The portfolio increases the number of managed devices designed for contractual channel partners and managed print services engagements.
Technology giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) unveiled a new brand of PageWide printer and expanded its business printing portfolio with new OfficeJet Pro and LaserJet printers.In addition to a lineup of A4 devices early next year, HP will expand the reach of PageWide technology with a new portfolio of A3 multifunction printers (MFPs).The portfolio increases the number of managed devices designed for contractual channel partners and managed print services engagements.These contractual PageWide printers enable the company's channel partners to provide low cost of operation with a three-year print head warranty, higher speeds and RMPV on select models, as well as integration with JetAdvantage Management and third-party tools. The OfficeJet Pro and LaserJet printers include enhanced manageability and security features, seamless mobile printing, and access to the company's Instant Ink supplies delivery program. "User-friendly design is important to support employee productivity, making it easier for people to accomplish their work faster," Larry Tracy, director of product planning at HP, told eWEEK. "One example of HP's focus on user-friendly design in the new printers is the print forward design of the new HP OfficeJet Pro 8700 printers, which enables these printers to deliver print jobs with two-sided printing already collated in the right order."He noted this feature has been available on LaserJet printers and copiers, but now HP is bringing this enterprise-class capability to its new line of compact, cost-effective OfficeJet Pro 8700 printers so that businesses of all sizes can benefit."Another way HP has enabled productivity through user-friendly design in its new printers is the customizable front panel on its new PageWide and OfficeJet Pro printers," Tracy said. "With these new customizable touchscreens, IT can configure shortcuts and prioritize buttons for the tasks users n eed to accomplish on a particular printer, making it faster and easier for employees to do their work."In addition, HP's Secure Managed Print Services (MPS) brings together hardware, software and services to deliver comprehensive print security protection to help customers address evolving threats and compliance requirements.HP Secure MPS provides security experts with the ability to help customers secure their print environment and then maintain security over time to address evolving threats and compliance requirements."When it comes to network security, printers are often the most overlooked component of the IT network. However, as intelligent, connected devices sitting on the network, sending and receiving data, they need to be secured like any other asset," Tracy said. "The average printer has more than 250 settings, including ports and protocols that could be a potential source of vulnerability. As part of network security, IT needs to be able to ensure that its printers are configured, managed and monitored to protect against malicious attacks."
