Printing costs can add up quickly for businesses, especially for those with high printing demands. A recent study discovered that branded printer ink has become ‘the most expensive liquid a consumer can buy’, costing even more than high-end champagnes and luxury perfumes when compared by the litre!
However, the good news is that there are ways to reduce these costs and manage your printing expenses more effectively. – this is where Managed Print Services come in. In this article, we’ll explore what Managed Print Services are, what they should include, how they save you money, and how you can tell if your office printer is inefficient.
What are Managed Print Services?
Managed print services (MPS) are a comprehensive approach to managing all aspects of an organisation’s document output and print environment. MPS cover everything from hardware and software to the supplies and services necessary to ensure your printers perform optimally.
As a business owner, opting for a Managed Print Service provider gives you full control of your printing strategy by pairing your industry expertise with the knowledge of an expert printing provider. The overall objective of an MPS is to help you improve your printing efficiency and lower your costs.
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What Should Managed Print Services Include?
When analysing different providers in the market, you may find a wide range of offerings, with varying levels of detail included in their respective packages. A good Managed Print Services provider should offer services that help you manage your print environment effectively. These services should include:
Printer hardware maintenance and repair: Looking after the physical printing assets within your business
Printer software updates and support: Keeping on top of the software needed to run your printers at optimal levels
Supplies management: For the very best prices on offer within the market
Remote monitoring and management: To ensure your printer’s performance remains at the top level
Security and privacy features: Giving you confidence in the age of digital risk
Energy-saving features: Protecting the environment and helping you manage utility bills
Cost tracking and reporting: Providing your business with full transparency on your overall business costs
How do Managed Print Services Save Me Money?
There are a wide range of growing pressures on businesses, even if your levels of business printing are minimal. Not only are replenishable materials such as toners and inks increasingly expensive, but the costs of energy needed to run your office or commercial printers has also skyrocketed.
Managed Print Services help you save money by reducing printing costs in several ways:
- Lowering printing costs per page
- Streamlining printer usage
- Reducing energy costs
- Minimising waste and reducing paper usage
- Improving supply chain management
- Reducing downtime and maintenance costs
With a comprehensive Managed Print Services solution, you can lower your printing costs and benefit from a more efficient printing environment. If you’re unsure precisely where your business can improve your printing processes, our experts are on hand to help identify where your business can save money.
What Is Branded Printer Ink?
Branded printer ink is manufactured by the company that produced your printer, such as Toshiba, HP, Canon, or Epson – or by an official partner. Branded ink is specifically designed to work with your printer model and is often marketed as providing better-quality prints than third-party or generic ink.
TBranded printer ink often includes a smart chip that communicates with the printer to prevent ink cartridge counterfeiting, which can also add to the cost. Printer companies invest significant money in research and development to produce the best results from their printer inks. However, over time non-branded inks formulate similar technologies for a strong printing performance.
The high level of competition in the printer market means that printer manufacturers may be inclined to keep the price of their printers low to stay competitive, but then charge higher prices for replacement ink cartridges.
This allows printer manufacturers to generate ongoing revenue from the sale of ink cartridges, after the printer itself has been sold – sometimes known as a “razor and blades” pricing strategy.
How To Know if Your Office Printer is Inefficient
If you’re not sure if your office printer is inefficient, there are several signs to look for. These include:
- High printing costs per page
- Frequent downtime and maintenance needs
- Slow print speeds
- Poor print quality
- High energy costs
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it may be time to consider managed print services. By choosing an MPS solution that meets your specific needs, you can improve your printing environment and lower your printing costs.
What types of printers do MPS services cover?
Managed Print Services can cover nearly all printing devices associated with the day-to-day running of most businesses. This includes everything from desktop printers to traditional multifunctional office printing, scanning and photocopying units, and specialist barcode and label printers. Barcode printers and label printers have grown in use due to the increase in online businesses offering delivery.
If you’re using any of these printer types, it’s very likely your printing processes can be improved to save you money!
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Why You Should Be Using MPS Services
Managed Print Services offer a comprehensive solution for managing your organisation’s printing environment. From hardware and software support to supplies management, MPS providers can help you save money and improve efficiency.
Now is the time to consider Managed Print Services and start saving money on your printing costs. get in touch today to learn how much you can save!
