On November 10, Epson announced a refresh of several desktop workgroup scanners (New Models: DS-530 II, DS-575W II, DS-770 II) as well as a new network connected scanner, the DS-730N. Awareness that COVID-19 presents challenges for office and home workers, scanner vendors are focusing heavily on the features and functions that appeal most to users as well as IT. Whether users are in the office or at home, access to business content is vital to maintain pace with operations. Scanning and capture is a valuable tool that is not always considered strategic, but COVID has accelerated and exposed its inherent significance.
Epson scanners are marketed to provide value, reliability, and quality for a reasonable price. Each new/refreshed model provides for robust capture, while building on the platform with faster speeds, high daily duty cycles, and one app that combines support for wireless scanners and printers. According to Keypoint Intelligence’s recent “Business Scanner” primary research, more than 50% of workers in the US are working from home now. While work from the office and home has hardened, companies now look to support all manner of distributed worker.
With more hybrid work upon us, easing the burden for users is a priority for many companies. More than 70% of respondents in our recent survey stated that, during the pandemic, users needed to access paper-based documents fixed in the office. These struggles have fast-tracked initiatives for scan and capture to create greater access to business content. The new Epson scanners look to target general business use and/or target specific vertical markets that have specific requirements for integration into ECM systems and can benefit from a front panel with preset functions.
As part of the Epson product rollout, the new DS-730N network scanner is being introduced to satisfy multiple vertical markets and user types. With built-in network capability, IT can attach to the network infrastructure to meet the shared department or group arrangement. Quick buttons and an LCD panel can allow users to navigate pre-set jobs that are often necessary for continuous business workflow.
Investments in capture technology will continue to grow as companies strategize the path to business process and performance. Scan and capture are core to business content being available and accessible to all workers during this time of disruption. Vendors who offer products that have value coupled with hardy features can capitalize on this developing time.
