Managed Print Services

Consolidation strategies and supply fulfilment are indeed part of what an MPS does. But what most people don’t realise is that there’s so much more to MPS than simply restocking toners. It’s about minimising costs while maximising efficiency and productivity.

The misconception that any printing equipment is not a valuable asset probably stemmed from the fact that most companies let an IT department deal with these things. It’s not that printers and copiers aren’t valued, but more that an IT department can see hardware like servers, workstations, telecommunication devices, etc., as more important.

Like any business asset, these machines are just as important. They need supplies and servicing, and they also need to be adequately maintained. Unfortunately, these needs are often poorly managed because of human error, inadequate knowledge, and other mishaps.

An MSP can offer remote monitoring, alerts and reports, and even an automated supplies fulfillment program.

Technology keeps on evolving at a rapid rate and more options to go paperless are being introduced. While it is true that print volumes have been declining, it is in no way near extinction. Statistics have proven that we’re not even near to that ‘paperless environment’ a lot of people are so fascinated about.

So until then, it would be logical to focus on printing efficiently while saving money.

Printers have indeed come a long way. The old machine that used to sit in the corner of the room is now an intelligent printer. It’s able to communicate with other devices and it can share data about itself.

Since printers are becoming smarter, security is also becoming an issue. It can be as simple as a printed document being retrieved by the wrong person. These intelligent devices are also at risk for cybercrime since they’re now connected to the network.

A reliable MPS, however, will make sure that your machine is up to date with the latest security features and the right procedures in place to protect your data.

This misconception is somehow related to the first one. Managed print services indeed favoured larger companies and enterprises in the past. So it goes without saying that the cost to set up was high.

But thanks to providers implementing cloud-based and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, the cost is no longer an issue for small businesses. For example, a cloud-based setup doesn’t have a hefty price tag. It can also run on a subscription-based model, so it scales with your business.

Without a managed print service provider, you’re left with limited options. Sudden repairs or maintenance are all unexpected costs which hurt you and your business. An MPS will be able to predict and prevent these things from happening. Before you even know it, you’re already saving money.

Being able to diagnose and monitor your printers remotely is one of the things that you should look for in an MPS provider. It makes maintenance so much easier, not to mention that some repairs can also be done remotely too. These things that used to take days or weeks can now be completed in just a few hours.

All of these are possible because distance is not a factor in remote diagnostics.

A managed print service provider has programs that can monitor your devices, so they know when you’re running low on supplies such as toner or paper. They can even automate the shipment of these supplies, eliminating downtime in the process.

There’s no one more capable of identifying your printing needs than a managed print service provider. If they tell you that a printer needs to be replaced by a newer model, it doesn’t mean that they’re trying to get you to buy/lease more expensive equipment. The suggestion is purely based on your printing needs and budget.

An MPS will be able to train your employees when it comes to handling printers and other machines. They can also provide help desk support whenever there’s an issue. Because of this strategy, a chunk of tasks assigned to your IT personnel is removed allowing them to take on more important tasks.

A managed print service provides you with in-depth data regarding your printing activities. With this data, you’re able to optimise the process as you become more aware of what’s supposed to be printed and what’s not. This will significantly reduce your cost in all aspects of your printing.

Since everything about your business that’s print-related is being handled by a managed print service provider, you’re able to do more with less. Instead of you wasting time with a copier that refuses to work, you now have more time on your hands doing other tasks like expanding the business, for example.

Most new devices already come with features like activity tracking or user authentication. However, a managed print service can add in extra security programs to your advantage. For example, they can encrypt device data for additional security and make people access only what they need through permissions.