IOT News and Notes

Avoid Haiti Donation Scams!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Red Cross Hoax

Cybercriminals are becoming more technically savvy and as a result, their phishing e-mails are becoming increasingly more convincing. Researchers at Symantec recently detected a spam campaign in the days that followed the Haiti earthquake, which appeared to come from the British Red Cross. In actuality, the e-mails were from a spammer who ended up pocketing the subsequent donations.

Unlike other phishing attacks, this e-mail is wordy and lengthy, perhaps in an effort to obfuscate the e-mail's true origins. The e-mail is also (more or less) grammatically correct, and contains lots of statistics and factually based information, which also serve to further legitimize the spam e-mail.

However, one dead giveaway that this is a phishing attack is that the cybercriminals request all donations to be submitted via Western Union money transfer. Among other ways, individuals can safely make a charitable contribution to the Haiti relief directly on the Red Cross Web site, which is authenticated by the padlock icon at the bottom of the screen, indicating that the site is secure. There is absolutely no need to go through Western Union, unless of course, you're a spammer.

IOT sells laser printers, copiers and mfp's in the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Twin Cities metro area, as well as Saint Cloud, Rochester and all points in between! Serving Minnesota since 1995, IOT also provides service, repair, parts, ink and toner supplies for printers, copiers and MFP's.

For more information about laser printers, copiers or service and repair please visit our website iotsolutions.com or call us at 651-605-2500.

Thank you to

Top 10 Valentine's Day Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:26:00 +0000

1. Red Velvet Cake Recipe

This red velvet cake recipe is made with butter, eggs, vanilla, red gel food coloring, cocoa, buttermilk, and other ingredients. A favorite red velvet cake recipe with cooked frosting, or use a cream cheese frosting for this popular cake.

Ingredients:

12 tablespoons butter, 1 1/2 sticks
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons red gel food coloring plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Cooked Frosting
1 cup milk
1/3 all-purpose flour
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
milk or cream

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°. Generously grease and flour 3 8-inch round layer cake pans or 2 9-inch cake pans.
Cake: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat 1 minute longer. Beat in vanilla until blended. Combine cocoa, food coloring, and 2 tablespoons water; beat into the egg creamed mixture. Combine flour and salt. Alternate adding flour and buttermilk mixtures to the batter, beating on low to medium speed. Combine soda and vinegar in cup and add to cake batter. Spoon batter evenly into the 3 cake pans; bake at 350° for 22 to 28 minutes. Cool on cake racks. Remove from pans and frost tops and sides.
Frosting: In a saucepan, whisk together the 1/3 cup flour and milk and cook, stirring, until thickened; cool in the refrigerator. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla with mixer. Add flour and milk mixture a little at a time (make ahead of cake so that it has plenty of time to cool). Beat well, adding milk or cream as needed. Frost layers, sides, and top of cake.

2. Eggs Benedict

Elegant eggs Benedict makes a wonderful special breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup boiling water
dash salt
dash ground cayenne pepper
3 tomatoes, ends removed and halved
12 thin slices cooked ham
6 eggs
6 English muffins, split, toasted, and buttered

Preparation:

Eggs Benedict. In the top of a double boiler, whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together. Add 1/3 of the butter, about 3 tablespoons. Place double boiler over simmering water. Cook, beating constantly, until butter melts and sauce begins to thicken. Add 3 more tablespoons of butter, stir until butter melts, then add remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Slowly whisk in boiling water. Continue cooking over simmering water, stirring, until mixture thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in salt and cayenne pepper.
Place ham slices and tomato halves on rack of broiler pan. Broil 4 inches from heat for about 4 minutes, or until ham begins to get browned and tomatoes are cooked through.
While ham is broiling, pour about 2 inches of water into a large skillet. Lightly salt water; bring to the boiling point. Carefully put eggs in water, breaking into a cup first, then gently slipping them into the water one at a time.
Simmer eggs, while basting with the water, for 3 to 5 minutes or until set. Remove with slotted spoon; drain.
On warm serving plates, place English muffins, 2 halves to each plate. Top halves with 2 slices of ham and a poached egg. Spoon a little sauce over the egg and place a thick slice of boiled tomato next to the egg.
Recipe for eggs benedict serves 6.

3. Lobster Newburg

A tasty lobster Newburg recipe, made with eggs, flour, butter, sherry, and lobster. Serve the lobster with its sauce on puff pastry shells or toast points.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups half-and-half (half milk, half cream)
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 cups coarsely chopped lobster meat
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 puff pastry shells, baked, or toast points

Preparation:

Melt butter in a large skillet; blend in flour then gradually stir in half-and-half. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens. Stir a small amount of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks; return to hot mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add lobster, sherry, lemon juice, and salt; heat thoroughly, but do not boil. Serve in hot patty shells or over toast points.
Serves 6.

4. Tilapia Fillets with Mustard-Pecan Topping

Delicious tilapia is enhanced with a tasty Dijon topping, made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and chopped pecans. To cut fat and calories even more, use herbs in place of the pecans or use reduced fat mayonnaise. Tilapia is packed with nutrients and it's absolutely delicious!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup brown mustard, such as French's Bold 'n Spicy
1 pound tilapia fillets, if frozen, thaw
1/4 cup chopped pecans, finely chopped

Preparation:

Lightly butter a large, shallow baking pan, such as a jelly roll pan. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, and mustard.
Using paper towels, pat fish lightly to dry. Arrange fish fillets in prepared baking dish. Spread mayonnaise mixture over each fillet. Sprinkle each fillet with chopped pecans; press down gently.
Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Use 2 to 3 fillets per person, or 4 to 6 ounces. Serve with broccoli and tomato slices. Tilapia recipe makes 4 servings.

