In the past three years, everything has changed in the copier industry. Many copier models now come with standard accessories that were once only available to select models. You need to be familiar with the features and requirements of any copier you are looking to lease or buy. What is an ADF/DADF (automatic document feeder)? The ADF/DADF is a scanner that sits at the top of a copier. It lets you automatically feed a stack paper to copy, fax out, or scan to computer. This option is still available on some brands of copiers. This is a must-have feature for any machine that needs it. The feeder can hold up to 50 pages, some up to 100 pages at a time, depending on whether you have a multifunction printer or digital copier.
What does digital sorting look like on Ricoh, Sharp, and Canon copiers (and other brands as well)? Digital sorting is available on all color copiers and multifunction copiers that have been in production for 5 years. Digital sorting refers to each copy, print and fax job being “offset” from its predecessor (shifted side-to-side). This feature does NOT limit the number document sets that your copier is able to sort. You can limit the number of slots if you have an external copier mailbox finisher. What is a duplex device? A duplex unit allows your digital copier to do double-sided printing and copying. This option is available on certain brands. The standard option is available on older models (less than 3 years). Business class copiers, such as Canons, Sharps, Ricoh, Kyocera, and other models, can be used for two-sided copying (one to two), two to four copying, and printing with the menu keys.
What are the options for paper drawers? All business-class copier scanners include two paper drawers. One drawer is usually included with personal copiers at the lower end. The paper drawer “cassette”, or paper drawer, can hold several sizes of papers from A4 to 11×17. Most models are capable of handling sizes A4-Living. The majority of mid-range digital copiers can handle paper up to 11×17 size pages. Optional Paper Cassette Drawer Options: Some models can handle up to 3,000 pages with additional paper drawers (feeders). A typical copier paper drawer can hold 500 sheets. A bypass tray may be required if you are printing heavy paper stock. Can copier printers be green to save electricity? Most recent models of digital copier scanners have an energy-compliant power save mode. Power save mode will be around for the foreseeable future due to increased demand from marketing professionals, governments, and end users. In other words, the color copier will wait for copier jobs to be processed before turning on its power. After receiving a job, it will power back up quickly. This saves money and reduces your electrical costs.
Are all copier scanners equipped with the fax option. This option is not usually included in a standard copier accessory. You can send and receive faxes with this copier. You can also fax to computer and email with most photocopier brands. You will need to setup mail boxes and install the software for each computer in your network. What security, client tracking and billing features do you have? This is something lawyers excel at. For every sheet of paper that is produced by their scanner printer, they charge their clients. They can track the number produced pages by using digital photocopiers security features. Access codes can be assigned to most machines. Each client, employee or department can be assigned a copier access code. Once the printers are set up, you need to input a security key before any job can be printed or copied.
To see the pages that were copied and printed by each access code, print the access report at the end of your billing period. Not sure what you require? Ask questions! Ask questions! There are many options for color copier features. Each feature is designed to serve a purpose. Don’t assume that the digital copier scanner can do everything you need. Ask for the specification.
