Not every client is created equal from an office technology needs point of view. Deciding which MFP or solution can optimally serve the requirements of a client from a given vertical requires a keen eye for product feature sets and a deep knowledge of that market space. If 90% of office technology needs are homogeneous, that remaining 10% is where a dealer can stand out as a trusted advisor.
As part of this month’s State of the Industry focus on vertical selling, we offer a look at some of the manufacturer tools that can enable dealers to best tailor their solutions toward a given vertical’s unique needs. It’s the subtle differences that can position dealers as subject-matter experts who have an eye toward those often-ignored nuances that exist between similar offerings.
Avision Labs
Visioneer VAST Network is a next-generation, open network scanning architecture designed to meet the needs of today’s digital, distributed workplace. Built on an extended implementation of TWAIN Direct, this platform-agnostic, driverless technology enables secure, shared document capture from any device—PCs, laptops, or mobile—on local office networks or remotely via the internet.
With Visioneer VAST Network, users are no longer tethered to traditional USB scanning or required to install drivers on every machine. Instead, the scanning logic resides directly within the Xerox and Visioneer VAST native scanners (e.g., Xerox N60w Pro or the Xerox D70n), enabling direct-to-network or direct-to-cloud workflows without the need for intermediary software. Whether in-office or working remotely, users can instantly connect to a scanner from a browser or mobile interface, scan documents, and route them to cloud storage, email or business systems.
For IT administrators, VAST Network introduces full configuration control through a built-in web manager interface. This allows for centralized setup, remote management and secure deployment across an organization. Security is reinforced through private key authentication, password encryption, and flexible signing options that meet the compliance needs of regulated industries.
Key highlights:
- Driverless, zero-footprint scanning from any connected device
- Reduced hardware and support costs across distributed teams
- Full IT protocol support and configuration
- Secure network and cloud scanning with strong encryption
- Seamless integration with cloud destinations and enterprise workflows
By removing complexity and enabling modern access, Visioneer VAST Network empowers organizations to securely extend scanning capabilities beyond the confines of the traditional office—streamlining document capture for the hybrid workforce.
Epson
Engineered to increase productivity and provide less hassle, Epson’s WorkForce Enterprise business print portfolio offers simplicity for K-12 and higher education environments where staff and educators must do more with fewer resources.
The WorkForce Enterprise AM-C550, the latest addition to its portfolio, is engineered for reliability, delivering speeds up to 55 ISO ppm1 (black/color); providing high image quality, high-performance scanning; and offering a fast first page out. It features fewer maintenance parts to manage, reduced machine downtime for efficient productivity, less waste2 to end up in landfills and low energy consumption for more savings.
Powered by PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the AM-C550 is energy-efficient and has the lowest power consumption in its class.3 With flexible placement options and a compact footprint, it’s configurable as a desktop or floor-standing unit, ideal for virtually any work environment. It’s also compatible with the Epson Solutions Suite and industry-leading third-party solutions for seamless workflow integration.
Institutions such as the Saline Area School district have onboarded Epson business printing solutions, including WorkForce Enterprise MFPs, to replace its fleet of laser printers deployed across seven district buildings. This choice was made because of the distinct and impactful environmental benefits that help the district advance its sustainability goals.
1Black and color print speeds are measured in accordance with ISO/IEC 24734. Actual print times will vary based on factors including system configuration, software and page complexity. For more information, visit here.
2Waste computed by weight of spent consumables and replacement parts over 450,000 pages versus comparable laser printers.
3Compared to similarly featured A4 color laser printers and copiers with speeds of 51–60 ppm per industry available data as of November 2023. Actual power savings will vary by product model and usage.
Katun
In today’s education sector, efficiency, security and cost control are more important than ever. Schools and universities are expected to do more with less, delivering high-quality services while keeping budgets in check. Katun’s Arivia Multifunction Printers (MFPs), paired with MyQ print management software, offer a solution that can help educational institutions meet these challenges.
