Installing a machine

[Ricoh Dicoh]

I'm a little unsure about installing a new machine. What will I all need to do to properly install a machine for a customer?

[TonerMunkeh]

Fresh out of the box? Follow the installation instructions in the machine's service manual.

[Eric1968]

Just follow the installation instructions in the service manual. If you're going to install a recently launched machine then it might be good idea to update the engine and controller firmware to the most recent version. All the options (finishers, LCT's, etc have their own installation manual. It's supplied with the option). Be sure to check RTB's for modifications and changes.

I don't know if you're doing software installations (like printer drivers etc.), but you can ask the customer where to install the printer drivers/software (that's if you're installing them), or contact their network administrator to find out what IP-adres the machine must have, and if neccessary give advise how to install drivers and/or software.

[blackcat4866]

There's a gray area here, especially at our company. I have tried for years to get network site surveys. Even when they are properly filled out, often the information is all wrong. Or the sales staff encourages the customer to set up 6 hours worth of features in the two hour setup time.

At the very beginning I ask the customer some basic questions:
Where do you want the machine?
Is there power there?
Is there network connections there?
Is there a fax connection there?
What sort of features would you like set up? (I leave this wide open. I get one of two answers:
"Printing, faxing, ... " etc.
or "Everything." At this point I must point out there is not time to set up every possible feature and you would not use most of them, so pick the ones that you want.

At this point I do some thinking about the site, wiring, features, and make some practical suggestions, like:
"The machine would fit better over there, where you could open the doors."
or "The network connections can best be reached over here ... "
or "The only suitable power outlet is over here ... "
and so on until we reach some sort of a practical compromise.

Theoretically these are all things that should have been thoroughly discussed with the sales rep long before the machine arrived, and rarely are. I have come to expect no help at all with this aspect of the sale. =^..^=

[KenB]

There's a gray area here, especially at our company. I have tried for years to get network site surveys. Even when they are properly filled out, often the information is all wrong. Or the sales staff encourages the customer to set up 6 hours worth of features in the two hour setup time.

At the very beginning I ask the customer some basic questions:
Where do you want the machine?
Is there power there?
Is there network connections there?
Is there a fax connection there?
What sort of features would you like set up? (I leave this wide open. I get one of two answers:
"Printing, faxing, ... " etc.
or "Everything." At this point I must point out there is not time to set up every possible feature and you would not use most of them, so pick the ones that you want.

At this point I do some thinking about the site, wiring, features, and make some practical suggestions, like:
"The machine would fit better over there, where you could open the doors."
or "The network connections can best be reached over here ... "
or "The only suitable power outlet is over here ... "
and so on until we reach some sort of a practical compromise.

Theoretically these are all things that should have been thoroughly discussed with the sales rep long before the machine arrived, and rarely are. I have come to expect no help at all with this aspect of the sale. =^..^=

My favorite is when they want "everything", and it's a trial installation.