2. Integrated Security Capabilities
Why is print security such a big deal? Quocirca reported that 61% of businesses suffered print-related data losses in 2023. Sophisticated printers and advanced MFPs are as technologically sophisticated as personal computers; they connect to business networks and store sensitive data that hackers are looking to extract and exploit. Here’s a closer look at a few MFP security vulnerabilities:
A multifunction printer can be an organization's greatest productivity tool, but poor security can quickly turn your equipment into a cybersecurity liability. With 1.5 attacks on MFPs per minute, it’s essential to choose intelligent models with built-in security features.
Konica Minolta’s range of multifunction devices offers a variety of integrated security features that add an extra layer of protection, such as:
- Audit Log
- IP filtering
- Port blocking
- Virus scanning
- User access control
- Hard drive encryption
- Password protection
- Automatic deletion of temporary image data
- Secure pull printing (PIN code or swipe card)
3. Customizable Dashboard
Every organization has its own unique way of working. To maximize productivity, consider a printer with a customizable user interface. Look for multifunction printers with a touchscreen dashboard that you can customize to fit your organization’s needs.
As printer functionality expands, a simple, easy-to-use interface is becoming a necessity for efficient operations. Customizing the interface allows you to streamline workflows and improve the overall user experience, making it easier for employees to accomplish day-to-day tasks. By customizing the printer's dashboard, employees can prioritize the functions and settings they use most often. This way, they can access them quickly and easily without having to navigate through multiple menus.
While it may seem daunting to customize your printer interface, you don’t need to be a software engineer in order to make changes. Most printers come with intuitive design menus that allow you to change settings quickly and easily with just a few clicks.
Konica Minolta bizhub i-Series with a fully customizable touchscreen panel
Boost Workplace Productivity with Advanced Print Features
The way we work is changing, and technology is shifting to support the modern workplace. Advanced printers and multifunction devices play a significant role in the day-to-day operations of almost every organization. By investing in each of these must-have print features, you’ll unlock the potential of your imaging equipment and enhance efficiency and security in your workplace.
Get in touch if you need help selecting the right printer for your organization. Print experts will help you find a suitable printer that not only aligns with your operational needs, but also provides unmatched speed, superior image quality, and robust endpoint security.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on January 25, 2018, and has been updated for accuracy and current best practices.
