Managed Print Services for Manufacturing

Managed Print Services (MPS) for Manufacturing offers a tailored approach to help manufacturing companies optimize their print infrastructure, reduce costs, and improve document security. In a manufacturing environment, where operational efficiency, cost management, and compliance with industry standards are crucial, MPS solutions streamline print operations, enhance workflow efficiency, and minimize waste while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Key Features of Managed Print Services for Manufacturing:

1. Cost Control and Optimization

  • Cost Transparency and Reporting: MPS provides detailed reports on printing activity across departments, including cost-per-page, device usage, and volume. Manufacturing organizations can monitor and track print costs by department or business unit, identify inefficiencies, and optimize spending.
  • Fixed Cost Models: MPS providers often use fixed cost-per-page models or cost-per-device pricing, making it easier for manufacturing firms to forecast and control print-related expenses. This is especially helpful for industries with fluctuating production demands.
  • Fleet Optimization: MPS evaluates the existing print fleet and recommends changes to improve device utilization. By consolidating devices and removing underused printers, manufacturers can reduce hardware and maintenance costs while improving overall efficiency.

2. Enhanced Security and Compliance

  • Protecting Sensitive Information: Manufacturing companies often deal with confidential designs, patents, product specifications, and contracts. MPS ensures that sensitive documents are securely printed, stored, and disposed of. Secure print release, where users authenticate before their documents are printed, prevents unauthorized access to sensitive materials.
  • Data Encryption: MPS solutions include encryption for print jobs both during transmission and at rest, ensuring that confidential and intellectual property-related documents are kept secure.
  • Compliance with Industry Standards: Manufacturing companies are subject to industry regulations such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in medical manufacturing, or REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) in chemical manufacturing. MPS helps ensure that documents related to production, safety, and compliance are properly managed, stored, and secured to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Audit Trails: MPS solutions generate comprehensive logs of print activity, which can be crucial for audits, internal investigations, and compliance. These logs can track who printed what, when, and where, making it easier for manufacturers to maintain oversight and control.

3. Proactive Maintenance and Support

  • Minimized Device Downtime: In manufacturing, downtime can be costly. MPS ensures that printers, copiers, and other print devices are continuously monitored for potential issues. If a problem is detected, it can be addressed before it affects production or operational workflows.
  • 24/7 Support: Many manufacturing environments operate around the clock. MPS providers typically offer round-the-clock support to ensure that any printing issues are resolved quickly, minimizing the risk of disruption to critical operations.
  • Remote Monitoring and Alerts: MPS uses remote monitoring tools to track printer health in real time. Automatic alerts are sent when a printer needs attention, such as when toner levels are low or when maintenance is due. This proactive approach reduces unplanned downtime.

4. Document Workflow Optimization

  • Streamlining Production Documentation: Manufacturing businesses generate a wide range of documents, including production orders, shipping labels, safety protocols, and quality control reports. MPS helps streamline these workflows by automating document routing, reducing errors, and improving the speed of document processing.
  • Digitization of Documents: Many manufacturers still rely on paper-based processes. MPS can integrate with digital document management systems to convert paper records into digital formats, allowing for better storage, retrieval, and sharing of production data, reducing paper waste.
  • Optimized Print Routing: MPS ensures that print jobs are routed to the most efficient and appropriate device, minimizing delays and improving document output management. Sensitive or time-critical documents, such as production specifications, can be sent to high-security or high-speed printers.

5. Sustainability and Environmental Impact

  • Eco-Friendly Practices: MPS can help manufacturers achieve sustainability goals by implementing double-sided (duplex) printing, reducing paper usage, and minimizing waste. MPS providers often recommend energy-efficient devices that help reduce the overall environmental impact of printing.
  • Recycling and Waste Reduction: MPS typically includes recycling programs for toner cartridges, paper, and other consumables. Manufacturers can ensure responsible disposal of used print materials and reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Sustainability Reporting: Manufacturers can track their environmental impact through MPS reporting, which shows reductions in paper consumption, energy usage, and waste production. This data can help support the company’s sustainability initiatives and corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

6. Scalability and Flexibility

  • Custom Solutions for Manufacturing Needs: Each manufacturing company has different needs based on the scale of production, location, and types of documents they handle. MPS is highly flexible and can be tailored to fit the specific needs of the manufacturer, whether that’s a small workshop or a large, multi-location operation.
  • Scalability for Growth: As manufacturing businesses expand, their print needs may change. MPS solutions are designed to scale with the company, accommodating growth, new locations, or an increase in production volumes while maintaining cost efficiency and print quality.

7. User Education and Training

  • Employee Training: MPS providers often include training sessions to ensure manufacturing staff knows how to operate printers and copiers efficiently, how to follow security best practices, and how to reduce waste through efficient print settings.
  • Sustainability Education: MPS providers may also offer training on how to reduce paper waste, use eco-friendly printing options, and follow best practices for recycling and sustainability.

Benefits of MPS for Manufacturing:

1. Cost Savings

  • MPS helps manufacturing companies reduce unnecessary printing costs by optimizing the print fleet, eliminating inefficiencies, and offering predictable, fixed pricing models. Manufacturers can better manage printing expenses and reallocate savings to other areas of the business.

2. Improved Security and Compliance

  • With sensitive production data, intellectual property, and compliance documentation at stake, MPS ensures secure printing practices through encryption, secure print release, and detailed audit trails, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

3. Increased Productivity

  • Streamlined workflows, reduced downtime, and automated document processes lead to higher operational efficiency. Employees spend less time dealing with print-related issues and more time focused on core manufacturing tasks, improving overall productivity.

4. Environmental Responsibility

  • MPS supports manufacturers' sustainability goals by reducing paper waste, minimizing energy consumption, and providing recycling solutions for consumables. These eco-friendly practices help improve the company’s environmental footprint and contribute to its corporate social responsibility efforts.

5. Better Document Management

  • MPS helps manage large volumes of production and compliance documentation, from digital archiving to efficient document retrieval. Automating document workflows ensures that critical information is easy to access and helps avoid errors in production, delivery, and quality control.

6. Scalability

  • As manufacturing businesses grow, MPS solutions can scale to meet new printing demands. Whether expanding to additional facilities, increasing print volumes, or adopting new technologies, MPS can adapt to meet the changing needs of the business.

7. Reduced Downtime and Device Failures

  • With proactive monitoring, maintenance, and fast response times from MPS providers, manufacturers experience less downtime and fewer issues with their print infrastructure, ensuring that production and administrative operations are not interrupted.

Conclusion:

Managed Print Services for manufacturing companies offer a comprehensive solution to streamline print infrastructure, optimize costs, and improve operational efficiency. By enhancing security, ensuring compliance, and supporting sustainability efforts, MPS helps manufacturing businesses focus on core production activities while reducing the complexity of print management. Whether a company is looking to reduce expenses, improve security for sensitive documents, or enhance environmental sustainability, MPS provides valuable benefits that align with the needs of modern manufacturing operations.