Portable printers

[beachgj]

Hi fellas.
I am looking into starting my own shop. I would like to print the invoice's and a copy of the tests performed before and after with my Fieldpiece HG2 system analyzer. (I am thinking this will help my sales, and make for good relations with my customers). Also I think it will cut down on my paperwork. And no invoices to order etc.
Could I ask you all to share any experience's you may have with portable printers?

[timebuilder]

Two steps: pro membership, and admittance to the business and marketing forum. That's where you could get answers on this topic.

[Control Man]

Here is what I use for printing items away from the office.

http://www.brother.ca/en/printer/mobile_printers.asp

[trouble time]

Why not get a good printer and a 12VDC to 120 VAC converter?

[beachgj]

Two steps: pro membership, and admittance to the business and marketing forum. That's where you could get answers on this topic.

Applied and sent all documentation a week or two ago. No reply yet.

[beachgj]

Why not get a good printer and a 12VDC to 120 VAC converter?

Am thinking about space in the truck. Also concerned of a regular printer being banged around, paper storage and usage, etc.

[beachgj]

Here is what I use for printing items away from the office.

http://www.brother.ca/en/printer/mobile_printers.asp

Thank you! I am reading up on your link now.

[neophytes serendipity]

There are only a couple of options for portable printers.

There are 2 inkjet models and 1 thermal model.

Ink can dry out, freeze, smear and it is expensive.

The thermal model requires special paper, but there is no ink to spill, dry, freeze or smear.

All of them require a battery pack.

Otherwise, you are using a regular 120v inkjet and an inverter.

Or, convert everything to PDF and email it to the client. How do you capture a signature? Does the signature capture need to be secure and verifiable (ie: not an image file). One player here is Topaz systems. Their systems capture pen pressure- not just an image file like writing on a tablet computer.
There is no easy solution.

Off the beaten path is an Anoto pen. This converts handwriting to digital. You could print your invoices with the special dot pattern, fill it out, give the customer a hardcopy and then you have the digital file. Secure and traceable.

[beachgj]

There are only a couple of options for portable printers.

There are 2 inkjet models and 1 thermal model.

Ink can dry out, freeze, smear and it is expensive.

The thermal model requires special paper, but there is no ink to spill, dry, freeze or smear.

All of them require a battery pack.

Otherwise, you are using a regular 120v inkjet and an inverter.

Or, convert everything to PDF and email it to the client. How do you capture a signature? Does the signature capture need to be secure and verifiable (ie: not an image file). One player here is Topaz systems. Their systems capture pen pressure- not just an image file like writing on a tablet computer.
There is no easy solution.

Off the beaten path is an Anoto pen. This converts handwriting to digital. You could print your invoices with the special dot pattern, fill it out, give the customer a hardcopy and then you have the digital file. Secure and traceable.

Hmm! Very good points to consider. I see I need more thought in this. My first thought was getting away from the carbon invoices.
But your points here are some things I need to consider.
Thank you!

[neophytes serendipity]

I really think the Anoto technology is a better fit.

Paperless is a pipe dream, for now.

The big problem is the investment in forms development and software to make it work... unless you pay someone for a turnkey solution.

The Anoto pens are much less expensive than tablets or smartphones.

The Livescribe pen uses Anoto technology, but you are limited to the Livescribe stuff.

[Control Man]

Unit can be powered from battery, wall outlet or car adapter