Many companies don't realize their print environment comes with hidden costs, let alone what those costs might be. Luckily, with a little help from managed print services, you can pull back the curtain and find out where your money's really going (and how to keep more of it).
Finding Hidden Costs with Managed Print Services
Think of managed print services like a giant magnifying glass. It passes over your print environment and allows you to see things (like hidden costs) you would never have noticed otherwise--and it's all thanks to a print audit.
Here's how it works:
The audit
To help reveal secret costs, a managed print services provider begins by auditing your print environment. Together, you and your provider will analyze print habits, supply usage, maintenance schedules, machine performance, and more, all with the goal of creating an accurate perspective.
The results
Once the audit is complete, you'll have new insight into what it really costs to run your print environment. You'll probably notice all kinds of fees you didn't see before, like:
- Printing personal documents on company printers.
- Printing in color when black-and-white would have sufficed.
- Over- or under-ordering supplies.
- Using too much energy to power inefficient devices.
- Security vulnerabilities.
- Downtime and lost efficiency.
Remember, these are just the hidden costs. You're also paying for all the regular elements, like consumables, maintenance, and original machine purchase.
The solution
The good news is that managed print services doesn't just reveal these costs--it can also help address them. Your provider will help you identify and eliminate problems at their source, helping you save money by treating the issue instead of the symptoms.
For example, say your employees have been printing in color too often. Managed print services can help you create rules for when to use color and when to use black-and-white, providing clear guidance for employees and turning them into money-savers instead of money-spenders.
Conclusion
Every print environment has its own hidden costs. Luckily, you don't have to grin and bear it: Managed print services can help you reveal these costs and address them, too. All you have to do is start with a print audit and work from there.
Are you worried about the secret costs of printing? Contact us today for a little help from managed print services!