Smart-working: how to resolve the problem of printing documents
The issue of printing documents in the Covid era is quite challenging, especially for workers who have suddenly found themselves obliged to work from home. Previously, the printer was an essential feature of any office, but this was not necessarily the case in the domestic environment.
With the arrival of the pandemic and the subsequent rise of smart working however, having access to a device for printing hard copies of documents at home has become fundamental. This is why several new and interesting printer models have recently been developed and are gradually being improved and designed to meet the new working requirements.
Investing in smart working and printing from home
Recent research predicts that by 2022 around 75% of companies will have embraced the concept of hybrid working, with home working playing a key role. Company infrastructures will therefore be modified and firms will have to meet employees’ needs by providing adequate equipment.
According to the same study, it is estimated that by 2021, over 75% of companies will have taken the necessary steps to provide workers who choose smart working with the same technical standards available at the office. This will allow them to collaborate with office-based colleagues remotely and in real time.
The Covid crisis has underlined the importance of creating suitably equipped work spaces within the domestic environment. Consequently, it is plausible that considerable investment will be targeted at printing.
The impact of Covid on printing
Market data for printers reflects how the global pandemic has had a negative effect on sales of office equipment. From a financial point of view, Covid has reduced company investment in printers, from 1,039 million euros in 2019 to the 862 million euros spent in 2020 (approximately 17% less).
The hardest hit device has been the A3 format multi-function printer (MFP), which has seen a fall in sales of 21%, while there has been a decrease of 8% in the sales of A4 format devices. These figures suggest that A4 format MFPs are the best option when choosing a home printer.
Equipping your workspace for printing and Covid
Considering the rising trend of smart working, it is crucial that companies realise how important it is to provide workers with an adequately equipped workspace in order to meet their needs, including printing and conformance with anti-Covid restrictions.
As mentioned above, the best solution for printing at home is to use an A4 MFP, as it is more compact and better suited to the domestic environment. Its characteristics are also perfect when re-organising the office workspace, where social distancing rules must be observed.
Installing several smaller printers in different areas of the workplace will ensure that time spent waiting for documents to be printed and collected is reduced to a minimum, thereby avoiding queues and the formation of gatherings. Furthermore, A4 MPFs are ideal for freeing up desk space and ensuring an appropriate distance between employees who share the same office space.
As mentioned above, it is clear that Covid has had a significant influence on the printing sector, but it may also be viewed as an opportunity for companies to evolve via targeted, beneficial investment. In an effort to respond to companies’ future requirements, many office supply firms have started to develop and provide ad hoc services.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
