EDUCATION SECTOR
CONTINUED
are also seeking to centralise their document storage, providing us with opportunities to support them in streamlining their processes and ensuring compliance.” David has also observed that the demands of customers in the education sector are changing. “Demands from clients in the education sector are evolving rapidly, driven by tech advancements, cost reduction objectives, changes in teaching methods and the shift towards digital learning environments,” he says. “There is an increasing focus on flexible, cost-effective and scalable solutions that can adapt to hybrid learning models, accommodate diverse student needs and support remote teaching and learning.” Shift to MPS Chris Bates, director – print & supplies, UK, TD SYNNEX, agrees that customers in the education sector want simplicity, reliability and exceptional return on their investment. “Increasingly, they also want print to be as sustainable and energy efficient as possible,” he says. “These factors are driving two key trends – a shift towards managed print services and greater interest in print and scanning devices that are more efficient in terms of ink and consumables replacement, and low on energy consumption. “When it comes to managed print services, what schools need is good all-round service and support. In addition to on-site warranty, we [TD SYNNEX] offer a comprehensive, value-add service that ensures the end user is fully supported. Where possible, our engineers will help with poor print quality or other issues that are not officially covered by the warranty. This gives confidence to our
reseller partners and their end-user customers and helps partners to improve customer satisfaction and retention. “We can also give partners an opportunity to save money for schools, and help them to support the environment, by providing extended warranty cover for existing print devices.” Chris adds that the education sector is increasingly receptive to alternative forms of financing hardware purchases. “Our Tech- as-a-Service (TaaS) options are popular with schools as they provide a way to pay for new products on a subscription basis – so there is no need to find a capital up-front,” he says. “From a reseller perspective, having options like OpenMPS and TaaS makes it easier to sell new print and scan devices to education customers, who always have limited budgets, while the customer benefits by being able to procure new equipment that they need right away. Many partners also offer the OpenMPS service as a simple way for schools to manage print efficiently.” Reseller tips For resellers selling into the education sector, the best way to ensure that they are helping customers to get the right solutions – and therefore maximising their own income – is to be consultative and engaged with the customer’s needs, David says. “Many are lulled into approaching the market with a one size fits all approach,” he says. “But at Sharp UK we know each school has individual needs, concerns, and priorities. “As a technology partner we support our clients, having conversations that go beyond print. We use our expertise to provide integrated solutions leveraging our solutions capabilities. In addition to having strong communication channels with our clients to ensure we are there to support them in evolving their solutions to their changing needs.” Conclusion As the education sector embraces change, resellers in the print sector must adapt too with the document management and print solutions they are providing, especially with a focus on cost and simplicity. With AI increasingly affecting aspects of education, this will inevitably impact on print and document management and resellers will need to be alive to this to ensure they can provide the solutions education establishments will require.
Chris Bates director – print and supplies, UK and Ireland
uk.tdsynnex.com
Our Tech- as-a-Service (TaaS) options are popular with schools as they provide a way to pay for new products on a subscription basis – so there is no need to find a capital up-front. ” “
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