When you think about the term Managed Print, what comes to mind? Maybe you think about a service that is there to help with your high-volume printer maintenance and repair and if so, you would not be wrong. But Managed Service Providers (MPS’s) offer much more than you may realize. Here are just a few of the benefits of hiring a managed service provider.
1) Reduced Cost
Cost is the number one reason businesses hire a Managed Print Service. The cost of a high-volume printer alone can be staggering. But relying on in-house staff to maintain the printer and repair it when it’s down can be more costly than imagined. A managed service provider will analyze your print needs and current equipment and determine if it is optimized for your business applications. They will also streamline the process so that your methods are more efficient and you are conserving resources wherever possible. Many companies reduce their print costs by as much as 10 – 30% by hiring a MPS.
2) IT Help Desk Support
This is a big one. What happens when your printers are offline and you need a document for a client call? Or worse, the high-volume printer that you spent an arm and a leg on is now broken and you have absolutely no idea how to fix it. What’s even more frustrating is waiting for a repair person to come take care of things. Do you call your potential client and let them know you will be late because your sales materials won’t print? Or do you wing it and hope that they don’t notice that you don’t have sales materials to share with them. Either way, the scenario doesn’t play out well.
If you are working with a MPS, all you would need is a phone number to call for help. They will take care of the rest. From online trouble-shooting to in house repairs, you are covered. And because you are under contract, you will not pay trip fees or estimates for regular repair services. In fact, you will have someone at your door, usually within an hour, and your problem will be solved. With a managed print contract, you can also add in other devices like desk top printers, scanners and fax machines. In addition, your provider will monitor your devices to catch forthcoming issues like low toner or ink and they can often spot a potential mechanical problem before an outage occurs.
3) Supplies
With a managed print contract, supplies such as ink, toner repair kits and labor are usually included in your Managed Print contract. The only item that’s usually not included is paper.
Managed Print Services may not be right for every business, but if you rely on your print devices for critical business needs, then taking a closer look at this service may be the right choice for you.
Robert A. Martin is the President of Great Lakes Computer and has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Akron. He joined the company in 1995 and has held multiple positions including Large Account Sales, Sales Manager, VP of Operations, and now serves as President.
Although he oversees all operations, Bob’s primary focus is in the areas of sales development, strategic direction, government sales and large account management. Bob lives in Avon, Ohio, is married and the father of two, and is an avid outdoorsman. Bob is the author of the Great Lakes Tips on Tech Blog.
