While managed print services is a top-notch solution for managing software and other digital tools, that's not all it can do. A managed print provider should also be able to handle your hardware--and here's what that means for you.
Managed Print Services: Why Hardware Matters
When it comes to managed print services, hardware should always be part of the equation. Unfortunately, in the shuffle to protect data and optimize workflows, it's often easy to forget that printing starts at--well--the printer.
Here are a few reasons your managed print solution shouldn't ignore hardware:
Solutions Start Here
Many of the best managed print services solutions can be traced back to a physical machine. That's because these machines have a lot of power over what you can and can't do--for example, the features they offer or they ways they connect to other devices and networks. That's why hardware should be one of your first considerations when making print decisions.
There's Room for Optimization
Managed print services often includes a solution called "fleet optimization." With fleet optimization, you and your provider work together to make sure your printers are:
- Put in the right place for maximum efficiency.
- Consolidated or upgraded as necessary.
- Updated on a regular basis for security patches and software improvements.
- Utilizing the best settings for your needs.
Security Should Be Physical
Although much of print security is about digital challenges and solutions, you can't afford to overlook physical risks. For example, if an uninvited guest takes a sensitive document off your printer tray, that data is every bit as stolen as it would have been if a hacker got to it. The lesson is simple: Let managed print services help you build a security approach around both software and hardware.
Conclusion
Hardware has a lot to do with printing, so it makes sense that this element should have a huge role in managed print services. If a print provider doesn't talk about printers or how they manage these machines, you should find someone else to work with.
Interested in managed print services that combines hardware and software solutions? Contact us today!