You work hard at your job, and so does your office copier or printer. But after some time, even the most efficient machines are bound to break down. If your office machine is on its last leg, you’ll know. A malfunctioning printer can be frustrating not only for you but also for your coworkers, who may have to wait in line to use the copy machine at peak times in the day. 

With so many different models of printers and copiers available on the market today, it’s important that you choose one that fits your company’s needs for as long as possible. Even if everything seems to be working just fine now, it’s best to take action now before things get worse and repair costs rise even more in the future. Here are some signs you need a new office copier or printer:

1. Reliability: There is already a problem if one of your employees has to use Google to find a solution to a technical problem. To get an idea, simply type in the phrase "printer keeps..." and see what comes up, such as "jamming," "saying out of paper," "printing blank pages," and "going offline," to name a few. Service providers can help when these problems occur, but generally speaking, never repair a machine that is more than five years old because it adds inefficient costs to your company.

2. Price: A "maintenance kit" may cost as much as a brand-new printer. Every year, the amount of maintenance your device will need will increase. Your service costs may also be added to this, which could end up costing more than purchasing a new copier or printer from the appropriate dealer.

3. Security: Protecting documents is crucial for all businesses, and using outdated technology can leave you exposed. After 6-7 years, the OEM manufacturer may stop providing security updates for the software on your device. To access a network, attackers frequently choose outdated technology.

4. Performance: If you're spending the time to print something, it probably matters, and the output quality follows suit. The cost per page (CPP) is significantly lower than ever because of the decline in print volume and the cost of color supplies. Businesses no longer need to be concerned about the price of color printing, and CPP is no longer the deciding factor in document quality.

5. The environment: Think about the differences between a laser toner and an ink cartridge. The size of ink cartridges is frequently reduced by a quarter, greatly lowering the amount of plastic waste. Because they don't require constant heating like toner does, ink cartridges are also more efficient. It's probably time to update your technology if the cartridge in your current device is the size of a lunch box from the 1970s.