A copier lease grants a business access to a brand new, high-end copier and printer, over what is usually a multi-year lease term, for a simple monthly lease fee. It’s a hassle-free way to secure the office equipment you need, without having to pay the high upfront cost of that equipment.
But what is the best copier brand to lease? Which brand of multifunction printer (MFP) will give you the best return on your investment?
In this guide we’ll take a look at the factors you should consider when leasing MFPs, to help you choose the brand and model that will best suit your business needs and situation.
Benefits of leasing a copier
First things first: why should a small business lease a copier instead of purchasing one? There are a few compelling reasons why managed print services are so popular with modern businesses, including:
Keep your capital, manage your budget
Modern MFPs generally cost multiple thousands of dollars, which represents a big upfront expense for businesses. A copier lease spreads this cost over years, in the form of simple monthly lease payments that allow you to budget well ahead of time. And the duration of the lease is up to you: businesses in periods of change or growth can choose a shorter-term lease, while committing to a longer-term lease can result in lower monthly payments.
Always enjoy access to the best tech
Copier leases grant you access to a brand new machine packed with technology that will help your business work more efficiently and productively. You also won’t need to worry about being stuck with an outdated machine, because you can just hand your copier back at the end of the lease and upgrade to a new one.
Servicing and support
Usually a service contract will cover the servicing and maintenance of a copier. This small fee is based on a “cents per page” rate, and covers all the servicing and support you’ll need: call-outs, scheduled maintenance, sometimes even toner or ink. When you choose a trusted copier leasing company like BDL, you’ll also enjoy advice from expert copier technicians at no extra cost.
Key considerations when leasing a copier
Before choosing your ideal copier brand and model, you should consider your needs, wants, goals and limitations. By answering the following questions, you’ll gain a clearer idea of the specific MFP you need.
How much will I be printing?
You need a copier or printer that will be able to keep up with the pace of your office, and that can handle whatever you will throw at it. In terms of print volume and speed, there are three key numbers to look out for:
- Print/copy speed: How fast the MFP can print or copy, measured in pages per minute.
- First copy output time (FCOT): How quickly the printer can go from sleep mode to printing the first page of a new job.
- Duty cycle: The manufacturer’s recommendation for the maximum number of pages printed over the course of a month (this maximum usually forms part of the lease contract).
What functionality do I need?
Multifunction printers are exactly that: multifunctional. Most will grant you the ability to print, scan and copy, with the fax function usually an optional extra.
Beyond those basic functions, consider other capabilities that might come in handy. Do you ever need to print in A3 or A5? Do you need the ability to print in colour? Would duplex (double-sided) printing help you to keep costs down?
What digital features will help me work better?
Modern printers and copiers come with a wealth of digital features that can seriously enhance your internal operations. Consider whether the following digital features will help you work better:
- Cloud connectivity: Scan and upload documents straight to the cloud.
- Document editing: Many new copiers have large digital displays, and some even integrate a keyboard, allowing you to edit documents on the printer.
- Digital sending: Send scans directly from the machine to email addresses and other digital destinations.
- Enhanced security: Enjoy protection from threats with built-in cyber security that can actively identify and rectify issues.
What to look for in a leased copier
When shopping for the perfect leased copier for your business, there are a few factors to consider:
- Functionality: As we mentioned in the last section, you should consider the features and functionality you’ll need, then choose a printer and copier that ticks every box.
- Quality and reliability: Copiers are like sports umpires – you only really notice them when they stuff up. The best copier will therefore be ultra-reliable, able to handle whatever you throw at it without ever missing a beat. It’s wise to go for a trusted, well-known brand that has proven its quality over decades.
- Efficiency: Modern copiers are packed with smart features that reduce the amount of power, paper and ink you use. Duplex printing, for example, can instantly halve your paper use.
- Security: Your office copier machine will be tasked with processing plenty of sensitive information: contracts, financial documentation, internal and client communications. Given modern copy machines are connected to the internet, security should form a key consideration for any business choosing a copier.
- Adaptability and scalability: Given most copier lease periods are between 24 and 60 months, it’s wise to choose a machine that will continue to provide business solutions as your company grows and evolves. Look for a slightly overpowered and featured-packed machine that can adapt and scale with you.
- A high quality lessor: The best copier leasing companies will guide you on which option is best, and will then provide you with all the servicing, support and advice you need to maximise the return on your copier investment.
Top copier brands for leasing
Between Xerox, Kyocera, Ricoh, Canon and Epsom there’s no shortage of MFP brands to choose from. If anything businesses are spoilt for choice, which can make the job of selecting the right brand and model a little overwhelming.
At BDL Copiers we’ve done the hard work for you, scouring the MFP market for the very best options available. In our humble opinion, there are two brands that stand out from the rest:
HP
When you lease a printer, you want to know that you don’t have to worry about it going out of date, particularly in terms of security. Wolf Security makes HP machines the world’s most secure printing devices. HP Wolf Security is always up to date with the latest cybersecurity threats, continually stopping them as they evolve. HP printers are also unique in their ability to automatically self-heal from attacks.
Another area in which HP sets itself apart is efficiency. It minimises the ongoing cost of consumables through default duplex printing and ultra-efficient toner cartridges.
Toshiba
Toshiba crafts cloud-ready and ultra-secure printers and copiers designed for whatever the future might hold for your business. Toshiba devices feature seamless cloud connectivity, which they pair with high-level encryption and anti-malware protection to guard against hacking and virus attacks.
Toshiba printers also meet world-leading environmental standards, having got the tick from Energy Star, EPEAT and Blue Angel.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking at buying or leasing a copier, finding the right supplier is even more important than finding the right copier, because the best suppliers will ensure that you secure a printer or copier that perfectly aligns with your needs, and on a leasing program that works for you.
At BDL Copiers we pride ourselves on being that trusted supplier for New Zealand businesses.
We’ll help you to find a copier that aligns with your unique requirements, with the features and capabilities that you need, at the right price and on the right terms. We’ll set you up with a quality machine, we’ll provide all the servicing and support you could ask for, and we’ll help you to upgrade when the time is right.
Get in touch with our expert team today to secure your ideal copier or multifunction printer.
