Author Archives: dwegner

  1. Do You Know How to Choose Managed IT Services?

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    Managed IT services comes with a lot of options, decisions, and opportunities. To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to make the right call–or, perhaps more precisely, the right calls. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right paths when it comes to managed IT services!

     

    Managed IT services comes with a lot of options, decisions, and opportunities. To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to make the right call–or, perhaps more precisely, the right calls. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right paths when it comes to managed IT services!

    Deciding on Managed IT Services

    The idea behind managed IT services is to make your life easier by supporting and protecting your IT environment. To get to that point, though, you have to make a few big decisions, which doesn’t always feel easy.

    Luckily, there are ways to make sure you get the most out of managed IT. Just break your decisions into three basic categories:

    The service

    The first decisions to focus on are those about the service itself. What do you need from managed IT services? What do you want a managed IT provider to do for your company? Some services are all-inclusive, helping you manage devices, implement IT strategies, and more, while others are simpler and focused more exclusively on devices or network connections. Just remember to consider both current and future needs when making your choices.

    The company

    Next, you need to choose a managed IT services provider to be your partner in tech. You should ask a lot of questions to make sure this provider is a good fit–for example, you need to know how you’d be able to reach them, what their response times are, how long they’ve been in business, whether they have references, and more. Keep in mind that a good provider will be eager to learn about you, too–that’s how you know they actually care about your business and needs.

    The pricing

    One of the benefits of managed IT is a flat rate for your IT solutions instead of the piecemeal cost of paying for repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and other needs on your own. However, that flat rate depends on how robust the service is, and some providers will work with you to explore payment plans and options. The good news is that managed IT services often helps pay for itself by saving money, reducing waste, and reducing the costs associated with downtime.

    Conclusion

    There are plenty of decisions to be made when it comes to managed IT services, but the most important one is this: Are you ready to get started? Once you’ve taken that first step, the other choices become a little bit easier–simply because there are tangible benefits on the horizon.

    So, are you ready to get started? Contact us today for help with all your managed IT services decisions!

  2. What to Expect From Document Scanning

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    Don’t you wish every option in life had a handy guidebook–one that would tell you exactly what to expect and how a certain choice could impact you? Well, that may not be realistic in other areas, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to scanning. Here’s your quick guide on what to expect from scanning solutions!

     

    Don’t you wish every option in life had a handy guidebook–one that would tell you exactly what to expect and how a certain choice could impact you? Well, that may not be realistic in other areas, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to scanning. Here’s your quick guide on what to expect from scanning solutions!

    Scanning: Your Simple Guide

    The first thing to know about scanning is that it’s a simple concept, but it’s not always a simple process. That’s because scanning solutions are a little different for every company and can change depending on variables like how many files you need to scan or what your organizational goals are. Luckily, scanning comes with so many benefits that it’s definitely worth taking the time to brush up on all the details.

    Here are a few things to expect from scanning solutions:

    • You’ll rethink your priorities.

    You may be interested in scanning because you want to save space in your office or because you’re hoping to make things easier for your teams. Those things will probably happen–but scanning has so much more to offer that you might find yourself rethinking your priorities. For example, scanning is often the first step in digital transformation; could this be your opportunity to finally start going paperless?

    • You’ll probably want a shredder.

    If you give a business a Canon Scanner, they’ll probably want a shredder to go with it. That’s because it’s common to find documents you don’t want to spend time scanning–but you can’t just throw them away. Naturally, that’s where your shredder will come in handy.

    • You’re going to need a team.

    Depending on how many files you have, the chances are high that scanning will never be a one-person job. Assemble a team of people with a good eye for organization and ask for their help turning physical files into orderly, easy-to-manage digital documents.

    • You can count on almost-endless benefits.

    Scanning is the gift that keeps on giving. Once a document is scanned, you can update, edit, share, or distribute it to your heart’s content–not to mention all the security options your physical files never offered.

    Conclusion

    As you experiment with scanning solutions, you’ll find there’s no single “right” way to get the job done. However, it certainly helps to know what to expect–especially when you’ll need to plan ahead (for example, to choose a shredder or assemble a team).

    Ready to start your scanning journey? Contact us today for all the help you need!

