WorkCentre 73xx series — (detailed, practical, and future-facing)

The Xerox WorkCentre 73xx family (commonly written as the 7328/7335/7345/7346 models) was Xerox’s answer to busy office environments that needed full-featured color multifunction performance: reliable printing, powerful scanning, flexible finishing and a suite of management and security tools aimed at IT administrators. Launched in the mid-2000s, the series sat between desktop devices and production presses — positioned for department-level use and small print shops that required robust throughput, color accuracy and network features. Although Xerox no longer sells the 73xx as a new line, the machines remain in service around the world and have a substantial amount of documentation and field support available. 

Who was this series for?

The target audience was clear: medium-to-large workgroups and departments that needed heavy-duty multifunction features without moving into full production equipment. Typical deployments included legal firms, university departments, branch offices, print-for-pay shops and any organization that handled large print runs, mixed color and black-and-white jobs, or frequent scanning and distributed document workflows. The devices offered scalable paper handling, finishing options (stapling, hole punch, booklet finishing via add-on modules) and network scanning features that made them a flexible hub for document-centric work. 

Key hardware highlights

• Models & speeds: The WorkCentre 73xx family included several models with varying print speeds — for example, the 7335/7345/7346 covered a range up to mid-40s pages per minute depending on model and color vs. B/W mix. They supported touch-screen control panels typical of Xerox MFPs of that era. 

• Paper handling: These devices handled up to tabloid (12"×18") media, optional high-capacity trays and tandem tray configurations for larger unattended runs. Multiple finishing modules were available so you could add multiposition stapling, booklet making, and other post-processing. 

• Imaging & print quality: Xerox used a combination of belt-fusing and improved toner/developer systems (such as trickle-charge development) to maintain consistent image quality throughout long print runs — a feature that mattered to departments expecting even color across 10s of thousands of pages.

Software, controllers and expandability

One of the strengths of the 73xx line was the ability to adapt to different workflows via its digital front end (DFE) and optional servers:

• Built-in controller + optional Fiery: The devices shipped with an embedded controller for basic printing, and many installations used an EFI/Fiery server to handle complex color jobs, variable data and tighter color management. The Fiery option offered faster RIP performance and advanced queue management for mixed jobs.

• Extensible Interface Platform (EIP): Xerox included EIP (Extensible Interface Platform) — a developer-friendly framework that let organizations create custom apps to run on the MFP’s interface. That meant custom scan-to-workflow integrations, secure print-release apps, and single-sign-on or directory-based workflows could be added without replacing the machine. EIP extended the useful life of the device in environments where bespoke workflows mattered. 

Document handling & scanning

Beyond printing, the WorkCentre 73xx series had strong scanning and document-management capabilities:

• Network scanning: Scan to email, scan to network folders (including Active Directory “home” folders), and searchable PDF creation were supported. These functions helped organizations reduce paper bottlenecks and automate document distribution. 

• Workflow integration: Combined with EIP and Xerox’s CentreWare tools, admins could set up standardized scan profiles, secure submission points, and automated routing to document management systems — reducing manual steps and errors.

Security features

Even though the 73xx models predate some of the newest security frameworks, Xerox shipped them with a substantive security feature set for their day and also published a dedicated Security Function Supplementary Guide. Included features (and recommended administrator practices) covered secure network protocols, user authentication, hard disk overwrite or encryption options, secure print hold/release, and audit logging for compliance needs. The security guide provides step-by-step setup details for IT teams. If you’re managing a legacy 73xx on a modern network, consult the supplementary guide to ensure settings align with current security standards. 

Administration and manageability

For IT teams, the series offered a mature set of management tools:

• CentreWare IS and CentreWare Web: Embedded web servers and management suites let administrators monitor usage, deploy drivers, set quotas and gather meter reads centrally. These tools reduced day-to-day support overhead.

• Driver support and compatibility: Drivers and guides were released for a variety of Windows and Mac environments; however, because the line is no longer sold new, make sure to verify driver compatibility with the latest OS versions or consider using generic PCL/PS drivers where appropriate. 

Consumables, sustainability and total cost of ownership

Toner yields, maintenance kits and consumables are an important part of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for any MFP. The 73xx series was designed for high monthly volumes (rated in the tens of thousands of impressions per month), and Xerox provided a variety of consumables and maintenance kits sized for different usage levels. When evaluating an existing 73xx in production, factor in:

• age and service history (older fuser belts and rollers increase maintenance costs),

• availability of replacement parts and kits,

• and whether refurbished or third-party toners are acceptable versus OEM for SLA and color consistency reasons. Official Xerox documentation lists recommended supplies and yields for planning.

Common use cases & practical tips

• High-volume departmental printing: With optional high-capacity trays and finishing, the 73xx excelled as a workgroup print center for reports, training materials and marketing collateral.

• Mixed workflows that need color accuracy: Shops that added Fiery controllers benefited from more predictable color and variable-data printing. 

• Transitioning to digital: Organizations using the 73xx for heavy scanning found it useful as a “capture hub” to feed document management systems and reduce in-office paper flows. EIP made tailored capture workflows possible. 

Practical tips for operators:

• Keep firmware and drivers updated from Xerox support to address known issues and security patches. 

• Maintain a schedule for preventive maintenance: regular replacement of imaging units and fuser components keeps color consistent. 

• If you rely on Fiery, maintain compatible Fiery software versions to ensure color profiles and RIP performance remain reliable. 

End of life and upgrade path

Xerox’s official pages note that the WorkCentre 7328/7335/7345/7346 are no longer sold as new; Xerox suggests newer AltaLink or VersaLink families for customers needing modern feature sets like cloud integrations, mobile native apps and updated security baselines. If you’re operating a 73xx, plan for a phased migration: back up important workflows, document any custom EIP apps, and test new devices side-by-side to validate color, finishing and scanning compatibility before retiring the old units. 

Should you keep a 73xx or replace it?

Consider these questions:

• Is it meeting your needs? If uptime, color quality, and finishing still match your requirements and maintenance costs are acceptable, the 73xx can remain productive.

• Does it meet current security/compliance rules? Older devices may lack native support for the latest encryption standards or secure cloud connectors; if you have strict compliance requirements, replacement may be wiser.

• Are replacement parts and consumables available at acceptable cost? Check local supply channels and authorized refurbishers; if part scarcity drives cost up, a migration plan is prudent.

Final thoughts

The Xerox WorkCentre 73xx series was a workhorse line that balanced speed, color capability and extensibility for office and light-production environments. Its strengths were modular paper handling, an ecosystem of finishing options, EIP for custom workflows, and enterprise administration tools. For organizations still using these devices, there’s solid documentation and field experience to support long-term operation — but it’s also important to evaluate security posture and consumable economics as part of an upgrade roadmap to modern Xerox families or competitive alternatives. If you’d like, I can summarize the key specs for a specific 73xx model (7335, 7345, etc.), pull driver links, or draft a migration checklist tailored to your environment. 

Sources & further reading: official Xerox product and support pages for the WorkCentre 7328/7335/7345/7346, the WorkCentre 7300 series brochures and specification PDFs, Xerox security supplementary guide, and EFI/Fiery documentation.