Migrating to paperless operations might be all the rage these days, but printing still plays a key role in many businesses. However, given all the focus on digital technologies, it’s easy for the humble office printer to take a back seat when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Still, most office workers know just how irritating it can be if the printer breaks down and prevents them from doing their jobs.
When a printer breaks down, it might be tempting to replace it, but that’s hardly the most cost-effective option in the case of high-volume business printers. Consumer printers might be dirt cheap and easy to replace, but it’s another matter when you’re talking about free-standing laser printers and copiers that often cost upwards of $2,000. Scheduling printer repair services can help you save money while keeping your business running smoothly.
What is the real cost of getting a new printer?
Smaller offices that only have occasional printing needs might be able to get by with a cheap multifunction tabletop printer. But when you need to print thousands of pages per month, as many offices do, you need something that can handle that volume without breaking down all the time or demanding huge amounts of expensive consumables.
These printers tend to cost at least $1,000, and businesses with high-end design and publishing needs can expect to spend at least twice that. On top of this, most offices usually have at least two printers for accommodating different workloads, which means they end up spending more on printing costs.
While it’s easy to think only in terms of the cost of new printers, there are some other costs to consider. In particular, toner and ink cartridges change all the time, even if you stick with the same manufacturer or product line for as long as possible. So if you’ve got a stockpile of consumables for an existing printer, chances are they’ll be rendered useless if you replace the machine. Even if existing stockpiles aren’t an issue, installing a new printer can be complicated and time-consuming, especially when you need to install new drivers on every networked computer.
Can you really repair a printer that’s not working?
Low-end printers aimed toward the consumer market aren’t really designed to be repaired, but that’s not the case with business printers. These are usually more serviceable, but they’re not always easy to repair. Sometimes, all they require is a proper cleaning or a new print head. But other times, they just can’t print as well as they used to, so they just end up being abandoned. Moreover, printers contain many moving parts, so there’s always a chance of something going wrong. But that also doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to replace it.
By partnering with an on-demand printer repair company, you’ll be able to make an informed decision as to whether it’s more cost-effective to repair the printer or to replace it. In most cases, if an office printer breaks down, it’s cheaper and quicker to repair it. There’s not usually any need to completely reinstall the printer on the network or replace drivers on all the computers that use it either.
If you have a professional take care of the job, your employees won’t have to get bogged down by tasks they’re not best equipped to deal with, and they’ll be able to get back to work faster. This has indirect cost-saving benefits as well, in the form of improved productivity and reduced risk. An on-demand printer repair service also offers a learning opportunity, since technicians can instruct users on troubleshooting a malfunctioning printer.
Kortek Solutions provides on-demand printer repair and servicing to minimize disruption and reduce costs. Contact us today to find out more.