AI IN MPS
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AI has made a huge impact on the business world in the past three years and has become an essential part of everyday working life for an increasing number of businesses. As part of that, AI is increasingly impacting on how print and associated systems run and, therefore, on managed print services (MPS) too. As Deyon Antoine, product marketing manager at Toshiba Tec UK Imaging Systems Ltd, notes, AI is rapidly becoming a key differentiator in MPS. “For end users, it enables smarter workflows, automated document processing and greater visibility into print usage, helping organisations improve productivity and reduce costs,” he says. “For providers, AI delivers valuable operational insights through analytics, allowing them to optimise fleets, improve service delivery and identify inefficiencies before they impact customers. “As organisations increasingly expect data-driven services, AI is moving from a value-added feature to a core component of modern MPS offerings.” Julian Hodges, head of product marketing at Sharp UK, agrees that AI is becoming a much bigger part of MPS, although industry adoption is still early. “Providers are connecting print infrastructure with IT services and digital workflows, so the MFP becomes the starting point for business processes rather than just a printer or scanner,” he adds. “With that connected ecosystem setup, AI can now identify, extract and process information from documents automatically. Take an invoice: supplier details, invoice numbers and line-item data can be pulled straight from the scan and routed into the right accounting or business system, cutting out manual processing. For users, that means simpler everyday processes, stronger security and less time lost to admin. Customers increasingly expect more than hardware alone, and the wider workplace ecosystem around the MFP is
where that value now comes from.” Beatrice Genovese, product marketing manager – print at Kyocera Document Solutions UK, says AI is rapidly becoming an expected component of modern MPS, with customers increasingly looking for data-driven insights, automation and improved proactive support. “Providers must leverage AI to help organisations address the challenges of hybrid working, rising cybersecurity risks and the need for greater visibility across increasingly complex print environments,” she adds.
Contributors
Deyon Antoine
Predictive maintenance growth One aspect that AI is increasingly
toshibatec.co.uk
influencing in MPS solutions is predictive maintenance, which is now becoming expected by customers, rather than a differentiator, Deyon says. “By analysing device performance, usage patterns and service data, MPS providers can identify potential issues before they cause downtime,” he adds. “This improves device availability, reduces disruption and helps organisations maintain productivity. For providers, it allows more efficient resource planning, fewer emergency callouts and lower service costs. “Toshiba’s e-BRIDGE CloudConnect platform exemplifies this approach, providing proactive device monitoring, real-time alerts and remote diagnostics to help maximise fleet uptime.” Beatrice agrees that AI is transforming MPS from a proactive service into a predictive model. “By analysing historical and current device data, providers can identify potential issues before they impact users, reducing downtime, strengthening security and optimising fleet performance,” she says. “As AI- enabled cyberthreats become more sophisticated, intelligent monitoring and automated security controls are also becoming increasingly important. “Kyocera combines AI-enabled innovation with solutions such as Kyocera
Julian Hodges
sharp.co.uk
Beatrice Genovese
kyocera.co.uk
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