October 2007
Manufacturing environments are paper-intensive, but workers require flexible technology that goes beyond basic printing, according to research conducted by Lexmark International, Inc.
The research was designed to identify unique document workflow management requirements and trends associated with specific industry verticals in the small and medium business (SMB) segment. For the manufacturing vertical, research was conducted in the U.S., U.K., France and Italy.
According to respondents, manufacturing professionals place a higher than average importance on paper-based tasks other than printing. Among the tasks that were classified as "very important" were (multiple responses were permitted):
These responses ranged from 3 percent to 19 percent higher than those from other SMB professionals.
In addition, manufacturing professionals are more focused on device reliability than other SMBs, primarily because devices are often located in harsh environments that subject equipment to dust, debris and varying temperatures.
"Laser multifunction technology is a must-have for manufacturing professionals because it gives them access to robust print, fax, copy and scan capabilities from one reliable device," said Marty Canning, Lexmark vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services Division.
However, single function printers play an important role in manufacturing processes as well. Printers are often located throughout manufacturing lines so that labels identifying serial or tracking numbers can be printed and attached to machinery or boxes as they are completed. As the prevalence of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology increases, an additional device is also needed nearby that can create and program RFID tags for tracking as well.
The Lexmark T640rn is a networked monochrome laser printer that can print and program RFID tags embedded within electronic forms that can be customized with the Lexmark Document Solutions Suite (LDSS) to simplify distribution processes. The Lexmark T640rn can print at speeds up to 35 pages per minute (ppm) on regular media and up to 15 ppm on RFID media. With an estimated street price of $3,995*, the Lexmark T640rn can easily be used as both a regular laser printer for large workgroups and an RFID tag programmer to help consolidate devices.
"The Lexmark T640rn delivers the next generation of efficiency for manufacturers," Canning said.
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