If your company is looking for a new office copier or multifunction printer (MFP), deciding which copier dealer to work with can be difficult.

The printing machines that comprise your office environment determine your staff’s productivity and output quality. That is why it is critical to ensure that the devices you eventually lease or purchase correspond with the demands and goals of your organisation.

To do so, you must select whether to purchase your new printing device from an independent copier dealer or from a manufacturer.

One of these options may not be appropriate for everyone. Even though we are an independent dealer, there are times when one alternative is preferable to another.

When you don’t have expertise with print equipment or know what to look for in new print equipment, it might be difficult to tell which is preferable to work with.

This post will explain the difference between working with an independent copier dealer and a manufacturer. We will next go over the significant differences so that your company understands what each entails. By the end of this essay, your company will have a clear understanding of who to buy print equipment from and why.

What Does Working With An Independent Copier Dealer Entail?

Consider an independent copier dealer to be a third-party company that provides the most recent technology in print equipment from a variety of manufacturers under one roof.

1) Offers A Range Of Brands
An independent dealer will be able to provide solutions based on your company’s office technology demands rather than just a limited number of available devices because they offer a variety of manufacturers.

An independent dealer provides unique expertise because reps must be educated about all manufacturers and the features they offer, as well as the strengths and limitations of these devices.

2) In-Person Demos
An independent dealer may lead you through the process of printing on as many devices as you want during an in-person demonstration.

A showroom at an independent copier dealer, for example, will feature a variety of printing machines from well-known manufacturers such as Xerox, Canon, HP, Sharp, and others. You, as the customer, can plug in your USB and run a print job from start to finish after an in-person presentation.

You’ll notice the quality of the output, the speed with which it prints, and the workflow of how many buttons and steps it takes to finish printing by just completing a print job.

Furthermore, an expert will be present to show out the differences between each device you test and how various capabilities might improve your workplace efficiency.

An independent copier dealer believes that one brand does not fit everyone. After learning about your company’s goals, they create a print solution that may include numerous brands to meet the demands of your various departments.

Is it necessary to use several copier brands in your print environment? No way, no how!

Assume, however, that your marketing team demands color-critical equipment. However, your sales department mostly uses high-speed equipment and prints in black and white.

In such situation, an independent dealer can propose a brand that they believe performs high-resolution print jobs better than other brands, while recommending another brand for the needs of your sales team. This frequently yields the highest output and productivity while saving you money.

Now that we’ve covered working with an independent copier dealer, let’s look at interacting with a manufacturer.

What Does Working With A Manufacturer Entail?

A manufacturer, like an independent copier dealer, sells printing gear for businesses.

A manufacturer sells a variety of printing devices under one brand. That is the manufacturer’s brand.

1) Offers One Brand
Assume you’re in the market for a Canon device because you’ve used other Canon devices in the past and adore how high-quality and efficient it is.

In that scenario, you can go to the manufacturer’s direct branch to choose your office copier or MFP and chat with a sales representative about the device’s specific characteristics.

Manufacturer direct branches are stores where manufacturers offer their equipment.

Canon, for example, has a manufacturer direct branch, Canon Solutions America (CSA), where consumers may stroll around their showroom and test-drive numerous equipment while working closely with a representative.

2) In-Person Demos
Manufacturers also offer in-person demonstrations so that prospective and returning customers can test out the equipment before buying or leasing it.

How does this assist?

Regardless of whether the consumer has previously worked with the same company, new versions of gadgets are often introduced every year.

It’s always a good idea to look into how one gadget can be more efficient for your specific business needs.

Now, let’s compare dealing with an independent copier dealer to working with a manufacturer.

What Are 5 Major Differences?

Both an independent copier dealer and a manufacturer offer a variety of alternatives and goods. This can make deciding on the ideal printing gear for your specific business needs difficult.

Here are five distinctions between them that we believe will assist you in becoming a more informed consumer.

1) The Solutions They Offer
The key distinction between working with an independent copier dealer and a manufacturer is the brands of printing devices they offer.

While a manufacturer only sells one brand of office copiers, printers, and MFPS, an independent reseller typically carries a variety of brands.

