Coldwell Banker First Realty-Encore was looking for a better way to produce their color marketing materials which would both increase their efficiency and reduce their cost per copy. They were previously using color inkjet printers to output their color jobs or outsourcing their color printing. According to Rick Doschadis, IT Manager for Coldwell Banker, “We wanted to find a color solution which was more equivalent to what we were currently paying and allowed us to produce larger jobs. We could never do a 500 or 600 page job on our inkjet printers—it would take forever. And we needed a more cost effective solution than outsourcing these jobs.”

Rick's first step in developing a more efficient and cost effective solution was to track his current costs. “I kept track of our ink usage and number of inkjet printers purchased,” Rick said, “So when we were ready to research options, I could compare the pricing to what we were currently paying. We were easily paying 20 to 25 cents per copy for ink usage for the inkjet printers and constantly needed to purchase new printers as they broke down to keep up with the volume being produced.”

Rick worked with Marco for a solution to meet their needs. Rick said, "Marco was very knowledgeable about their products and came in with the numbers to show us exactly how these new machines would save us money.”

Marco provided Coldwell Banker with a networked Sharp AR-160 color imager in May 2002 through their Managed Account Program, which allows them to just pay for the copies they produce. Marco also replaced their older black and white copier with a new networked Sharp AR-407 copier. Rick said, “I liked the idea of paying a fixed cost per copy and having service and supplies included—everything except the paper.” Now over a year later, Rick estimates they run an average of 6,000 - 8,000 copies per month. Their real estate agents utilize the new Sharp color imager to produce many flyers and marketing materials and they also print color copies for their Grand Forks, Moorhead, and Detroit Lakes offices as needed.

“The constant maintenance we were experiencing with our inkjet printers and the price of ink cartridges used made purchasing the Sharp color AR-160 and black and white AR-407 a practical solution financially and gives us a higher quality output,” said Rick.

Rick feels the two new imagers Marco provided are well worth their investment. “The increased quality has made our users happier and networked printing has shortened the lines of people standing around the copiers and waiting.” Rick is also very pleased with Marco's service. “Their service is very prompt when we have any problems,” commented Rick. “They are either here the same day or the next day. Bill Steen, our Marco service technician, knows what he is doing. I have and would recommend Marco to others!”

Coldwell Banker First Realty-Encore has the largest real estate team in Fargo-Moorhead with over 100 years of real estate experience and education. With offices in Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Detroit Lakes, Coldwell Banker's services include residential and commercial real estate brokerage, investment advisory and consulting, market research, construction and development, as well as property management and leasing.