The MFPs are designed for reliability, quality and ease of use. They become powerful tools for managing printing workflows when integrated with MyQ, which enhances the user experience by allowing schools to customize the printer interface. This way, the machines can meet each school’s specific needs through adjusting the colors, buttons and features for a clean, intuitive user experience.
Teaming Arivia MFPs with MyQ’s simplicity means educators can quickly access the functions they need without extensive training. For example, the “follow-me” printing feature lets users release jobs from any authorized device, improving flexibility and reducing waste.
For IT staff, MyQ simplifies device management through a centralized console, allowing the remote control of print and scan settings. A single print driver supports all devices, minimizing support time and complexity.
MyQ also integrates with Google Workspace, making it easy for school staff and students using Chromebooks to print and scan directly to and from Google Drive. Additionally, comprehensive reporting tools give administrators full visibility into print usage and costs. Tools such as quotas, policies and user-level tracking ensure spending stays under control.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions
Konica Minolta’s new bizhub C4751i color A4 MFP provides businesses of all sizes with fully featured color printing, scanning, faxing, cloud workflow capabilities and team-based collaboration tools. Its industry-leading MFP security, lower price point, affordable color output and compact footprint make it an attractive option for cost-conscious environments in vertical markets such as health care, education, finance, insurance, legal and corporate sectors where color printing is required. It also offers secure, interoperable and compliant document exchange directly from existing imaging hardware―all vital features for health care facilities such as physician practices, hospitals and extended care providers.
The C4751i is designed to help reduce administrative burden, enhance patient data security and accelerate organizations’ transition toward digital and compliant workflows—all while aligning with HIPAA, TEFCA and similar health care standards. Within education, studies show color printing can boost retention and comprehension by up to 78%, so teachers and administrators benefit from color-rich output for reports, instructional materials, promotional flyers and communications. The MFP’s speed meets classrooms’ bulk color-printing needs, and teachers can scan color artwork or graded papers into shared cloud repositories, maintaining confidentiality with robust security features. In the public sector, the C4751i supports the secure, efficient creation and distribution of color-rich documents for public communications, records and interdepartmental use. Built-in security features help ensure compliance with strict data protection policies, while the compact size works in decentralized offices or departments with limited space but high document output needs.
Legal practices are becoming increasingly digital, but firms practicing in heavy litigation, bankruptcy, tax, intellectual property, corporate, real estate and estate planning still rely heavily on paper. Insurance companies, especially in areas such as claims processing, risk management, underwriting and compliance, are known for being paper-intensive due to the need for extensive documentation and regulatory requirements. In finance, institutions that handle lending, trust administration and compliance (among other areas) remain paper-intensive, relying on physical documents for various processes.
Kyocera Document Solutions America
Kyocera Cloud Print and Scan (KCPS) was created to help K-12 schools turn the page on outdated document management and printing workflows. This cloud-based solution helps schools and other organizations using Kyocera MFPs to reduce hardware and maintenance costs by eliminating the need for on-premises print servers. It also empowers education administrators to set print quotas, control costs and access detailed usage reports for budget management and sustainability-focused productivity.
KCPS also ensures that whether a student is printing a report or a teacher is printing the day’s handouts, the job can be done securely and economically from almost anywhere. It gives students, teachers, professors and administrators the ability to print from a location on school grounds away from the MFP itself, opening the door to increased flexibility and efficiency.
K-12 schools that use Kyocera MFPs equipped with KCPS can also benefit from seamless integration with Google Workspace for Education, Google Drive and Chromebooks (running Chrome OS). This means that beyond printing, students and staff can upload, download and share documents without unnecessary friction.
Schools can take advantage of KCPS to improve common educational workflows and control operational costs. However, the solution has powerful cohorts in Kyocera’s roster of education-friendly solutions, including:
– Kyocera Teaching Assistant, which automates grading of multiple-choice tests and provides educators with analytics and reporting tools to help better understand student performance and tailor their teaching strategies.
– Kyocera’s Tiered Color System, which enables schools to pay only for the color they use, significantly reducing printing expenses for letterheads, newsletters and classroom handouts.