5. Shrimp Scampi Recipe

This shrimp scampi recipes is one of the most popular recipes on this site. An easy recipe for shrimp scampi, made with shrimp, garlic, butter, and a little white wine and lemon juice.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (about 16 to 24)
1/3 cup clarified butter
4 tablespoons minced garlic
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh if possible
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Rinse shrimp and set aside. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic 1 or 2 minutes or until softened but not browned. Add shrimp, green onions, wine and lemon juice; cook until shrimp are pink and firm, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Do not overcook. Add chopped parsley and salt and pepper before serving. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley sprigs if desired. Makes 8 first-course servings.

6. Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops

This recipe can easily be cut down to make a special dinner for two.

Ingredients:

4 thick bone-in pork chops, at least 1 1/4-inches thick
salt and pepper
.
Stuffing:
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked corn kernels
2 cups cornbread crumbs, from freshly made cornbread or packaged crumbs
1/2 cup chopped golden raisins or dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
dash sage, crumbled, optional
chicken broth, about 1/2 cup, to moisten
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Cut a pocket into the meaty side of chop, cutting in all the way to the bone.
In a saucepan, heat butter over medium low heat; add celery, onion, and bell pepper. Saute vegetables until tender. Add remaining ingredients, adding enough chicken broth to moisten as desired and taste before adding salt and pepper.
Stuff pockets of pork chops with the stuffing mix. Set remaining stuffing mix aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chops, turning carefully to brown both sides. Push chops aside and spoon remaining stuffing in the middle of the skillet (if your skillet is not oven-safe, use a baking dish), then position the chops over the stuffing. Cover the skillet or baking dish and bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes, until chops are cooked through.
Serves 4.

7. Chicken Marsala Recipe

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breast halves without skin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon basil, dried
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 to 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (1/2 to 1 cup sliced)
1/2 cup Marsala wine

Preparation:

Pound chicken to 1/4" thickness between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and basil; mix well. Heat oil and butter in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Dredge chicken in seasoned flour mixture. Cook chicken until lightly browned on first side (about 2 to 3 minutes). Turn chicken and add mushrooms around the chicken pieces. Cook about 2 minutes longer, until lightly browned; stir the mushrooms. Add Marsala wine to pan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Serve with hot cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.

8. Individual Bread Pudding With Butterscotch Sauce

The great thing about making this bread pudding in individual cups is that you can customize them. Sprinkle bread pudding cups with cinnamon or nutmeg, or stir spices into the custard mixture. For a change, spoon a teaspoon of jam into the bottom of the custard cup before adding the pudding mixture. A delicious bread pudding, served with butterscotch sauce or your favorite dessert sauce.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups torn fresh French bread, white only, no crusts
cinnamon or nutmeg
raisins, optional

Preparation:

Combine in a saucepan, the half-and-half, brown sugar, and butter; bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for a minute, until sugar is dissolved.
Meanwhile, whisk eggs and vanilla extract until well blended. Quickly whisk in the hot mixture until well blended. Add bread crumbs and let soak while oven is preheating. If desired stir some raisins in, or add a few raisins to some of the individual cups.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Pour bread pudding mixture into 4 generously buttered 6-ounce custard cups then set in a shallow baking pan. Tip: Put a teaspoon of jam in the bottom of the custard cup before adding pudding mixture, if desired, and you'll have a fruit topping. Sprinkle custard with cinnamon or nutmeg and gently stir into the mixture. Place on center oven rack and add about 1/4 to 1/2-inch of very hot water to the baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Gently loosen edge with a knife then unmold warm bread pudding onto plates. Drizzle with butterscotch sauce, a vanilla sauce, or your own favorite, if desired.
Makes 4 generous servings.
9. Chicken Mozzarella Bake

Chicken breasts are lightly browned then baked with mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. A quick and delicious chicken recipe, with boneless chicken breasts and cheese. The wine adds extra flavor, but chicken broth will work as well.

Ingredients:

4 to 6 chicken breast halves
salt and pepper
garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon butter
2 to 3 tablespoons Marsala or white wine, or use chicken broth
1 medium to large tomato, sliced
4 to 6 green onions, thinly sliced
8 ounces Mozzarella cheese, sliced

Preparation:

Pound chicken breast halves between sheets of plastic wrap until evenly thinned out. Salt and pepper both sides then sprinkle lightly with garlic powder. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add chicken to the heated skillet; cook for about 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a baking dish. Add 1 more tablespoon butter to the skillet along with the wine or broth then saute the mushrooms until tender and golden brown. Pour mushroom mixture over chicken in baking dish. Top with tomato slices and sliced green onions. Place Mozzarella slices over all. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes.
Serves 4 to 6.

10. Beef Tenderloin With Red Wine Sauce

The Bordelaise-style sauce is made with red wine and beef broth, along with mushrooms and seasonings. Use a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer to keep a close eye on this roast's temperature.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 to 2 pounds beef tenderloin
1 clove garlic, halved
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 to 6 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 shallot, chopped, or 2 green onions
1 clove garlic, finely minced
3 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) condensed beef broth
1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400°. Rub roast all over with the garlic clove halves; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast the tenderloin in an open shallow pan for about 30 to 35 minutes, to about 125° to 130° for medium rare to medium. If the roast is very cold, count on more time.
Remove from oven and remove roast to a warm platter and let rest. Add oil, mushrooms, chopped shallot or green onion, and minced garlic to pan drippings; place over medium heat and sauté until tender. Stir in flour until well blended; add the red wine and broth. Simmer until reduced by about 1/4 to 1/3. Add thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Serve alongside sliced tenderloin.
Serves 4.

