Multifunction printer
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An MFP (Multi Function Printer/Product), multifunctional, all-in-one (AiO), or mopier, is an office machine that includes the following functionality in one physical body, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small-business setting (the SoHo market segment), or to provide better document management/distribution/production in a large-office setting:
- Printer
- Scanner
- Copier
- Fax (optional; a fax-less MFP may be upgraded to include a fax card later, using a standard port, e.g. USB)
- Media card readers (home units), to directly print digital camera memory cards.
- Hard disk (large office units) for document/image storage.
An MFP can work both as a computer peripheral (using a computer port, like ethernet/Wi-Fi-LAN, USB, FireWire, etc.) and autonomously (with no need for the computer connection; for example, to copy, fax and so on).
Home or SoHo MFPs are usually inkjet-based, and thus allow colour printing and copying, but most large-office and a small number of relatively expensive SoHo units use a laser print engine for high-quality, low cost-per-page output at large volume. Some home units have sockets for various memory cards, allowing printing of pictures directly from digital cameras, without using a computer in between.
Early models (in the 1990s) developed a poor reputation for compatibility and reliability, but have improved since. Some current MFPs cost less than a good quality inkjet printer and a scanner, but cannot offer the same print quality, compatibility, and flexibility, and incur a higher cost of ownership (as a failure in any of the individual sub-systems requires that the entire unit be replaced). They do, however, take up less room than the equivalent separate components, can be used autonomously (with the computer turned off) and are popular for that reason.
MFP manufacturers/brands include Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Lexmark, Ricoh, and Xerox.
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Document Management Software
Large-office MFPs can be integrated into Document management systems, whereby storage, distribution, indexing, and printing of large volumes of paper documents can be managed electronically, through scanning by the MFPs and OCR reading by optional or third-party software.
Open drivers
Multifunctionals need scanner (SANE) and printer (CUPS) drivers, sometimes referred to in combination (SANECUPS).
See also
- PictBridge: a standard to print photos in the multifunctional without using the computer.
- Wi-Fi is a device that allows wireless connection between two electronics.
- memory card slot
External links
- Usenet : news:alt.periphs.multifunctions
- Canon imageRUNNER-series large-office units (http://www.imagerunner.com/ir_home.html)
- Top 5 SoHo Multi-Function Printers (All-in-Ones) Guide Picks (http://sbinfocanada.about.com/library/weekly/aabybmultifunction.htm)
- MFP Vendors (http://www.hp.com/sbso/product/mfp/index.html?jumpid=ex_R295_go/mfp41)ja:複合機