What is MPS an is it right for my business?

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - April 16, 2013 - PRLog -- Managed Print Services (MPS) burst on the print scene about 5 years ago. (It's older than that but was not mainstream). The theory behind it was intriguing. Most companies with many printers and copiers were not using these devices efficiently. Some printers were underutilized, others were used too heavily. Some copiers were poorly located. Many printers were not the best choices for the type of work they were doing. Multiple Function Devices (MFP) were available but not in widespread use. Money, time and productively were being wasted.

A few smart print industry professionals saw an opportunity to custom design print equipment utilization for their customers and it worked out well. The companies saved time and money and the installers enhanced their relationship and got referrals. This led to many other companies becoming MPS providers, most of whom lacked the proper understanding of what they were doing and who to target.

Most of these second wave of MPS failed to provide any tangible benefits to customers. The reasons were the absence of a complete understanding of how to design, implement and monitor a MPS system and the need for there to be a large number of print devices in a business (at least 20) to justify the up front cost.

The overall lack of success has not stopped the growth of MPS in new directions. Now available are MS (Managed Services), MIT (Managed IT Services) and BPO (Business Process Optimization) but for now, we’ll stick to MPS.

There is good means for the myriad small and midsized businesses that don’t qualify for classic MPS. The newer printers have been built to provide information on print counts and toner usage as well as diagnose problems that occur with the printer or MFP. Thus, with a little help from a knowledgeable supplier, a company, regardless of the number of print devices it uses, can get much of the benefit of classic MPS.

If you want to learn more about MPS and related services, call your equipment or supplies dealer. Just be sure to ask what experience they have in working with MPS for small businesses and have them explain how it can specifically benefit your business. If they don’t pass the sniff test, look elsewhere.

Take Away Points:

MPS, in theory, will save a business time and money and increase productivity
by providing more efficient utilization of print devices.

MPS, in actuality, will only benefit businesses with more than 20 print devices.

The majority of the companies that say they can plan and implement MPS lack
the understanding and training to do it properly.

Overall, MPS has not worked out well.

New technology in print devices give small businesses the opportunity to
obtain much of the benefits of classic MPS with help from a knowledgeable
print professional.

Until Next Time, Richard Blumberg, The Print Maven

Richard Blumberg has almost 30 years experience as a distributor of Imaging equipment and supplies. He was an owner of Richard Young Products and American Ribbon and Toner and is currently an officer of American Toner and Ink Corporation

American Toner & Ink Corp | Phone: 954-464-8722 | Email: info@amertoner.com | www.amertoner.com