Editing Multi-function printer (section)

==Characteristics==
It is useful to consider the features and functions of an MFP before integrating it into a home or office environment.  It is possible to have an MFP with almost all of the features and functions listed below, however a typical AIO or SOHO MFP is unlikely to incorporate many of these.

An (incomplete) 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, [[Line Printer Daemon protocol|LPR]], [[Internet Printing Protocol|IPP]], [[FTP]] printing, print via [[email]] etc.)
** Network, USB, Parallel or other connection types
** [[Page description language|PDL]]s ([[PostScript]], [[Printer Command Language|PCL]], [[Open XML Paper Specification|XPS]] etc.) and direct interpreters ([[PDF]], [[TIFF]], etc.) supported
** [[Printer driver]]s 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 (see below under Copy features/functions)
** Direct CD/DVD Label Printing (usually only available on some [[Inkjet Printer|InkJet]] AIO models)
** [[Duplex printing]] capability - Whether the MFP can print on both sides of a sheet of paper without manual intervention by the user
** Paper formats (what kind of paper sizes and stocks the MFP can output)
** Printer technology (e.g. [[Inkjet Printer|InkJet]]/[[Laser printer|Laser]]/Color Laser)
** Printing speed (typically given in pages per minute or '''ppm''')
** Resolution [[Dots per inch|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 1200x600 or 1800x600, 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]], [[XML Paper Specification|XPS]], etc.)
** Scan transfer methods available (e.g. [[FTP]], [[WebDAV]], [[Email]], [[Server Message Block|SMB]], [[Network File System (protocol)|NFS]], [[TWAIN]])
** Security of scanned documents - such as PDF encryption, [[digital signature]]s 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 [[Simple Mail Transfer Protocol|SMTP]])
* [[Transmission Control Protocol|TCP]]/[[Internet Protocol|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 punch]]ing
*** International standard [[Hole punch#ISO 838|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
* '''''Plus, see items under "Print features/functions" output and "Scan features/functions" input'''''

===Document storage features/functions===
* Documents storage capability the MFP
* Storage ([[Hard disk drive|HDD]]) 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
* [[Simple Network Management Protocol|SNMP]] support - both private and public [[Management information base|MIB]] specifications
* Wireless network capability

===Other features/functions===
* [[Software development kit|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 [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] and [[Computer mouse|mouse]] attachments).