Accounting professionals are awash in paper and are increasingly seeking easy-to-manage digital solutions that will help them print less and reduce the storage space needed for retention of printed documents.

That's according to research conducted by Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) to identify unique document workflow management requirements and trends associated with specific industry verticals in the small and medium business (SMB) segment.

For the accounting vertical, research in the U.S., U.K., France and Italy encompassed representatives of public accounting, corporate accounting, government accounting, tax preparation, internal audit, and accounting systems.

Among common themes was the paper-intensive nature of the accounting profession. According to the research, accountants are more focused on printing device features that help with high volumes than their counterparts in other small businesses.

Respondents said that the following features were "very important" (multiple responses were permitted):

-- Handles large print jobs, 73 percent
-- High-yield supplies, 67 percent
-- Large paper capacity, 60 percent

Most printing is black and white with the use of color being infrequent. Tax preparation periods generate very high volumes of printed documents.

To avoid mixing client documents, accounting professionals frequently rely on desktop laser printers and laser all-in-ones rather than shared, networked devices, making size and noise considerations significant. Workgroup monochrome printers also support accounting professionals. Printer speed, robustness and ease of use were identified as the most significant required attributes for printing devices.

Major challenges for the accounting profession include organizing client documents that are used in accounting activities, and the retention and storage of records and documents, which consume a significant amount of limited office space. Because of unique binding practices, two-sided printing is not as common as it is in other industries.

"Storage space and hardcopy file maintenance are significant issues within accounting. The future may not be paperless, but among mid-size and larger offices, we saw an increasing number of initiatives intended to reduce paper use," said Marty Canning, Lexmark vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services Division.

To succeed, Canning explained, accounting professionals need access to sophisticated scanning devices. In addition, they need advanced PDF (portable document format) capabilities, including creation, search and form compilation.

Canning noted that Lexmark works with larger enterprise customers to accomplish many of the same goals with Lexmark's unique "Print, Move, Manage" value proposition.

Through "Print, Move, Manage," Lexmark helps customers to print less, on demand, closer to the end user; move information seamlessly and quickly between paper and digital formats; and, manage distributed printing environments more effectively.

In fact, Lexmark has been so successful in helping customers in industry verticals address unique printing challenges that 75 percent of the world's leading banks, retailers and pharmacies use Lexmark.

Lexmark's workgroup multifunction products (MFPs), such as the award-winning X646dte monochrome laser MFP, feature a vivid color touchscreen eTask interface that can be customized to simplify complicated processes to the touch of an icon to improve productivity and reduce paper usage. For example, accounting professionals can use a Lexmark MFP to scan in a hardcopy document, file an electronic copy into a specific folder on the network for storage, e-mail the same file back to their desktop and also fax a copy to their client, all from a single icon. Lexmark also offers a wide range of security options, including easy-to-use confidential print solutions that help ensure that individual documents are kept separate and secure, even with multiple users of the same device.

In addition, Lexmark's innovative E series of monochrome laser printers is ideal for customers in accounting who rely on desktop laser printers because it combines a small footprint and extremely quiet operation with high speeds and printing capacities. The E series ranges from the E250dn, which prints at speeds up to 30 pages per minute (ppm) and is available for $199*, to the E450dn, which adds an intuitive operator panel, more advanced functionality and can print up to 35 ppm for $599*.

About Lexmark

Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) provides businesses and consumers in more than 150 countries with a broad range of printing and imaging products, solutions and services that help them to be more productive. In 2006, Lexmark reported $5.1 billion in revenue. Learn how Lexmark can help you get more done at .

Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All prices, features, specifications and capabilities are subject to change without notice.

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