Multi-function printer
However, many manufacturers[quantify] are beginning to avoid the segment definition for their products, as speed and basic functionality alone do not always differentiate the many features that the devices include.
From a marketing perspective, the manufacturer of the more expensive MFP would want to differentiate their product as much as possible to justify the price difference, and therefore avoids the segment definition.
While the sector lacks formal definitions, it is common agreed amongst MFP manufacturers[2] that the products fall roughly into the following categories: An All-in-one is a small desktop unit, designed for home or home-office use.
These functions include smart card readers, direct connection to digital cameras (e.g. PictBridge technology) and other similar uses.
[3] Some of these devices, like the Hewlett-Packard Photosmart C8180 printer, have a DVD burner and LightScribe functionality where the user could burn DVDs and create an image on a special Lightscribe DVD, or CD using special software like Roxio or Nero AG Software Suite to create the image.
Often, the form factor of the MFP (desktop or freestanding) depends on the options added, such as extra paper trays.
By comparison to an All-in-one product, a SOHO MFP is more likely to have an automatic document feeder, greater fax capabilities and faster output-performance.
Most SOHO MFPs have their history in low-end black and white photocopiers, and the print engine is accordingly based around this type of technology.
They include the basic Print, Copy and Scan functions with optional Fax functionality as well as networked document storage with security, authentication using common network user credentials, ability to run custom software (often a manufacturer will supply a Software development kit), advanced network scan destinations such as FTP, WebDAV, Email, SMB and NFS stores, encryption for data transmission and so on.
Office MFPs usually have moderately advanced finishing functions as options such as duplexing, stapling, holepunching, offset modes and booklet-creation.
These devices, while far larger and more expensive than Office MFPs, generally do not have all of the advanced network functionality of their smaller relations.
As mentioned in the Types of MFP section, the physical print engine may be based on several technologies, however most larger MFPs are an evolution of a digital photocopier.
MFPs also run a set of instructions from their internal storage, which is comparable to a computer's operating system.
It is uncommon for a small AIO or even a SOHO MFP to use a general purpose operating system, however many larger MFPs run Linux[6] or VxWorks.
On top of the core operating system and firmware, the MFP will also provide several functions, equivalent to applications or in some cases daemons or services.
As many of the applications are based around custom printing, scanning and authentication requirements, the MFP manufacturers that use this method gravitate towards these core technologies in the user interface.