  3. 3 Big Promises Made By Managed Print Services

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    Managed print services promises all kinds of benefits for companies like yours. However, three of those benefits really stand out–so today, we’re taking a closer look at what managed print services can do for you.

     

    Managed print services promises all kinds of benefits for companies like yours. However, three of those benefits really stand out–so today, we’re taking a closer look at what managed print services can do for you.

    The Managed Print Services Promise

    It’s not every day you find a solution that makes promises and shows you exactly how it’s going to fulfill those promises. Managed print services, however, is special.

    First, let’s take a look at three of the biggest things managed print promises to do:

    • Reduced waste: Wasted time, money, and energy can really impact your budget. Managed print services promises to help reduce this waste by identifying bad habits and suggesting more efficient alternatives.

    • Improved visibility: When you don’t know what’s going on in your print environment, it’s difficult to make any forward progress. That’s why managed print promises to help you push back the curtain and find out how your printers are being used, what your habits are, where your money goes, and how you can make effective changes.

    • Boosted productivity: Another big promise made by managed print services is boosted productivity. By cutting out extra steps, streamlining your workflows, and simplifying your print environment, this solution helps your employees do their best work.

    Now that you know what these promises look like let’s find out how managed print actually delivers.

    The secret is the partnership you create with your managed print provider. This partner will guide you through every choice, change, and solution, helping you reach your goals and making sure these three promises are kept. Plus, because your provider performs a print audit at the beginning of your relationship, you’ll always have a benchmark you can use to measure progress and see the promises in action.

    Conclusion

    Managed print services makes plenty of promises, but unlike other solutions, it keeps them–and, perhaps more importantly, it shows you exactly how it makes progress on those promises. That’s why a strong relationship with your managed print provider is so important: Your provider is responsible for making sure you actually see these benefits.

    Contact us today to see what managed print services can do for you!

  4. Sharp Launches New Line of A3 Color Workgroup Document Systems

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    MONTVALE, N.J., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) announces a new line of color workgroup document systems designed to fit today’s diverse workstyles. Seven new color models, ranging in speeds of 26 – 45 pages per minute, are the first in a new series comprising a total of 22 color and monochrome models that will be rolled out over the coming months. These models offer intelligent features and connectivity that enable office workers to collaborate with colleagues seamlessly and securely, even when they are working remotely.

    Enhanced cloud service connectivity, such as with Microsoft Teams, make it easy to streamline communication and native Microsoft Universal Print capability facilitate integration with Microsoft 365 environments that leverage simplified print management.

    The new Advanced and Essentials Series utilize the latest technology to help users get work done with greater efficiency. Innovative features such as multi-feed scan detection and enhanced auto skew correction, help ensure jobs come out right the first time, every time. Users can scan documents at up to 280 images-per-minute with the 300-sheet duplexing single pass feeder on Advanced Series models. The new inner folding unit offers a variety of fold patterns, including tri-fold, z-fold and others without taking up any extra floor space. Organizations can also maximize productivity with easy access to expanded cloud services, quickly connect to mobile devices to print and scan files and even utilize touchless operation with the Sharp Synappx Go app.

    Leading security technology is also built into the new Advanced and Essentials Series to help organizations protect their data. Features, such as system integrity check at startup, firmware attack prevention with self recovery, as well as optional Bitdefender® antivirus (coming this summer) will help provide protection from hackers and malicious intruders.

    “With the launch of this new A3 color workgroup product line, Sharp continues to Invest in its product offerings with leading technology, features and value,” says Shane Coffey, vice president, Product Marketing, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “We are proud to offer the new Advanced and Essentials Series workgroup document systems, which offer leading, competitive features and outstanding performance.”

    The new Advanced and Essential Series will begin shipping in mid-April with seven models, followed by four additional models later this summer and the remaining models in the fall. Models shipping in April are the: BP-70C31, BP-70C36, BP-70C45, BP-50C26, BP-50C31, BP-50C36 and BP-50C45. Models can be purchased directly through Sharp or through an authorized dealership.

  5. Konica Minolta Launches MarketPlace Universal Print App

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    Ramsey, NJ, (April 20, 2022) Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced its free Universal Print App is now available in the Konica Minolta MarketPlace. The Universal Print solution frees IT admins from managing on-premise printing assets and print servers. Konica Minolta’s bizhub i-Series multi-function printers (MFP) support Universal Print as a Universal Print native printer. By integrating its MFPs and the Microsoft 365 environment, clients can reduce print-related costs and benefit from this seamless and productive printing experience.