This information was found on http://southernfood.about.com/od/valentinesday/tp/top_valentine.htm

IOT sells laser printers, copiers and mfp's in the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Twin Cities metro area, as well as Saint Cloud, Rochester and all points in between! Serving Minnesota since 1995, IOT also provides service, repair, parts, ink and toner supplies for printers, copiers and MFP's.

For more information about laser printers, copiers or service and repair please visit our website iotsolutions.com or call us at 651-605-2500.

iPhone Business Apps - A Great Tool To Cut Through The Junk!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:10:00 +0000

There's an app for that?

As we are a bunch of recent iPhone converts (sorry Windows Mobile) many of us have spent way too many hours tapping, searching and downloading countless iPhone apps on our fancy new phones. Some are good, some are bad.

We came across this handy web tool to drill down specific business related iPhone apps. Hope you gain some benefit!

http://www.infoworld.com/iphone-apps?AppCat=it-tools

IOT sells laser printers, copiers and mfp's in the Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Twin Cities metro area, as well as Saint Cloud, Rochester and all points in between! Serving Minnesota since 1995, IOT also provides service, repair, parts, ink and toner supplies for printers, copiers and MFP's.

For more information about laser printers, copiers or service and repair please visit our website iotsolutions.com or call us at 651-605-2500.

HP Trade-in and Save Event Extended Through 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Purchase or lease a select HP printer, MFP or scanner and save up to $1,000 when you trade-in your old desktop laser printer, inkjet printer or scanner - any brand, any condition between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010!

Full details on our website - HP Trade-in Program

Program Overview

Just purchase any qualified HP printer, mfp or scanner. Next, submit your claim for the trade in rebate/cash back. HP will recycle your old printer, scanner or mfp for free (US only). Finally, you receive up to $1,000 cash back from HP!

This is a one-for-one and like-for-like product trade only. You must purchase one eligible HP printer, and trade-in one printer to qualify. Example - you cannot purchase an HP printer and trade-in a scanner.
Trade-in products do not have to be in working condition.
To qualify you must purchase an eligible HP printer, scanner or MFP between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010.
The trade-in products must be located in the U.S. only.
HP will pay for shipping and recycling the eligible trade-in for recycle printers and scanners.
Only desktop printers and scanners will be accepted for trade-in.

For full program information, restrictions and product eligiblity please visit our website HP Trade-in and Save Program or contact Courtney Carlson at 651-605-2500 or printersales@iotsolutions.com

IOT is a Certified HP Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Cook your Christmas turkey on the grill!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:23:00 +0000

Barbecued Turkey with White Wine Gravy

from Weber’s Real Grilling™ by Jamie Purviance

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Marinating Time: 0

Grilling Time: 2-1/4 to 3 hours

Ever tried cooking your holiday bird on the grill? Our resident Weber grillmaster Courtney Carlson has, and this recipe is a can't-miss pick from his personal stash!

Ingredients;

8 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups lightly packed Italian parsley leaves, finely chopped

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

2 teaspoons prepared chili powder

Zest of 2 oranges

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 turkey, 11 to 13 pounds, fresh or defrosted

2 to 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock

1 large onion, roughly chopped

1 large carrot, roughly chopped

Gravy; (makes about 3 cups)

6 tablespoons collected fat (use melted butter if necessary)

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock and pan juices

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions;

1. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, parsley, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 2 teaspoons of pepper, the chili powder, orange zest (reserve the oranges), and butter. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity and reserve for another use. If your turkey has a metal or plastic trussing clamp, leave it in place. Starting from the neck end of the turkey, carefully separate the skin from the breast meat with your fingers. Push about half of the butter mixture onto the breast meat under the skin and spread it out evenly. Use the other half of the butter mixture to evenly cover the top and sides of the turkey. Generously season with salt and pepper. Quarter the oranges and place the sections into the cavity of the turkey.

2. Put 2 cups of the chicken stock, the onion, and carrot inside a heavy-duty roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack, and set inside the pan. Grill over indirect medium heat (350°F to 450°F), with the lid closed as much as possible. Check the turkey after the first hour. If any parts are getting too dark, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil. If the pan looks dry, add the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock so the pan drippings don’t burn. Check the turkey again after another hour. Cover any dark areas with foil. The turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thickest part of the thigh, about 2-1/4 to 3 hours. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving (the internal temperatures will rise 5°F to 10°F during resting). It will remain warm for 45 minutes.

3. Meanwhile make the gravy: Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a heatproof glass bowl or measuring cup, leaving any browned bits in the bottom of the roasting pan. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes while the clear yellow fat rises to the top of the juices. Skim off the fat and put it in a small bowl. If necessary, add enough melted butter to total 6 tablespoons of fat. Place the roasting pan on a side burner or two stovetop burners set to medium heat. Add the fat to the pan, sprinkle the flour into the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until it turns dark brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the stock and reserved juices (4 cups total) plus the wine, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. If the gravy seems to thin, simmer it longer until it is as thick as you like.

This recipe and more can be found on Weber's website at http://weber.com/recipes/Recipe.aspx?rid=49

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at http://www.iotsolutions.com/, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Happy Halloween! Pumpkin Carving Patterns!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:24:00 +0000

IOT wants to say HAPPY HALLOWEEN

We found a little treat for you, get your pumpkins ready!!

You Will Need:
A craft knife (one where you can easily snap off the blade to get a new sharp one is ideal).
A cutting board or piece of card on which to cut the stencil.
A piece of acetate or stiff plastic, see-through is easiest.
A printout of the stencil design (you can enlarge or reduce this on a photocopier).
Some tape (ideally repositional or low-tack so your stencil doesn't get sticky).

Preparation for Cutting a Stencil

Use a few pieces of tape to secure the printout of the stencil design to the piece of acetate along the edges so that it doesn't slip when you start cutting the stencil. Position the design so there is a border of acetate at least an inch (2.5cm) around the whole design.

