Review

From Document Manager Magazine Vol 17 No 02 - March/April 2009

Konica Minolta's Magicolor 4695MF is a reasonably priced and easy to use multi-function device targeting workgroup users with relatively high volume requirements (its rated duty cycle is 120,000 pages a month),

but, while it fulfils all the predictable network printing needs, it also manages to pull off the rare trick of being a highly user- friendly scanner/fax/copier.

Equally importantly, it offers very economical printing: Konica Minolta's own Simitri HD toner cartridges keep the cost per page surprisingly low, while its Auto Colour Recognition mode means it will only use colour toner where it is required.

The first thing a new user is likely to notice about the 4695MF is its bulk weighing in at well over 50kg, this is no lightweight MFD, and it will take up quite a bit of office space. Given that it could potentially replace numerous printers, faxes, copiers and scanners, of course, this becomes less of an issue!

Konica has covered all the bases in making sure this device can do pretty much anything required of it by its workgroup user base. It handles PCL 6 and PostScript Level 3 printing out-ofthe- box, and offers rated print speeds of up to 24 pages per minute, though obviously colour and/or duplex printing

can be significantly slower. Print quality is excellent, whether plain text, graphics or photographs, with sharp vivid colours and clear edges.

The user interface is simple and well laid out: a four-line backlit display is complemented by a numeric fax keypad, along with simple one-touch buttons to select scan/copy options. User maintenance should also be a breeze - a simple front panel offers instant access to all consumables (separate drum and toner units for each colour) along with the transfer belt and fuser.

Print management is ably handled by Ringdale's FollowMe, offered as an optional extra on the 4695MF and other Konica Minolta devices. With FollowMe, administrators can set up secure printing, job accounting, limit users'

access to specific functions, and more. With FollowMe's 'roaming' print concept the user sends a print job from their workstation and it is held awaiting release on the FollowMe 'Q-Server'. The user can then walk to any convenient printer, authenticate themselves via PIN or swipe-card, whereupon the print job is released to that device.

Management can use this system to enforce policies to reduce wastage: users can be restricted in what they can print where, redirected to the most

economical device for their requirements, and even forced to print only in black-and-white if appropriate.

FollowMe also addresses compliance/governance issues: confidential or sensitive documents should no longer be left to sit in a remote output tray waiting to be collected - or forgotten! But perhaps the most important benefit of this solution is in cost management.

Multi-function devices like the 4695MF are often deployed as part of a drive to control costs by streamlining the entire print environment throughout the enterprise. The reporting and data export facilities that FollowMe adds to the 4695MF make it easy to provide usage and cost reports on a device or network basis. More info: www.konicaminolta.co.uk

VERDICT: A high-quality colour laser MFD which offers intelligent print management options and potentially low total cost of ownership, the 4695MF has a great deal going for it in the workgroup market - it is a lot of printer for the price, both physically and functionally

Review