When it comes to office equipment, it can be difficult to know when to stop repairing your printer or copier and when to buy a new device, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Repairs are often much cheaper than purchasing a replacement, but those repairs could actually be costing you more money and lowering your office’s productivity in the long run. Read our advice on 5 things to consider when dealing with faulty equipment, then contact The Digi Group at 405-603-3545 to schedule a free assessment of your office needs.
Cost of Repairs Over Time
The first and most important thing to consider is what these repairs are costing you. While the price tag may seem reasonable and beneficial, consider the frequency at which you are having to repair it. If it’s only once or twice a year and the repair costs are low, then it may be better to keep your current device. However, if it’s breaking more frequently, it may be a cheaper option to buy a new device. You’ll also want to take into account the age of the device. As devices get older, they not only break down more frequently, but the repairs tend to become more expensive as the parts needed for the repairs become outdated and rare.
Compatibility With Other Devices
Just as you want to make sure your team is on the same page and getting along, you also want your office equipment to do the same thing. If you’re considering replacing a device, take into account its compatibility with other devices in your office. Each new model of office equipment often brings changes in compatibility. Where it used to work seamlessly with all of your devices, it may have issues now, whether that be due to a driver or software update, or having recently replaced other machines in your office with newer models. While it still may work well, if it’s not compatible with the bulk of your office’s equipment, it may be hindering your office’s production, forcing you to deal with error messages and having to manually go to the device to print or scan a document.
Output
Another aspect of your device’s performance to consider is its production output. As devices age, they not only break down more often, but their output declines as well. Whether it be a case of printing output, scanning speed, or slower communication with other devices, a small decrease in their productivity can add up quickly and cost your office time and money.
Internal/Remote Diagnostics
When it comes time to repair an issue with your device, a key thing to consider is if it has internal and/or remote diagnostics. Internal diagnostics are common on many devices, but only in recent years have they advanced to a point where they provide enough information that you can often pinpoint the problem yourself without paying for a tech to come out and look at it. Remote diagnostics are extremely helpful when it comes to issues you don’t know how to fix, as technicians can remotely access and discover the issue in a matter of minutes, rather than having to wait for a tech to become available and drive to your physical location. These are two features that are becoming vital to most workspaces to maintain productivity levels. If the device you are considering replacing doesn’t have these options, it may be worth looking into finding a replacement.
Power Consumption
Lastly, you’ll want to assess how much power the device in question is consuming on a regular basis. The introduction of Energy Star was revolutionary to office equipment and each new generation of devices on the market today save more power than the last. If it’s been a few years since you’ve considered your device’s energy output, it’s a good idea to do an assessment and see how much it’s contributing to your utility bill.
Contact The Digi Group
Hopefully, this blog has provided you with some insights to help you make your decision. If you’re still unsure or have questions, contact The Digi Group today. We are a licensed partner of HP and Xerox and provide office equipment for sale or lease, as well as managed print services and full technical support for your entire office’s hardware and software. We offer free assessments and quotes on your office’s equipment setup and provide you with the answers you’re looking for. Give us a call at 405-603-3545 or send us a message today; we’d love to talk with you.
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