CONVERGING MANAGED PRINT AND IT SERVICES
Focus Steve Doust, group sales director – business solutions ICT at Kyocera, adds that as IT services are so broad – covering ICT, unified comms, content services, cloud, security and resourcing, among others – most MPS providers expanding their services into this sector will specialise in certain areas that add value to their existing business and customer base. “As the potential market is so vast it is key to stay focused on what you want to achieve and be recognised for, otherwise the pull-on resource and expertise could hamper any growth or put a strain on existing support structure,” he notes. It is also important for MPS providers moving into IT to provide a point of difference to customers to help secure the business. “As a trusted provider of solutions that span a customer’s network whether hardware or software, MPS providers already help manage data and workflow, so utilising this understanding and a strong relationship enables a wider conversation on the customer’s hybrid/digital journey with the backing of reliable support.” Steve adds that the trend of converging managed print and IT services will continue for the foreseeable future. “Data and security are at the heart of most businesses, and this will continue to evolve as we move further into a digital world with even more automation, which in turn drives more data that will be created, managed and accessed in many ways,” he says. “The trend for sustainability and cost reduction is driving the adoption of cloud services. With its high availability, flexibility and scalability, the cloud helps businesses become more agile. Organisations can reduce costs, both financial and environmental, and overcome the complexity and inefficiencies of operating a traditional on-premise infrastructure.” With increasing numbers of customers demanding one provider for their IT and print, expanding into IT services – or at least some of them – is something MPS providers will have to consider, if they are not already doing it.
option for customers, collecting traffic data. “MPS providers are now becoming more of an IT provider, because of all the software they have, the data they provide and how printers interact with the rest of the network. “Smaller MPS providers should, in my opinion, look to diversify their business to incorporate IT services to thrive in the future. While the paperless office is a myth, print volumes are declining post-COVID, but businesses are using more IT services such as CRM systems, online record keeping and data management.” By not doing this, Dean believes MPS providers could fall behind their rivals that do. DMC has pivoted and now can provide a full MPS solution, as well as IT, mailroom and telephony solutions, along with security for all these elements. “We provide a full bespoke solution to our customers and do a full audit of their business to find out what the weaknesses and strengths are, especially in relation to GDPR.”
Dean Harris sales director
dmcmediasolutions.co.uk
The trend for sustainability and cost reduction is driving the adoption of cloud services. “ ”
Steve Doust group sales director – business solutions ICT
kyoceradocument solutions.co.uk
printinthechannel.co.uk
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