Analysing your printing needs before you buy can save money in the long runThe current economic climate means most businesses are trying to save money in as many ways as possible. In many areas expenses can be cut considerably, for example business travel, but what about in areas where levels of functionality must remain the same?

Printing is one of these; it's difficult to cut back on print costs whilst also pursuing growth strategies. Yet following some simple advice can help all companies buy the equipment that best suits their needs yet keep running and maintenance costs down to an absolute minimum.

Work out how much you'll use your printer

A busy office building will require greater output than a small office. High demands, such as quick turnaround time, constant use, fast warm-up times, are necessary for businesses where printing forms a large part of their daily operations. If your business only prints sporadically, a less powerful printer can suffice.

Cheaper printers tend to have more expensive ink

A lot of printer manufacturers lower device prices then charge you a large premium for consumables and maintenance. Spending a little bit more on a printer now can often be cost-effective in the long run, particularly if your company prints extensively requiring regular cartridge replacement. Some printers, such as the Xerox ColorQube 9200, offer variable printing plans so you only pay for the colour you use; this can be very economical for companies who rarely print high-quality colour pages.

Do you see your print needs growing?

If your business is experiencing rapid growth, buying a printer is not always the best idea. Printer leasing can be a cost-effective solution for companies who need to regularly upgrade their print functionality, and those who experience seasonal spikes in page output. In addition, printer leasing offers a host of strategic benefits including variable payment plans, inclusive maintenance charges and easy upgrade paths.

Inkjet, laser, solid ink - which one is best?

The print system you buy will depend on your individual business needs. Inkjet printers are inexpensive models and suitable for home environments but are typically unsuitable for business use. Laser printers can be very useful for companies that have a regular, large output, yet the benefits of solid ink are attracting more and more companies who value eco-friendliness, cheaper consumables and more vibrant colours.

Analysing and upgrading your print functionality can be a tough job at the best of times, so why not speak to the experts? First Choice Business Systems are specialists in leasing and selling Xerox printers to a range of business environments and have experience constructing tailored printer packages to suit individual business needs. Please call them on 0800 072 3747 for a free consultation.

Xerox Phaser 6360: modern functionality at an affordable priceThe Xerox Phaser 6360 is a robust colour laser printer that truly sets the standard for its class. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from its affordability and fast output, providing maximum functionality to busy offices requiring frequent and vibrant colour output.

The printer is the only printer in its class to feature a 1ghz processor, giving you the power needed to handle multiple print jobs simultaneously. In the past you may have outsourced important jobs but with the Phaser 6360 you can process them in-house, saving time and money, in addition to maintaining full project control at all times.

Businesses benefit in several ways with the Phaser 6360:

• Lightning fast prints up to 40ppm
• Resolutions up to 2400dpi
• Adobe PostScript 3 for maximum colour vibrancy
• PhaserSMART online troubleshooting gives you full access to Knowledgebase articles
• First-page-out time in as fast as 9 seconds
• Maximum paper capacity: 2,350 sheets

If your office needs to upgrade its print functionality and is looking for a solid, well-made device that will grow as your print needs do, the Xerox Phaser 6360 could be for you. Combining fast results with up-to-date technology, it's a powerful and punctual printer that won't fail to let you down. If you'd like to know more about it, please get in touch with First Choice Business Systems, specialists in Xerox printers, on 0800 072 3747.

Xerox Phaser 6110: entry level colour printing for companies on a budgetThe Xerox Phaser 6110 is a robust and functional colour printer designed to meet the needs of both personal and small business use. It is an entry-level offering that maximises usability and affordability but not at the expense of cost. In addition it is incredibly environmentally friendly and offers one of the lowest footprints in its class, which will be particularly beneficial to businesses looking to improve their print functionality without increasing their carbon footprint.