Get Patterns! Click Here!

Quarterly Updates

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Our Quarterly Award
Every quarter we recognize 3 Team Members who have gone above and beyond the day-to-day routine here at IOT. This quarter we are proud to give our PEAK Performers award to Jesse, Tony & Nick.
To learn more about our IOT and our Team vist the Get To Know Us section of our website.

Quarterly Updates
We would like to give a big Happy Birthday to the following team members: Rene Dolan, Courtney Carlson, Nick Rolstad, Allen Xiong, Jesse Dolan, Jamey Dolan, Rufus Bahaforen,Jesse Del Rio.

Team members celebrating employment anniversaries: Ryan O'Connor 1yr, Clint Hayden 5 yr, Cassie Beckfeld 6yr, Antony Crowder 8yr, Rene Dolan 11yr, Courtney Carlson 11yr, Jesse Dolan 13 yr

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at http://www.iotsolutions.com/, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Now Hiring - Outside Sales Agents

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Interested in a career with IOT? Like to work with people and solve problems? Check out the current openings for Outside Sales - http://iotsolutions.com/gettoknowus/careers/index.php

Don't be fooled by supply scams

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:30:00 +0000

These are the three most common scenarios, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

1. The Phony Invoice
The first step in this ruse is to get a business’s address and the name of an employee, often by calling a random extension to ask for help completing an order. The caller claims the accounting department lost the address and the name of the person supplies are usually sent to.
Then, the scammers send a box of unordered merchandise, wait a week or two, then send an invoice asking for as much as ten times what the the merchandise is worth. Often, the company has already used the supplies, and enough time has passed that the inflated price goes unnoticed.

2. The Pretender
In this scam, the phony supplier calls claiming to be the company’s regular vendor. It works best when the scammers reach someone unfamiliar with the normal purchasing practices — that way, the employee will often be convinced he or she is just authorizing a regularly scheduled purchase and won’t bring up prices, quantities, etc.
Of course, when the supplies arrive, so does a highly inflated bill.

3. The Gift-Horse
This scam works by creating distrust within an organization. An employee is called and offered a free promotional gift, with a passing reference to other merchandise. When the gift is shipped, so is a box of supplies, with an invoice listed the employee as the one who made the purchase.
The hope of the con artists is that when the company investigates, it will believe the employee authorized the order to get the gift, and believe that the supplies must be paid for.
Here’s how the FTC recommends businesses stay safe from those scams:

Assign designated buyers and train other employees – Anyone not designated to make purchases should automatically refer vendor calls to buyers, regardless of how hard the caller pushes. Scams are often the result of employees “placing” orders because they don’t know what else to do.

Know your rights and don’t pay – It’s illegal for someone to sell you something you didn’t order. Many companies mistakenly believe they need to return the merchandise, or pay if they can’t — but that’s not true, the FTC says.

Check documentation and inventory before sending a check – Many scams succeed because companies see invoices, assume they’re legit and pay the bill.

article from http://www.docucrunch.com/dont-be-fooled-by-these-3-office-supply-scams

If you ever have any doubts regarding any information you recieve from IOT please contact us at 651-452-5630 or email at info@iotsolutions.com

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Safety on the job

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Safety on the Job: Employee Safety in the Work Place

Every business, regardless of its size, must provide its employees with safe working conditions. And considering the range of potential hazards -- from asbestos to slippery stairs to excessive noise -- that can be difficult for a small business. Fortunately, the government agency that regulates workplace safety also provides a wealth of resources to help small businesses comply with their regulations.

Here at IOT we take many safety precautions (as Rusty Petric demonstrates in this photo). Working, with printers can sometimes be dangerous (really?). So safty procedure is important. Protect your head and be visible.

PS - to see why it is important to wear a protection when working with printers see our printer videos

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at http://www.iotsolutions.com/, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

HP LaserJet 3010 Released

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:27:00 +0000

HP LaserJet 3010 Series is here!

Get fast, high-performance printing with advanced security features. Expand as your business needs change, using an open EIO slot, open memory slot, two internal accessory ports for connecting HP and partner solutions, and optional paper trays.

View All Printers, Copiers and MFP's Online

Visit our website at http://www.iotsolutions.com/ to view our entire inventory of printers, copiers and multifunction printers!

Check out all other discounts and promotions too by visiting our Hot Deals section! Contact Courtney Carlson with any questions.

HP Newest Projects To Hit The Publishing Market

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:50:00 +0000

New ideas are always in the making. Here are some of Hewlett-Packard Labs latest innovative projects that impact our industry.

A recent article in Computerworld spells out some of the new technologies the company is perfecting. Two have special meaning for the publishing/imaging market:

* BookPrep — A project that can convert an out-of-print book into a newly printed book without the need to have it typeset again. The process of scanning a book, cleaning it up as needed, and printing from one to hundreds of copies takes 24 hours. HP is working with publishers to revive their backlists of out-of-print books. For individual users who might want to reprint, for example, a family memoir, the cost is about $20 per book.

* MagCloud — A service that allows publishers to create magazines using page layout software, upload it to a Web site (magcloud.com) and sell subscriptions, then have them printed and mailed from the site. The idea is that publishers can create highly focused magazines for specialized audiences, get high-quality print, but print only just enough copies for direct delivery (no excess inventory). Current titles using the system include such niche magazines as Mormon Artist, Film & Festivals, and American Aerospace Archives. Other cool items in various stages of development are flexible computer display (that can be rolled up and carried in a briefcase), photonic data transmission (using beams of light), and a project for radically reducing energy consumption in the data centers.

