The Datamax Thinking Blog

Educating, collaborating, and sparking ideas for maximizing the technology that matters.


Clear the Fog Surrounding Cloud Print Management and your Business

For many organizations, the idea of moving infrastructure to the cloud is equally intriguing, yet covered in a fog of questions and uncertainties. Even more so, print is one of the last basic business technologies to move to the cloud.

A cloud of fog suspended along the earth’s surface obscures visibility, making the path ahead uncertain and potentially dangerous.

Topics: Printer Management Office Equipment Cloud Cloud Technology

McAfee Embedded Control Enhances Endpoint Security on Canon MFPs

McAfee Embedded Control blocks the execution of unauthorized applications like malware through intelligent whitelisting.

In an attempt to fully secure your home, imagine creating a list of every potential intruder that exists in your neighborhood, in your city, and beyond. Now – imagine creating a list of every APPROVED individual into your home.

Topics: Printer Management Multifunction Copier Office Equipment Canon USA MFP Security

Onward & Upward: 5 New uniFLOW Online Features We're Sky-High On

New features from cloud-based print/scan solution uniFLOW Online demonstrate 5 key advantages for organizations looking to improve productivity and enhance security in their print environment. 

There’s an old joke among pilots that the most dangerous part of flying is driving to the airport.

Once into the clouds, they reason, travel is both better streamlined and more secure.

As organizations look to the cloud for operational flexibility, scalability and enhanced security, those navigating the Software as a Service (SaaS) airways continue to report clear skies ahead.

Topics: Scanning Printing Printer Management Solutions Document Security Cloud Canon USA

Technology Forecast: Office Climate Change Imminent, but Probability of Printing Remains High

In the report, 36 percent of enterprises surveyed say they are printing MORE OFTEN than they were 12 months ago, while only 14 percent are printing less often. Similarly, 40 percent are scanning more often and 35 percent are copying more often.

By 2020, Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group predicts that 50 billion physical IoT devices will be connected to the Internet, consuming, generating, and communicating data. The office is no exception.

Crucial documents reside on our desks and file cabinets, but also in cloud servers and mobile devices. With such wide and easy access to the information we need, it’s tempting to think that printing may soon become a function of the past.

As ESPN analyst Lee Corso famously says on College Football Game Day, “Not so fast, my friend!”

Topics: Scanning Printing Printer Management Multifunction Copier Office Equipment Document Security Print Management Canon USA Managed Print Services

19 Reasons Why It’s Hard to Say How Much a Copier Costs

While it’s annoying to hear “it depends” when you ask us how much a copier is, it’s also the truth. Here’s why.

One of the most common questions (if not THE most common question) every copier dealership is asked is some variation of “How much is a copy machine going to cost me?”

Our sales team is asked that all the time.

The answer is (really!): it depends.

I’ll explain why.

Topics: Printer Management Solutions Canon Color Copier Multifunction Copier Digital Copiers Healthcare Solutions Office Equipment Legal Solutions Leasing

Do Centralized Copiers and Printers Hurt or Harm Productivity?

Buying one, centralized multifunction printer for your office will save money, right? It's not as simple as that.

Centralizing your multifunction copiers makes a lot of sense. You don't need to buy multiple machines to cover all of the departments, the IT team can easily network and troubleshoot them, and you won't have employees wandering around trying to figure out where to get their copies.

This configuration works out great, in theory. In practice, you could end up with the MFP becoming the de facto water cooler. When staff makes their way to the digital copier to pick up their papers, they may take a socialization trip at the same time.

Topics: Printing Printer Management Multifunction Copier Digital Copiers Productivity Tips and Tools Print Management

Copiers and Office Equipment Enable Customer Communication

Take the time to get the right office equipment or your communications – internally and with customers – could suffer.

When companies buy printers or digital copiers from us, they're not all that interested in the actual equipment. What you actually get from the purchase is communication.

Topics: Printer Management Multifunction Copier Digital Copiers Productivity Tips and Tools Office Equipment

Nothing Lasts Forever, Definitely Not Your Copier

Copiers and printers can remain effective for years. However, they don't last forever.

How much has technology changed in the past few years? Every other day it seems like something new is in the pipeline – and it's only been a decade since the iPhone was first introduced. This pace is great for innovation, but it makes your IT outdated. Digital copiers, printers, computers, and the rest of your office equipment get left behind. Yet many businesses are surprised that keeping their 20-year-old digital copier around is a bad idea, even if it does still function. 

Topics: Printer Management Digital Copiers Digital Security Office Equipment

Don't Go Primal - 6 Tips to Minimize Copier Repair Needs

It's a fact of life, copiers are machines and they sometimes break. Here are six steps to take to keep from losing your cool.

Printers and copiers have a unique ability: the more these technologically advanced devices break down, the more primal you become in turn. This transition starts with an open palm hit, and then a kick, and then more profanity than you might otherwise use at work. Toward the end you are re-enacting the dawn of man obelisk scene in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Printers and copiers will break down; however, you can minimize their ability to transform you by following these six simple steps.

Topics: Printer Management Productivity Tips and Tools Office Equipment Technology Pain Print Management

Want Higher Productivity? Start Ditching Paper

You'll have a tough time delivering a quality customer experience if they have to wait around while you're on a grand adventure for hard copies.

Hard copy documents are talented at hiding away when you need them the most. You have to go on an office safari every time to track them, which cuts into the time you could spend on your work duties. Even a few minutes per day adds up. It's time to throw paper in the trash and get digital with your documents.

Topics: Scanning Printing Printer Management Solutions Multifunction Copier Digital Copiers Productivity Tips and Tools Office Equipment