Me & My...

Dave Reynolds, managing director of print services at Dsicmm, bought the 5000 for a specific job but is now using it for a wide range of applications

What does the machine do?
It digitally prints onto reels of paper with water-based ink in four-colour process on both sides of the sheet.

Did you look at any other similar machines?
Yes. We looked at all the competition including Océ, Xerox and HP.

Why did you make the purchase?
We had a specific application that required speed and quality.

What features do you particularly like?
Its uptime, speed and its ease of use.

Is there anything that you dislike?
The stock is limited to mainly uncoated material or specialised coated.

Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
No.

How fast is it?
It can print 209ft per minute. This will double with the next upgrade.

How reliable is it?
It’s brilliant. After install we ran it for three weeks solid, 24/7 with four hours downtime.

What’s the quality like?
The quality is between high-end digital and Versamark – it completely bridges the gap.

How easy is it to use?
It’s very easy to use – all the complicated stuff is file preparation.

How much time or money has it saved?
To be specific on this point is impossible, but clearly it allows work to be produced that previously couldn’t have been done in the time or would have been cost prohibitive.

Has it won you any new work?
The machine was purchased for a specific job so yes, but we have been able to transfer existing applications to it and we have huge external interest in the machine – it allows work to be produced digitally that previously would not have been possible due to cost or schedules.

Would you say that it offers value for money?
I would never say any printing equipment was worth the money.

Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
No.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
IBM have some brilliant people on board that are a pleasure to deal with.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
Anybody that has high-volume direct mail with the expertise to develop client applications and a good grasp of variable colour.

Under what circumstances would you buy another?
If we had more work.

CONCLUSION

User’s verdict
Speed ****
Quality ****
Reliability *****
Value for money ***

Supplier’s response
Roger Christiansen, marketing manager for InfoPrint Solutions, says: The InfoPrint 5000 is in the sweet spot of high-volume, high-quality colour at an attractive price and is a complete package, with hardware, software, services, finishing, partnerships and support. We are continually working with new and existing paper suppliers to enhance the range of stocks available and we are pleased with the results over recent weeks.

Price On application
Contact InfoPrint Solutions 0800 7746 8464