Selecting the Right Managed Print Services Solution - Part Two

This series discusses some of the key factors in selecting the right MPS solution for your organization.  As an independent, time is precious.  Having fewer resources than national service organizations and the OEM's, you need to quickly assess your options, make your selection and implement it.  Hopefully, the questions we are posing help you in this process.

Part One discussed the pros and cons of utilizing an autonomous solution versus one tied to a toner manufacturer, parts supplier, service organization or OEM.  Moving, on, our next factor is:


How flexible is the solution? How flexible do you need it to be?

The first decision you must make is how you want to structure your MPS offering. Are you doing toner fulfillment only?  What about break/fix service?  Do you need an integrated ticketing component? Do any of your customers need regional or national support?  Are there some environments that will not allow a software DCA?

You need a solution that is scalable and has the ability to grow with your offering.  Keep in mind that just because right now all you care about is meter reads and toner levels, that doesn't mean your needs (and your customers) won't change.  Your MPS technology must be able to accommodate those needs today and tomorrow. 

Keep these factors in mind when selecting your solution.  Noting is more frustrating than implementing a solution only to discover in a year that you must transition to another that meets your needs.