Still relying heavily on paper-based processes? If so, your staff may be spending quite a bit of time trying to find physical documents and doing manual printing, copying, and filing work. They may also struggle to answer customers’ questions quickly, all while large file cabinets squeeze in around their desks. The cherry on the cake? The second a printer goes down, there’s a ripple effect of frustration and productivity loss. 

Printers have come a long way in a short amount of time, and so have managed print services providers. So if the above sounds a bit like what you’ve been dealing with, here’s what you should know. 

What a Managed Print Services Provider Can Bring to the Table

Printers are now capable of running more sophisticated software, which means they can also solve more challenges for logistics and manufacturing businesses.

Streamlining Document Management

Manufacturers deal with enormous volumes of documents that flow throughout their supply chain, from purchase orders and shipping manifests to quality control reports and compliance documentation.

A managed print services provider can set you up with print management software that can integrate with smart document management solutions. Working together, your printers and your integrated software can reduce all sorts of paper-pushing and data-entry tasks organization-wide, all while making it much easier for your staff to find important documents, answer questions quickly, and keep projects moving. 

Additionally, many print software solutions can integrate with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, creating a seamless flow of documentation throughout your supply chain ecosystem.

Reducing Overhead Costs

Manufacturing operates on tight margins. And where you have paper-based processes and printing costs aren’t tracked, you also have significant hidden expenses. 

Untracked print costs are often a company’s third-highest expense after rent and payroll!  In addition to helping you reduce the amount of printing you need to do, a managed print services provider can help you optimize and right-size your fleet to reduce all sorts of print-related expenses.   

Enhancing Security 

Most people don’t think of printers as cybersecurity risks, but they should. Printers now have memory, run software, and are connected to your systems and data through the internet. Therefore, they also need to be protected from hackers. 

Manufacturers typically handle significant amounts of confidential information that flows between suppliers, partners, and customers, which can be a tempting target for cybercriminals. Not all managed print services providers will offer print security services, and for some, it will be an upcharge. However, at Marco, we provide print security services free of charge. 

Freeing Up Staff 

If your managed print services provider has kept up with the times, they should be able to automate print supply ordering, so there’s no further need for your staff to monitor supply levels. The correct ink or toner will simply arrive precisely when it’s needed for each device.  As an added bonus, switching to automated ordering can help protect your business from common office supply scams. 

The biggest beneficiaries of a print provider’s services, however, are often in-house IT personnel who are often the ones responsible for troubleshooting print issues. Needless to say, that’s typically not their favorite part of the job, and it probably isn’t the best use of their time. 

Reducing the Need for Backup Printers

Do you use Zebra printers? Then you’re going to love this. 

Zebra’s new lineup integrates with more systems, which means its devices can be managed remotely, at least by a well-equipped provider.

At Marco, we can service every printer regardless of its manufacturer, and that also includes Zebra printers. Our software can detect when a printer is showing signs of wear and tear, so we can anticipate and prevent most disruptions. So if you’ve been holding on to extra equipment just in case a Zebra device fails, you can save your money. 

Adding Mobile and Remote Printing Capabilities

Have a large facility? A print provider can help your staff print directly from handheld devices, so they won’t have to walk across an entire warehouse just to hit print. 

Finding a Partner With Expertise in Supply Chain Security Solutions

Well, as far as print providers go, we’re not the only game in town. But we are the only provider we know of that offers print security at no additional cost. And we also have a significant amount of experience working with manufacturing businesses that have unique printing needs. 

Curious what a partnership would look like or how we’d save you money? Our print team put together a more comprehensive guide on our managed print services. Click the link below to read it!