A recent independent report published by Keypoint Intelligence and commissioned by Epson found that “going green” was second only to “improving data and document security” in a list of priorities for IT decision makers over the next three years. Going green was cited by 33% of respondents and ranked higher than digital transformation priorities such as “shifting from paper processes to electronic” and finding “cloud solutions to business processes.”

Reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When the IT decision makers were also asked about their desired improvements in their printing environment it was no surprise that reducing TCO came out top. Fortunately for the decision makers, the answer to many of their concerns may already be here in the shape of high-performance inkjet printers that offer considerable benefits compared to laser printers, which until now have been the mainstream printer type in the office. In reducing TCO for example, the report comments that “inkjet provides significant merits over laser” for TCO and that companies looking to cut costs by reducing print expenditure ”would want whatever printing that cannot be eliminated to be as cost effective as possible.”

“33% Of IT decision makers identified “going green” as a business priority for the next 3 years.”

Koichi Kubota of Epson is committed to realizing sustainable printing.

A compelling alternative

The report agreed that inkjet printers were the answer to many of the printing issues faced by the IT decision makers, concluding that “the current trends in office environments are heavily focused on the path to digital transformation, and printers will play an integral part in managing office documents.” It went on to say that, “a new breed of inkjet technology offering fast print speeds, high-yield ink supplies, and lower costs per page has the potential to address everyday office printing pain points and offer organizations a compelling alternative.”

“Inkjet printers were the answer to many of the printing issues.”

Although office print volumes are gradually declining, Keypoint Intelligence believes that print will remain an important contributor to office communications, and that recent developments in inkjet technology give it the potential to replace lasers as the office printer of choice. Paper is still the preferred medium for tasks such as reviewing or editing, or for certain business processes such as those requiring a signature.

”Print will remain an important contributor to office communications.”

Printers with Heat-Free Technology

So why does inkjet offer the answers? The reason is that printers using Epson’s proprietary Micro Piezo inkjet technology don’t use heat in the ink ejection process, while lasers use heat – and therefore much higher electricity consumption – and pressure to fuse fine toner powder to paper. Heat-Free Technology serves as a common platform for all Epson inkjet printers, whether for the home or office, and allows the printers to deliver productivity and print quality equal to that of laser printers in addition to helping to reduce users’ TCO and environmental impact.

Koichi Kubota, COO of Epson’s printing solutions business agrees that Epson’s Heat-Free holds the key to answering customers’ concerns. “My role is basically to make our customers happy, solve their issues and therefore make the world a better place,” he comments. “I’m trying to do this by refining and expanding uses for Epson’s inkjet technology, and by improving environmental performance to create a sustainable printing ecosystem.”

The conclusion is clear. While IT decision makers are concerned about the need to drive digital transformation and sustainable, cost-effective solutions in the office, the development of technologies such as Heat-Free by Epson offers real and immediate solutions to their needs.

”Improving environmental performance to create a sustainable printing ecosystem.”

Although the data for the report was compiled before the coronavirus pandemic, Epson believes that the global crisis has only served to exacerbate the need for digital transformation and for sustainable solutions in the office.