MFP Print Usage Trends in GCC

A survey conducted by Canon Middle East found that small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) usage of multi-functional printers (MFPs) is not being fully optimized, according to zawya.com. Among 1,000 SMEs throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region have participated in this survey.

As was reported, the study was done by telephone interviews with IT professionals in SME organizations across the region, which aimed to find out if the target users are fully using the their MFPs.

The study found that 68% of interviewees have misplaced both confidential personal and corporate documents at the printer tray, so they are at risk of exposing confidential information. “60% of respondents are not aware of features available to monitor print related costs”, of which 57% from larger businesses show they are more interested in controlling printing costs.

The survey unveiled that the respondents are largely unaware that they can increase employee productivity when they adopt smart print solutions. “For instance, only one in four SMEs have the facility to print from a smart device directly to a printer,” and only one in five has the option to print remotely. In addition, only one business in four was interested for a yearly contract for printer maintenance. But two out of four larger companies involving a higher turnover in business were interested for this.

Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East observed: “Now more than ever, organisations need to look at ways to cut down on unnecessary print jobs and ensure tight cost management – while keeping their information secure. There is a clear opportunity for SMEs in the region to make some simple, cost-effective IT changes that will have a dramatic impact on reducing costs as well as improving workforce efficiency. We’re not talking about a complete overhaul of systems but rather encouraging organisations to really think about the way any new technology investments support their organisation and their staff and also training them to use its features to its optimum.”