The Phaser 6110 offers features uncommon to its class, allowing businesses room to grow and expand without the need to purchase additional equipment. With four-step installation and high-impact colour and black and white printing at up to 2400 x 600dpi, businesses and home users will have access to everything they need for an efficient, productive print job.

Other features of the Phaser 6110 include:

• Colour printing up to 4ppm
• Black and white printing up to 16ppm
• Paper capacity up to 150 sheets
• Prints on a wide range of media types
• Max duty cycle of 24,200 pages per month
• Mac and PC compatibility
• Network connectivity on the 6110N model

If you're interested in the benefits of the Xerox Phaser 6110 and would like a free consultation on how this cost-effective printer could transform your home office or small business, please phone First Choice Business Systems. They're experts in Xerox printers and offer free consultations for businesses looking to upgrade their print functionality.

Solid Ink offers environmental and financial benefits to companies of all sizesIt's a well known fact that most businesses would like to print more colour pages but find the cost prohibitive. Laser printers have traditionally been far too expensive to maintain to make regular use affordable and efficient.

However, solid ink technology from Xerox - which replaces toners and lasers with blocks of solid ink that is melted down and applied internally - delivers a host of strategic financial benefits allowing companies an easy and cost-effective way to move to colour.

Financial benefits include:

• Vibrant prints produced on recycled paper; laser printers have traditionally struggled.
• No expenses toners to replace; in many cases toners cost close to the cost of the printer itself.
• Limited packaging means less disposable waste to manage
• Separate solid ink blocks meaning colours can be individually replaced
• Only one customer replaceable component, the drum unit

In addition solid ink delivers a host of environmental benefits to businesses, essential at a time when companies face increased pressure to do their bit for the environment.

• Produces 90% less waste in comparison to a conventional machine
• Non-toxic and safe to handle
• Less packaging than toners and other devices, yet easy to recycle
• No left over ink cartridges or toners to recycle; ink blocks are melted until diminished

And in the right printer, solid ink technology can save you even more money. The Xerox ColourQube 9200 series is a top-of-the-line multifunction device designed to bring colour printing within the reach of smaller and medium sized businesses who require state-of-the-art functionality. The printer utilises an innovative system based on a three tiered spending plan that charges you for only the colour you use. Pages printed are classified into different categories:

• Useful - content is mostly black and white
• Everyday - for basic colour printing
• Expressive for vibrant and multi-coloured content

The printer automatically tracks which category each page is printed in, and charges customers on a page-basis to ensure they never pay too much for colour prints.

Consider switching to solid ink technology to reap the superior benefits of using such a technology. If you want to know more about what solid ink can do for your business, or about the ColorQube 9200 itself, give First Choice Business Systems a call on 0800 072 3747. They're specialists in Xerox printer products and provide free consultations.

Phaser 7760: high quality colour as standardMany businesses require accurate colour in their day-to-day operations but even in today's high-tech world it can be hard to achieve. Inaccurate colour results in poor quality proofs which can frequently end in lost business or significant off-project costs. Businesses quickly lose confidence in the ability of their print equipment to deliver the results needed.

The Xerox Phaser 7760 is different. It's an expertly designed colour laser printer designed to deliver crystal clear colour every time. With Pantone-certification, the printer facilitates expert proofing on every page giving companies complete power over their print jobs. Fine detail 1200 x 1200 dpi printing in addition to PhaserMatch® 4.0 print colour management software helps ensure every page is as perfect as you need it to be.

The Phaser 7760 comes with a range of other features enabling it to deliver every time.

• Print speeds up to 35ppm colour and 45ppm black and white
• First-page-out times of 9 seconds for colour
• Two finishing options
• Maximum input capacity of 3,150 sheets
• Maximum paper size: SRA3 and banners
• Automatic two-sided printing as standard

If your company's colour needs have evolved, or if you're simply looking to take your productivity to the next level, the Xerox Phaser 7760 can help you get there easily and affordably. For more information, please give First Choice Business Systems, specialists in Xerox printers, a call on 0800 072 3747.