Found this article on http://www.docucrunch.com/cool-new-hp-technologies.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at http://www.iotsolutions.com/, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Deeply Discounted Toner Cartridges

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:39:00 +0000

We often we receive toner cartridges with damaged packaging - maybe the box is dented or has been opened, someone wrote on it with a marker, etc. The toner cartridges themselves are perfectly fine, but the packaging has been damaged in a way that does not allow us to sell them at standard retail. So - you get the benefit!

First Come - First Serve; we have set up a new twitter account so you can get immediate updates on what the newest discount toner are. If you don't follow our Discount Toner Tweets then you might be too late! First one to buy gets it!

You can find these items on our website under the Discount Toner link in the Ink and Toner area.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

MetroToner - A New Brand Of Toner Cartridges from IOT

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:23:00 +0000

MetroToner Brand Toner Cartridges

MetroToner brand toner cartridges give you the quality you want, at the price you need. What you get is a good, dependable toner cartridge that wont break the bank - from a company you can trust!

Here at IOT, we know toner! We make our own toner cartridges right here in Minnesota, just as we have from day one. Our popular PEAKTONER line of toner cartridges have served many customers in the Twin Cities and beyond. MetroToner is an extension of that quality!

Affordable AND Dependable Toner Cartridges

We have taken that experience in toner cartridge production (we've made them since 1995!) and focused it on developing a reliable, cost saving toner cartridge solution for businesses looking to cut costs in today's economy.

MetroToner is born out of the same focus on quality and dependability you expect from IOT...at a price you need! Don't settle for "drill-and-fill" toner cartridges when you can get more, for the same cost.

MetroToner or PEAKTONER - Which Is Right For You?

You have two great choices in toner - MetroToner brand and PEAKTONER brand. Each has it's own advantages to fit the needs of your business. Click this link Metro or PEAK? to compare the features and benefits of each brand side by side.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Out & About Photos - July

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:54:00 +0000

There are many things that our drivers see when they are out to fix your machines or deliver your cartridges. This month top photos were taken after the implosion to take down the Lowry Ave Bridge in Minneapolis.

Photos by Clint Hayden

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Xerox Mobile Express Driver

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Upgrades for Xerox print drivers now available.

An upgrade is now available for Mobile Express, the print driver that lets you print to any available printer or multifunction device any network. An upgrade is also available for our Global Print Driver, which simplifies driver deployment for IT administrators by bundling all the capabilities and features of various devices into one complete package.

Here's what's new:- Enhanced printer discovery process delivers more effective and reliable searches of available devices- Updated non-Xerox device compatibility and functionality- Improved reliability and security These drivers are available to anyone, in any company, at no charge.

Download here:
http://www.office.xerox.com/perl-bin/product.pl?product=MOBILEEXPRESSDRIVER&id=vn182737&pw=ucy0271&s=cf20090624

More about Xerox Printers and MFPs.
More about Xerox Printer Service and Repair.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

HP teams announces Web-connected touch-screen printer

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:58:00 +0000

HP teams with Google, Fandango for Web-connected touch-screen printer

HP on introduced the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, believed to be the world's first Web-connected printer with a touch screen.

The Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web is poised to become HP's flagship printer when it's released (in September). It's got all the common features we now expect to find in an HP Photosmart All-in-One, including printer/fax/copier/scanner, USB 2.0, 802.11b/g/n wireless, Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity, HP's paper feed technology that automatically senses the size of media needed to a complete a job, five individual ink cartridges.

The real crowning feature, however, is the TouchSmart Web control panel that lets users connect to the Web and use custom apps from services like Fandango, Google, and Coupons Inc.

The massive 4.33-inch LCD touch screen is not just for looks--it actually has a purpose.

HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web.

Sideways iPhone much?

HP has partnered with a wide variety of online services to give you an incredibly easy way to print out maps, coupons, movie tickets, recipes, calendars, and much more. The rep at the HP event demoed a custom app from Fandango, and it looked fairly foolproof: just enter your user name onto the Web app using the virtual keyboard, decide on a theater/movie/time, hit "print," and you're all set to go. All the initial setup including credit card security (a big issue for HP) is handled through the site itself, and HP claims all the kinks should be worked out prior to the printer's release.

Other partners already signed on to the project include Snapfish, Google Maps, Fandango, Google (maps, mail, calendars, to-do lists, contact lists, etc.), DreamWorks (coloring pages for the kids), Coupons Inc., Weather News, Disney, Sudoku, and Nickelodeon, to name a few.

The whole TouchSmart series is pervasive across many HP platforms, including desktops, televisions, and now printers, with the central idea being the ability to access your information intuitively, quickly, and efficiently. Thankfully, the TouchSmart Web service is entirely free with no service fees, although the printer itself is set at a retail price of $400. Sounds steep right now, but if developers start rolling out custom apps, this could be the device to breathe new life into the otherwise flaccid printer game.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

How Green Is Your Office?

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Great Green Ideas to for the Office.

1. Stop the flow of junk mail. Since catalogs and other mail sent to ex-employees tends to generate a lot of this annoying waste, check out the Ecological Mail Coalition, a nonprofit that maintains a database of terminated or transferred employees. Marketers, looking to save money by eliminating misdirected mail, compare their lists to the database and voila - junk mail reduced!

2. Add power strips, and use them. You already know to turn off computers, monitors and other equipment at night, but don’t forget about the power they use while you’re snug in your bed. So-called "vampire" power can account for 10% of total energy use, according to the U.S. EPA.

3. Cut down on business travel. Video conferences and web-based conferences have really come into their own. Services like Skype are now widely used, often replacing the need for business travel – even Oprah’s on-board!

4. Purchase refurbished printers and laptops. Not only do you save money but you are also reusing something and helping the planet.

5. Oh, don’t forget when you leave the office, to turn off the lights and lower the thermostat if you don’t have a programmable one!

