Purchasing a copier can be an overwhelming process, especially when you’ve never bought one before. How do you begin to narrow down a brand and figure out which model has the features that fit your business? Familiarizing yourself with the basic copier features will help you simplify the process and start to narrow down a list of potential copier models.

Since the first Xerox machine was introduced in 1949, very little about the make-up of these machines has changed. Every copier is basically made up of six components:

Picking the right business equipment is important to the success of any company, whether it is a home-based business, a mom-and-pop shop, or a multinational corporation. One such piece of equipment, that’s importance is often overlooked, is the copy machine. Copy machines have been around, in one form or another, for many years, and the role they play in the success and efficiency of a business is a big one. If you’ve been tasked with finding a new copier, or adding a copier to your growing business, you are probably wondering how to pick the right one. Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers.

Collation is the assembly of written information into a standard order. Many systems of collation are based on numerical order or alphabetical order, or extensions and combinations thereof. Collation is a fundamental element of most office filing systems, library catalogs and reference books.

Copy machines are a necessary part of all businesses, but they can also be rather finicky. Everyone who’s used a copier regularly has probably experienced a copier issue. We’ve collected the three most common copier issues, and how to resolve them, to make your business run just a bit smoother.

Identity theft is all around us. This isn’t news to most consumers these days. They’ve taken precautions to protect pin numbers, online banking information, and personal details; the thing about fraud is that it’s become more pervasive — a camouflaged hoodlum lying low in the digital weeds, waiting to attack the unsuspecting.

In today’s competitive business environment companies are having to do things in new ways and rely on technology more than ever. Having a mobile workforce allows business to service clients efficiently, make more sales and reduce costs. Currently, mobile workers makeup over 37 percent of the American workforce. That number will only continue to grow as companies look for ways to become more efficient.

Photocopiers are still an important and intricate part of the business world. The roots of a photocopier can be traced back to Johannes Gutenberg, and his invention of the printing press. The goal of the press was to create duplicates of works, and the photocopier does the same thing. Photocopiers have become such a large and expansive industry, that there is a photocopier for every type of business. Many small businesses find themselves wondering whether or not they need a photocopier, and just how much the copier will cost the business, both upfront and in the long run.

If you work in an office, chances are you use a copy machine every day to make copies of important documents, notes, and memos. Maintaining and taking care of your copy machine means that it should last for years, and provide professional, high-quality copies. However, as with any device, problems may occur with your copy machine and you’’ll need to troubleshoot the issue to get things back in normal working order. One of these common copy issues is seeing lines show up on your copies.

As of 2013, over 60 percent of the United States population was using a smartphone. Smartphones are an easy and convenient way to stay connected, but they are also serving multiple purposes, especially for those who work on the road. Aside from being able to access your email, check in with work colleagues and check up on your social media feeds, you can use your smartphone to scan and send faxes, even when you’re miles away from your home office. Aside from faxing, you can use your smartphone to share files, store your work calendar, and keep up with co-workers movements and work progress.