Does anyone have any experience with Xerox Multifunction Printers?
June 1, 2007 11:25 AM Subscribe
Does anyone have any experience with Xerox Multifunction Printers?
I would like to take one step toward a paper-less office by purchasing either a stand-alone network scanner or a Xerox MFP. The Xerox MFP look good because they are network-able and I need a laser printer anyways.
Does anyone have any experience with the software and workflow with a network scanner? Any recommendations? I would like something that is both Mac and PC compatable.
Funny you should ask. We just got 8 of the suckers in, and are expecting two more next week.
The WorkCenterPro 232 is a midgrade unit suitable for a 10 person office. We got several of those and a couple of 238H (high capacity=2000 sheet feeder) for the really busy places.
You can get them to scan to network, but only one directory deep. (I'm going to experiment with shares later to see if I can't fool it into going deeper - you also need to make a local account on the server you'll be scanning to, ant it needs to be at least a Power User). Other options you can get are built in fax, which works pretty well, three hole punch, stapling, and other geegaws.
The units have their own built in print "servers" which keep track of scan, copy, fax, and print jobs. You can hit the screen to see what's up next, or if any job has a fault condition. It's pretty cool. Somebody can be there copying something, and someone else is queueing up a print job, and yet another person can be sending or receiving a fax. So far it's done the job reasonably well.
Workflow on scanning: you can set up default and alternate locations with different presets, depending on how you want something saved, whether .PDF, .TIFF, or multipage .TIFF. Most folks have been happy with PDF.
Going paperless is another set of marbles. There's DocuShare, where you add metadata to the stuff that's scanned in, then something they just came out with called ...welll, I can't remember and I can't find it on their site. It's a separate suite of software that is installed on the server and does OCR and metadata and workflow things for you. The local Xerox reps tried to give me the soft sell on this but I just stared a little and said "no". YMMV.
If you're going to care about who makes how many copies, you get into the fuzzy labyrinth called "Auditron" or "Xerox Standard Accounting", depending on the model you get. It is possible to set up access codes for people from the unit's web site (instead of at the machine). Just be careful that you don't put the entries under "General Users" because the bloody thing won't know what you're talking about when you enter your code.
(you can also set it up to authenticate via LDAP or Windows Active Directory, but I really really don't recommend that)
We've gotten them to work from PCs via our Windows servers, and the same for the Macs - again, if you set up authentication, it gets a little wierd, but it can be done.
Your best bet is to have a local Xerox rep come in and have them do an Office Document Analysis (pdf), where they take page counts at the begining and end of a month (if you have things that keep page counts) and tell you what model would best fit your needs over the next four year lease. And when you get the suckers in, hammer the reps and try to get the local "network guy" in to help you set up the network printing and scanning.
posted by lysdexic at 12:08 PM on June 1, 2007
The WorkCenterPro 232 is a midgrade unit suitable for a 10 person office. We got several of those and a couple of 238H (high capacity=2000 sheet feeder) for the really busy places.
You can get them to scan to network, but only one directory deep. (I'm going to experiment with shares later to see if I can't fool it into going deeper - you also need to make a local account on the server you'll be scanning to, ant it needs to be at least a Power User). Other options you can get are built in fax, which works pretty well, three hole punch, stapling, and other geegaws.
The units have their own built in print "servers" which keep track of scan, copy, fax, and print jobs. You can hit the
Workflow on scanning: you can set up default and alternate locations with different presets, depending on how you want something saved, whether .PDF, .TIFF, or multipage .TIFF. Most folks have been happy with PDF.
Going paperless is another set of marbles. There's DocuShare, where you add metadata to the stuff that's scanned in, then something they just came out with called ...welll, I can't remember and I can't find it on their site. It's a separate suite of software that is installed on the server and does OCR and metadata and workflow things for you. The local Xerox reps tried to give me the soft sell on this but I just stared a little and said "no". YMMV.