    Konica Minolta first announced it would offer solutions to utilize Universal Print from Microsoft in 2020. Universal Print is a modern print solution organizations can use to manage their print infrastructure through cloud services from Microsoft. It runs entirely on Microsoft Azure, and when deployed with Universal Print–compatible printers, it does not require any on-premises infrastructure. It can be deployed with non-compatible printers by using Universal Print connector software. Universal Print is a Microsoft 365 subscription-based service.

    “The transition to remote work has increased businesses’ need for cloud-based print architecture, and Universal Print technology from Microsoft allows us to enhance our cloud printing services while also reducing costs and increasing productivity for our clients,” said Dino Pagliarello, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Planning, Konica Minolta. “We are pleased to now offer even easier access through the Konica Minolta MarketPlace App, ensuring all our Microsoft 365 users can take advantage of having a simple and secure printing environment.”

    Konica Minolta bizhub i-Series MFPs give IT admins more control over printer access rights by seamlessly and securely connecting to the Microsoft 365 environment. Everyday users who are authenticated and authorized by Azure Active Directory can access and execute print jobs from a Konica Minolta MFP that is shared on the Azure environment by registering their i-Series printer as a shared printer on the Azure portal and downloading the Konica Minolta MarketPlace Universal Print app to the MFP.

    To add more value to Universal Print, Konica Minolta’s multifunction printers provide hybrid print solutions and unified technology of on-premise and cloud printing. These include print management, secure printing and print-from-anywhere including home office to make remote work efficient. Combined with Universal Print, the solutions allow for a smooth digital transformation from on-premise to cloud that keeps pace with each client’s maturity level.

    Konica Minolta’s bizhub i-Series MFPs support direct printing through Universal Print and the new Universal Print App found in the Konica Minolta MarketPlace. Learn more about the bizhub i-Series online.

  6. Konica Minolta Launches AccurioPress 6272P

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    Ramsey, NJ, (April 19, 2022) Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leader in industrial and commercial printing and packaging solutions, today announced the release of its AccurioPress 6272P press, designed to help customers rethink monochrome print possibilities. Commercial printers, print-for-pay services and central in-house printing operations are all major target markets for the fully configured digital production press, which replaces the bizhub PRESS 2250P.

    Based on the highly successful single-engine AccurioPress 6136P, this flagship monochrome digital press utilizes dual-engine technology that enables printing more than 16,000 images per hour (ipm). Customers benefit from the AccurioPress 6272P’s best-in-class durability, reliability, productivity, efficiency and automation while optimizing their investment through a low total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to similar speed devices.

    The AccurioPress 6272P prints 272 ipm duplex to meet tight print deadlines and supports a wide range of media, including coated and uncoated stock in weights from 40 gsm up to 350 gsm and ranging from 3.74” x 5.24” to 12.76” x 19.02”. With a maximum input capacity of 18,000 sheets and a maximum output capacity of up to 18,600 sheets with three high-capacity stackers, the press delivers long, uninterrupted runs.

    The tandem-engine combination, achieved through the tandem relay unit (TD-502), provides twice the speed and double the productivity in one integrated production process that offers superior image quality and a wide range of automated features. The press uses LED print heads at 1,200 x 1,200 dpi with technology to ensure smaller fonts are crisp and halftones are smooth, producing stunning monochrome text and images.

    As with the AccurioPress 6136P series, the 6272P uses CIE color space when converting color documents to black and white, creating richer gradations than conventional conversion. Independent front-to-back alignment and a distortion-adjustment function ensure accurate duplex registration for book blocks, technical documents and more. The newly developed pass-through mode secures production in the rare case of a machine error, and the standard paper-cooling system enables all output to be processed immediately offline after printing.

    Enhanced Efficiency by Automation

    For printing companies looking to integrate their printing, and organizations that use digital printing to produce their own in-house publications and promotional materials, AccurioPro, Konica Minolta’s suite of digital solutions for professional printing, boosts speed and efficiency, expands capabilities and services and reduces the need for operational manpower. Together, these features streamline customers’ print jobs and help to boost their profitability.

