The last two Kyocera printers we’ve reviewed have both been aimed at the Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) market segments. The Kyocera FS-1325 was an entry level A4 Multifunction Printer (MFP) while the Kyocera FS-6525MFP was an A3 device. More importantly, the last two Kyocera devices we reviewed were both monochrome laser printers. In this review, we’ll be focusing on another device from the same Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) but this time we’ve picked out an A3 colour multifunction printer. We’re talking about the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP.
As mentioned, the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP is an A3 colour laser device that is targeted at the Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME). While the Kyocera FS-6525MFP also be used by SMEs, it was only suitable for the lower reaches of the SME spectrum. The Kyocera FS-C8520MFP is suited for the entire range of SME because of the number of features and options it comes with as well as the benefits it provides. For example, the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP falls in the ECOSYS range from the OEM. Devices that are classified under this range by Kyocera tend to offer multiple advantages to their owners such as greater durability and operating life, reduced printing costs, and even lower environmental impact.
Additionally, the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP also falls in the Smart HyPAS range from the OEM. The Smart HyPAS is a shortened term for Smart Hybrid Platform for Advanced Solutions. In simple terms, HyPAS is a platform where owners of specific Kyocera devices can access advanced business applications that are developed by either Kyocera itself or third party developers. There are quite a few such “apps” available on this platform which means that you will get many additional capabilities if you go for the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP.
Strengths of Kyocera ECOSYS FS-C8520MFP
As you’ve, no doubt, surmised by now, we’re in favour of the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP. Simply the ECOSYS and Smart HyPAS capabilities would make this device a good buy for many companies but there are actually many more features to talk about. Fundamentally, like all its competitors, the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP offers three functionalities which are printing, copying, and scanning. The difference is that this device offers multiple scaling options to its users.
For example, the paper handling capacity of this device is quite good. The standard variant comes with a total capacity of 600 sheets, which can be divided into a 500-sheet paper cassette and a 100-sheet multipurpose tray.
That paper capacity is good enough for most SMEs. However, when the companies begin to grow that capacity may be found wanting. This is why the OEM has provided the option of taking that capacity to 1600 sheets through the addition of two 500-sheet paper cassettes.
Similar kind of scalability has been provided with respect to RAM. The device comes standard with the highly impressive 1536MB of RAM but even that can be increased to an amazing 2048MB RAM.
Along with scalability, SMEs also find costs to be an important deciding factor when it comes to their equipment. The Kyocera FS-C8520MFP doesn’t disappoint there either. The operating costs of the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP are fairly low, especially when compared to other multifunction printers in its class. If you use OEM cartridges, then you’ll have to pay approximately 7.82 cents per page. This is lower than the majority of available options in the same segment. However, this can be taken even lower with the use of generic cartridges. If you use generic cartridges, your per-page cost drops down to only 6.80 cents. If those savings are still not enough, then you can use the automatic duplexing feature of this device and reduce your paper costs as well.
From the perspective of security also, this device offers some solutions. For instance, it is possible for individual users to have individual logins programmed if you want to track how your employees are using the device. Moreover, there is the add-on feature of the Card Authentication Kit to supplement your efforts.
Weaknesses of Kyocera ECOSYS FS-C8520MFP
There aren’t many flaws that will trip you up if you buy the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP. The foremost is the initial cost of this device. Like all MFPs that have low per-page costs, this device also requires high initial investment. In other words, the price of acquiring the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP may set you back a little. It shouldn’t be that much of a problem, however, because in the long run it more than pays for itself.
There are other problems with the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP as well but none of them is as serious as the one mentioned above. For example, the standard variant of this device doesn’t have the faxing functionality. It isn’t that big a deal, though, because most people don’t fax these days. Moreover, Kyocera does offer the faxing functionality to those who need it through an add-on component.
It is also worth mentioning that this device doesn’t come with wireless capabilities leave alone the Wi-Fi Direct feature. The only two ways through which you can use this device is through USB 2.0 and Ethernet. You should note that the USB port can be used to print directly from a USB flash drive. The print speed might also concern those of you who’re speed demons and are always in a hurry.
The Kyocera FS-C8520MFP’s print speed is decidedly average at a formal rating of 20 pages per minute (ppm) for A4 sheets and 10ppm for A3 sheets.
Key Features of Kyocera ECOSYS FS-C8520MFP
The Kyocera FS-C8520MFP is neither compact nor gigantic. It measures a normal 748mm high with a width and depth of 590mm. The device, though, is very heavy. The FS-C8520MFP weighs a crazy 80 Kg, which means that you better have a minimum of four burly men to move this Godzilla around. The print quality of this device is much better than the maximum rated resolution hints at. It is rated at 600 x 600 dots per inch (dpi).
Scanning capabilities of the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP are also decent. It offers WSD scan, TWAIN, scan to USB host, scan to PC, scan to FTP, and scan to email functionalities. Scanning speeds aren’t that bad either at 40 images per minute (ipm) for monochrome pages and 20 ipm for colour pages.
Controlling the Kyocera FS-C8520MFP is a breeze with the 109.22mm colour touchscreen that can be made intuitive because of the availability of HyPAS. Apart from the optional components mentioned above, a metal Kyocera cabinet and a 500-shheet Hanging Finisher are also available.
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