Have you ever wondered why copiers are now commonly referred to as MFPs or MFDs? MFP stands for "multifunction printer," MFD stands for "multifunctional device" and are terms that have become increasingly popular in recent years. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons behind this shift in terminology and what it means for the world of office technology.

First, let's take a step back and look at the history of copiers. The first copiers were invented in the early 1900s and were primarily used for making copies of documents. Over time, copiers became more advanced and were able to perform additional functions, such as scanning and faxing. However, these functions were often performed by separate machines, which could be cumbersome and expensive.

In the 1990s, a new type of machine emerged that combined the functions of a copier, scanner, and fax machine into a single device. These machines were called "multifunction printers" or MFPs for short. The term "printer" was added to the name because these machines are also capable of printing documents, making them even more versatile.

So why the shift from "copier" to "MFP"or even "MFD"? One reason is that the term "copier" no longer accurately describes what these machines are capable of. While they still make copies of documents, they can also perform a wide range of other functions, such as scanning, faxing, and printing. The term "MFP" or "MFD" reflects this versatility and better describes what these machines can do.

Another reason for the shift in terminology is that the lines between different types of office technology have become increasingly blurred. In the past, copiers, printers, scanners, and fax machines were all separate devices. However, with the rise of MFPs, these functions are now often combined into a single machine. As a result, it made more sense to refer to these machines as "multifunction printers" rather than by their individual functions.  Now, we are seeing an increase in digital document workflow, processes and management.  This has caused a shift from the primary function being a printer to the primary function being a scanner, which is why the term MFD or Multifunctional Device is becoming more popular.

In conclusion, the shift from "copier" to "MFP" to "MFD" reflects the increasing versatility of office technology and the blurring of lines between different types of machines. While the term "copier" may still be used in some contexts, "MFP" has become the preferred term for describing a "printing device" and "MFD" for more versatile and multifunctional devices. So the next time you're in the market for a new office machine, remember to look for an MFP or an MFD that can handle all your document needs in one convenient package.

When tax time comes around, the average business owner probably doesn't immediately think about the value of document management systems - but they should.

Real estate document management represents one of the most serious challenges of the field.

The impact of managed print services in education can be felt by students, teachers, and administrators.

Most businesses rely on multiple overlapping systems for success – with document management and enterprise content management being near the top of the list.

Business owners love to work smart, so it’s no wonder that intelligent document processing is one of the top trends forecasted for 2023.

Manufacturing facilities bring to mind images of conveyors rolling, machines running, and operations moving along like a finely tuned machine.

Every business, no matter how large or small, typically handles myriad documents in the course of the day. Invoices, hiring paperwork, receipts, and customer information all must be handled correctly for promote both high productivity and data safety. Specifically, managing documents is a crucial task that is best accomplished when information can be digitized for easier and safer access. Benefits of using a document management solution that relies on digital documents include:

Regardless of the type of business you run, keeping control of necessary information is the key to business success. For small businesses, this can be even more critical as many do not have the time or resources to waste searching for lost or misfiled data. What’s even worse is that data breaches have caused 58% of small businesses to lose time and/or money, with many paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to recover lost data.

The ongoing pandemic has brought with it widespread disruption. Companies are adjusting to a “new normal” that consists not only of remote or hybrid work environments, but an increase in digitization. Alongside this evolution of a more digital presence for businesses and organizations comes the inherent threat of cyberattack. As more information is transformed into digital form, data miners and hackers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to access it.