    A stacking unit and a wide variety of finishing options with an interface to third-parties such as Plockmatic and GBC, enhance the 6272P’s speed and productivity for high-demand printing environments to create print products that stand out and create added value. The press is also compatible with the IQ-501 for managing front-to-back registration and gradation. Additionally with the TD-502, customers can upgrade their existing AccurioPress 6136P and double its productivity to that of the AccurioPress 6272P.

    “This launch represents another great example of how Konica Minolta supports its clients’ digital transformation through advanced automation, fewer human touchpoints and higher productivity with tangible effects that lead to increased, high-quality output with less waste,” said Dino Pagliarello, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Planning, Konica Minolta. “Combining features such as the AccurioPro Print Manager, TD-502 tandem relay unit and IQ-501 for registration ensure this system meets customer demands in high-volume printing environments.”

  7. Your Multifunction Printer Needs These 3 Things

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    Ready to choose a multifunction printer? Not so fast–there are three things your machine absolutely needs, and if you decide on one that falls short of these elements, you might not get all the benefits you were hoping for. Here’s what to know!

     

    Ready to choose a multifunction printer? Not so fast–there are three things your machine absolutely needs, and if you decide on one that falls short of these elements, you might not get all the benefits you were hoping for. Here’s what to know!

    Best Multifunction Printer Elements

    You probably know by now that multifunction printers are known for their bells and whistles. After all, their claim to fame is that they can print, fax, copy, and scan, all in the same place, but they should be able to do plenty of other things.

    As you search for the perfect multifunction printer, be on the lookout for these three elements that can make or break your printing experience:

    Appropriate speed and power

    Speed is important when it comes to multifunction printers, but so is power. The best way to approach this question is to think about your needs. How often do you have high-speed, high-volume print jobs? How many people could be waiting to use the printer at one time? In general, it’s best to err on the side of “fast and powerful.”

    Effective features

    Your multifunction printer shouldn’t just scan, copy, print, or fax and call it a day. Make sure to brush up on all available features–like finishing options–and choose those that will create the most benefits, both now and in the future.

    Connectivity

    A good multifunction printer should play nice with your other devices and systems. That’s especially important if you’re interested in mobile printing, which is a great tool for hybrid or remote workforces. Just make sure you find a make and model that prioritizes connectivity!

    Conclusion

    The good news about the multifunction printer shopping experience is that the three most important elements–speed/power, features, and connectivity–aren’t difficult to find. The only thing you need to do is brush up on your options so you can be confident you’ve made the best choice for your business.

    Looking for that perfect multifunction printer? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today for help choosing the right machine!

  8. How to Choose a Managed IT Services Provider

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    There’s a lot to consider when it comes to managed IT services, but perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is which provider to go with. That choice isn’t always easy–so here are a few tips to help you end up with a partner you can trust!

     

    There’s a lot to consider when it comes to managed IT services, but perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is which provider to go with. That choice isn’t always easy–so here are a few tips to help you end up with a partner you can trust!

    Understanding Managed IT Services Providers

    What is a managed IT services provider, anyway?

    A provider is a company that acts as your partner in tech. When you outsource your IT support, they’re the ones who take responsibility for issues big and small–which is why it’s so important to find a provider you trust.

    Ideally, a provider should begin your relationship by performing an audit or analysis of your tech environment. That way, they have all the information they need to make recommendations, choose solutions, and help you overcome any specific pain points. This doesn’t mean they should “take over,” though. Remember, this is a partnership–so you should be able to make requests or changes whenever you want.

    The Right Managed IT Services Provider

    So, now you know what a managed IT services provider should look like–how do you find one that fits the bill? Here are a few things to look for:

    #1: Reliability

    Most managed IT providers say they’re reliable, but only some of them can back up this claim with facts. Look for providers with long histories and glowing testimonials to prove how reliable they are.

    #2: Expertise

    IT is complicated and fast-moving. The right provider will have expertise in a variety of tech fields, which means you’ll never get stuck with unanswered questions or problems no one can solve.

    #3: A connection

    Naturally, a managed IT services provider should be good at IT–but they also need to have a good connection with you. If they don’t communicate clearly or don’t seem friendly, they’re probably not the right partner for your company.

