VARs: HP's New Multifunction Printer Will Jump-Start SMB Sales

The new HP LaserJet 4345mfp is twice as fast as its predecessor, the 4101mfp, and fixes fax shortcomings with that machine, said Glenn Gano, vice president of Lewis and Lewis Computer Store, an HP solution provider in Anchorage, Alaska.

"The fax with the 4101 was an analog one attached to the side of the [printer]," Gano said. "We had troubles with it and customers had trouble with it, and as a result it slowed our sales," he said.

He said the new 4345mfp has an internal digital fax and new HP Digital Sending Software 4.0. "What I like about that software is we have a lot of customers that want a centralized scanner where they can scan a document and have it go straight to a folder on their computer or their colleagues without having to e-mail it to someone on the network," he said.

The new 4345mfp, with an estimated street price of $2,599, is part of 14 new imaging hardware and software products introduced Tuesday by HP.

The 4345mfp brings multifunction to small businesses in a small footprint format that takes up no more space than current network printers, said Manny Kostas, vice president of marketing, for HP's Imaging and Printing Group.

"The more IT-centric resellers that have capabilities and the contacts to communicate how this works on the network can sell functionality beyond basic printing and move into capturing the pages, devices and services that are wrapped around copying, faxing and document capture," he said.

HP also introduced multifunction laser printers targeted at large workgroups, including the 9040mfp and 9050mfp, which print at 40 pages and 50 pages respectively with estimated street prices of $9,999. Additionally, HP's new Color LaserJet 95000mfp adds high-speed color copying, printing and faxing capabilities to large workgroups. It has an estimated street price of $12,549, HP said.

All new printing and imaging products will be available Nov. 30, HP said.