Tech Data Offers Managed Print Services

I’ve got to admit, I was a bit skeptical about managed print services in mid-2007. Are managed service providers really interested? Do customers truly understand hardware as a service? After watching and reporting on this market over the past six months, I think managed print services are for real, with heavy hitters like Tech Data and Xerox aggressively promoting managed hardware services.

In December, I attended a managed print services event hosted by Do IT Smarter and Xerox. Roughly two dozen VARs attended the luncheon. I’d estimate that a quarter of the attendees already offer managed services, and more than half will do so sometime in 2008. Those are conservative estimates, by the way.

During the luncheon, representatives from Do IT Smarter and Xerox described several steps toward managed print services success.

Now, distributors are evangelizing managed print services as well. Tech Data’s Printing Solutions Specialized Business Unit (SBU) has partnered with FMAudit to offer managed print services. FMAudit’s managed print services tools include Rapid Print Assessment — which provides automated metering, reporting, and consumable and service alerts.