Is a Digital Duplicator the Best Solution for Your Organization?

 

Since the late 1980′s digital duplicators have become the standard amongst users that have demanded low cost copies, high productivity and ease of use. Today’s digital duplicators have improved upon these benefits. They are as simple to operate as the office copier, have far greater flexibility to print onto stocks like envelopes, carbonless and card stocks and are loaded with great features.

Let’s face the facts; including toner, developer, drums and maintenance, the typical office copier can be costing your organization $0.02 per copy or more to make those copies you need regardless of how many copies you make.

With a digital duplicator, you can begin saving versus the office copier when you make as few as 25 copies of one document. The savings don’t end there either. If you are making more copies of that one document, with each copy your savings will increase exponentially because of the unique way that a digital duplicator operates. A digital duplicator creates the image once on what we call a “master” and then passes a small amount of ink through the master to each sheet. The cost of this master is shared by all of the copies you print of that document. The digital duplicator process is much more efficient than that of a copier as well as being environmentally friendly.

Production
So far we have only shown you savings on operation supplies. With a digital duplicator you can save much, much more because of its productivity and versatility. For instance, your office copier is most likely capable of making copies at a speed of between 35 and 50 copies per minute on letter size paper. Did you know that digital duplicators are capable of printing at speed of up to 130 sheets per minute? Again, because of the unique way in which digital duplicators operate, this is possible. What makes this possible is that the digital duplicator uses an ink process that reprints each sheet of paper on contact. Imagine the time your staff will save by getting their copies printed in less than half the time that it is taking now.

Stock Versatility
Let’s talk a little about savings through versatility. Digital Duplicators can print on a wide variety of stocks including, carbonless forms (NCR), file folders, envelopes of most any size and the ability to print in most any color you choose. How is this possible you ask? The digital duplicator is a transfer printing system that has a straight through paper path and no fusing unit. Because of this simplicity most any size and type of stock pass right through the machine without effort or adjustment.

Let’s take printing a return address on a #10 standard business size envelope as an example. When you order envelopes from a printer one box of 500 at a time, the national average cost of this is in excess of $44.00 per box. Sure you can cut your costs by printing in larger volumes, but now you have to store all of these envelopes, that cost money too. With a digital duplicator, you can buy and print those envelopes in less than 5 minutes at a total cost of materials for about $6.90. The biggest benefit of printing the envelopes when you need them is that you can change the envelope or ink colors without changing your cost, or perhaps you want to change the message or part of the return address. And those are just a few things you can do with a digital duplicator that you can’t do with a mountain of printing done by an outside source.

When you get right to the heart of it, you can save as much as 80% compared to the way you print envelopes now. The savings are equally as great whether you are printing file folders, tickets, or most other types of printing that you cannot complete now with your copiers.

Add up all the unique operation qualities of a digital duplicator, and you’ve got yourself one incredibly highly reliable unit. Remember this is an ink technology duplicator, with no photoreceptive drum to get scratched. No fuser unit that requires changing. In fact a digital duplicator can produce twice as many copies between servicing than even the newest digital copiers.

Contact MCC today to find out if a digital duplicator is the best solution for your organization.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=674

Benefits of Merging Analog and IP Video in Retail

Like thousands of other businesses worldwide, your retail operations may already have a significant investment in powerful and dependable DVRs and analog cameras but you’re thinking about making the leap to IP. You may be asking yourself: how do I improve store performance and keep employees and customers safe, all while making sure operations stay in line with my budget? Fortunately, IP video surveillance technology enables you to accomplish all of this.

Some of the benefits of implementing a unified video management solution include:

• Preserve your existing analog investment
• Easily and cost-effectively expand video surveillance operations
• Take advantage of the powerful features of IP video recorders and high-definition cameras

In the retail industry, the move to IP video surveillance has certainly had a slow start but attitudes are starting to shift. Many retailers have invested large amounts of money in analog video technologies and are hesitant to make the leap to IP as their analog systems are working just fine. Or so they think. Many feel that the strategy of ripping out their analog video and spending thousands of dollars to purchase IP video is just not beneficial to their financial health. However, the more retailers learn about IP video the more they are starting to see the benefits, but the move, like any change, is still not without nervousness.

In the past, retailers had the notion that their analog video systems were good enough or that IP was not mature enough. They didn’t need more or less than what they had. After they started delving more into the features IP video offers, they saw the true benefits: higher image quality, built-in intelligence, lower cost and remote video monitoring. They became interested but remained a bit perplexed as to how they could incorporate this technology without ripping out their current systems and throwing away their significant investments. With an open-platform unified video management solution, problem solved. Retailers can continue using existing analog DVRs and cameras while at the same time incorporating NVRs and IP cameras in specific areas at their convenience and within their tight budgets. They can replace analog video with IP in areas that require tighter monitoring or higher resolution such as at cash registers, loading docks, and key areas of their warehouses while leveraging their investment in analog video in other areas.  The key is figuring out the best plan and timeline for adoption within their environment.

