January 26, 2015
The multifunction printer (MFP) serves as a critical operational component of any business and the A3 MFP has been the primary device recommended and sold within the industry for years. If you have an A3 MFP, you’ll recall these devices are capable of high-volume output, offer multiple functions and provide the flexibility of various paper sizes for print jobs.
According to numerous industry analysts and major manufacturers, A4 MFPs are becoming more prevalent within the market and are beginning to replace A3 models in some scenarios. The question your business will need to consider is which one is the best MFP for your organization?
Looking Back: Traditional MFPs
Major manufacturers such as HP and Konica Minolta have produced A3 multifunction printer devices to meet the needs of businesses for years. These A3 MFPs are designed to meet varying ranges of print volumes, from a couple hundred pages a month to 100,000+. On top of that, A3 devices provide high print speeds, making it easier to run high-volume project efficiently. A3 MFP also include the ability to print, scan, copy and fax, as well as work with various paper widths, going beyond 8.5 to 11 and/or 12.
For years, an A3 model was considered the best multifunction printer for the flexibility provided by the device. Now however, a new trend is emerging that is taking market share away from A3 devices and in favor of A4 MFPs.
Shifting Trends
There are a number of shifts taking place within the economy that are contributing to the rise of A4 multifunction printers. For starters, HP and Gartner have determined that only 3% of prints require 11x17 prints. The ability to accept various paper widths has been a benefit and selling point of A3 devices; but this statistic confirms that most printing is done on 8.5 width paper.
Additionally, HP has led the trend in developing an A4 machine that rivals the capabilities of the A3. A4 devices offer the same functions - printing, copying, scanning and faxing – with greater speeds and advanced features with a smaller footprint and lower cost of acquisition. The only functional difference that remains between the two is accepted paper widths, with A4 MFPs limited to a maximum paper width of 8.5.
Advantages of A4 Devices
The A4 multifunction printer offers a number of advantages to your business. Features and functionality are critical to any business, but so too are your finances. An A4 MFP costs approximately half as much as an A3 – plus your dollars can go further on an A4. Say, for example, you have a budget of $3,500 for your MFP purchase. You could:
a) Purchase an A3 MFP that prints at 25 ppm, or
b) Purchase an A4 MFP that prints 45 ppm.
On another note, a typical A3 device is a large, bulky piece of equipment. Accommodating these devices can be difficult if you need to operate within a small workspace. An A4 MFP takes up roughly half the space of a traditional A3 unit, because it doesn’t have to accommodate the larger paper sizes.
HP A4 multifunction printers are leading businesses away from A3 devices to these compact, functional devices that match the capabilities of traditional MFPs. If you are interested in more detailed specifications and features of A4 devices, check out the HP M575 Flow; it is one of the best-selling A4 devices on the market today.
Choosing the Best Multifunction Printer
Which device is best for you will depend on your office’s printing needs. In many organizations, there will likely be a combination of both devices, and that ratio will be based on the types of print projects produced. In most environments, we’ve seen more A4 devices, but A3 equipment still has a place (just in less quantity compared to the last few years) if larger paper widths need to be accommodated.
Through a free print assessment, one of our technology advisors can help you determine the right ratio of devices for your organization.
