The Evolution Of MultiFunctional Devices As We Know It

AI-enabled technology and systems in MFDs ensure a reduction in human-involvement, increase in printing efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. AI plays a fundamental role in automating everyday operations and optimizing printing investments

With the Indian printing market rapidly growing and maturing, MFDs (Multifunctional Devices) have become an integral part of businesses across the world, be it for a small size new business or a largescale enterprise. The ability to perform multiple functions with just one device has not only resulted in business processes becoming simpler but also has drastically increased the efficiency and improved the output. As companies across spectrum has gotten used to the versality of MFDs, some may barely remember a time, when we didn’t have these multifaceted machines in our offices, instead one required separate machines to print and photocopy, hence taking up substantial time and office space. The evolution of MFDs has been an incredible journey and is worth applauding.

How did it all start?

Interestingly, photocopiers first came to the market back in 1959,with the sole function of making copies of documents as the name suggests. In the mid-1950s, offices had three separate machines for photocopying, printing and scanning. Nobody anticipated that photocopiers would one day evolve into becoming MFDs that are now considered the foundation of any productive business.

Till the year 2000, most photocopiers could only copy one document at a time and did not feature the digital capabilities of storing or sending information, as MFDs offer now. Eventually to streamline costs, and optimize business processes—a multi-function device came into existence which impeccably integrated a printing, scanning, copying and fax together. The technology disruption created the need for MFD segment and soon became a business essential and the acquisition of these lay with the administrators and acquisition heads. With further digitalization of businesses, the need for storing essential documents led to the integration of hard drives as part of the machines for frequent printing. Initially a novelty available in only a few models, these eventually became a standard across the industry.

Introduction of the connected era

The digital integration led to MFDs becoming a part of the office network and IT infrastructure as employees were connected to the same network resulting in users giving print commands from anywhere in the office as well as from their smartphones or other connected devices. In terms of document access, scan to mail was a necessity till a couple of years ago. However with the introduction of technologically intricate yet simple cloud-based management systems, MFDs are now equipped to print, scan and save directly to the cloud, making the entire process as intuitive as ever. It also enables easy information search and retrieval, digital workflow management while helping save IT maintenance and infrastructure costs.

Data Security first

The increased connectivity within the network infrastructure brought in the involvement of CIOs