Copier Bits Explained

Insider Language

Empower yourself with the insiders language! Industry terms and the weird words used deciphered.....

Account Codes - helps keep track of who is using a copier. Users must punch in a valid individual or department code before making copies.

Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) - allows you to copy documents without lifting the platen. Instead of placing each sheet individually on the glass, you simply load a stack of originals into the feeder, press start, and let the copier move each sheet on and off the platen. Feeders typically hold anywhere from 1 to 100 sheets at a time.

Bypass Tray - the short, straight-paper path of a bypass tray reduces the risk of jamming and allows you to copy directly onto originals such as coloured paper, odd-sized paper, or card stock that either can't be fed or are inconvenient to feed from the traditional copy paper tray inside a copier.

Catch Tray - collects finished copies emerging from a copier.

Consumables - the toner, paper, fuser oil, developer and any other materials or parts that must be periodically replaced in a copier.

Copier Counter - keeps track of how many copies a machine has made.

Copies Per Minute (CPM) - the number of pages a copier can output per minute.

Cost of Ownership - costs, in addition to capital price that determine the true cost of owning a copier. Includes consumables such as toner and developer as well as service contracts.

Coverage - the percentage of a page's surface that would be covered if you squashed every bit of its ink in one place. If you squeeze together all the black in a regular black and white copy of a double-spaced letter, for example, its coverage will be approx 6%. We generally include the toner in our service costs – no need to worry about “coverage” with us!

Digital Copying - all manufacturers changed to digital technology several years ago. If anyone mentions the old analogue equipment to you….RUN!!

Duplex Copying - the ability to automatically copy on both sides of a page. If you want automatic duplex copying, equip the copier with a document feeder called a re-circulating automatic document feeder (RADF), which can handle two-sided originals.

Electronic Sorting - this really is the absolute business to see in action. With all of equipment there is no need to add an expensive sorting device. We have a complete range on display in our Stillorgan showrooms (beside the shopping centre) where we’d be delighted to demonstrate it for you.

First-Copy Speed - shows how quickly a copier can print the first page of a document. First-copy speed is a good indicator of how fast the copier is for businesses using the machine on a walk-up basis, since most people only copy one or two sheets at a time.

Maximum Monthly Volume - the maximum number of pages a copier is designed to make each month. Manufacturers do tend to inflate the monthly volume figures, this is an area where one needs to exercise care and attention. We will give you names of our client who have similar usage to reassure you that our recommendations are honest and will stand the test of time.

Memory - a hardware component that stores data such as scanned pages. Digital copiers require memory to perform certain functions, such as scanning documents, utilizing scan once/print many, or faxing. Different functions require different amounts of memory. All of our recommendations include ample memory for your requirements. It would be a little ‘Irish’ to sell a client a machine and then seek more money for additional memory so that the machine actually works!

Multifunctional Device (MFD) - a machine that performs some other function in addition to copying usually printing, scanning or faxing. Also known as an all-in-one. See Multi-Function Cost Effective or Bottle Neck? for more information

Platen - the glass area on which you place original documents to be copied. Sometimes also used in reference to the cover that opens and shuts over the platen glass.

Print Controller - used to attach a copier to a computer network, a print controller converts files into printing instructions for the copier.

Proportional Zoom - shrinks or enlarges the length and width of a page independently of each other. This shrinks the white spaces that often surrounds copies of reduced pages.

Re-circulating Automatic Document Feeder (RADF) - an automatic document feeder that can flip the original document over to copy its backside. If you only have an automatic document feeder (ADF), you can copy a two-sided document, but the copies will be on two different sheets of paper.

Reduction/Enlargement - all of our machines have preset reduction and enlargements in addition to zoom facilities.

Scan Once/Print Many - the ability to produce copies from scanned images held in memory. This feature saves on unnecessary handling of original documents and allows users to leave the copier, originals in hand, while the job is being completed.

Service Contract - the agreement with a dealer selling you a copier (or even with a third party) that outlines arrangements for repair and routine service for the copier. See Seriously Good Service for more information.

Sorter - a series of horizontal bins near the output tray of a copier. The bins move up and down the side of the copier to collate pages in the order that they are outputted from the machine. Not used these days – our digital machines do the same job with either electronic sorting or stapling/finishing, far more reliable and efficient.

Stationary Platen - all but the most basic copiers are equipped with a stationary platen, meaning the top of the copier doesn't move back and forth across the document to be copied.

Warm-Up Time - the amount of time after a copier is turned on before it can begin the first copying job. This time isn't really an issue for lower-end machines, but usually increases for larger models.

Yield - the number of copies a particular consumable (toner, developer) can support. The yield for toner can be calculated by estimating the number of copies you make a month and the amount of coverage per page

Zoom - reduces or enlarges copies within a certain range, such as from 50% to 200%. Digital copiers can zoom as high as 400% in one move and shrink as low as 25%.

Now we've teased out the "gobbledegook", Why not Drop us a line or give us a call on 278 2222 with what YOU need?

We’ll make our recommendation and take a digital snap of that machine in our Stillorgan showrooms. We will e-mail or post it to you that day so no need to slave over that brochure with the 20+ options and we will clearly quote the RRP, discount and trade-in! .

Multi-Function – Cost Effective or Bottle Neck?

You may find it more effective to use one machine for your copier, fax, scanning & printing needs, but combining these functions in one unit may cause bottlenecks and frustrations for you and your staff! We strongly recommend you look at all business processes and think which applications and which departments could work with a networked multi-function machine. Then consider all the cost and efficiency issues….

Network Printing - Very Effective AND Very Cost Efficient. Quality is absolutely superb with resolutions of up to 1200 dpi on paper sizes right up to A3 and running costs are fractional in comparison to the average office laser printer. With this versatile option you can avail of the functions on your copier from your desk like double sided printing, watermarks (confidential, urgent, draft etc) or collate your prints.

Fax - Very effective and good value for the smaller office but the general add on price on larger machines is almost identical if not more than a stand-alone powerful laser fax – which may offer YOUR office better productivity. We will quote add-on fax costs clearly itemised and also for a standalone machine so you can consider all of your options!

Network Scanning - Network scanning options enables your hard copy originals up to A3 size to be easily and quickly saved into digital format and sent directly to any user(s) on your network or even direct to e-mail! This scanning is known as distribution scanning – the machine will get the image you’re scanning onto your PC. It’s worth bearing in mind that if you require the facility to edit your scanned documents you will need to look at one of the many OCR packages available. Unbelievably user friendly, quality is first class with up to 1200 dpi resolution and a choice of .pdf, .tiff or .jpeg formats. Like to see it in operation? It’s all set-up on our showrooms in Stillorgan!

What will work for YOU? Drop us a line or give us a call on 278 2222. We will make our recommendation and take a digital snap of that exact machine in our Stillorgan Showrooms.

We will e-mail or post it to you that day so no need to slave over that brochure with the 20+ options and we will clearly quote the RRP, discount and trade-in!