Managed print solutions (MPS) are, as the word “print” signifies, about optimising the use of printers and other related office equipment in a commercial environment. They are services offered by an external provider to manage an enterprise’s document use, storage, and output. MPS consists of needs assessment, replacement of hardware (whether obsolete or redundant), and the maintenance, parts, and consumables needed to run the multifunctional devices and printers. MPS encompasses everything related to multifunctional devices and printers.
Print volumes, printer output, printer yields, equipment supplies, technical support, the way in which documents are distributed, and the processes that intersect with people all fall within the ambit of managed print solutions. Many companies spend a substantial amount on printing and equipment aimed at office automation with very little understanding of what exactly they are getting for the spend.
These solutions help management gain control of document processes and costs by making all the elements that contribute to the total cost visible. They also highlight opportunities for cost savings, increase productivity by automating certain repetitive functions, and improve document integrity and security while reducing the corporate carbon footprint.
How Do Managed Print Solutions Work?
Whether one has a requirement to reduce costs, allow mobile printing, improve or automate document workflows, or simply get a picture of the company’s print activities, managed print solutions will facilitate achieving any or all of these objectives. They allow control of document processes to be gained through assessing the full scope of the work environment and then integrating the MPS into the existing IT infrastructure. Managed print solutions have helped thousands of organisations extract greater value and benefit from their printers and related office equipment.
Investigate and Asses the Environment
By using an analytics-based approach, an understanding of the full scope of a corporate multifunctional device and printer environment is achieved. Managed print solutions provide tools that can integrate thin, thick, and cloud-based technology and enable local, regional, or global support. They will work in almost all environments.
The first step in the process is collecting data that provides an accurate picture of the existing environment. This includes metrics such as the total cost of ownership of the existing multifunctional devices and printers. It is all but impossible to assess cost savings if the starting point is not fully quantified.
The current performance and operating costs of any in-situ equipment is also evaluated in order to identify obsolete and underperforming units with a view of replacing or moving them. Carbon footprint is also assessed by analysing total power consumption and consumable and paper usage.
System Integration
Good managed print solutions integrate with the customer’s existing corporate IT system and network with an absolute minimum amount of disruption and are user friendly and intuitive to operate. The experience should be one of welcome assistance as opposed to being an additional burden. The MPS integration should bring about increased value through more transparent accountability and an easy-to-use single point of contact. Existing multifunctional devices and printers should become real IT assets, and system integration should constitute a positive move towards greater efficiency.
Automation and Optimisation
Once a MPS has been integrated into the existing IT infrastructure, changes in document-related workflows can be assessed to improve productivity and optimise resource utilisation. These solutions transform workflow processes, taking them far beyond the mere digitising of hard copy documents. By acquiring quantitative and qualitative data of existing document workflows, in other words, understanding why and how documents are printed, shared, and moved in a specific business environment provides a data-driven picture of document use and processes specific to the company in question. Flexibility allows for a custom solution as one size definitely does not fit all.
Who to Engage With?
Well-established printer and office equipment suppliers such as Raydian not only provide a range of office equipment at competitive rates to suit most business requirements, but they also provide specialist advice and support on most multifunctional devices and printers. At Raydian, we provide managed print solutions to assist customers in getting the most out of their fleet of multifunctional devices and printers. Buying multifunctional office equipment and printers represents a significant investment for many businesses. The better and more efficiently this investment is managed, the more benefit the company derives from the capital employed. For larger enterprises with a host of devices spread out across the country, MPS should be a must-have. Engage with Raydian today and maximise the benefit you get from your multifunctional devices and printers.
