OEM looks to business inkjet to achieve its target growth of 25 percent.
Epson India has announced an expected 
growth of 25 percent, hedging its efforts in office inkjet devices, reports My Digital FC.
SM Ram Prasad, Deputy General Manager of Consumer Products, Epson India, spoke on the focus of business printing and the OEM’s focus on inkjet devices which goes against the tradition of using laser devices in an office environment. Prasad maintains that although laser devices are generally favoured for their speed and long-lasting ink, they consume more power and can be “hazardous to humans” and inkjet technology has developed enough to offset the advantages of laser.
“Inkjets used dye-based ink earlier and hence the print didn’t last for more than two years. The latest toners come with pigment-based ink. Compared to genuine laser toners, they are 1,000 times cheaper.
“Moreover, given the regular power cuts in most parts of the country, lasers do not serve the purpose. They require about 300W and can’t be connected to UPS or single-battery inverter. They will trip. Inkjets are better suited as they consume only about 120W. We call these the fourth generation of inkjets.”
Prasad also spoke on the desire from companies for new printing technology, although take-up is predicted as being a slow climb.
“Lasers have been around in corporate India for more than seven or eight years. Companies have made significant investments on their printers. It will take at least two years to see a clear shift towards the new inkjets.
“However, we have seen good traction for the devices among companies that are looking for a printer refresh. Just the idea of reducing their toner cost is exciting a lot of enterprises.”
Similarly, Ninestar’s Yusen Zhang spoke with The Recycler on the company’s predictions on the rise of business inkjet, and InfoTrends has announced its forthcoming survey Is Inkjet Printing Technology Ready to Transform the Office Printing Environment?