The first Print21 Hot Pick of the 2015 show has gone to Epson for its remarkable Workforce Pro WF-R8590TC network printer. For the first time, an inkjet device presents a viable alternative to laser in the office environment.
In presenting Epson Australia's Business Unit Manager, Craig Heckenberg with the Hot Pick certificate; Print 21 magazine editor Andy McCourt notes: "This Workforce printer is a turning point for inkjet in the office, government and corporate sectors. In adopting bulk individual ink pouches, called RIPS for Replaceable Ink Pack System, Epson has reduced the time needed for cartridge replacement, from around 52 toner cartridges per 75,000 A4 pages, to around 4 RIPS ink packs, based on average business coverage.
"The inkjet colour quality is superb and can be fully colour-managed if required. It handles up to A3+, can be fully network managed in a multi-printer environment and is scaleable to suite all enterprise sizes. All this from a printer costing about $10,000 with the lowest cost-per-page of any inkjet device. Business colour has just taken a mighty leap forward. I think laser toner printers in businesses finally have a serious contender for disruption."
Asked if he believed the Epson Workforce Pro RIPS technology could finally displace toner in the office, Craig Heckenberg unhesitatingly states: "Of course!"
Print 75,000 pages uninterrupted
The supply units lead to low intervention and no time-wasting interruptions. Supplies management is made simple, supplies waste is greatly reduced and lower IT support costs are achieved.
PrecisionCore technology powers the output quality that Epson is known for, at the speeds required for office, commercial and industrial printing. Prints dry fast thanks to the DURABrite Ultra Pro ink. PDL printing emulations, including PCL and Adobe PostScript 3, and Gigabit Ethernet help this printer easily integrate into the business environment. Its Wi-Fi Direct® capability also lets you print from supported wireless devices without connecting to a router.
Energy efficient
The WF-R8590TC uses up to 80 percent less power than competitive colour lasers thanks to its no heat technology. No ozone gas is emitted, and an improved quiet print mode and no fan noise during or after printing make it ideal for the working environment. And there are fewer parts to replace than a laser.
Get more done with print speeds of up to 34ppm in mono and 30ppm in colour, or 24ppm ISO print speed in both. Its high paper capacity of up to 1,831 sheets means less time is spent refilling. It features automatic double-sided printing to make any job easy and efficient. The Epson WorkForce Pro WF-R8590TC also features automatic double-sided printing, scanning, copying and faxing to make any job easy and efficient.