InfoTrends expects business inkjet to represent 56% of all devices by 2016

In recent years, business inkjet printers and multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) have surpassed laser devices in the U.S. as the leading technology by unit shipment volume. InfoTrends estimates that business inkjet will represent 56% of all devices by 2016, compared to 44% for laser. For many years, the prevailing sentiment among many in the industry was that customers believe laser devices are most appropriate for workgroup office use, whereas inkjet technology is best suited to the home and small business environments. InfoTrends has believed for some time that there is an opportunity for inkjet technology to play a greater role in office printing.

In a survey, InfoTrends asked respondents why they chose an inkjet device over a laser printing device. Results show that 77% of all respondents preferring an inkjet device do so for some form of cost/price/running cost reason. While customers are looking for certain levels of product performance, such as speed, reliability, and output quality, it would appear that the compelling reason for finally selecting inkjet ahead of laser is a desire to lower costs.

Additional information on the report and InfoTrends is available at www.infotrends.com.