HP's LaserJet Printer Covers All SMB Bases

For small to midsize businesses, Hewlett-Packard's LaserJet 4345x multifunction printer (MFP) creates professional-quality documents to meet a company's daily business demands. The unit's technology simplifies workflow, increases productivity and speeds business communications, all at a price that's affordable for any size business.

The LaserJet 4345x is a high-speed monochrome printer with 256 Mbytes of memory, a 20-Gbyte hard-disk drive and a 533MHz processor. The device provides the flexibility of both parallel and Ethernet connectivity ports, allowing it to scale depending on a business's needs.

The high-speed functionality of the printer, scanner and copier features are extremely useful. The LaserJet 4345x does not require long calibration times or an extensive warm-up period, even when the device is initially powered up or when it is brought online from sleep or stand-by mode. The unit comes with a duplex printing tray and a 50-page automatic document feeder. The LaserJet 4345x's integrated analog fax machine produces 300 x 300-dpi faxes at speeds up to 33.6 KBps. The integrated fax includes features such as JBIG compression, fax forwarding, fax polling and auto-redialing.

Many MFPs previously evaluated by the CRN Test Center did not include advanced digital-sending capabilities. The LaserJet 4345x, however, includes a built-in function that converts paper documents to PDF, TIFF and JPG formats as well as text documents. The LaserJet 4345x can scan nearly any document and convert it to a format suitable for e-mail attachments. HP bundles its own trial version of digital-sending software (currently in version 4.0) to take care of most of these functions.

The LaserJet 4345x features a touch-screen graphical control panel. The touch screen allows for simplified user interaction with the unit and presents a large enough screen to easily monitor job status. The large screen also offers the ability to copy, scan and fax from the same screen.

For solution providers focusing on the SMB market, all-in-one printers offer a multifunction solution for many of their customers. The products open up strong opportunities for higher-margin accessory sales and maintenance services down the road.

Solution providers can generate additional revenue by supplying toner cartridges and other accessories, as well as providing service for the equipment. Revenue streams generated from sales of consumables can maximize the investment of a solution provider's time and effort in prospecting and maintaining a customer account.

Solution providers can increase profits further by purchasing consumables from third-party consumable manufacturers instead of the MFP manufacturer. These products are often less expensive than branded consumables from printer manufacturers but are generally of the same quality.

One noticeable change from the previous MFP generation—HP's 3330mfp model—is the LaserJet 4345x is network-capable right out of the box. HP's 3330mfp required solution providers to import and install a print server option to make the device network-ready. This feature provided an excellent upgrade opportunity which, unfortunately, no longer exists.

The hardest part of setting up the LaserJet 4345x was getting the unit out of the box and disposing of its packing material. But after using the unit for several days, CRN Test Center engineers were impressed with its ease of use, fast operation and the high quality of images printed in monochrome. A 600 x 600-dpi monochrome resolution makes text and black-and-white images clear and crisp. The unit is also quite fast. Most functions, such as printing, scanning and copying, occur at speeds of around 45 ppm.

HP's PartnerOne channel program includes various compensation programs based on the types of products and sales volume sold by solution providers. Collateral tools, marketing and sales presentations, and other sales and technical resources are available at the HP PartnerOne Web site. The vendor customizes its marketing assistance and other support offerings to meet the specific needs of its partners.

The LaserJet 4345x is priced at $2,599 without fax capability and $3,449 with fax capability included. The printer is covered by a one-year limited warranty.