Panorama this week exposed mis-selling that must stop

A recent TV documentary has highlighted a need for print suppliers to raise standards and clean up their act, says Aaron Warham

You may have seen the Panorama programme on TV on Monday 24 September which highlighted the aggressive mis-selling of IT equipment to schools. We at the Nationwide Association of Photocopier and Print Suppliers (NAPPS) are urging reputable document management companies and channel resellers to help raise standards in the industry.

Panorama reported that many schools have been left in financial difficulty after signing leases that left them paying up to 15 times the going rate for equipment including photocopiers and IT equipment.

NAPPS aims to bring positive ethical change and repair the reputation of the industry, and has attracted a number of industry leaders to pledge their support, including Xerox UK, Adobe, DocuWare and the BAPC. Another way of doing this is by joining our organisation and signing up to its code of practice.

The mis-selling of photocopiers and printers to schools and other public sector organisations is unacceptable and must be dealt with.

The Panorama programme reinforces the need to re-establish the credibility and reputation of the industry, and to create a community of suppliers with which consumers can have total peace of mind.

Specifically for the benefit of UK schools, NAPPS has been working closely with the National Association of School Business Management (NASBM) to stop schools becoming victims of mis-selling and offer confidential advice.

Bill Simmonds, chief executive of the NASBM, has told us of the need for schools to choose accredited suppliers.

When seeking new agreements, his organisation is urging schools to take advice from as many sources as possible to safeguard themselves from dealing with non-reputable suppliers.

Schools should check whether suppliers are accredited by trade associations (such as NAPPS) which, via its code of conduct, is working hard to raise standards among suppliers in the industry. This will help to protect schools and other organisations.

As the only independent trade body for the UK document management channel, we aim to consign these practices to the past, and as certified companies following the NAPPS Code of Practice, our members will become trusted, ethical suppliers on which all UK organisations can rely.

We provide a pro-business environment where members, partners and affiliates are encouraged to openly discuss best practice – but never at the expense of the consumer. Every member undergoes a rigorous certification process.

Aaron Warham is director of the Nationwide Association of Photocopier and Print Suppliers (NAPPS)