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In October, Sharp announced a major
refresh of its colour A3 MFPs at
Inspire Expo, an event held in Malta
for its European dealer community.
The new MX series includes 13 models
with print speeds ranging from 30 to 60
pages per minute. To make specifying
devices easy, it features two distinct
product lines: Essential, a cost-centric
option for organisations with standard
print and scan needs; and Advanced
for organisations with more complex,
solutions-based requirements.
The new A3 colour MFPs have a
completely new engine and user interface,
bringing significant usability improvements
to both channel partners and end users.
For dealers, these include an automatic
toner eject feature, which locks cartridges
in place until they are empty, ensuring that
users can’t replace them while they still
contain toner – an unnecessary expense for
dealers that charge by click.
There is also just one engine across
the whole series, compared to three on
the previous range. This reduces training
requirements and the need for dealers
to carry so many spares. In addition,
consumables and many options are
common across all devices except the
fastest, higher volume models, again saving
on stock inventory costs.
For end users, a new stripped down user
interface – consistent across all devices
– simplifies operation and saves time in
carrying out everyday tasks. For example, it
now takes just two button presses to copy.
There is also an Easy Mode, with the option
to drag and drop favourite icons, and a
quick-help manual accessible from the
device touchscreen.
Another time-saving feature is a built-in
motion sensor that detects when someone
approaches and automatically lights up the
display ready for use.
Productivity is further enhanced by high
speed duplex scanners that scan both sides
of a page in a single pass at speeds of
100 pages/200 images per minute; direct
connections supported by Single Sign-on
authentication to cloud services, such as
Microsoft 365 and Google Drive; mobile
connectivity; a direct USB print capability
for Microsoft Office files; and a built-in
server that provides out-of-the-box pull
printing across up to five devices.
Sharp plans to introduce its new A3
colour MX MFPs in phases throughout the
first half of 2016.
New B&W MFP
Sharp has also added a new A3 MFP
to its mono MX range, ideal for small
businesses and workgroups looking for
fast, networked machines that can be
customised to meet the demands of a
business as it grows. The MX-M356N offers
print speeds of up to 35 pages per minute
and a scan speed of 56 images per
minute.
Like all MX models, the MX-
M356N offers the flexibility of
different configurations so it can
grow with an organisation. For
example, the standard paper capacity
of 1,100 sheets can be increased to
2,100 sheets if needed.
A user-friendly 7-inch colour LCD
touchscreen enables smooth and
intuitive navigation of MFP functions,
while thumbnail displays and
previews allow copy/send/saved
jobs to be checked on the control
panel, minimising errors and waste.
The MFP has been built with
environmentally responsible
features to save energy, such
as the Eco Scan function, which
keeps the fuser and roller
turned off for jobs that don’t
Simplified series from Sharp
Sharp MX Series A3
colour MFPs
Editor’s Choice:
PrintIT Reseller
require printing. The power also turns off
and on automatically in line with actual
device usage or administrator pre-set
schedules.
The MX-M356N is available via Sharp
partners now.
A built-in motion
sensor detects
when someone
approaches and
automatically
lights up
the display
ready for use
Editor’s Choice Awards
– 01732 759725
What we liked:
• consistent features across the
series
• motion sensor
• choice of Essential or Advanced
configurations
• improved user interface
• cloud connectivity
Sharp :
MX Series MFPs
