Product Tips
            Why you should always purchase original cartridges.

According to a recent study by Gartner Consulting, research respondents found that highly reliable original-equipment manufacturer inkjet and toner cartridges proved a great value, especially when labor costs were considered.

Gartner Consulting's  "Important Factors to Consider when Purchasing Printer Cartridges" revealed a majority of office customers reported lower quality, reliability problems and lower yields when using refilled or remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges.  Such deficiencies can drive up labor costs, which can offset the price difference with original cartridges.  The study, commissioned by Hewlett-Packard, also suggests the best way to ensure consistent print quality is to use a well-established brand with a proven track record.

The bottom line?  Basing cartridge-buying decisions on yield and purchase price alone is a counterproductive if not detrimental approach, researchers discovered.  Sole use of the traditional cost-per-page model (CPP) to evaluate cartridge value does not ensure a cost-effective purchase decision, Gartner concludes.  By relying on CPP, purchasers often overlook labor costs - the single highest expense associated with document production - because they are difficult to quantify.  Such costs include end-user downtime, user maintenance, help desk support and technical service.

Gartner says businesses need to consider total costs when purchasing cartridges.  Gauging document production cost (DPC) is the way to determine true value among cartridge choices, since DPC considers total document creation costs including labor.  Higher reliability and quality can lower production costs by driving down labor and other resource drains.

Accordingly, the study shows that company's technical support staff is crucial for determining true DPC.  Gartner recommends consulting technical staff regarding cartridge purchase because they understand the critical labor costs associated with printing.  Technical staff can also identify important factors such as reliability, print quality and yield.  In Gartner's study, technical staff gave original cartridges the best ratings on print quality, reliability, yield, labor costs vendor relations and environmental impact.

Gartner's research also reveals that customers do not always realize buying original cartridges can be environmentally responsible.  For example, HP has developed a very successful recycling program and recycles raw materials from cartridges that are returned.

Of course a final factor is print quality.  When it comes to the most important external documents, consistent high print quality can boost corporate image.

For all these reasons and for your long term satisfaction, suppliesusa.com recommends that you only purchase original supplies. The price will pay for itself.

This article courtesy of HP and Gartner Group.