PRINTER & PRINT SOLUTIONS
What is the difference between managed print and buying a printer outright?
Buying a printer outright means the business owns the hardware and manages its own consumables and servicing. A managed print arrangement bundles the hardware, consumables and servicing into an ongoing service, usually priced around usage.
Buying outright
Purchasing a printer outright means the business owns the equipment and is responsible for sourcing consumables, arranging servicing and managing replacement when the device reaches end of life.
Managed print
A managed print arrangement typically bundles the printer, consumables and servicing into one ongoing cost, often priced around pages printed, with proactive monitoring so toner and maintenance are arranged before they become a problem.
What to weigh up
- Print volume and how predictable it is
- Whether IT or admin staff currently manage consumables and servicing manually
- Cash flow preference for capital purchase versus an ongoing service cost
- How many devices and locations are involved
- The age and reliability of existing equipment
A practical next step
Reviewing actual print volume and current cost of consumables, servicing and downtime makes it easier to compare against a managed print quote on a like-for-like basis.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions.
Is managed print only worth it for high print volumes?
It tends to offer the clearest saving at moderate to high volumes, but the appeal for many businesses is also the reduced admin and proactive servicing, not just the per-page cost.
Can an existing printer be brought into a managed print arrangement?
Depending on the make and model, an existing printer can sometimes be included, though older or less common devices may be better replaced.