How to Choose Your Copy Machine

Every office needs this one staple piece of equipment, the copy machine. In the 1780’s the earliest version of a copy machine was being used by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. According to officemuseum.com, “Letter copying presses are the most common machines found in photographs of late 19^th century and very early 20^th century offices.” In modern times, the copy machine has grown into much more than a letter copier. Whether you need an industrial strength printer or speedy fax machine, you can find it all rolled into one convenient piece of equipment.

As the technology has advanced, so have both the price and options. Because of this, you want be familiar with recent product reviews. With content written by the customer, you can get an accurate depiction of how particular brands and features work. This is a good way to decipher whether that particular piece will be a good fit for your office needs.

Your Options

While the standard copy machine still has its place in offices everywhere, many companies are finding that a multifunctional copier is more cost effective. Many copiers are now able to send faxes and connect as a fully functional printer. For a busy office, this can keep you within the boundaries of your budget while employees can be fully functional on one piece of equipment.

The newest advance in copy machine technology is the introduction of a 3D copier. These machines use material cartridges to re-create objects in 3D form. This has been found useful in almost every industry. As this technology is becoming more common place, the price for such copiers is minimal, if not free. RepRap offers their product for free because they can use the copying technology to simply create more.

Reviewing the Product

So you’ve decided what particular copy machine you want to go with. Now you need to get some user input on whether you should go through with the purchase. There are a variety of sites that will provide you with useful information, but you’ll want to sift through these sites.

· Get a feel for their general reviewer base. You’ll want people using the copy machine within the office, to get the best idea of its abilities in regards to your particular needs.

· It would be ideal to find a site that also hosts professional reviews. Those within the industry can give proper assessments on different equipment.

· Some sites are dedicated to alumni employees. Those who have worked for Staples or other office stores will have a wide knowledge of the varying brands and equipment.

Maintenance

When you’re spending a significant amount of money on one product, you want to be sure it is covered in the case of an accident. Copy machines come with some form of warranty, and you need to purchase that. Because the machine will get a significant amount of use within your office, problems are bound to arise.

Many companies will offer a variety of warranty options. It is always a good idea to get the extended warranty. This ensures that you have coverage for as long as possible. You may also find coverage for regular maintenance and check-ups. This is also a good warranty option to take. While you may not know something is wrong, regular maintenance might discover a hiccup in the system saving you costly problems in the future.

The copy machine is of utmost importance with your office. As a copier, printer and fax machine, you need it for most communication between employees and clients. Be sure to choose the machine that will best suit your office.