If you would like to learn more and help find the right move for your organizations surveillance, contact MCC today and let one of our trained Security Solutions specialists provide you with the best options available.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=668

USPS Shares Sustainability Report

 

Demonstrating continued progress after five years of annual corporate sustainability reporting, the U.S. Postal Service recently released its 2012 Annual Sustainability Report, highlighting accomplishments including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, solid waste and facility energy use.

The Postal Service reported a 9.9 percent decrease, or 1.3 million metric tons, in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2008 — nearly equivalent to removing 270,000 passenger vehicles from the road for a year. The goal is to reduce GHG emissions by 20 percent by fiscal year 2020. In addition, the Postal Service decreased facility energy use by 34 percent since 2003, achieving the goal of a 30 percent reduction by 2015.

“The Postal Service continues to make sustainability progress that is not only the right thing to do for the environment, but is right for our business,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Thomas G. Day. “We are exceeding targets in key areas and are working to improve efforts across the organization every day.”

Direct mail may not always be thought of as the most sustainable promotional method, but with industry leaders like USPS making an effort to establish an environmentally friendly program, it is definitely possible to reduce the carbon footprint of mailing campaigns.

You can help your organization start taking the necessary steps to a greener mailing campaign by simply employing an address management system. This will drastically reduce the amount of mail being wasted and ensuring you that it is reaching the right hands. Contact MCC today to learn more.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=662

Check Check Check – Is Your Wireless Mic Having Problems?

 

Seven common reasons your wireless mic maybe giving you problems and ways to troubleshoot.

Reason #1: Dead or weak batteries
How to check: Substitute newly purchased, brand name alkaline batteries.  Examine the wireless mic battery terminals to make certain they are making a secure contact to the terminals on the battery.

Reason #2: Operating frequency range of the wireless receiver does not match the operating frequency range of the wireless mic/transmitter
How to check: Look for the operating frequency range that is marked on the receiver, e.g., H6  524-542 MHz.  Check the wireless mic/transmitter for the same frequency range.  The frequency ranges must match exactly.

Reason #3: Failure of an audio interconnect cable
How to check: Substitute another cable of the same type. Use an ohmmeter to check the cable for a shorted wire or an open wire.  If using a body-pack transmitter, substitute another lapel mic or head-worn mic of the same model.

Reason #4: Operating frequency is not appropriate for the location
How to check:  Using the zip code of the location and the model number of the wireless system, consult your Wireless Frequency Finder web tool to determine the recommended frequencies. Or use the SCAN feature of the wireless receiver to find an open frequency.

Reason #5: Local interference from other electronic devices or wireless systems
How to check: Turn off electronic devices that are within 5 feet of the wireless receiver, such as a DVD player, a CD player, a computer, an iPod.  Or remove the wireless system and take it to a different location that is at least ½ mile away.  If it works OK there, the problem is local interference in the original location.  Finding the exact source of local interference often requires the use of a frequency spectrum analyzer – an expensive piece of test equipment.

Reason #6: Improper installation of the wireless receiver or its antennas
How to check: There should be a clear line-of-sight, at all times, from the location of the wireless mic transmitter to the receiver antennas.  If there is not, the installation could be suspect, though hidden antennas can work satisfactorily if installed correctly. 

Reason #7: Failure of the receiver’s external power supply
How to check: Substitute another power supply of the same type or with equivalent electrical specifications.

For more information on the right Audio Visual Equipment for your next event or facility contact MCC today for a consult and demonstration.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=646

Toshiba’s Latest e-STUDIO Series Wins Better Buys for Business Editor’s Choice Award

 

Recently Minted Multifunction Products Recognized for Outstanding Value, Functionality and Unique Feature Set

Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.’s e-STUDIO407cs multifunction product (MFP) series was recognized by Better Buys for Business for winning the office equipment analyst group’s April/May 2013 Editor’s Choice Award within the color copier category. 

The leading managed document services (MDS) provider and business printing solutions innovator’s newly introduced products – unveiled last month – were recognized for offering striking image quality and advanced security functionality within a compact and durable design – at a reasonable price. The e-STUDIO407cs series presents small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) with the vibrant color output and performance levels typically reserved for enterprise environments.  As a result of its premium image quality and up to 42 pages-per-minute speed, the company’s latest devices are capable of producing the eye-catching brochures, fliers and presentations SMBs are seeking to produce.    

