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Most multifunction systems today come equipped with advanced access controls. Despite having a large breadth in functions, these controls are actually very easy to use. Plus, by monitoring print usage, you can reduce your costs greatly by supervising usage by department, work group, or even individuals.

Access controls work in conjunction with the security features of your multifunction to set up PIN codes or card-access for desired users. By requiring every user to log in to the multifunction, you can get a clear report on how the device is being used. You can also set authorizations based on access groups. For example, you may want your Marketing Department to have access to color printing, but feel it would be unnecessary for the Sales Department. With access controls, you can minimize unnecessary color printing and reduce your costs.

Effective print monitoring also allows you to create defaults for certain access groups. You can set print jobs to automatically duplex (two-sided printing) to help save paper. This is a quick and easy solution that will yield instant results.

Multifunction devices are often used as a gateway to a company’s document management system. Access controls can ensure that unauthorized users do not get into confidential documents. Just as you can dictate print capabilities, you can also select which users can retrieve or view certain files, folders or specific documents. Controlled access limits your company’s liability and encourages employee responsibility.

Print management has been made quite simple with access controls on most multifunction devices. Once the controls are set up, managing your printing expenses and security is a breeze. Plus, with easy to use interfaces, the set up process can take just a matter of minutes. continue reading...

The world is focused on recycling. One of the best places to start may be with your office laser printers and multifunction systems.

Here are three simple steps to cutting waste and saving money:

• Recycle Paper Put recycling bins next to your printers and copiers. Most municipalities have recycling services. You can also use recycled paper in your printers and copiers. Make sure to select a good quality of recycled paper that is rated for laser printers and copiers.
• Duplex Printing A great way to immediately cut paper usage is to set your printers and multifunction systems to default to duplex (two-sided) printing. This is especially helpful for long print jobs because duplex printing literally cuts your paper usage in half.

• Recycle Printer Cartridges It takes over 2 quarts of oil to make a new laser printer cartridge. Make sure that printer cartridges are sent for recycling. You can also use remanufactured printer cartridges in many laser printers- you’ll save landfill space and spend less.

These three simple steps can be taken to reduce the environmental waste of your office - while cutting costs. continue reading...

Some people may ask why most businesses are beginning to implement an electronic document management system when hard copy documents have driven businesses for years? 

These electronic systems provide searchable access to scanned information, create a disaster recovery plan and ensure government regulatory compliance.  All these things enable better business decisions and smoother customer service interactions. 

Many businesses are under the incorrect assumption that paper documents are somehow free.  The fact is that the cost of managing paper documents may be more expensive than digital management alternatives.

The Cost of Paper Filing

Consider an average three-drawer filing cabinet.  You have the cost of the actual cabinet, the cost of the folders, the cost of the paper prints and copies, and the cost of renting a space to keep the cabinet.  Then you have to take in consideration the time it takes to copy, categorize and file documents in paper folders.  Every time you need information you’ll have to physically search for the documents that could easily have been misfiled or misplaced.

Documents can be stolen; fires, floods or other natural disasters can wipe out your entire business.

Fortunately, there is a better way.

Electronic Document Management technologies allow you to create a secure and searchable archive of your business information.  One 100 GB disk can store over 2,000,000 pages of information and replace over 100 filing cabinets.  Documents can be shared over networks so even if one computer is lost, the information isn’t.

What seems to be the better option to you?

Southern Solutions offers document and network management solutions to Southern Maryland and Calvert County including, St. Leonard, Solomons, Barstow, Broomes Island, and Dares Beach. continue reading...

Are you looking for ways to improve and streamline your business processes? A great place to start is to evaluate your current business practices.

A business process is a structured series of steps that produces a repeated outcome. Accounts receivable—what happens from the time you generate an invoice until you get paid—is the most common business process. These paper and digital documents are the vehicles by which information flows through your business regardless of what industry you are in.

Technology will improve your business and streamline the flow of information to:

• Increase Profits
• Enhance Competitive Advantage
• Improve Customer Service
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance

The first question to consider in order to make a process more efficient is, “What is the final goal?”

The second step is to map out the process and look for inefficiencies including manual labor that could be automated.

Document management technology can be employed to eliminate inefficiencies in business processes, enabling you to do more with less. The net result is a faster and more predictable process.

Southern Solutions offers document and network management solutions to Charles County Maryland including, Ripley, Rison, Rock Point, Swan Point, Welcome, and White Plains. continue reading...

Document costs increase every year thanks to the growing volume of information. These costs include everything from printing and copying to the infrastructure needed to store and retrieve critical information.

Recent research by InfoTrends found that overall expenditures on documents were 6% of annual revenues.

Fortunately there are several practical strategies for medium and small businesses you can employ to reduce your document costs:

Multifunction Systems

New workgroup multifunction systems can provide full color printing, copying, faxing, and scanning services in one device.

Multifunction systems are less expensive to operate than laser printers especially when it comes to color output. These systems operate on low cost-per-page agreements that include supplies, preventative maintenance, and on-site service. The net result is lower output costs.

Printer Management

In many offices, 80% of document output is attributed to printing. A recent study by Hewlett-Packard showed that a properly-managed printing environment can cut printing costs by 8-42. The first step is to understand your actual printing expense.

There are many businesses that will assess the actual usage information in the printers on your network. With this information they can make recommendations about which devices will give you the lowest cost of operation.

Document Management

Electronic Document Management technologies (EDMS) have incoming documents scanned and securely stored for later processing or retrieval in your network. An EDMS provides a central digital repository for scanned paper and other computer files.

The net result is increased productivity with lower overhead expenses.

Your company’s budget can benefit from electronic document management and other document management services. Streamline your business processes and customize your printer fleet to reduce your output costs.

Southern Solutions offers document and network management solutions to Southern Maryland, including Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, St. Inigoes, St. Mary's City, Scotland, Tall Timbers and Valley Lee. continue reading...