Bespoke printers, such as the ColorQube 9200, can cut costs considerably with a Managed Print ServiceMany colleges and universities around the World are struggling to cope with the recession in much the same way as businesses. IT departments at academic instituions are faced with the need to cut costs and follow a 'more with less' strategy that has become so prevalent in businesses in the last year.

Yet print needs at academic institutions are often very high: students require materials for seminars and tutorials, materials to study with and the need to photocopy books when resources are limited. As such many IT managers find it incredibly difficult to cut computer-related costs yet maintain or improve the level of print functionality.

This dilemma is causing many universities to turn to Xerox Corporation to install a range of Managed Print Services (MPS) to cut operating costs, in some cases by as much as 30%. The possibilities are very impressive: the University of British Columbia in Canada expects to save around $8 million over six years with a strategic MPS.

MPS offer a host of benefits to educational establishments and businesses:

• They allow staff and students to interact more effectively with technology, and use the precise services they need rather than an inadequate solution that may over- or under-deliver unnecessarily.
• Increase the efficiency of each process by improving every aspect of the document cycle, from printing and scanning to design and delivery.
• Help organisations meet their sustainability policies by reducing energy consumption and reducing consumable packaging through more efficient printing.

If your business or academic establishment is struggling to cut costs, managed print services may be the answer. First Choice Business Systems have a proven track-record providing MPS to businesses around the country; for a free consultation please call 0800 072 3747.

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.