Is the Primary Objective of Managed Print Services to Rip & Replace?
Posted on Tue, Dec 08, 2009
As more copier companies enter the print market touting their new & improved MPS offering, many are pushing MPS as being the centralization of print. Why?
I found a recent case study addressing the centralization of print. It's an American University with 500 printer-based devices and the study was led by Ricoh. The findings suggested the University was paying an average of $0.09 per page for mono laser printing (supplies only). The laser colour printing cost was pegged up to $0.32 per page. Wow!!!
NOTE: watch for a future blog on consumable pricing. As a teaser, the blog will confirm that mono laser print supplies, purchased independently, are expensive. However, it's highly unlikely they'll cost $0.09 per page without significant abuse from the users.
OK, back to the case study. According to the Ricoh assessment, these 500 printers supported a total annual page volume of approximately 750,000 pages. Based on this info, the volume equates to fewer than 1,500 pages per device per year...or 125 pages per device per month. Wow!!! Admittedly, I've never seen this type of scenario and, accepting the Ricoh assessment, would suggest the installed laser printers may last another 20 years before needing an upgrade. However, Ricoh chose the ‘Rip & Replace' scenario and installed approximately 70 Ricoh MFPs at a cost approaching $500,000. Ricoh called the solution a Managed Print Solution with the belief it would solve the problem of ‘printer creep' within the University. It also notes the removal of personal printers. Please see this earlier Blog on the personal printers & how best to manage cost & productivity.
Certainly, the University requires a managed print solution...but managing the solution doesn't mean throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It doesn't mean a measureable reduction in user productivity. It doesn't mean an outlay of capital to replace newish equipment with brand new equipment. It doesn't mean a radical change in print culture and intense user backlash. It DOES mean managing the environment...and the starting point should be managing the existing environment. It's less disruptive to users. It's less expensive to the company. It's better for the environment. It's a lasting solution that eliminates rogue purchases of print devices and contains the cost of supplies & service.
As the recession eases, many companies are attempting to rebuild revenues and profits without adding employees. I believe it's part of the jobless recovery. Decisions around print must focus on both cost savings AND improved productivity...and the ideal MPS solution will provide both every time. Unfortunately, the above Ricoh case study may not provide either.