Multi-function printer: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Office machine}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Redirect|Multifunction|the mathematical concept|multivalued function}}

[[File:Ricoh 5055 MFP.jpg|thumb|A [[Ricoh]] 5055 B&W MFP (released in 2017).]]

An '''MFP''' ('''multi-function product'''/'''printer'''/'''peripheral'''), '''multi-functional''', '''all-in-one''' ('''AIO'''), or '''multi-function device''' ('''MFD'''), is an [[office]] [[machine]] which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or [[small business]] setting (the [[Small office/home office|SOHO]] market segment), or to provide centralized document management/distribution/production in a large-office setting. A typical MFP may act as a combination of some or all of the following devices: [[email]], [[fax]], [[photocopier]], [[Printer (computing)|printer]], [[Image scanner|scanner]].

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Many MFP types, regardless of the category they fall into, also come in a "printer only" variety, which is the same model without the scanner unit included. This can even occur with devices where the scanner unit physically appears highly integrated into the product.

{{As of | 2013}}, almost all printer manufacturers offer multifunction printers. They are designed for home, small business, enterprise and commercial use. Naturally, the cost, usability, robustness, throughput, output quality, etc. all vary with the various use cases. However, they all generally do the same functions; Print[[printing]], Scan[[Image scanner|scanning]], and Photocopy[[photocopying]]. In the commercial/enterprise area, most MFP have used [[Laser printing|laser-printer]] technology, while the personal, SOHO environments, utilize [[Inkjet printing|inkjet]] methods. Typically, inkjet printers have struggled with delivering the performance and color-saturation demanded by enterprise/large business use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itpro.co.uk/printers/innovation-at-work/24442/inkjets-vs-lasers-in-the-office|title = Inkjets vs. Lasers in the office| date=22 January 2014 }}</ref> However, [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] has recently{{when|date=October 2013}} launched a business-grade MFP using [[inkjet technology]]. From the 1980's to the 2010's, multi-function printers often included [[fax]] functionality, contemporary with the prevalence of fax machines in office communications.

In any case, instead of rigidly defined segments based on speed, more general definitions based on intended target audience and capabilities are becoming much more common {{as of | 2013 | lc = on}}. While the sector lacks formal definitions, it is common agreed amongst MFP manufacturers<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mejorimpresora.com/multifuncion/|title=▷ Mejores Impresoras Multifunción - 【Guía de Compra 2023 】|accessdate=27 February 2023}}</ref> that the products fall roughly into the following categories:

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SOHO MFPs are usually networked, however may also be connected via USB or, less frequently, parallel. SOHO MFPs may have basic finishing functionality such as duplexing, stapling and hole-punching, however this is rare. In general, document output offset, sorting and collation are standard capabilities.

By comparison to an Allall-in-one product, a SOHO MFP is more likely to have an [[automatic document feeder]], greater fax capabilities and faster output-performance. Most SOHO MFPs have their history in low-end black and white [[photocopier]]s, and the print engine is accordingly based around this type of technology.

===Office MFP===