If you're going to care about who makes how many copies, you get into the fuzzy labyrinth called "Auditron" or "Xerox Standard Accounting", depending on the model you get. It is possible to set up access codes for people from the unit's web site (instead of at the machine). Just be careful that you don't put the entries under "General Users" because the bloody thing won't know what you're talking about when you enter your code.
(you can also set it up to authenticate via LDAP or Windows Active Directory, but I really really don't recommend that)
We've gotten them to work from PCs via our Windows servers, and the same for the Macs - again, if you set up authentication, it gets a little wierd, but it can be done.
Your best bet is to have a local Xerox rep come in and have them do an Office Document Analysis (pdf), where they take page counts at the begining and end of a month (if you have things that keep page counts) and tell you what model would best fit your needs over the next four year lease. And when you get the suckers in, hammer the reps and try to get the local "network guy" in to help you set up the network printing and scanning.
posted by lysdexic at 12:08 PM on June 1, 2007
lysdexic, how is the reliability on those units? I've got eight years of experience with the Xerox machines, and my impression is that when they work they work really well, but they're prone to breakage. Kinda like a Jaguar, in a lot of ways. Do they require a service plan?
posted by lekvar at 12:31 PM on June 1, 2007
posted by lekvar at 12:31 PM on June 1, 2007
So far, so good. We have another slew of them in for the public to use (I forget the model number) and we've only had two service calls since we got them about three months ago. I don't know if that's standard or not.
On the staff side, we've managed a few paper jams, but the units themselves have detailed "for dummies" instructions to get the paper out. The only service call we had was to reset and administrator password after killing it via the web client.
Since this was a state contract, the maintenance was built in. I'd recommend it if you're going to be doing a lot of printing, because then the toner and other supplies can included in the plan.
So far, they're about the same in reliability and print quality as the HP 8100/9000s they're replacing. And they're LOADs better than the {expletive deleted} Dell printers.
posted by lysdexic at 12:44 PM on June 1, 2007
On the staff side, we've managed a few paper jams, but the units themselves have detailed "for dummies" instructions to get the paper out. The only service call we had was to reset and administrator password after killing it via the web client.
Since this was a state contract, the maintenance was built in. I'd recommend it if you're going to be doing a lot of printing, because then the toner and other supplies can included in the plan.
So far, they're about the same in reliability and print quality as the HP 8100/9000s they're replacing. And they're LOADs better than the {expletive deleted} Dell printers.
posted by lysdexic at 12:44 PM on June 1, 2007
We've had numerous problems where I work with the Docucentre series (320's and 220's I believe), which were on a state contract as well...basically we had to drop a contract with Xerox for various reasons including their support quality, limited scanning features, and reliability of hardware and network drivers (overall about 30 or so large multifunction printer/copiers had to be moved out and replaced with another vendor). Yes, like just like Jaguars :)
Right now we're using Canon 3570's 2270's and which surprisingly feel like they are better manufactured quality from the drivers to the interface on their touchscreens. Relatively fewer paper jams, although the trays do move noticiably slower. They're not physically 100% better, but the support so far is (this is for the MD area...I'm sure the quality varies depending on who and where you get). I know you're looking for a much smaller class of printers, just from my experience lately with Xerox (even the smaller Techtronix stuff, from a company they bought out) is that the quality is kinda hit or miss.
I guess the bottom line is, check around your local area too to see what brands your local computer shops are certified to repair. It makes for a good alternative...mostly it's handy in the event you need something repaired under warranty but don't want to wait for the shipments.
posted by samsara at 1:40 PM on June 1, 2007
Right now we're using Canon 3570's 2270's and which surprisingly feel like they are better manufactured quality from the drivers to the interface on their touchscreens. Relatively fewer paper jams, although the trays do move noticiably slower. They're not physically 100% better, but the support so far is (this is for the MD area...I'm sure the quality varies depending on who and where you get). I know you're looking for a much smaller class of printers, just from my experience lately with Xerox (even the smaller Techtronix stuff, from a company they bought out) is that the quality is kinda hit or miss.
