By Melissa Donovan
Part 2 of 2
There are a number of managed print services (MPS) options available today. Vendors have gone to great lengths to offer their buyers, whether through direct or dealer channels, all of the tools required to efficiently and cost-effectively manage their entire organizations. While our series on MPS has already taken a look at its future and how it specifically affects the enterprise, here we offer information on leading vendors’ MPS options.
Canon Solutions America (CSA)
CSA’s Business Services Division, a direct channel for Canon U.S.A., Inc., specializes in providing complete outsourcing and document management solutions that contain three critical elements—a solid design, experienced people, and innovative technology. The end result is a customized solution to manage important business support areas that exist outside the realm of a company’s own business model.
Hewlett-Packard (HP)
HP’s MPS offerings are divided into two services, direct MPS and Partner MPS. For large enterprise partners, HP forms a direct relationship that allows both parties to work towards an optimized workflow environment. With Partner MPS, HP provides channel partners with the tools and skills to offer a consultative experience and problem solving approach.
Popular tools beyond boxes include enterprise content management (ECM). For document-heavy processes, partners can ship physical documents to HP, where they are converted into a digital database. Once the digital database is built, HP provides solutions for digitizing workflows, such as scanners and multifunction printers (MFPs) that serve as onramps to the client’s database.
The HP LaserJet Enterprise Flow MFPs provide users with a distinct advantage. In particular, mobile printing features provide efficiencies both in and out of the office. NFC Touch-to-print offers the ability to print directly from a mobile device with just a touch to the printer, simplifying workflows and completing the workstation-printer-mobile device circle. HP Access Control allows companies to control printing output, and costs, while also keeping their data secure. It uses a variety of methods to authenticate users, including PIN Codes, HP proximity card readers, or NFC touch-to-authenticate.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta offers assessment, project management, managed delivery, business process automation, business process optimization, managed IT, and service delivery management services. Popular tools include cost accounting/user authentication, ECM, lightweight document management services, workflow automation, workflow optimization, and device management.
The company’s overall services strategy in conjunction with its EnvisionIT vertical value proposition is a significant factor in determining why customers select Konica Minolta. A combined approach to deliver a single platform that spans the enterprise and establishes a unified solution that addresses IT requirements, workflow, print services, security, and compliance with a focus on cost management, is key to its long-term strategy. The combined reach of Konica Minolta’s direct and dealer organization and ability to service customers domestically and internationally allows both channels to leverage capabilities and ultimately provide unified services to their respective customers.
Lexmark
At the most basic level, Lexmark offers customers a three-phased approach to MPS. Beginning with optimization, it gets the right devices to the right location. Next, it provides proactive management that includes enhanced reporting, consumables management, and enhanced break fix management. Finally, it moves into business optimization, where the company helps customers solve industry-specific problems through hardware and software solutions.
The company has also developed a variety of industry-specific solutions such as logistics document management for manufacturing, new account opening for banking, claims automation for insurance, digital signage for retail, vendor neutral archiving for healthcare, and government secure discovery and search.
Lexmark offers Print Management, which provides secure print release and mobile printing as well as its entire suite of Perceptive products across capture, content, process, search, and interact.
OKI Data Americas, Inc.
All of OKI Data’s Smart MPS options are offered through both dealer channel partners and directly, dependent upon the customer type, size, reach, and preferences. Smart Management Print Solutions includes remote monitoring, fleet assessment, proposal creation, financing options, automated supplies fulfillment, multi-vendor install, service and support, customer collections and billing, and continuous review and improvement processes.
A few of the company’s most recent introductions include the Smart Extendable Platform, which brings Web-based software advantages right to the MFP. Drivve is a suite of software modules and services to streamline and improve business processes in document-intensive environments.
OKI Data’s RSM’s average channel experience is over 20 years and includes former dealer principals and service managers, all possessing an extensive and unique understanding of the needs and interests of channel partners and end users.
Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.
All of the company’s MPS offerings are available directly from Toshiba through its dealers. Services include customer on-site walkthrough analysis and consulting, fleet optimization, fleet management, fleet security assessments, device recycling, and data eradication.
Popular tools offered include Toshiba ECO- MFP with erasable toner to allow reuse of paper ten or more times, in addition to Toshiba thermal/barcode solutions, Toshiba digital signage solutions, paper and toner optimization software, volume tracking and management software, end user behavior modification software, print job management software, security solutions, card/proximity readers, pin pads, mobile printing solutions, workflow applications on MFP/printer user panel and smartphones, document management solutions, content management solutions, digital media development, graphic design services industry, and vertical specific solutions.
Xerox Corporation
Xerox’s MPS help organizations assess, protect, and leverage information when and wherever needed.
Xerox Secure Print Manager Suite, powered by Nuance Equitrac. It cost-effectively integrates print security, control, and reporting capabilities—such as user authentication, secure document release, job tracking, chargeback and accounting, and print rules and routing—without disrupting existing IT infrastructure. Capabilities can be licensed individually or across any number of Xerox or non-Xerox devices, depending on the organization’s needs.
Xerox Document Analytics Service explains how, where and why documents are used. Insights are culled from multiple sources—data from devices and print jobs, audits of filed and unfiled paper, and client interviews that uncover printing behaviors. Based on the findings, Xerox partners with clients to digitize content and capture information.
Xerox Workflow Assessment Services demonstrate how documents move within an organization and provide insights to create more efficient processes. For example, an assessment may uncover that student loan processing could take 50 percent less time if information is easier to locate and is scanned rather than printed. Leveraging client input and metrics from document and device usage, the service helps organizations turn process into productivity, to save money and improve customer relationships.
Tools available for channel partners designed for small- to mid-sized businesses include Xerox Partner Print Services (XPPS). It is a comprehensive MPS solution providing remote monitoring of the entire fleet of printing devices, proactive management, and delivery of consumable supplies and service. XPPS spans all aspects of a complete managed print offering, starting with the initial sales process through implementation, financing, and ongoing service and support.
MPS Availability
Vendors offer more than boxes when it comes to MPS. Software, tools, and services are now almost always part of the entire package, and rightfully so. The office environment of today, whether small business or enterprise, is more than hardware—with the cloud playing a large role in how business is conducted. It only makes sense that MPS fully consumes all facets of the information chain. dps
Nov2014, DPS Magazine
