NEW High volume Aficio 2090 and 2105 - Making print pay. Ricoh launches two new Aficio MFPs to support the Print-for-Pay sector. Mark Griffin, product manager with Ricoh UK explains how Ricoh is developing new technology to give Copy-shop Printers a competitive edge.
The pressures on the Print-for-Pay sector are well known. Tighter cost controls amongst businesses in difficult economic conditions have forced many print shops to cut costs and compete on price. At the same time, they still need to provide customers with high service levels, as competition to gain and maintain customers intensifies.
New demands – new solutions
To handle this pressure, Printers are demanding solutions that guarantee high productivity and minimal downtime whilst providing flexibility of use and a high specification output. Printers are also looking to buy more compact solutions, since maximising shop space is essential to maintaining margins.
Ricoh has responded quickly to meet these new demands by incorporating greater levels of functionality into its high volume machines, a move demonstrated by the launch of its Aficio 2090 and 2105.
The new machines build on the success of the Aficio 1085 and 1105. They operate as high volume, black and white multifunctional products capable of producing 90 and 105ppm output respectively. They also offer a sophisticated range of finishing options (such as sorting, stapling, punching, booklet finishing and a cover interposer) that make them ideally suited to the print-for-pay environment.
The Aficio 2090 and 2105 have two main advantages over competitor machines: cost effectiveness and size of footprint.
Cost effectiveness – print efficiency
Ricoh’s new solutions offer high volume output at up to 1200x1200dpi resolution for a fraction of the cost of competing machines. At the top end of the scale, the Aficio 2105 can produce up to 1 million outputs per month and is designed to be both hard wearing and user friendly.
In the print room environment, efficiency is key to maintaining custom, so it is essential that the operator has total control over the print process. A sophisticated range of software solutions combines with intelligent technology to allow for monitoring, updating, and adjusting print requirements at every stage of the run.
Ricoh’s ScanRouter Lite and ‘Scan to Email’ technology aid the scanning process. ScanRouter Lite comes as standard with the Aficio 2090 and 2105 to automatically direct scanned images to the appropriate desktop, where the document can then be checked and sent to print. Ricoh’s DeskTop Binder software is also supplied to manage the storage and retrieval of these files on the operator’s PC through a series of representative thumbnail images.
Scan to email enables print shops to diversify the services they can offer by being able to convert hard copies in to electronic data to send as email attachments. In addition, it also allows businesses to approve documents in advance of the print-run increasing levels of customer satisfaction and reducing wastage.
Simple maintenance and document management
Ricoh’s unique RPCS technology enables users to easily print according to their pre-configured requirements at the touch of a button. In addition, Ricoh’s Web Image Monitor software allows operators to check the status of toner levels and paper volumes online from their PC. Should any faults occur in the print run, Ricoh has designed the Aficio 2090 and 2105 to enable toner changes, print jams and refills to be made without interrupting the job. This means that users will experience less downtime and maintain productivity levels.
Both the Aficio 2090 and 2105 come with a substantial 80GB HDD (2 x 40GB) in which users can store up to 2000 email addresses for distribution via the ‘Scan to Email’ facility. Saved documents can be saved in and retrieved from the document server, which can be configured to display documents by text, thumbnail or icons depending on the user’s preference.
Small but perfectly formed
One of the main considerations for copy shops is maximising use of space. The Aficio 2090 and 2105 are both compact, highly functional machines that take up approximately a quarter of the footprint of models with a comparable level of output. When fully configured, the unit is just four metres long, letting business fit more machines into a smaller space. A tandem link option allows lengthy print runs to be split over two machines, doubling the speed of output to 210ppm and allowing copy shops to reduce turn around times considerably.
Advances in technology have all but killed off the need for huge printing and copying machines. The new wave of solutions offer more functionality and flexibility in a considerably smaller footprint and the development of sophisticated software applications has allowed copy shops more control than ever before. The Aficio 2090 and 2105 represent the way forward for copy shops serious about giving the customer a real value for money service.