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

ColorQube cuts cost of color pages up to 62%

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Breakthrough Xerox Multifunction Printer Cuts Cost of Color Pages by up to 62 Percent; Reduces Waste by 90 Percent! An inside look at ColorQube: Backed by 361 patents, each printer in the Xerox ColorQube 9200 Series features four print heads that can jet more than 150 million drops of ink per second, enabling speeds from 38 pages per minute (ppm) up to 85 ppm. With only one customer replaceable unit (no fuser, drum, etc.), the printer is easy to maintain and will lower operating costs. Proprietary solid ink technology "takes cost out of the equation" as businesses benefit from the high impact of color printing.

NORWALK, Conn., May 07, 2009 --

Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) today launched the world's first high-speed solid ink multifunction printer, which cuts the cost of color pages by up to 62 percent compared to traditional color lasers - without compromising print quality.

The Xerox ColorQube™ 9200 Series multifunction printer uses Xerox's proprietary solid ink technology to lower the environmental impact of office printing. The cartridge-free design generates 90 percent less supplies waste and reduces the effects of manufacturing and transportation on the environment.

A study reviewed by the Rochester Institute of Technology estimated that the ColorQube series uses 9 percent less lifecycle energy and produces 10 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a comparable laser device. The multifunction system prints, scans and copies all in one device with advanced technology that simplifies use and maintenance. The crayon-like ink sticks are non-toxic and easy to load.

The ColorQube 9200 Series is offered with Xerox's new Hybrid Color pricing plans that significantly reduce color page costs. The plans eliminate traditional "one-size-fits-all" pricing, where the cost of a page with full color, like printing a photo image, is the same as the cost of a page with just a little bit of color, such as a company logo on letterhead.

With the ColorQube's Hybrid Color Plans, customers pay only for the amount of color they use on a given page. For example, an office document with a logo and small graphic will cost the same as if it were printed in black: one penny. Documents with moderate color coverage, like a Web page or brochure, will cost three cents, while those printed pages with heavy color, such as a real estate flyer, will cost eight cents.

"Our customers are looking for ways to achieve more with less," said Ursula Burns, president, Xerox. "With ColorQube we are unlocking the benefits of color by taking the cost barrier out of the equation." Solid ink technology, which has been used in Xerox desktop printers for more than a decade, has been completely redesigned to achieve faster speeds and higher print volumes.

The ColorQube 9200 Series is available in three models with different color speeds. Each has four print heads that can jet more than 150 million drops of ink per second, enabling speeds from 38 pages per minute (ppm) up to 85 ppm. The series also meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rigorous new ENERGY STAR® requirements.

Developed by Xerox researchers and engineers in Rochester, N.Y., Wilsonville, Ore., and Welwyn Garden City, U.K. - and supported by 361 patents - the ColorQube was tested in actual customer environments for ease of use, image quality and the cost-saving features of the technology.

"Like many companies, Technip is looking for ways to be more sustainable and reduce costs, and I immediately saw the opportunity to do so with the ColorQube," said Cliff Lee, IT operations manager, Technip USA, Inc., an engineering and project management company for the oil and gas industry and a ColorQube beta customer. "With ColorQube the majority of our color prints cost the same as black and white, and it takes just a fraction of the space to store solid ink compared to laser cartridges."

Hassle-Free Operation
Enough solid ink to print up to 55,500 pages before refilling; when a refill is needed, the easy drop-in ink sticks can be loaded while the MFP is printing so there is no downtime.
Only one customer replaceable unit (no fuser, drum, etc.), for easy maintenance and lower operating costs.

Large color touch screen clearly displays basic features like copying and scanning, and offers video tutorials to help users load paper and assist with troubleshooting.
LED lights illuminate within the device when the front access door is opened for easy maintenance.

An Intelligent Ready system uses a patented learning technology to activate a power-saving mode based on the users' schedules.

Great-Looking Prints, Brochures and More
Range of color-enhancing technologies, including true Adobe PostScript3 PANTONE® spot-color matching and color correction options.

Three finishers to choose from, including booklet makers and folders to create brochures and pamphlets. Great print quality on a variety of media including recycled papers.

Pricing and Availability

The list price for the ColorQube 9200 Series starts at $23,500. Order taking begins immediately in North America. All systems are offered through Xerox direct sales, agents and Global Imaging Systems. In Europe, order taking begins in September 2009; other markets in 2010.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Link to article http://www.xerox.com/go/xrx/template/inv_rel_newsroom.jsp?ed_name=NR_2009May7_Xerox_ColorQube_9200_Series_color_printing_cost&app=Newsroom&view=newsrelease&format=article&Xcntry=USA&Xlang=en_US

Xerox MFP Wins Award

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Xerox Corporation's ColorQube 9200 Series multifunction printer (MFP), launched earlier this month, is already turning heads in the office printing market.

The MFP was honored with a Technological Innovation Award from Industry Analysts, Inc., in recognition of the breakthrough technology behind the world's first high-speed solid ink multifunction printer.

Industry Analysts Technical Services Division (IATSD) cited Xerox's technological innovation in expanding solid ink from desktop printers to business-class MFPs capable of printing at speeds up to 85 pages per minute in color. According to Ted Needleman, senior director of IATSD, "Xerox's solid ink printers have long been recognized as a unique and effective approach to desktop color printing. Xerox has taken this proven approach and ramped it up with new print heads and a new controller that permit high-speed, high-quality color printing."

Customers have also seen the early benefits of solid ink technology. The Old Orchard Junior High School in Skokie, Ill. tested the ColorQube MFP and teachers expressed "hue-phoria" at the power of printing in color. "I use color in every document I create for my students now," said Clifton Dahlgren, seventh grade reading and language arts teacher. "It makes a difference with what the students take away from the lesson."

