Tag Archives | Lexmark

Cheap Ink and Toner: The lowest price isn’t always the best deal

Cheap Ink and toner is not all it's cracked up to be I have been trying to tell customers this forever. Maybe validation from PCWorld (Cheap Ink and Toner: Finding the Best Deal) will help me make the argument.

According to PCWorld “finding a low price is pretty easy, but finding an honest deal can be hard. It’s not just about checking multiple sellers, and digging into the shipping charges and return policies. It’s also about feeling comfortable with the vendor’s integrity and accountability. Proceeding with caution continues to be the rule of the game.”

I know that no one likes to go out and pay a small fortune for printer ink and toner. And for businesses, it can be a substantial expense. But, as in life, bargains can be too good to be true.

And I know it is often all about the bottom line, but printer uptime and time spent messing with sub-par suppliers contributes as much, if not more, to the bottom line than a few dollars per toner cartridge.

And like the PCWorld article, I am not referring to the refillers – they are a breed unto themselves. I am talking about users of printers and supplies from mainstream manufacturers like HP, Lexmark, Epson, Canon, etc.

For business especially, there is a value to a supplier that can answer the phone, get back to your messages promptly, handle issues smoothly and have a competitive price.

So you probably figure I am going to do my own little price comparison, to see how PMI fares against some of the companies PCWorld looked at. I am. I took the HP CE505X, a high yield toner cartridge from HP, and ran it through a few sites.

PMI – $157.00

Staples – $162.99

CDW – $162.99

NewEgg – $162.99

And, why not try the winner of PCWorld’s experiment? :

BlueDogInk – $130.99 [wow! really?!]

If you are curious how one could charge so much less than some of the biggest supply companies in the world (and PMI) and still make money, well…the answer is it is extremely difficult. They are undoubtedly selling the product below manufacturer’s cost, hoping to sell a lot and get a big back end rebate. Sounds logical, but it’s murder on the cash flow.

Anyway, let me know what you think about shopping online? Has cheaper been better for you?

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New Lexmark Branch Capture Solution eliminates pain associated with paper-intensive tasks

Lexmark Branch Capture Solution, is a powerful new tool that enables financial institutions to automate paper-based workflows and eliminate much of the pain associated with paper-intensive tasks such as loan processing and new account openings.

This new end-to-end solution is good news for CIOs of large financial institutions, who recently reported in a global survey of bank technology trends that they were least satisfied with “paperless initiatives” and “document management,” when asked about IT satisfaction and spending priorities1.

Both bank management and branch bank workers will actually benefit from Lexmark’s new solution that reduces manual work for employees while helping ensure documents are in compliance.

The process works by extracting data en route to a centralized processing center. The compliant documents are processed “straight through” to a workflow or archive while the non-compliant documents are flagged for review. An audit trail of documents and actions is also logged for future reference.

With the Lexmark Branch Capture Solution, financial institutions can also electronically capture, manage and access the paperwork associated with day-to-day activities. The solution offers cost and time savings, enabling more quality time with customers.

Benefits of Lexmark’s new Branch Capture Solution include:
•    Automation of labor-intensive documents and data entry with validation processes
•    Elimination of courier expenses, delays and lost documents
•    The electronic capture of paperwork in one repository
•    Improvement of audit readiness and compliance

To learn more about the Lexmark Branch Capture Solution, please drop me an email.

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Happy 20th Birthday Lexmark

Twenty years ago today, Lexmark was spun off from IBM. To mark the occasion, staring today and throughout much of the week ahead, Lexmark employees around the world are commemorating the company’s birthday and reflecting on Lexmark’s transformation into a global technology leader, made possible by the innovation it has contributed to the printing and imaging market over the past 20 years.

As of today Lexmark products can be found in 170 countries across the world, and just since 2008, the company has introduced 89 new types laser printers and multifunction devices.

“Our customer intimacy and industry-leading technology, coupled with the dedication and commitment of our employees, has driven our success and will be key to our future,” said Paul Rooke, Lexmark president and chief executive officer. “I am excited about the market opportunities ahead and believe Lexmark’s expanding technology base and deep customer insight will continue to serve us well in the years to come.”

Also in recognition of Lexmark’s anniversary, company employees have committed to 20 years worth – or 175,200 hours – of volunteer service in 2011.