I couldn’t believe my ears the other day when IT blurted it out – “configure your multifunctional device to scan directly to an account on Google docs”. Up until now, I hadn’t been too excited about cloud computing, but Google docs is something I use almost every day to share and manage documents with clients and colleagues. Everyone these days seems to have a Google account, so this kind of solution will likely appeal to at least some of those users.

How does it work?

With a simple piece of middle ware, and by configuring the machine correctly, your multifunctional device can be set up to link directly to Google Docs. You simply select the appropriate path or designated folder on your device, and if the script is working correctly, it should appear in your Google doc account in no time (depending on the size of the document).

Why is this relevant?

For some customers this will be a very simple document management solution, where files can be uploaded and managed using a secure online account (Google Docs). For others it can be a cost effective innovation for their business into cloud computing. The ability to store documents (for free) and share them with whomever you like (by email address) could prove very convenient for some customers.

For more information on how to set this up for your own business, inquire with a 4 Office representative today.

Designed with the end-user in mind, these newly engineered MFPs encompass a budget-conscious solution offering the document imaging functionality required by customers.  Now businesses can print, copy, colour scan or fax — all while remaining within budget.

Kyocera Taskalfa 255

Perfect for any office environment

The TASKalfa 305/255 multifunctional systems with SMARTtech (Simple Management and Replacement Technology) assure simple-to-operate and simple-to-manage MFP functionality making them ideal for virtually every busy office and workgroup, especially round-the-clock document environments, highly secure offices and satellite locations.

Reliability
With Kyocera’s SMARTtech design, when service is required there is minimal interruption to business activities, to ensure maximum uptime.

Works hard for your office

• Fast Output Speeds of 30 and 25 ppm
• Print, Copy, Colour Scan and Optional Fax/Network Fax
• Standard Duplex and 50 Sheet Document Processor (RADF)
• Maximum Paper Capacity of 1,600 sheets
• Newly Designed Easy Operation Touch Screen Control Panel
• Integration with Active Directory and Secure Identity Solutions
• Ultra-Reliability with an industry-leading PM Schedule of 300,000 pages
• Optional 500 sheet finisher with multi-position stapling capabilities

Safety and Security

• Secure Print feature
• Secure RAM-Based Memory equipped with 512MB of RAM and upgradeable to 1,536 MB
• Option to configure with Kyocera’s Card Authentication Kit
• No hard disk drive that can be breached by unauthorized personnel

Powerful End-User Promotion: FREE desktop printer with each purchase of a TA-255 or TA-305.

Inquire with a 4 Office representative today for more information on these models and other Kyocera Copiers and Multifunctionals.

The Kyocera TASKalfa 552ci is the newest addition to one of the copier industries leading manufacturers. It has recently won a very strong rating from BLI test labs, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The unit features copy, print and scan capabilities, as well as optional faxing. With a highly customizable control panel, users can program up to 18 shortcuts for quick access to commonly used features tailored specifically for their businesses. The unit even has a web browser as a standard feature of the control panel.

Strengths:

Outstanding Value

• Very good overall test performance in BLI’s job stream test (which simulates usage in a real-world, multi-user environment).

• Fast first copy times in both colour and black – for greater office efficiency.

• Outstanding black image quality, and very good overall colour image quality.

• Preventative maintenance interval design means one of the lowest service call rates of any copier or MFP in its class.

• Dual scan document feeder (sheets only go through once meaning less wear and tear on ADF).

• Robust customization capabilities from the control panel.

• Simple overall procedures for removing mis-feeds and replacing toner.

• Print from and scan to any USB drive right from the touch screen control panel.

• Standard web browser access from the control panel.

Weaknesses:

• Cumbersome procedures for switching between the PCL and Postscript drivers.

• Slightly more cumbersome procedure for adjusting the size of paper drawers compared to some competing models.

• Standard Max paper capacity lower than average for the group.

The colour touch screen is highly customizable and even comes with a standard web browser!

Download the Full BLI Test Report Here

Multifunctional Print Devices Are Showing Strong Growth

Multifunctional Print Devices (MFP’s) show year over year growth in Q4 2009 / Monochrome beats out Colour.

The end of 2009 has shown positive signs for office equipment sales, and the economy as a whole. In the fourth quarter of 2009, the worldwide hardcopy device market grew 3.6%. It is determined that the increased popularity of multifunctional printers  has fueled a majority of the growth.

A surprising note was that mono (black & white) devices took the lead with 9.3% growth over colour devices at 8.0% which have previously maintained higher growth patterns in this industry.

(Source: International Data Corporation).

It could be that more companies are switching back towards mono devices as a cost cutting strategy, despite the fact that the impression cost on some colour devices is very competitive with some commercial units these days.

News Alert:

4 Office has expanded its product offering to include the OCE 9522, a highly efficient multifunction laser printer / copier / scanner / fax, with an average monthly volume of between 60,000 and 200,000 (within published specs).

Some of the basic specs below:

• 95 A4 images per minute

• 2 GB shared RAM

• 2 GHz Print/Scan processor

• 160 GB Hard drive disk

• Ease-of-use designed for the office

• Maximum security, including data encryption and user-specific authentication

• High paper capacity via four media trays

• Sorting, offset stacking, stapling, hole punching, booklet finishing and trimming

For this model and other exciting multifunction / laser printers & photocopiers see our product center.

Click Here to Download the OCE 9522 Brochure

For an amazing selection of photocopiers and MFP’s visit the product center on our website,

or

schedule a product demo at one of our locations.

To compliment this great feature, 4 Office has created a new version of our “Index Search” software which provides the user with a simple web based search function for easy access to all your scanned documents. With OCR (optical character recognition) technology – you can literally search for any document by any number or letter reference within the document. You have to see it to appreciate how good this is.

Compared to some of the products that are out there, this makes a document management solution an affordable option for some of the small and medium businesses that might not otherwise consider this as an option.

For more information on scanning solutions and electronic documents, contact sales.

For an amazing selection of copiers and MFP’s visit the product center on our website,

or

schedule a product demo at one of our locations.

Next time, when you use your photocopier or multifunctional device, perhaps reflect on how this device makes your life easier – and picture how your business would run without it.

“Which Office Product is Right for Your Organization?”

4 Office Automation Ltd. is a leading supplier of photocopiers, Multifunction Copiers, fax machines and printers to businesses, organizations and the public sector. We specialize in providing “all in” cost per-impression plans, that help you better manage the cost of your devices.

Choice: We sell and service products from four top rated brands. Not every office has the same requirements, but with four of the top brands, we are sure to have the right product at a price to fit your office budget. Contact us today for a full, no obligation quote.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: At 4 Office, we’ll let you switch brands or even return your product if you’re not completely satisfied. We guarantee every new product for 8 full years. See our guarantees.

Office Locations and Contact Information:

GTA Head Office:
425 Superior Blvd., Unit 1 & 2
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 2W5
Phone: 905-564-0522
Fax: 905-564-2865

Ottawa Regional Office:
2615 Lancaster Road, #15
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 5N2
Phone: 613-248-1500
Fax: 613-248-1501

Kingston Regional Office:
593 Norris Court, Unit 4
Kingston, Ontario K7P 2R9
Phone: 613-384-8676
Fax: 613-384-7817