Many businesses place standalone desktop printers in individual employee offices, mistakenly believing this approach enhances security and cost-effectiveness. However, this strategy often fails to achieve those goals.
When deciding how to structure your business printer fleet, be sure to dive into the details and uncover the true cost of your choices. Your business’s operational efficiency, security, financial health and environmental footprint could be at stake.
Inkjet desktop printers, while seemingly affordable at first glance, can lead to hidden costs and security vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent.
On the other hand, Managed Print solutions offer a comprehensive approach to business printing needs. Managed Print providers offer enhanced security measures, cost savings and sustainable practices that align with modern business objectives. Therefore, understanding the full implications of each option is crucial for making an informed choice that supports your business's long-term goals.
Here's a quick overview of what we’ll cover in this article:
When you fully understand how your choices will affect your business’s bottom line, you’ll be ready to create a roadmap directed towards operational success, starting with your printer fleet.
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Standalone inkjet desktop printers typically have a low initial purchase price. This gives the illusion that they are a cost-effective solution for businesses. However, these printers often become a financial burden in the long run. The initial purchase price might be low, but the cost of ink cartridges is notoriously high. Additionally, these printers are prone to frequent breakdowns, necessitating costly repairs or replacements.
Moreover, the maintenance and repair of a fleet of desktop printers could be overwhelming for your in-house IT team. Also, since these devices are often viewed as 'disposable', they often end up in landfills, contributing to environmental waste. All of these hidden costs add up quickly, making inkjet desktop printers far less economical than they appear at first glance.
Another significant issue with standalone desktop printers is security. These devices are often forgotten by or hidden from an in-house IT team. If left unsecured, these endpoint devices could serve as an easy entry point for cyberhackers. Once compromised, a hacker could dive further in and gain access to your organization's entire computer network – posing a severe security risk.
In today's world, where data breaches can have catastrophic consequences, leaving desktop printers unsecured, is a gamble.
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Managed Print Services (MPS) offers a more streamlined and secure printing solution for businesses. With MPS, multiple employees share a business-sized multifunctional printer, which is typically leased from and serviced by a MPS provider. These providers often will conduct a print needs assessment by surveying current print workflows, reviewing company goals and locating the placement of all printing devices.
After analysis of the collected data, the MPS provider will offer suggestions to optimize your printing practices.
Leveraging a MPS provider's expertise can significantly enhance your business's efficiency and security. They can implement secure printing measures, manage firmware updates and ensure that devices at end-of-life are appropriately wiped (e.g., hard drive overwriting) and disposed of in the most eco-conscious manner possible.
Instead of relying on your internal IT team to troubleshoot printing problems and order toner cartridge refills, you can outsource these hassles to an expert MPS provider. This can lead to substantial cost savings for your business and frees your IT team to focus on more pressing projects.
By consolidating your printing needs into a few high-efficiency, toner-based, shared devices, you’ll reduce the need for expensive ink cartridges. And your IT staff won’t have to troubleshoot printer malfunctions.
Many businesses have reported significant reductions in their printing costs after switching to Managed Print. In addition, the predictable monthly fees make budgeting easier and the reduced downtime from using reliable, business-grade equipment – boosts overall productivity.
Managed Print also promotes sustainability. MPS providers typically offer toner cartridge recycling programs, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The use of high-efficiency, multifunctional devices also means less energy consumption and fewer resources used overall.
By opting for Managed Print, your business can contribute to a more sustainable future while also enjoying financial and operational benefits. It's a win-win situation that aligns with modern corporate responsibility goals.
Wondering whether working with expert MPS provider, Gordon Flesch Company, is the right fit for your business? Download your free copy of our “5 Benefits of Managed Print Services” infographic to see where the true value lies in letting the experts handle your print fleet strategy.