Toshiba’s new devices combine security and eco-rich elements sure to resonate with information technology personnel and environmentally-conscious employees alike.  In addition to incorporating the world’s first Self-Encrypting Drive providing an elite level of data protection the e-STUDIO line include a Super Sleep Mode and low-temperature fusing toner to significantly reduce energy consumption.

 ”We are honored our newest e-STUDIO line was recognized by one of the nation’s leading independent authorities on office equipment,” said Joseph Contreras, director of product and solutions marketing for Toshiba America Business Solutions.  ”Through the availability of our new A4 line, we now outfit SMBs with the exceptional print quality typically reserved for larger organizations while offering the low cost-per-page in line with what this audience can afford.”

“The e-STUDIO407cs series is a good buy for small or medium-sized offices that need full multifunctionality with color without requiring ledger-sized copying or printing,” said Melissa Pardo-Bunte, editor at Better Buys for Business.  “There are strong features included in these compact but scalable devices.  This family gets our Editor’s Choice Award.”

Memphis Communications Corporation is the only authorized Toshiba dealer in the Mid-South. Let us help you setup your organization with the right equipment for your needs. Contact us today for a consult and demonstration.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=642

Implementing the Best Scanning Solution for Your Organization

For companies around the world, document scanning has proved to be an invaluable asset. Converting their data into digital files and storing them electronically — and turning their offices into practically paperless environments — proves advantageous in numerous areas, including better service, faster turnaround, improved compliance, enhanced collaboration, and significant cost savings. Not to mention bidding farewell to missing or lost documents.

However, there are mistakes many businesses make when implementing a scanning solution. By simply doing your homework ahead of time and thoroughly analyzing your company and its needs, you can avoid these document scanning pitfalls.

One of the most common mistakes made by businesses when choosing a scanning solution is underestimating the size and scope of their workload. It is important to understand how your company will be utilizing document imaging, and exactly what your scanning volumes will be. Not just your average daily volume, but also taking into consideration your peak volumes during crunch times. Failing to do so can leave you ill prepared, outgunned with the wrong speed or not enough scanners.

Another trap to avoid when selecting a scanning solution is failing to involve all stakeholders within a business. Leaving end-users and departments such as IT and customer service out of the coordination of and planning for a solution is a recipe for disaster. A company can easily end up with a system that isn’t tailored to their needs or requirements, or compatible with your existing infrastructure. This can be avoided by including everyone necessary in the planning process.

Once your document scanning solution has been selected, the final major pitfall is going all in — deploying the entire solution all at once. Attempting to roll out the whole system can overwhelm a business and its staff, and result in major bottlenecks or breakdowns. A phased implementation approach is the ideal way to begin your practically paperless journey. By deploying your solution at a more reasonable pace — by department or group — you gain the additional benefit of experience to identify and implement best practices.

For more help and information on the right scanning option for your organization, contact MCC today for a free consult and demonstration.

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=636

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How an Automatic Letter Opener can Help You Pick up the Pace – See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=630

Automatic letter openers are a necessary office tool that will cut down on revenue and lost time. It is the perfect example of how a small investment can save your business a lot over time.

Repetitive, thoughtless tasks like opening stacks of envelopes zap people of motivation and bring things in an office to a crawl, especially during afternoon hours when a lot of busy work gets shuffled around. In contrast, running letters through an automated opener is something that can often be performed without an employee directly involved.

Cut Back on Employee Hours

Some business owners know they need an automatic letter opener. Their employees may deal with thousands of letters a day, a job that would require three or four people working by hand. What these owners might not know is that new advancements in mechanized openers have made the investment even more profitable.

Which letter opener is right for you and which one presents the best investment for your operations depends entirely on the amount of mail you go through and how it’s sorted. There are small units that deal with stacks of hundreds of envelopes or machines that can tackle hundreds of thousands. You can even go one step further with a machine that will not only open your envelopes but extract the contents as well.

Preventing Paper Cuts, Torn Mail, and Scraps

Paper cuts may not fall into the serious injury category, but they can be annoying enough to slow down your workforce. Many of today’s machines process envelopes by quickly removing a small amount from the top or bottom of the envelope and leaving behind a feathered cut edge. This not only manages the risk of lost mail due to over-trimming but also creates a paper product unlikely to cut or irritate the skin.

Quality machines, even at the basic level, are designed to control paper waste as well. Instead of a mountain of strips growing behind your letter opener, removed strips are either funneled to a waste storage system or left attached to the envelopes for the recipient to either remove or work around. The busy work these machines avoid can make up for hours of lost work every week.

