There are so many different alternatives for copying and scanning documents and photographs these days that it might be difficult to choose one. There is no single “best” choice that applies to everyone. Fortunately, small-business owners can select the characteristics that are most appropriate for their purposes by carefully examining the distinctions between scanners and copiers.
Many people talk about copying and scanning interchangeably, which may be owing in part to the fact that many offices now have multipurpose devices, which eliminates the need to define the difference when you ask someone to “scan me a copy” or anything. “What difference does it make? I mean, ‘copy vs scan’ is a crucial distinction, right?” They may appear similar at first glance, but recognizing the distinctions between devices and functions becomes essential when it comes time to shop for a new one.
This is especially true when you consider that almost every help post begins with “understand what you need” as the first step in purchasing a new MFP. Is it necessary for your office to make physical copies? Or do they need to scan documents into your office’s document management or e-filing system? Perhaps this leads you to choose a SOHO MFP versus an Office MFP versus some individual scanners for your employees’ workstations.
Photocopiers are fairly common pieces of office equipment that have been in use since the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, as digital technology develops and gets more affordable, a paperless piece of technology such as a scanner may be able to handle all of your document reproduction needs and replace your traditional copier. Copiers and scanners work in similar ways, but their output is vastly different.