Ricoh
Ricoh recently announced a new lineup of intelligent color A3 multifunction printers (MFPs) that incorporate what the company calls a “revolutionary” automatic single-pass document feeder (SPDF). While traditional SPDFs use a curved path that requires unique format originals, such as plastic ID cards, to be scanned on an MFP’s exposure glass, the new production-class straight path SPDF allows for seamless scanning of mixed originals in a single batch.
By reducing the time required to scan mixed-sized and unique originals and improving the quality of scanned images, the Ricoh SD Series helps businesses seamlessly digitize their workflows. This capability is particularly relevant in highly regulated industries such as health care, in which handwritten medical records can be difficult to scan with clarity and can lead to errors in patient care or billing. It’s also of particular help in insurance, where handwritten or printed claim forms must often be submitted along with supporting documents (e.g., police reports, repair estimates, medical bills).
Incorporating paper transport technology from PFU—a Ricoh Company that manufactures Ricoh document scanners—Ricoh SD accepts virtually anything in its feeder from thin cash register receipts to fragile thermal or carbonless paper to rigid ID cards. Users simply place their originals of any size, format and orientation in the SPDF and the MFP does the rest. The SD Series automatically detects irregularities and makes orientation and skew adjustments, producing a correctly sized image instantly viewable on the third-generation 10.1” smart operation panel.
Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
Sharp purposefully built its lightweight Dynabook E11 Series for the education vertical, creating an offering that provides schools the performance, durability and adaptability needed to help students thrive. Designed with K-12 classrooms in mind, this 11.6” laptop is a powerful, compact learning tool that supports both in-person and remote education environments. Its robust construction and thoughtful features make it ideal for school districts seeking reliable and scalable technology for student success.
Deployment is streamlined for IT teams, and devices can arrive pre-imaged with the district’s custom setup or be easily configured using Microsoft AutoPilot to minimize downtime. Quad-core Intel processors and fast SSD storage help students efficiently complete their daily tasks, from researching and writing to multimedia learning.
Built to withstand the rigors of student use, the E11 features a slip-resistant chassis, protective rubber bumpers and a spill-resistant keyboard with anchored keys. Enhanced collaboration tools such as Wi-Fi 6E, an HD webcam, stereo speakers and dual noise-canceling microphones create a connected learning experience whether students are in school or at home. An anti-glare display (with optional touch) and full-size keyboard support extended use and comfort, while Windows 11 Pro Education provides a familiar platform with access to essential academic tools and applications.
Toshiba America Business Solutions
Toshiba America Business Solutions’ new BX410T Series of thermal printers presents manufacturing, logistics and retail professionals with an efficient, secure and flexible labeling hub, promising intuitiveness, high performance and ease to use.
They couple field-proven hardware with a dual-core processor running both real-time and Linux operating systems to power the company’s latest A-BRID ecosystem, which merges its multifunction printer technology with label printers for a unique blend of IT applications and best practices.
The printers also offer:
Traceability: Organizations can track packages precisely and confidently.
Flexibility: Cloud connectivity and customizability help businesses tailor their printing. Printer cloning functionality simplifies device deployment at scale, and significant security elements and network functions provide further organizational flexibility and peace of mind.
Anytime, anyplace control: Elevate Sky MFPConnect and SOTI Connect enterprise software enable IoT device management, so manufacturing, logistics and retail personnel can centrally support their printer fleet, manage counters and logs, and deploy firmware automatically.
Smoother workflows: These A-BRID-powered printers control all aspects of label production for a smarter, more efficient set-up without the need for separate software. This includes printing perfectly aligned PDF labels directly from enterprise resource planning.
Seamless integration: Connectivity with automatic printer language recognition and easy data conversion makes for easier industrial labeling.
Superior user experience: Companies can streamline daily industrial operations through features that include label near-end detection, proprietary Ribbon Save technology (standard within the company’s industrial printer line) and a 4.3” full-color LCD.
