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CURRENT POSITIONSBENEFITSToll Free: 800.333.5905
Corporate Headquarters:
2675 Research Park Drive
Madison, WI 53711
Explore opportunities to join one of the country’s largest independent business technology providers!
Toll Free: 800.333.5905
Corporate Headquarters:
2675 Research Park Drive
Madison, WI 53711
There are two primary ways for a business to deploy and maintain a fleet of printers:
If you already own and maintain print devices, you might be concerned that hiring a Managed Print Service (MPS) provider is more expensive. The truth is that MPS can deliver significant cost savings – when done right.
How much do Managed Print Services cost? There is no single answer because prices are based on an organization’s unique needs. However, you can determine whether MPS will save you money by following these steps.
Not every business is a fit for MPS, and a reputable provider will tell you up front if you don’t need their services. Managed Print probably doesn’t make sense if you have low monthly print volumes or have minimal print needs in your office. However, if print costs, downtime and maintenance are perpetual issues, MPS can deliver a streamlined, cost-effective print environment that is hassle-free.
Experienced MPS providers have professional business analysts who use special software and their industry knowledge to identify disparities in processes and identify opportunities to deploy and often eliminate machines appropriately.
Be sure to ask whether the MPS provider you’re considering offers print assessments, and whether they charge for them. Then, take advantage of their free services.
Managed Print Services should offer more than just hardware and supplies. Ideally, they’ll provide attentive support, continuous improvement, modernization and even help streamline your business workflows.
Unfortunately, many small or upstart Managed Print companies offer enticingly low prices for hardware but minimal support or process improvements. In fact, many low-cost providers charge customers for things like training manuals and documentation, or hit their customers with surprise delivery and maintenance fees. A true MPS partner provides an all-inclusive service that can support all of your print-related needs.
Managed Print should offer one comprehensive price for your hardware, software and support. Installation, service, updates (software, drivers, security patches, etc.) and maintenance are all part of the package and should be spelled out. MPS should be a custom fit for your needs rather than a cookie-cutter package.
In many cases, a Managed Print Services provider can buy out an existing contract and take over maintenance of your machines. You can replace as many or as few printers as necessary to fit your needs and your budget. This is especially true when you're going out to bid during an Managed Print Services RFP. It's a great time to make sure your provider is giving you the most financially responsible options.
Once you’ve received a thorough assessment of your current printer fleet and your needs going forward, the MPS provider will give you a detailed and clear-cut price. The MPS cost is typically shown as a convenient, single monthly bill.
To determine whether Managed Print Services will truly save your organization money, however, you also need to deduct unseen print costs and headaches that will be eliminated as a result.
For example, some studies found that:
When you factor in the hidden costs of labor, downtime, waste and excess equipment, you’ll likely discover that a Managed Print Services program brings significant savings.
This chart can be a helpful way to compare Managed Print costs, in addition to other benefits.
BENEFITS |
WITHOUT Managed Print |
WITH |
Predictable Monthly Costs |
➖ |
✓ |
Right-sized printer fleet |
➖ |
✓ |
One contact for service and supplies |
? |
✓ |
Just-in-time toner ordering |
➖ |
✓ |
Remote, proactive device monitoring |
➖ |
✓ |
Preventative maintenance, timely updates and repairs |
➖ |
✓ |
Monthly reporting of print activities with print management software |
➖ |
✓ |
Improved security and compliance |
➖ |
✓ |
Automated duplex printing, black and white printing and other cost saving settings |
? |
✓ |
Pull printing, badge readers and proper routing |
➖ |
✓ |
RELATED: How to Calculate Printing Cost Per Page
For a real-world example, consider the case of UW Health, one of the largest hospitals in the Midwest. After adopting an MPS solution, they recovered an estimated $300 per device in consumables. Additionally, they produce 10–15% less waste from abandoned print jobs. Most notably, their printer fleet was reduced by more than 800 machines.
MPS is also useful for small and medium-sized businesses like Velocity Urgent Care, a fast-growing medical provider in Virginia. Before MPS, Velocity Urgent Care had 30 copiers and printers at eight locations. Today the company has doubled the number of locations to 16, but they haven’t doubled the number of printers; they added only about a dozen more overall. By standardizing multi-function machines and deploying them more thoughtfully, they’ve learned to do more with fewer devices.
Here’s the bottom line: in the short run, your bill may go up or down. In the long run, however, an organization typically experiences total cost savings in supplies, management, IT labor and more.
Discover the benefits of a Managed Print program for your organization. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation print assessment to determine your organization’s specific needs and MPS costs. It might just be the best cost-saving decision you make all year.
Managed Print