Lexmark has announced a new A3 MFP range, based on its internally developed print technology. The new 9-Series range comprises eight devices including A3 colour MFPs, an A3 mono MFP, A3 colour single function printer and A4 colour MFP. The products range in speed from 25ppm to 55ppm and offer a broad range of input format, scanning, and finishing options.
The new range builds on Lexmark’s A4 technology, with a focus on simplicity of design and sustainable credentials. All the new devices have achieved ENERGY STAR® certification, and Lexmark itself was recently awarded ENERGY STAR partner of the year status by the EPA. The range is also on course to achieve EPEAT™ certification.
Changing fleet deployment dynamics
The dynamics of A3 versus A4 devices in fleet deployments have continued to shift in recent years. In large, centralised office environments, individual desktop devices long ago gave way to the shared A3 “workhorse” MFP with its raft of paper handling and finishing options, which became a key component in office infrastructure.
The move to decentralised, hybrid working prompted in part by the pandemic has not only impacted print volumes, which are consistently falling and expected to drop a further 3% in 2024, it has also triggered a re-evaluation of device deployment.
Quocirca’s most recent MPS Landscape Study shows that 42% of organisations are moving to a more centralised A3 device environment, with 41% moving to a workgroup A4 print environment. The retail sector (with its branch-based structure) and industrial companies lean towards a distributed A4 fleet, while public sector and professional service companies favour A3 machines.
Organisations that are shifting towards A4 devices are driven by several factors, including the lower device cost, maintenance cost and footprint of A4 devices, which is attractive to cost-conscious and down-sizing organisations. Similarly, while A3 devices have historically offered a lower cost per page over higher volumes than their A4 counterparts, the gap is narrowing.
A3 MFPs remain prevalent in larger MPS engagements where customers are looking for the right mix of devices to support the hybrid workplace which requires higher performance devices that can drive employee productivity with enhanced security and document workflow integration. This is the opportunity Lexmark seeks to unlock.
Completeness of portfolio
Lexmark’s A3 devices are built on their A4 expertise, creating a portfolio that is consistent across design, build, management, and maintenance. As such Lexmark can now offer a proprietary solution for the large majority of office print infrastructure needs, without having to partner with a third-party provider.
Lexmark emphasises that its new range benefits from the same secure by design approach as its A4 portfolio. This may offer an additional benefit for organisations that can now standardise on Lexmark devices across the board, as Quocirca’s Global Print Security Landscape 2023 found that 63% of organisations operating a mixed vendor fleet reported a print-related security breach, compared to only 56% of those operating a standard fleet.
Sustainability focus
Quocirca research finds that sustainability performance is becoming increasingly central to business success, and 69% of businesses say they formally track the environmental performance of their print supplier. The top three environmental features sought in print solutions are sustainable ink or toner, energy efficiency, and product longevity.
Lexmark addresses product longevity in its new range, which has a seven-year design life. In a world where reducing manufacturing consumption in the first place considerably outweighs re-use and recycling initiatives, the company has calculated that this will cut the number of units built by 40%. The new devices also use hundreds fewer individual components than comparable A3 products, due to their basis on the A4 device range. This reduces the likelihood of technical failure and also minimises the number of replacement parts required.
As previously mentioned, the new products are all ENERGY STAR compliant, ensuring energy efficiency.
Product circularity is an important element in print industry sustainability and one that Lexmark addresses in the new line-up, which has 56% post-consumer recycled content by weight for base model MFPs and 73% by weight for the base model printer.
Lexmark has a long-established toner cartridge collection programme, and toner sustainability will be further addressed with a firmware lock that is claimed to reduce toner waste.
Accessibility and simplicity
MFPs still have a reputation for complexity from a user perspective, but vendors rarely overtly address this. Lexmark’s messaging has focused directly on ease of management and operation; simplistic visual styling, simple terminology and messaging, and clear labelling of consumables are all highlighted features.
Maintenance is also simplified due to the lower number of replaceable parts in the devices, according to Lexmark. The company also says that the 9-Series’ parts will last 33% to 650% longer than those in its predecessor line, the Lexmark CX93x. Lexmark claims that its testing shows experienced technicians “can perform the ten most common service actions in less than 15 minutes.” Remote fixes are also enabled through the inclusion of sensors with the devices. In a market where the skilled technicians typically needed to service more complex A3 devices are in increasingly short supply, this message will appeal not only to users but also to MPS providers.
Where manufacturers often state “ease of use” and “easy servicing” in product messaging, it is notable that Lexmark is putting specific features and metrics behind its statements.
Quocirca Opinion
With this launch, Lexmark is addressing many of the persistent challenges around A3 devices from an operational, maintenance and sustainability standpoint. It gives the company a more complete offering that will appeal to organisations wishing to address sustainability goals and reap the benefits of fleet standardisation.
