While decreasing costs on a monthly basis by reducing the number of devices within a current fleet is regarded as the  easiest part of a Managed Print Services (MPS) deployment strategy, the effi ciency and productivity of users may be  seriously affected, argues Nashua Limited’s Gavin Sandham,  head of the company’s Managed Print Services division, Nashua Optimum.

<a href=

Gavin Sandham - Nashua Optimum" src="http://www.iweek.co.za/images/stories/iweek/gavinsandham.png" />“This strategy may leave users with the incorrect printing  devices, and unable to meet the user’s business requirements.  Clients must, therefore, be wary when a supplier or independent consultant offers a percentage cost saving, prior to a thorough  survey being completed over a minimum period of three  months.”

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) form an integral part of MPS  offerings. Sandham notes, however, that the ability to manage  an SLA on a national level through a central database is a  constant challenge for companies without the necessary  infrastructure.

“No SLA can be effectively managed nationally or regionally if  there is no centralised SLA management tool. Further, the supplier must have a national infrastructure to  support the SLA as third parties generally do not have the same standards as the main supplier, and  do not carry the necessary consumables and stock holding to support the SLA. ”

MPS suppliers should be penalised financially for non-performance as perthe agreed SLA, says  Sandham. The areas of non-performance, he says, could include the time it actually takes to repair a  printing device, paper waste and shrinkage management, and lack of management of the agreed print policy.


He also maintains that an MPS supplier should have two types of software installed to manage the printing environment. Device discovery software will notify the supplier or client of any changes or  movement of devices; and software used as a document tracking and accounting device, which will offer  reports on users’ activity, types of documents printed, and many other important tracking options.

“A proven track record in MPS and sufficient funds is crucial for any supplier entering the MPS market. Many unknown suppliers enter the market wanting to make money quickly, and do not take into account  the funds that will be required for the final solution and deployment.”

Nashua Limited is a pioneer in the Managed Print Services field in SA and has retained a leadership  position in the office automation market. With a national footprint of over 60 offices throughout Southern  Africa with over 900 engineers servicing Nashua products, customers are ensured that their needs and  SLAs are adhered to.