No Sorting Necessary

Even rudimentary machines today should require little to no sorting of regular mailing envelope sizes. In the past, sorting was an intensive task that detracted from the benefits of automated openers. Now you just stack and go, without having to worry about jams, resetting your letter opening machines, and any time-wasting measures familiar to the first electric office mail sorters.

If your business has a large number of letters to handle every day, consider the investment of an automated letter opener. Much improved over the first models on the market, today’s machines cut back on paper waste, torn mail mistakes, the need for sorting, and the risks of paper cuts. They also typically require fewer workers to handle as well, making these devices an easy way to save on time and increase office productivity.

Contact MCC today to learn more about which Automated Letter Opener is right for you and your organizations needs

– See more at: http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=630

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Memphis Communication’s Corporation, a 42 year old Memphis based company, is the authorized local dealer of Neopost products. Over the years MCC’s Mailing Solutions Division has been committed to helping organizations throughout the Mid-South enhance the way they handle all internal and external mailing. MCC was recently recognized at Neopost’s President’s Conference in recognition of success throughout 2012.

It was with great honor that MCC accepted Neopost’s Dealer of the Year Award. This was decided based on overall sales performance, revenue growth year over year as well as performance in all other product sales categories.

Through hard work and dedication, MCC has become the dominate market share leader. This success is due to a strong and knowledgeable team as well as top notch technical support and high quality products from Neopost.

Founded in the 1920′s, Neopost is a worldwide provider of mailing and shipping solutions. Their innovative products and services bring simplicity and efficiency to your complete mailing process in order to make your business run more effectively.

http://memphiscommunications.net/blog/?p=626

How to Turn Your Office MFP into a Business Enabler

With all of the ways we have to access electronic information, it’s still amazing how much paper we use in our business processes. In some cases it’s just easier to use paper. In others it’s because no one has implemented the technology to eliminate the paper.

You can simplify incorporating paper documents into a business process by using your MFP. Common uses of paper documents are when someone needs a signature, like for mortgage documents, legal contracts and purchase orders. When you have a signed document, you can put it into the sheet feeder of your MFP and click a button.

This is where the magic happens. If you have a connector to a business application, the document is scanned and moved directly into a business process. You may route the file into a document management system, send an email to an internal or external user or kick off a workflow that starts an order fulfillment process. The result is an automated way to incorporate paper documents into electronic business processes.

This also simplifies collaboration between departments or people in other time zones. Think of scanning an order form in California and having it simultaneously start a billing process and informing sales and management teams in New York and Tokyo of a new sale. A sales manager could get a copy of the order in email so he or she can quickly see it on their smart phone.

The MFP and its connectors also provide security and complete activity auditing. They typically use encrypted communication to move files around an organization and implement authentication mechanisms so only authorized people can send and receive.

Your MFP is more than a copier and printer. Use it with application connectors to enable your business to automate and streamline business processes.

Contact MCC’s Document Solutions Division today for a consult and demonstration in order to determine which MFP is right for your organization.

Today’s blog insight was provided by Toshiba’s Managed Print Services Team.

Color Increases the Impact of Business Documents

Market research confirms that color increases a document’s impact. For example, ads done in color attract more attention.

Color communicates information up to 70% faster than black and white. The human eye is drawn toward color so, when used properly, color draws the reader directly to the most important data in a chart, flyer or report. Consider these statistics about how viewers experience color:

• Color improves understanding by 73%
• Color improves decision-making by 70%
• People are 85% more likely to buy when an item is presented in color
• Color material is read first and read longer
• Ad readership increases by 52% if it is in color
• Ads in the Yellow Pages get 44% more response when red is used
• Invoices in color are paid 30% faster
• Color coding decreases error rates by up to 80% compared with non color-coded  items
• Visual retrieval time of a document is reduced by 80% when there is color
• Brand identification increases by 70% when we use color
• Presentations and printed pages are perceived as 60% better when they are in color
• Color increases recall in educational materials and training manuals by 60%

Color can improve internal efficiency as well. The biggest challenge of corporate users is managing and using the piles of information that come across their desks. Using color in internal communications raises the efficiency of workers by letting them quickly analyze complex data and by helping them to reduce errors.

Using outside printing firms to create marketing and sales documents requires large runs to be cost effective. The result is that printed materials are often obsolete before they are used.

On-demand printing, however, allows users to print documents as needed, and make changes without wasting money and paper.

In addition, color allows smaller firms to look more professional.

Bringing color printing technologies into the workplace will improve internal and external communications. Ultimately, color output technologies can dramatically improve the image you project, add more impact to your business communications, raise profits and reduce costs.

Let MCC help you choose and implement the best document solution technology for your office that will help you lower costs, fine tune your processes and increase work productivity. One of our trained staff can help by showing you a free demo in order make the right move for you and your business.