Ask These Questions to a Managed Print Service Provider to Choose the Right One for Your Business
June 01, 2023
Entering the realm of Managed Print Services (MPS) can be akin to navigating a labyrinth. The landscape is strewn with numerous providers, each touting their unique selling propositions and promising to revolutionize your business processes. But how does a discerning business owner or manager make an informed choice amongst this multitude of options? The solution lies in asking the right questions to prospective Managed Print Service Providers.
But first, let's take a moment to define Managed Print Services. MPS are services offered by external providers to optimize or manage a company’s document output. The broad features include centralizing management of hardcopy devices such as printers, scanners, copiers, and fax machines.
The importance of MPS cannot be overstated in the current market scenario. As businesses increasingly gravitate towards digital transformation, optimizing print management can significantly reduce expenditure, enhance efficiency, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Now, let's delve into some critical questions that can help you sift through the MPS providers, and select the one that's just right for your business.
-
What is the depth and breadth of your service offerings?
-
How will you assess my current print environment?
-
What is your strategy for cost reduction?
-
How do you ensure data security?
-
How will you help my business become more sustainable?
-
How do you track and report on service performance?
-
What is your process for ongoing management and optimization?
The answers to these questions will yield valuable insights into the provider's capabilities, methodologies, and alignment with your business needs. However, the relevance of each question may vary based on the idiosyncrasies of your business. For instance, if your business handles sensitive data, then data security might be your prime concern. Or perhaps cost reduction is your key driver for considering MPS. Let these factors guide your question prioritization.
Consider also the Pareto principle - an economic theory that suggests that 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes. In the context of choosing an MPS provider, identifying the 20% - whether that be cost reduction, sustainability, or data security - that will have the largest impact on your business operations is critical.
The law of diminishing returns might also come into play. Beyond a certain point, the additional benefit derived from each subsequent question might decline. So, focus on those questions that yield the maximum insights pertinent to your unique business context.
Making an informed decision about your MPS provider can drastically alter your business landscape. The right provider can help you navigate the digital transformation journey with ease, ensuring cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and improved sustainability.
Make sure to conduct a thorough due diligence process, ask the right questions, and choose wisely! This will undoubtedly be one of the most significant investments your business makes in its digital future.