Every successful business has a set of clearly defined goals, and a plan to achieve them. Without clear direction, this same business may suffer from a loss of profit, inefficiency, waste, and unhappy employees. The same principles hold true when it comes to your print network; rules based printing is an effective means of reigning in print costs, increasing productivity and reducing waste. Managed Print Services (MPS) can help restore order to your ailing print environment, and put you on the path to instant savings; here’s how.
Rules Based Print Techniques
Rules based printing has been proven to be an effective means of reducing expenses, while increasing productivity, By increasing awareness, employees are given the opportunity to actively participate in in cost-cutting measures, while gaining a new understanding of the financial ramifications of printing. Examples of techniques used include:
- Restricting color printing based on department or user.
- Setting defaults to black and white and two-sided printing for most jobs.
- Defining which printer is most efficient for large jobs.
The Benefits of Rules Based Printing
Small to medium sized businesses, on average, can realize savings upwards of 30 percent per year, from a reduction in energy and paper usage, and an increase in productivity. Additional benefits include:
- A reduced carbon footprint due to improved recycling practices.
- Continuous improvement as print processes are tracked.
How To Get Started
The following tips will help you get started on your rules based print initiative:
- Take stock. Wander through your office space and take inventory of all printers, both shared and personal, and note the age and manufacturer for each.
- Tally expenses. Costs can add up when multiple vendors are used, significantly reducing your purchasing power.
- Rethink your strategy. Evaluate current print practices to see where you can save. Determine which individuals and departments print the most, and why, rerouting those jobs to the most cost effective device, while restricting who can print in high quality or color.
Launch your rules based printing initiative today, starting with a professional print assessment from an MPS provider. This evaluation will give valuable insight into your office printing habits and infrastructure, and provide an opportunity to implement a plan that will lead to the optimization of print practices. Managed Print Services allows you to streamline your budget, freeing up time and resources to focus on more important matters.
