7 Things to Look for in a Managed Print Services Company

Managed print services (MPS) is an intelligent system of programs that allow businesses to create, manage, source, and track digital and print content seamlessly. With MPS you’ll be able to make full use of a fleet of devices like printers, copiers, scanners, and even fax machines from various departments under one, hassle-free, and secure printing system.

Even the cost and burden of device maintenance and keeping track of supplies is lifted off your shoulders – so that you and your employees can focus on growing the business and making your customers happy.

But with the many managed print services out there, how do you know which one is for your business? Here are the top 7 things to look for when considering a managed print service company.

Let’s get started!

1. Ability to Understand Your Business & Tailor-Fit a Solution

Managed print services is never a one-size-fits-all. For one thing, there are various solutions under managed print services – including the following:

• Digital document management
• Print vendor consolidation
• Printer security auditing
• Pull printing
• Cloud printing management

Being recommended the MPS solutions you need for your business is one thing, and customizing solutions to truly maximize the efficiency in your business processes is another. You want to be sure that you’re really getting the most of your investment in an MPS company.

This is why the very first and most important thing you need to look for in a managed print services company is their willingness and dedication to fully understand the needs of your business. You might be able to tell from initial interactions if they are willing to listen or if they are getting ready to bombard you with solutions that you might not even need at the time.

It also helps if the managed print services company that you choose has experience working with businesses from varied industries – whether it’s education, accountancy, manufacturing, healthcare, and so on. This shows that their experts are able to adapt to the needs of different kinds of businesses – and similarly, they’ll put in the time and effort to adapt to the needs of your business as well.

2. Ability to Grow & Adjust With Your Business

Whether you’re starting out as a small to medium enterprise or are already a national company, you need an MPS provider that will be able to adapt to the changing needs of your business through time.

Firstly, they need to be able to offer a diverse mix of MPS solutions. Perhaps a few months or a year from now, your business could grow to the point where it is a target of more cyber-attacks or an incident of document theft happens, causing you to need more enhanced document security. Or maybe the business grows to the point where documents are getting lost and you need a better way to digitize and manage these documents. An MPS provider with a full range of services will be able to give you the solutions that you might need in the future.

Additionally, the MPS company that you choose should be able to easily and quickly allow you to change or upgrade the MPS solutions that you have.

3. Ability to Audit & Improve Your Security

Your chosen MPS provider must be able to help you improve the security of your printing system against cyber-attacks and document theft. This starts with a careful assessment of the processes of your business and from there, security weaknesses are identified along with corresponding solutions that improve security in a sustainable way.

For example, some businesses still think that having local printers from printing sensitive documents is the best security measure against document theft or document snooping – but it can be clunky and costly to maintain separate local printers in the office. But a FollowMe Printing solution can actually address this gap far better, by ensuring the actual presence of the authorized user during printing.

There are many more ways to ensure document security – and a good MPS company will be able to recommend the right ones for your business.

4. Ability to Provide You with Quality Hardware & Maintenance

Sourcing quality compatible hardware might be something that you, as a business owner, may not have the time or know-how to do. Additionally, even the best hardware goes through wear and tear and would eventually need maintenance. An MPS provider would be able to take care of both of these aspects of printing for you, in the most hassle-free and cost-effective way possible.

5. Ability to Replenish Your Supplies

Yet another aspect of printing, that your business may not have the time for, is maintaining the stock of your printing supplies (e.g. ink, toners.) Most businesses can’t afford the delays caused by supplies running out and it can severely affect the productivity of various departments.
This is why your MPS provider should be able to take care of this for you in a timely and efficient way.

6. Ability to Give You The Data You Need

Real-time data access allows you to have complete visibility and control over your network. The best MPS providers will be able to give you a comprehensive, real-time client dashboard or and/or control panel where you can oversee everything.

7. Ability to Give You the Integration That You Need

You can ask your potential MPS provider what integration options they have available – whether it’s to connect your printing to existing cloud applications or needing to print from mobile.

Contact Integr8 for Your MPS Needs

As a business owner or decision-maker in the business, you need to be assured that the MPS solution that you’re getting for your business is a wise investment. One of the best ways to ascertain this is to have an MPS company that is dedicated to giving you nothing but the best.

Integr8 is the leading provider of Managed Print Services in Canada and the United States. We offer a full range of Managed Print Services for businesses of all sizes and from various industries. We work closely with our clients, beginning with a thorough assessment of the business processes and devices that are already in place. From here, we can come up with the most fitting solutions to ensure security, maximize productivity, and cut costs for your business.

Because printing and document management are so closely intertwined with various aspects of the business, the seamlessness of our tailor-fit MPS solution will benefit your business overall. And as your business grows, we’ll make upgrades as hassle-free as your daily printing with our printing system.

Your business deserves the best. Contact us today and let’s get started!