Managed print spend to rise next year - analyst

Cost savings continue to be the main driver, Quocirca says

Almost eight in 10 businesses are expecting to increase the amount they spend on managed print services, according to Quocirca.

The analyst's survey of 240 enterprises across the globe found that 79 per cent of end users believe they'll spend more on MPS next year, with just over one in four businesses expecting spend to "significantly increase".

Quocirca research director Louella Fernandes said: "Businesses are planning to increase MPS spend, which is welcome news for providers.

"However, the market is mature, so they need to differentiate their offering and seek broader engagements that tap into customer demand for digital transformation, security and sustainability.

"Buyers are looking for additional services such as workplace services, IT managed services and collaboration services, so providers that respond to this demand will be better positioned to help organisations achieve the MPS objectives that have so far eluded them."

Quocirca also said there is competition among the market's leading vendors, naming Xerox the market leader but claiming that HP is hot on its heels.

HP bolstered its presence in the space last year when it acquired Europe's largest independent print provider, Apogee.

Both vendors and channel partners can differentiate themselves by building on their traditional MPS offerings to include elements of security and sustainability, Quocirca added.

"Security and sustainability may be high on the agenda, but the fundamental driver of MPS is cost reduction and this has still not been fully realised by the majority of organisations due to their enduring reliance on print," Fernandes added.

"MPS providers that drive efficiency around business processes and minimise wasteful printing - leading to reduced risk, cost and environmental impact - will be best positioned to face the future."