MFP User Interfaces and functionality are being designed for enhanced ease of use.
The latest MFPs have more functions such as the ability to expand functions of processing various business workflows automatically with cloud support. For example, the scan & send function can send to an array of destinations””a personal computer, a shared server, an e-mail address, a cloud BOX, and media like a USB stick. To accomplish this, many icons are typically displayed side by side on the User Interface for users to select from. Now, companies are competing to reduce the number of icons displayed at one time and make it easier to operate on an enlarged User Interface.
Originally, MFPs have basic functions such as copy, print, scan, fax, etc., and, for each of them, a variety of selections in many layers such as color/monochrome, resolution, scale, duplex, displaying destination address or so forth are required. As a result, the LCD panel has been getting bigger and bigger and 10.1-inch panels have become common. At the same time, the number of icons displayed creates extra time for users to select the function they want to use. At first glance, it seems convenient to be able to use only a MFP to perform e-mail transmission and input operations to media such as USB memory, SD card, etc. that used to be performed on a PC. However, if the operation panel gets crowded and makes it difficult to find the button, it will be difficult to operate. Although the purpose of adding icons was to make it more convenient for users, if they become frustrated trying to find these functions, it would be meaningless to have such functions on the device.
MFP manufacturers seem to understand this and are making efforts to improve the usability for better operability. As smartphone usage has increased and people become more familiar with how to use them, MFP manufacturers are attempting to improve the User Interface by incorporating smartphone-like operation, such as flicks with a finger, drags to change the position by touching an icon, or pinch-in/pinch-out that allows the screen display to be scaled with two fingers.
The new series of MFPs that manufacturers such as Ricoh, Canon, FujiXerox, and Konica Minolta have been selling since the second half of last year are being positioned as office hubs by enhancing them with cloud functionality. At the same time, we can see how much effort has been made in how to layer the instructions and choices, reducing the number of icons and choices displayed at one time, and simplifying the configuration of the operation panel to make it easier to understand.
One of the newest MFPs allows each user to make a “My Copy” icon for the copy setting (for example, duplex print + color print + 2UP print, etc.) that is commonly used on a daily basis, and makes it “easy” without having to conduct complicated operations and selections each time one needs to make a copy. In such an environment where multinationals work, icons are displayed in each language that are easy to understand, but accessing the icons corresponding to one’s native language has been complicated. However, with the “My Copy” icon, one can set the display to access one’s personalized operation panel in one’s native language with one touch.
“My Copy” icons are also being introduced for smartphones, enabling users to access the MFP from their smartphone. The purpose of these various enhancements is to make it easier to operate the MFP.
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