9 Multifunction Printer Companies To Watch

As MFPs gain a growing presence in offices, vendors such as HP Inc., Xerox and Lexmark are launching enhanced new multifunction devices.

MFP Growth
The office is increasingly becoming the domain of the MFP, with the transition continuing from single-function to multi-function printers. While the shift isn't taking giant leaps, MFPs have been gradually gaining a few more percentage points of share each year compared to single-function printers, according to Keith Kmetz, program vice president for imaging, printing and document solutions at research firm IDC. MFPs bring together functionality including printing, copying, scanning and faxing—ultimately offering greater management efficiencies and reduced costs by combining so many capabilities into a single package. Importantly, major printer manufacturers have been helping to fuel the transition to multi-function devices with a number of new MFP releases.

As part of CRN's Printer Week 2019, we've rounded up the details on recently released MFPs from nine top multifunction printer companies.

Brother

Japan-based Brother recently launched the MFC-L9570CDW, a multifunction device with a 7-inch color touch screen that provides an interface for aiding digital transformation efforts at businesses--such as for scanning documents directly to the cloud. The MFP, which is reserved exclusively for sale by channel partners, also offers up to 33 pages per minute of printing in color or black; scan speeds of up to 52 images per minute; copying and faxing; and recommended print volumes of up to 6,000 pages per month.

Canon

Japan-based Canon unveiled new multifunction printers for small and medium-sized workgroups, the imageCLASS D1650 and D1620, in February. The compact black-and-white MFPs include a 5-inch touch screen; scanning of documents and conversion into searchable digital files using a single-pass, duplex document feeder; and print speeds of up to 45 pages per minute.

Other recently introduced Canon multifunction devices include third-edition models in the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series. The new models offer improved workflow efficiency (with uniFLOW Online Express cloud software), SIEM integration and cybersecurity enhancements, according to Canon.

Epson

In January, Long Beach, Calif.-based Epson America announced the launch of new multifunction printers in its Business Edition portfolio, including new EcoTank inkjet devices. The new offerings include the WorkForce ST-EcoTank color multifunction printer series, which do not have a cartridge and are easy to fill, according to Epson. The devices include "supersized" ink tanks with up to two years worth of ink in the box and offer printing speeds of up to 15 pages per minute for black and white, or up to eight pages per minute for color.

HP Inc.

In March, Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP Inc. announced enhancements to its MFP portfolios including within its LaserJet A4 and A3 lineups. The updated A4 portfolio includes the new LaserJet 600 Series, with improvements for managed services partners such as cartridge access control (which secures the cartridge access panel and makes sure that all toner is used before the cartridge can be replaced); fixed tray guides (which help to reduce paper jams, which are the leading call incident for partners); and predictive sensors that are embedded within the device, which can reduce service costs by up to 17 percent, according to HP. For HP's A3 portfolio, the company added new entry-level models offering advanced print security in the LaserJet 700 and 800 series lineups.

Konica Minolta

In March, Japan-based Konica Minolta launched its Workplace Hub, which ties a multi-function device to the company's MSP subsidiary All Covered—ultimately providing a full suite of IT services in addition to printing and copying.

Workplace Hub enables businesses to add and control all of their IT applications via a touch screen interface. The IT side of the box is powered by HPE servers, with a Sophos XG firewall installed for security. Additional security is provided by All Covered services which offer their own 24/7 SOC, Konica Minolta’s private cloud storage, backup data and recovery. Workplace Hub also offers public cloud integrations with AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Lexmark

In January, Lexington, Ky.-based Lexmark debuted a new MFP targeted at micro-workgroups such as small businesses and startups, as part of the new Lexmark Two Series line of devices. The MB2236adw is a black-and-white MFP that weighs just 22 pounds and can print at up to 36 pages per minute, with built-in Google Cloud Print 2.0, Apple AirPrint and Mopria capabilities. The MFP can also scan at up to 25 pages per minute. Additionally, the MB2236adw can be configured on a user's smartphone or other mobile device and is made to be set up and put to work quickly, according to Lexmark.

Ricoh

In January, Malvern, Pa.-based Ricoh USA announced the Ricoh IM C Series, a new line of MFPs featuring innovations such as Ricoh Always Current Technology, which makes updates to firmware and other software available on-demand. The Ricoh IM C Series also offers a portfolio of cloud connectors, known Ricoh's Cloud Workflow Solutions. They include predefined workflows to streamline processes; cloud workflows to deliver tailored features such as multi-destination scanning; and cloud services to bring sophisticated workflows and applications to a variety of use cases, such as extracting content from documents.

Sharp

In March, Montvale, N.J.-based Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America announced two A4 color multifunction printers, the new Advanced Series MX-C304W and Essentials Series MX-C303W. Both devices offer a 7-inch touch screen; copy, print, scan and fax capabilities; and voice control via Amazon's Alexa assistant. Access to cloud services such as Box and Dropbox is also enabled on the MFPs, as is printing PDFs from mobile devices using the Adobe Embedded Print Engine.

Xerox

Last fall, Norwalk, Conn.-based Xerox updated its line of ConnectKey-enabled devices—including VersaLink and AltaLink MFPs—to offer apps from platforms such as Salesforce, QuickBooks Online and Concur. The apps include the Xerox Connect App for Salesforce, which provides users with access to the Salesforce CRM from ConnectKey-enabled Xerox multifunction printers. Users can upload documents and share information by scanning the documents directly into Salesforce, Xerox said. The company also launched the Xerox Connect App for QuickBooks Online, which aims to provide a hassle-free process for expense reimbursement with scanning of multiple receipts.