Print Solutions for Primary

[owen1978]

Have been asked to look into our current print solution as the lease is expiring soon...

 

We have two B&W Ricoh MFP's which are about 5 years old! These are used as copiers but I will have them networked in the future.

 

The head is thinking of buying these off the company then finding someone to provide

a maintenance contract.

 

I came across the Ricoh Click solution which I like the sound of - So if we purchase these mfp's we can then add the Ricoh Click to it? Correct?

 

Is there similar solutions out there that anyone could recommend?

 

or any other ideas that someone might have?

 

I like the idea of followme printing, but would this be overkill in a primary school?

[SimpleSi]

After 5 years, you've had your time with them.

 

its no good having a maint contract if they are basically past their prime.

 

Its time to lease some new ones

 

Networked leased photocopiers are the best value for money/lack of hassle/best business practice etc

 

regards

 

Simon

[Tricky_Dicky]

I agree with SimpleSi. Our last lot of photocopiers were 3-5 years old and constantly getting problems so we took out a new contract with some much better machines and because it is such a competitive market ended up with a really good price.

To control the printing from the client end we use Papercut

[Ric_]

I would agree... the age of the machines will mean that any maintenance cost will be similar to the lease price of a new device. New devices are also more economical and have more/better features.

 

I just swapped out a load of HP printers which were getting a little long in the tooth for Konica Minolta devices. They maybe aren't as well built but for little difference in running costs I now just don't have to worry about them.

[owen1978]

Any Recommended companies?

[SimpleSi]

My school secs seem to go for Ricoh and Konica - thye basically shop around to get the best deal they can <0.5/page b&w <5p/page colour.

 

Only one of my schools has got 2 networked photocopiers (they have 3 - one for admin and 2 for curric) but I'm trying to persuade them of the benefits in doing so. (Heads generally can't understand the concept of TCO )

 

regards

 

Simon

[Tricky_Dicky]

Any Recommended companies?

 

We currently use Complete imaging, mainly because they are based near the school and so should respond faster... To be honest, have a google around and see what comes up. Might be worth asking your LEA to see if they use someone to get a better deal. i.e. if the LEA have 100 photocopiers you will get a better deal than if you just have 2.

[GrumbleDook]

Talk with your LA before taking on any lease deals with printers and/or copiers ... there are a number of cowboys out there and they *will* have experience of this in your area.

[owen1978]

Im based in Brum...

 

So I will check out complete imaging,

 

Does anyone use AltoDigital? what are you opinions?

[Kazzler33]

Maybe consider the Xerox page pack

[fiona_b]

Im based in Brum...

 

So I will check out complete imaging,

 

Does anyone use AltoDigital? what are you opinions?

 

I have spoken to complete imaging when sourcing a Ricoh copier for an engineering firm I was contracting for. I would go for Complete imaging as the guy i talked to (Lance i think) was honest and did not try and sell me anything i didn't need. They also did not bother me as i still had not made my choice up after 3 weeks, it's nice to be left alone. My contract with the engineering firm ended but two months after i left them they had a top end Ricoh installed with papercut installed on the machine for secure print release. Follow me printing was not enabled as they only wanted/needed one machine. I still maintain the company’s website and often get dragged into offering opinions on IT related matters and the copier and papercut have yet to cause them or more importantly me a problem.

Plus they are local to you.

If it was me i would look at what follow me print software you want/can afford then find out what photocopiers it works on and make my choice.

I would consider:

Ricoh

Sharp

Lexmark

K Mita

K Minolta