Office Etiquette - Keeping your printer efficient and secure

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - It used to be every office had a room set aside for the photocopier, fax machine and printers. As a result, the printer became the new 'water cooler' - a place for people to gather and gossip while waiting for their print jobs. Today, smaller multifunctional devices that copy, scan, fax and print have brought the printer out into very central, open locations.

While this new trend provides easy access for everyone, it also poses some printer confidentiality and efficiency issues. Documents left unattended can be a security risk and an employee loitering at a printer doesn't help productivity. Here are a few tips from Canon Canada to keep the office multifunctional device secure and productive even in high traffic areas:

1. Making your multifunctional device's location accessible and exposed helps keep the gossip to a minimum and productivity top of mind, especially if it's conspicuously placed outside the boss' office door.
2. Industry research suggests that approximately 35 per cent of documents are forgotten at the printer. The last thing any employer wants is to find confidential information left unattended. Multifunctional devices from manufacturers such as Canon have the ability to introduce document management protocols like employee swipe cards to release print jobs only when employees are physically present to retrieve their documents.
3. If the multifunctional device is in a central area, it will most likely be surrounded by employees working at their desks. Consider devices that offer a quiet mode to limit noise disturbances, with features that include low energy usage in sleep mode. These features help minimize heat output as well as maximize energy efficiency.
4. Look for multifunctional devices that combine quality with ease of use. Choosing a device with a simple-to-use interface will help keep it functional all day and help minimize support requests.
5. Encourage responsible use by making double-sided printing the default on high-use printers and using software to track print jobs to users or billable codes. This ensures printing costs can be accurately assigned.

Smart multifunctional devices with smart software offer lots of options for creating a more efficient workplace while protecting confidential information and respecting resources.  

About Canon Canada Inc.  

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company employs 1,200 people at its offices nation-wide, servicing the Canadian market from coast to coast. Innovation and cutting-edge technology have been essential ingredients in Canon's success. Canon's leadership in imaging, optical and document management technology and solutions is based in large part on the thousands of patents the company has secured throughout its history. Canon Inc. is among the top three US patent recipients. 

The company's comprehensive product line includes networked multifunction devices; digital copiers (colour and black and white); printers, scanners, image filing systems and facsimile machines; calculators, digital camcorders, digital and analogue cameras and lenses; semiconductor, broadcast and other specialized industrial products. 

Canon supports programs that help preserve and protect the environment. The company instituted the Clean Earth Campaign in 1990, which assists various environmental and recycling initiatives. The Campaign has also supported leading environmental organizations, such as World Wildlife Fund - Canada and the Canon Envirothon. 

For further information:

visit www.canon.ca