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Quocirca’s research reveals that almost half of enterprises plan to expand their use of managed print services (MPS). MPS has emerged as a proven approach to reducing operational costs and improving the efficiency and reliability of a business’s print infrastructure at a time when in-house resources are increasingly stretched.
Typically, the main reasons organisations turn to MPS are cost reduction, predictability of expenses and service reliability. However they may also benefit from implementation of solutions such as document workflow, mobility and business process automation, to boost collaboration and productivity among their workforce. MPS providers can also offer businesses added value through transformation initiatives that support revenue and profit growth.
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MPS providers include printer/copier manufacturers, systems integrators and managed IT service providers. As MPS evolves and companies increase their dependence on it, whatever a provider’s background, it’s important that they can demonstrate their credibility across a range of capabilities.
The following are key criteria to consider when selecting an MPS provider:
- Strong focus on improving customer performance – In addition to helping customers improve the efficiency of their print infrastructure, leading MPS providers can help them drive transformation and increase employee productivity as well as supporting revenue growth. An MPS provider should understand the customer’s business and be able to advise them on solutions that can be implemented to improve business performance, extend capabilities and reach new markets.
- A broad portfolio of managed services – Many organisations may be using a variety of providers for their print and IT services. However managing multiple service providers can also be costly and complex. For maximum efficiency, look for a provider with a comprehensive suite of services which cover office and production printing, IT services and business process automation. As businesses look more to ‘as-a-service’ options for software implementation,consider MPS providers with strong expertise across both on-premise and cloud delivery models.
- Consistent global service delivery with local support – Global delivery capabilities offer many advantages, including rapid implementation in new locations and the ability to effectively manage engagements across multiple countries. However it’s also important that a provider has local resources with knowledge of the relevant regulatory and legal requirements. Check whether an MPS provider uses standard delivery processes across all locations and how multi-location teams are organised and collaborate.
- Proactive continuous improvement – An MPS provider must go beyond a break/fix model to offer proactive and pre-emptive support and maintenance. As well as simple device monitoring they should offer advanced analytics that can drive proactive support and provide visibility into areas for on-going improvement.
- Strong multivendor support – Most print infrastructures are heterogeneous environments comprising hardware and software from a variety of vendors, so MPS providers should have proven experience of working in multivendor environments. A true vendor-agnostic MPS provider should play the role of trusted technology advisor, helping an organisation select the technologies that best support their business needs. Independent MPS providers should also have partnerships with a range of leading vendors, giving them visibility of product roadmaps and emerging technologies.
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About the Author
With over 20 years’ experience in the print industry, Louella Fernandes is a respected and globally recognised analyst focusing on the evolution of business printing. Louella is currently Associate Director for Print Services and Solutions at Quocirca.