I guess the bottom line is, check around your local area too to see what brands your local computer shops are certified to repair. It makes for a good alternative...mostly it's handy in the event you need something repaired under warranty but don't want to wait for the shipments.
posted by samsara at 1:40 PM on June 1, 2007
Response by poster: I was thinking more along the lines of the low end of the spectrum, i.e., the Phaser 6110MFP.
http://www.office.xerox.com/multifunction-printer/color-multifunction/phaser-6110mfp/enus.html
Does anyone have any experience with this or the 6115MFP?
posted by zzztimbo at 1:54 PM on June 1, 2007
http://www.office.xerox.com/multifunction-printer/color-multifunction/phaser-6110mfp/enus.html
Does anyone have any experience with this or the 6115MFP?
posted by zzztimbo at 1:54 PM on June 1, 2007
I have had really terrible luck with the Xerox Workcentre Pro PE120/120i's. We ordered ~10 of them and every single one has been sent to repair at least twice (under warranty, at least). About half the time we would get a printer back from the repair shop and it would not be fixed and then we'd have to get it repaired again. This is not limited to MFP's - every Xerox printer (of the Phaser 63xx and 72xx variety) we have purchased has had to be serviced in and out of warranty.
That being said, I don't have any recommendations for a MFP. The "fast, cheap, good - pick two out of three" saying is appropriate here, I think.
posted by wearyaswater at 2:14 PM on June 1, 2007
That being said, I don't have any recommendations for a MFP. The "fast, cheap, good - pick two out of three" saying is appropriate here, I think.
posted by wearyaswater at 2:14 PM on June 1, 2007
I worked for Xerox for three years, I used to install the Document Centres on the customers' networks. As a matter of fact, for those of you who WATCHED the first season of The Apprentice, I worked with Red. The Document Centres, 220, 230, 550, 650-- work on FTP and the set up is pretty sweet. Yes, you can change the destination folder -- even if it is a mapped network drive off the server. They had a web based interface that you could interface thru IP. The Workcentre Pro is another kettle of fish. They are not made by Xerox and the software is kind of klugey.
Multifunction devices under $1000 are very light duty, they will not do any one of their jobs well.
I recommend that you separate the "paper in" from the "paper out" functions. Get a sheet fed scanner that has a decent user interface-- choice of folder and file type. They are really cheap! I got an Epson for about $30 rebuilt.
Get a decent laser printer that HAS CHEAP TONER. People don't realize that the < cheapest>> laser prints cost about [one and a half cents each] Ink jet or convenience prints run about [three and a half cents each] Buy your printer on cost per page and reliability rating, check Amazon or Newegg.
Stay away from Docushare. It's great for University Departmetns and collaborative businesses, but it's not easy to install or maintain. You can't run it on your main server because aptly named Python will strangle your processor.
Have fun!
posted by ohshenandoah at 9:03 PM on June 1, 2007
Multifunction devices under $1000 are very light duty, they will not do any one of their jobs well.
I recommend that you separate the "paper in" from the "paper out" functions. Get a sheet fed scanner that has a decent user interface-- choice of folder and file type. They are really cheap! I got an Epson for about $30 rebuilt.
Get a decent laser printer that HAS CHEAP TONER. People don't realize that the < cheapest>> laser prints cost about [one and a half cents each] Ink jet or convenience prints run about [three and a half cents each] Buy your printer on cost per page and reliability rating, check Amazon or Newegg.
Stay away from Docushare. It's great for University Departmetns and collaborative businesses, but it's not easy to install or maintain. You can't run it on your main server because aptly named Python will strangle your processor.
Have fun!
posted by ohshenandoah at 9:03 PM on June 1, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
I picked mine up for <$70 on ebay. Axis also makes USB models (<$400 on ebay).
posted by datacenter refugee at 11:55 AM on June 1, 2007