Step 1 in MPS (A new perspective?)

I took an excerpt from a Lexmark article I read today. If you have read any of my other posts on Managed Print Services, it is pretty similar, but it is always good to have a different perspective. Here is their take on MPS and the first step… “It’s clear that a significant opportunity to save exists, one that can be achieved both quickly and in an orderly fashion with minimal IT resources. While we know the savings can be huge, the question is, how much will your company save? For most corporations and enterprises, a near total lack of understanding of the current output environment makes it nearly impossible for IT leaders to predict. Most enterprises don’t have the slightest idea how much they spend on imaging and output. What don’t they know? Consider the basic information the majority of companies cannot supply:

• Number of printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners
• Makes, models, and ages of devices
• Physical location and asset tracking of devices
• Paper, toner, electrical consumption
• Usage by department or employee
• Helpdesk and support costs
• Maintenance and repair histories

That’s right. Most corporations don’t know how many printers they own. Without a clear understanding of these metrics, it is impossible to calculate how many millions of dollars a corporation is spending – and wasting. Compiling these numbers is essential.”