The technological innovations employed in the ColorQube 9200 Series include key environmental advantages such as:
• Generates 90 percent less supplies waste with its cartridge-free design.
• Uses 9 percent less lifecycle energy and produces 10 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a comparable laser device.
• Loads easily with crayon-like ink sticks that are non-toxic.
Additionally, the ColorQube series cuts the cost of color pages by up to 62 percent compared to traditional color lasers. The MFPs are offered with Xerox's Hybrid Color pricing plans that significantly reduce color page costs by allowing customers to pay only for the amount of color used on any given page.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Content in part by: http://www.imagesourcemag.com

Avoid Summer Toner Scams!!!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:47:00 +0000

The latest trick in office supply scams - Fooling inexperienced employees into authorizing big purchases the company doesn’t need.

A TV station in Seattle is the latest business to fall for the trick. Here’s what happened, according to Jesse Jones of KING-TV; An operations administrator for the station’s sales department got a phone call from a company known as National Imaging Systems. The caller identified himself as a representative for the station’s toner supplier. It was time to send a new order, he said, and he just needed to confirm the station’s shipping address.

Not knowing the ins-and-outs of the company’s purchasing methods, she said OK and gave the caller the address. Big mistake! The station had never done business with National Imaging Systems before. Soon, the company received a box of six cartridges and a bill for $1,600.

The same thing happened to another Seattle business, Real Time Productions. This time, the call was from a supplier called Capitol Imaging Systems. Toner was sent, along with a bill for $637 — even though the company’s real supplier was already sending toner every month, pre-paid.
After months of phone calls and legal threats, KING-TV eventually got its money back.

Train employees!

The Better Business Bureau warns that this type of scam becomes more common during the summer, when key employees may be on vacation and many companies are staffed with temporary workers. Those employees may easily be duped into ordering shoddy, overpriced supplies.

To keep your company from getting duped, the BBB recommends training employees who answer telephones not to authorize the ordering of any supplies (and not to “verify” any information for an unknown vendor). Admins and other employees should respond to all unsolicited offers by stating, “I am not authorized to order anything. You will have to speak to the person in charge of ordering supplies and get a purchase order.”

An even better training procedure would be to tell everyone to only order your toner from IOT!

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, http://www.iotsolutions.com/ or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

Portions of this article referenced from http://www.docucrunch.com/new-scam-pushes-faulty-office-supplies

Spring Quarter Updates

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Our Quarterly Award
Every quarter we recognize 3 Team Members who have gone above and beyond the day-to-day routine here at IOT. This quarter we are proud to give our PEAK Performers award to Rast, Allen and Jamey.
To learn more about our IOT and our Team vist the Get To Know Us section of our website.

Quarterly Updates
We would like to give a big Happy Birthday to the following team members: Bob Brennan, Connie McClure, Cassie Beckfeld, Mike Munns, Tony Crowder, David Williams, Ryan O'Connor, Sean Kimball & Courtney (C-Jaye) Dietrich

Team members celebrating employmentanniversaries:
Sean Kimbal: 1 yrs Jesse Del Rio: 6 yrs Connie McClure: 8 yrs Allen Xiong: 8 yrs, Jamey Dolan: 9 yr

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at www.iotsolutions.com, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

HP and RIM = BlackBerry Printing Solution

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Coming Soon...Print to HP LaserJet Printers From Your BlackBerry!

HP and Research In Motion (RIM) have announced a strategic alliance to deliver a range of solutions for business mobility on the BlackBerry® platform. The solutions, which include support for BlackBerry® Enterprise Server 5.0, are focused on increasing service levels, reducing operations costs and improving productivity for customers.

HP and RIM plan to design and launch offerings to increase the productivity levels of the growing number of global mobile employees, enabling businesses to extend the return on their investments in mobility.

HP CloudPrint for BlackBerry Smartphones

HP CloudPrint for BlackBerry smartphones is a web services based solution that allows users to print emails, documents, photos and web pages using a BlackBerry smartphone, wherever they are – in the office, at home or on the road.

The CloudPrint service enables mobile users to easily print to the nearest printer. The service is printer-agnostic and driverless and requires simple Internet access. HP and RIM plan to make CloudPrint available to BlackBerry Internet Service subscribers as well as BlackBerry Enterprise Server customers.

The CloudPrint technology was invented by HP Labs, the company’s central research arm.

We can't wait to try this out!

You can find the official press release here - HP and RIM Announce Strategic Partnership

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at 651-605-2500, www.iotsolutions.com or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

We joined Twitter!

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:08:00 +0000

We have made the leap and joined one of the lastest and greatest social networks out there, Twitter. We would like you to come follow us, username: IOTsupport. Catch up on all our latest promotions, printer & toner tips and anything else you would like to know about IOT. Hope to see you on there.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at www.iotsolutions.com, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.

The Benefits of Laser Printers for Business

noreply@blogger.com (iotsolutions) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:10:00 +0000

For a workgroup — two or more networked computers in an office — a basic monochrome laser will serve well as your standard printer for day-to-day needs. In comparison to inkjet printers, lasers tend to be better suited to high-volume office printing, and most types of business will benefit from the speedy output of the laser printer. This type of printer is well suited to such standard office printing jobs as letters, cover sheets, meeting notes, and handouts.

The cost of printers is frequently given on a per-page basis to reflect the expense of such replacement supplies as ink. Thus the cost-per-page for most laser printers is lower than that of inkjets. Lasers cost more than inkjets to start with, but supplies are cheaper. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, are cheaper out-of-pocket but make up for that with ink that is much more expensive.

In addition to being fast and inexpensive to operate, laser printers are durable — their so-called "duty cycles," or the capacity to steadily turn out large numbers of pages, are generally higher than those of inkjets. Lasers are built to handle volume; they’re optimized to print faster and to print steadily without breaking down.