    In conclusion, a managed IT services provider should be your partner in tech. To choose that partner, look for qualities like reliability and expertise–and don’t forget how important it is to have a real connection.

    Want to learn more about managed IT services? Looking for the right provider? Contact us today!

  9. 3 Ways to Use Scanning Solutions

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    It’s easy to hear the word “scanning” and get so distracted by the work itself that you forget why you actually started this journey in the first place. In fact, you’ve probably spent so much time looking for the right machine and crunching numbers that you may have forgotten the fun part–which is deciding how you get to actually use your new scanning solutions. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

     

    It’s easy to hear the word “scanning” and get so distracted by the work itself that you forget why you actually started this journey in the first place. In fact, you’ve probably spent so much time looking for the right machine and crunching numbers that you may have forgotten the fun part–which is deciding how you get to actually use your new scanning solutions. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

    Endless Opportunities with Scanning Solutions

    The truth about scanning is that it’s full of opportunity. Even if you buy a scanner for just one purpose, you’re sure to find more ways of using your new machine down the road. Better yet, scanning is one of those solutions that has real staying power–which means it’s not going “out of style” any time soon (or maybe ever).

    Although the possibilities are just about endless, here are three quick ideas to get the ball rolling:

    • #1: Finally fulfill that New Year’s resolution.

    If you’ve been promising for years that you’ll get organized, scanning is your chance to finally make it happen. After scanning paper documents, you’ll have neat, easy-to-maneuver digital files that can be sorted and searched by title, keyword, date, content, and more.

    • #2: Practice your digital signature.

    You know how your signature never looks the same when you write it digitally? Scanning allows you to work on that by allowing you to scan and send documents for digital signage. It’s fast, efficient, and a good way to make your autograph look fancy.

    • #3: Laugh in the face of paper dangers.

    Scanning allows you to create reliable backups of all your files. That means something like a flood, fire, or even accidental loss can no longer take away your most important data, meaning your documents will always be right where you need them.

    Conclusion

    Scanning opportunities might be virtually endless, but it never hurts to have a place to start. Whether you’re getting organized, giving employees and customers the chance to digitally sign paperwork, or shrugging off potential paper loss like it’s no big deal, scanning is sure to create all kinds of benefits for your business.

    Want to see what scanning can do for you? Contact us today to get started!

  10. How Managed Print Services Saves More Than Money

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    Many business solutions are all about saving money. That’s hugely important, of course–but if that’s all they do, they’ll quickly run out of steam. Instead, you need a solution that builds a solid foundation for your company, helping you save more than money–and that’s where managed print services comes in.

     

    Many business solutions are all about saving money. That’s hugely important, of course–but if that’s all they do, they’ll quickly run out of steam. Instead, you need a solution that builds a solid foundation for your company, helping you save more than money–and that’s where managed print services comes in.

    Saving More With Managed Print Services

    Let’s make one thing clear: Managed print services absolutely saves money. The difference between this and other solutions, though, is that managed print services doesn’t stop there. Instead, it creates solutions that help save other valuable resources for your company.

    Sound too good to be true? See for yourself:

    Saving money

    Managed print services saves money in all kinds of ways–but perhaps most importantly, it makes your print costs transparent. When you can see what’s going on in your budget, it’s much easier to be in control.

    Saving time

    Another thing managed print services saves is time. By simplifying your workflows and cutting out extra steps–not to mention cutting down on technical difficulties, troubleshooting, and downtime–this solution helps keep you efficient and productive.

    Saving space

    Need a little more breathing room? No problem–managed print services can also help rearrange and structure your fleet to give your workspace that “flow” you’ve been searching for.

    Saving energy

    You shouldn’t have to waste your energy worrying about print problems. With managed print services on your side, you can shift your focus to the big stuff while your trusted provider handles the rest.

    Saving the planet

    Managed print services makes it both easy and efficient to choose environmentally friendly solutions like recycled supplies or less wasteful machines.

    Conclusion

    Sure, it’s important to save money–but managed print services can do that and so much more. If you want to save time, space, energy, and the planet along with your budget, you’ve come to the right place.

    Want to see managed print services in action? Contact us today for all the help you need!