In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, managed print services (MPS) continue to play a vital role in optimising document workflows, reducing costs and enhancing productivity. In this blog post, we will explore the top five trends shaping the MPS industry in 2023 and how they can benefit organisations of all sizes.
1. Cloud-Based Print Management
Cloud-based MPS enables centralised print management, allowing organisations to monitor and control their print infrastructure from a single dashboard, regardless of location. This trend empowers businesses to optimise their printing resources, enforce print policies, and gain valuable insights into print usage across the entire company. Vision's Remote Fleet Management (VRFM) platform enables us to proactively monitor, diagnose, and fix problems for our clients in real time, as well as automate supplies and parts delivery, improving time management and device uptime. It also guarantees accurate billing and invoicing.
2. Security and Data Protection
With the rise in cybersecurity threats, print infrastructure is no exception to potential vulnerabilities; in fact, connected devices such as printers are a common attack vector. Managed print service providers are placing increased emphasis on security measures to protect sensitive documents and prevent unauthorised access, and Vision is no exception. When choosing an MPS partner, businesses should ensure they hold certification to the major information security standards such as ISO 27001 or CyberEssentials Plus, which provides the assurance that they are operating to a high standard of security and that data is processed according to the requirements of confidentiality, integrity.
3. Mobile Printing and BYOD Support
The demand for mobile printing capabilities continues to grow as remote and hybrid work models become the norm. MPS providers are placing an increased focus on providing seamless mobile printing experiences, as well as support for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments. With mobile printing, employees can securely print documents from their smartphones or tablets, enhancing productivity and reducing the need for traditional desktop printing. Furthermore, solutions such as "follow-me" print enable authenticated users to print from any device on a network, removing the need to assign users to a single device.
4. Sustainability and Green Initiatives
With government-led initiatives around net-zero and sustainability, there is a growing awareness amongst businesses across all industries that they need to embrace their environmental responsibilities and play their part in securing a greener future. Many organisations have put measures in place to support this endeavour, and as a crucial link in the supply chain, managed print service providers are no exception. At Vision, we're proud to hold certification to ISO 14001, an environmental management system that maps out the requirements for achieving and maintaining environmentally sound standards for businesses of all sizes. We also offer solutions to our clients to support them in achieving their environmental goals, including PrintReleaf, which offsets the environmental impact of printing paper through planting an equivalent number of trees to replace the paper used. Other solutions such as authentication at device and follow-me print help to contribute to reduced paper waste, as print jobs are only released when the user is at the device to retrieve their documents.
Finally, when developing MPS solutions, providers like Vision undertake an extensive audit to understand their client's print infrastructure, historic usage and other requirements in order to rationalise device usage and siting, without compromising on productivity. The use of energy efficient devices not only improve the environmental footprint of an organisation's print operations but lead to significant cost-savings.
5. Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics
Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics is the latest megatrend that has taken the world by storm in 2023, with the advent of platforms such as OpenAI and Google's Bard transforming day to day operations for many professions. Managed print providers are leveraging these technologies to optimise print environments. For example, Vision's VRFM platform utilises predictive analytics and AI to ensure business continuity for our customers by anticipating when supplies will need to be dispatched, maintenance required or servicing carried out. By proactively resolving these issues before they impact productivity, our clients enjoy seamless uninterrupted service..
So, as the workplace technology landscape evolves, awareness of the latest developments in solutions and services is crucial for organisations seeking to optimise their print environments, improve business efficiency and drive productivity. From cloud-based print management and enhanced security measures to mobile printing support, sustainability initiatives, and AI-powered analytics, these trends present exciting opportunities for businesses to transform their workflows and stay ahead of the competition.