Recommended Configuration

If yours is a typical office, printing a typical number of pages per month, you will be well served by the following configuration, which represents a middle-of-the-price/feature range for mid-sized workgroups, and will cost between $500 and $1000 depending on the vendor.

Printer type: monochrome laser
Pages per minute: 30-50
Number of paper trays: 2 (so it can hold more paper without refilling)
Paper tray capacity: 650-1,000 pages (total)
Duty cycle: Never mind!

Pick a model in the middle of a particular vendor’s duty cycle range (this could be between 60,000 and 200,000 pages per month. Yes, the number is vastly larger than the amount your office would really print.) Read more about this occult part of printer spec in "How to Ignore the Duty Cycle." You may not need the paper capacity and high printing speed today, but this is a basic configuration that should allow you to add several users to the printer network and rely on the printer over two or three years.

How Many Printers Does Your Office Need?

Do you need more than one printer? How many people can share a printer? Vendors and salesmen generally won’t give you a standard ratio of users to printers because it’s the overall volume of work, not the sheer number of users, that will limit the printer’s ability to get everyone’s job done. This is why vendors ask you to estimate the number of pages you’ll print each month – the monthly print volume figure takes into account the number of people who will rely on the printer as well as the type of print jobs those people will send to the printer.

You can choose to divide your monthly print load across multiple printers, and this may be convenient for people spread out across a big office. On the other hand, since the cost per page generally goes down with the bigger (and faster) models, you might get better cost savings connecting a large group to one robust printer.

Here are some factors to consider in deciding how many printers your office needs:

Degree of Use:
Certain groups, such as sales or engineering, might tend to use the printers more heavily than other groups, or need their printouts on shorter deadlines. They might need their own printer just to handle their projects (and to keep them out of everybody else's hair).

Proximity:
Distribute printers so that no one has to walk far to retrieve their printouts, even if that means buying an extra printer.

Executives:
It can sometimes be handy, not to mention politic, to provide personal inkjet printers on the desks of key executives. HR might want its own printer to maintain privacy and control over employee records.

Networking, Paper Size and Other Printer-Selection Criteria:
After you make decisions about the color option and the optimum workload, a few other considerations will help you refine your printer search.

Are you sharing the printer? If more than one person will use this printer, you’ll want to be able to network it. Look for "networking" as a feature on the printer you want to buy. Such printers can be plugged directly into your network as if they were PCs. If you have a Macintosh network, just make sure the box includes the right type of connector and software "drivers" for Macintosh; most do.

Most networked printers connect directly to the network using an Ethernet connector. There are also wireless networked printers, good for locations that are hard to connect by wire to the rest of the network. There are also ways to connect a printer to a PC and install software or hardware to turn the computer into a "printer server;" but details are beyond the scope of this guide. For an example, read about how you can use Red Hat Linux to set up a print server to allow multiple computers to access a non-networked printer.

The more sophisticated network printers come with both the hardware and software to automate the network set-up process, so you don’t have to know about IP addresses or creating a port on your network operating system in order to get it up, running, and shared. Look for terms like “network-ready” or “built-in print server,” indicating that plugging the printer to your network will be automated (or close to it).

For easy administration of your network printer – changing the printer’s setting or checking error messages when something goes wrong – look for a network printer that offers the admin functions on a Web page. This remote administration function saves you having to fiddle with the LCD panel on the printer itself.

A network printer sold as a “departmental” or “large workgroup” solution can also provide fancier features for printer admin, such as access controls and reporting capabilities. You can also get this admin. capability with a separate “print server” device. For example, HP’s Web Jetadmin lets you turn off color printing capabilities for specific users on the network; it also tracks consumables usage (i.e. how much toner the printer uses) and gives predictions on cost and timing for replacing your consumables; it can run reports to identify the users who print the most, or who prints the most color jobs.

Many of the bigger business printers will have these reporting features – the color lasers or solid ink printers for businesses are made to allow administrators to control the cost of printing. An extra feature that might come in handy with networked printing is private printing. It’s a way of making sure that no one else picks up a sensitive document that you send to the shared printer. You can designate a print job to be handled as private printing, and the printer will require a PIN to be entered on the front panel before it prints your document. This function requires extra memory, so printers with this function will have hard drives to store the documents until you’re ready to receive them.

What’s the largest paper you’ll print?

Printing tabloid paper (11x17) or other sizes bigger than legal (8.5x14) often requires a special paper tray. Some printers let you expand to add special paper sizes later by buying the appropriate paper tray.

How many dedicated paper trays would you like?

Most business printers come with two paper trays, in addition to a manual input slot. A second or third input tray can be used to hold other paper types and sizes, such as larger paper or envelopes. You can also just use the extra trays to hold more regular paper, saving you from having to refill the paper trays so often. Want to print on both sides of the paper? Printers that can print duplex (first on one side, then running the page back through and printing on the other side) costs a lot more, but it can save paper, which pays off in the long run if you do a lot of printing. Duplex also lets you create reports that are thinner and more convenient to handle and seem more professional. With some printers, you can add duplexing capability later.

More memory? You can add RAM to higher-end printers, which can be espeically important in networked printers so they can more easily handle multiple print jobs from various PCs, taking the data feed and freeing the PCs to go back to work. Some printers actually use hard disk drives to store print jobs, and also to store additional fonts and forms, and to enable private printing. "Document management" multifunction printers have all kinds of additional features for manipulating and massaging documents, and thus benefit from the storage capacity of hard drives.

IOT is a Certified HP Business Partner, providing laser printer and copier support, sales and supplies to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area since 1995. Located in Eagan, MN we proudly serve the Twin Cities metro area. Contact us at http://www.iotsolutions.com/, 651-605-2500 or email us at info@iotsolutions.com for more information.