An MFP (multi-function product/printer/peripheral), multi-functional, all-in-one (AIO), or multi-function device (MFD), is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting (the SOHO market segment), or to provide centralized document management/distribution/production in a large-office setting. A typical MFP may act as a combination of some or all of the following devices: email, fax, photocopier, printer, scanner.

A list of features that an MFP may offer or will vary depending on the MFP under consideration (in any segment):

Print features/functions

  • Input
    • Network print types available (Raw, LPR, IPP, FTP printing, print via email etc.)
    • Network, USB, Parallel or other connection types
    • PDLs (PostScript, PCL, XPS etc.) and direct interpreters (PDF, TIFF, etc.) supported
    • Printer drivers available for different operating systems
  • Output
    • Ability to print directly to the MFP’s internal storage function
    • Capability of using the MFP’s finishing functions
    • Direct CD/DVD Label Printing
    • Duplex printing capability – Whether the MFP can print on both sides of a sheet of paper without manual intervention by the user
    • Paper formats
    • Printer technology (e.g. InkJet/Laser/Color Laser)
    • Printing speed (typically given in pages per minute or ppm)
    • Resolution DPI – this is an important metric for both printing and scanning quality. (Note that print DPI is rarely greater than 600dpi actual. Some MFPs use a system similar to sub-pixel rendering on computer displays to give “enhanced” resolutions of 1200×600 or 1800×600, however it is important to note that this is not a true resolution)

Scan features/functions

  • Input
    • Ability to retrieve a document from internal storage and send it as if it was a new “scan”
    • Automatic document feeder (ADF) – this allows multiple sheets of paper to be input without manually placing each piece of paper on the platen glass.
    • Duplex scanning capability (depends on the ADF) – Whether the MFP can scan both sides of a sheet of paper without manual intervention by the user.
  • Output
    • Scan file formats available (e.g. PDF, TIFF, JPEG, XPS, etc.)
    • Scan transfer methods available (e.g. FTP, WebDAV, Email, SMB, NFS, TWAIN)
    • Security of scanned documents – such as PDF encryption, digital signatures and so on.

Fax features/functions

  • Answering machine
  • Cordless telephone (generally only a consideration for AIO or smaller SOHO products)
  • Color Fax capability
  • PC Fax send and receive capability
  • Sent / Received Faxes Forwarding to E-mail capability (via SMTP)
  • TCP/IP Fax methods such as SIP Fax (Fax over IP), Network Fax (via SMTP), Internet Fax and so on

Copy features/functions

  • Document Finishing capabilities
    • Duplex output
    • Stapling
      • Single point
      • Staple positioning
      • Two point
    • Hole punching
      • International standard ISO 838 2-hole
      • Swedish “triohålning” 4-hole
      • US 3-hole
      • “888” 4-hole
    • Folding
      • Cover binding (generally only available on production printing models) – differs from “cover insertion”, in that a cover is physically bound to the book instead of simply placing it around the other pages. Cover binding often uses hot glue to bind the cover to the finished book.
      • Cover insertion for booklets
      • Fold and centre staple (for Booklet pagination)
      • Half fold / crease
      • Tri-fold / Envelope-folding
      • Trimming for folded documents to avoid “creep”
  • Document editing modes
    • Booklet pagination / “perfect binding” booklet pagination
    • Image scaling / rotation
    • n-in-one (2 in 1, 4 in 1 etc.)
    • Page numbering / text & image stamping / watermarking

Document storage features/functions

  • Documents storage capability the MFP
  • Storage (HDD, Cloud) capacity
  • User authentication for the stored document, and any relationship to the user authentication of the MFP (e.g. Network authentication with a server or custom software, internal only, etc.)

Network features/functions

  • Active Directory or other authentication functionality
  • Data encryption
  • IPv6 support
  • SNMP support – both private and public MIB specifications
  • Wireless network capability

Other features/functions

  • SDK availability and licensing model
  • Software – Many MFPs support advanced functionality through third party software such as optical character recognition. In some cases, these software components are not specific to the MFP being used, however it is important to determine this, as in other cases proprietary technologies are used that effectively tie the software to the platform.
  • User interface – By their nature, MFPs are complex devices. Many MFPs now include LCD screens and other user interface aids. Generally, AIO and SOHO products contain simple LCD displays, while Office MFPs contain advanced LCD panels resembling a custom computer-like user interface (some MFPs also offer optional keyboard and mouse attachments).