So, if you want to cooperate with a manufacturer, you will be forced to buy what they produce. A dealer, on the other hand, can recommend the best office copier from the ones they sell for your specific business needs.

Furthermore, a manufacturer will not consider combining items from different firms to assist you build a unique print solution. Why?

Simply put, they’ll want you to buy all of your printing supplies and accessories from the only brand they sell.

Independent copier dealers are often brand agnostic, working with you to integrate the accessories and devices that best fit your needs, even if they are manufactured by various companies.

Assume your firm requires a certain software solution to optimise your document workflow. In that situation, an independent copier dealer can take that into consideration and offer the ideal option for your print environment.

2) Level Of Expertise
Every copier technician receives training in order to be able to repair and maintain printing devices.

The biggest distinction, though, is the training that an independent dealer technician or engineer undergoes.

A technician for an independent dealer is often trained on many manufacturer lines, understands all of the distinctions, and is prepared to support your whole office machine environment.

Independent dealer technicians are trained in a variety of software solutions for your printing machines to help you run a more efficient office.

A technician for a manufacturer, such as Canon, will only be trained to service that brand, and engineers will only be able to support the limited applications that the manufacturer sells. There is no room for manoeuvring.

Ideally, you want one provider to support all of your workplace technology.

3) Financing Options
Most independent copier dealers, but not all, engage with a leasing business to finance the printing equipment you want to lease.

So, after you’ve committed to cooperate with a dealer, your company might expect more than one contract.

A leasing contract is a binding contract you have with a leasing business that lasts as long as you own the device.

The other contract will outline the terms and conditions as well as the quality of service you will receive from the dealer.

Manufacturers, on the other hand, can provide financing without the assistance of a leasing firm, which streamlines the contractual procedure for consumers and reduces the number of parties with whom they must collaborate.

While neither arrangement is inherently terrible, it all boils down to what your company is most comfortable with.

4) Cost & Pricing Associated
Most independent copier dealers, but not all, engage with a leasing business to finance the printing equipment you want to lease.

So, after you’ve committed to cooperate with a dealer, your company might expect more than one contract.

A leasing contract is a binding contract you have with a leasing business that lasts as long as you own the device.

The other contract will outline the terms and conditions as well as the quality of service you will receive from the dealer.

Manufacturers, on the other hand, can provide financing without the assistance of a leasing firm, which streamlines the contractual procedure for consumers and reduces the number of parties with whom they must collaborate.

While neither arrangement is inherently terrible, it all boils down to what your company is most comfortable with.

5) Working With Large Global Operations
While both independent copier dealers and manufacturers can help small to large enterprises with their printing needs and goals, major worldwide firms may benefit more from collaborating with a manufacturer.

Why?

Certain manufacturers, on the other hand, have the essential administration to support global contexts. Although your options for applications and solutions may be limited, some manufacturers are prepared to deal with the logistics, currency transfers, time zones, and unexpected issues that come with a large, global customer.

Manufacturers can give uniformity at a predictable price for huge organisations that run national and worldwide printer fleets.

Furthermore, while numerous independent dealers can provide products and services throughout the United States, most independent copier dealers in the United States do not ship significant orders outside of the country.

Copier Dealer or Manufacturer: Which Is Better For Your Business?
The truth is that no matter who you work with, there’s a good chance you’ll walk away with a fully functional printing device.

However, when examining your alternatives, it is wise to look beyond the purchase and determine which degree of assistance is appropriate for your business’s future needs.

Remember that your company isn’t just purchasing a device. Once you’ve decided where to get your printing device, you’ll want to be sure the service you get is first-rate.

So, if your company is looking for a bespoke solution that allows you to merge a few different brands, such as Canon, Sharpe, and Xerox, an independent copier dealer may be a better fit for your needs.

Assume your company has decided to just purchase Canon printers to fill up your print environment. In that situation, your company might definitely benefit from either.

Overall, it all boils down to a few things:

• The work your company is attempting to complete.
• Whether you wish to select from more than one brand.

The personal touch of the third-party organisation with which you wish to collaborate.

• Keep those points in mind, and your company will be certain to make the appropriate decision.

If your company believes that dealing with an independent copier dealer is the best option, you can read more about the benefits of doing so in this article.