The formation of the new Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) continues moving forward with a kickoff meeting and a volunteer formation committee. Over 110 people attended a kickoff meeting at the 2009 MPS Conference in April. Attendees represented the end user community, software and service vendors, hardware manufacturers, and resellers and dealers.
Following a vote to form the MPSA, the fledgling group took action on association structure, MPS definition, membership, certification, directory of players, and its potential role in setting standards and other potential roles for the MPSA. A group of individuals representing eight companies and all aspects of the industry volunteered to serve on the formation committee. This group will draft a proposed charter and membership guidelines and report to the larger body of the MPSA within 30 days. Targeted areas for focus include establishing standards for MPS engagements and programs.
The committee consists of volunteers with two representatives from each of the major industry categories including: end users, software / infrastructure providers, dealers, and vendors. The members of the MPSA formation committee are:
Justin West, Nationwide (End User)
Marvin Reem, Bob Jones Univ. (End User)
Bill DeStefanis, eCopy (Soft/Infra)
Darrell Leven, FM Audit, Soft/Infra
Freddy Castillo, Samsung (Vendor)
Jim Fitzpatrick, Oki Data (Vendor)
Brian Stevenson, Laser Networks (Dealer)
Bob Barrette, Perfect Output (Dealer)
“Since the MPS market is in the midst of a growth explosion, I believe the industry standards and certification that MPSA is proposing will really help our ultimate end-user customer, which is really why we are all pursuing MPS,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, Manager, Managed Services Operations, Oki Data of the Americas. “I applaud the Photizo Group for providing the foundation for what is sure to be an important standards body for the future of all parties involved in printed document environments.” In a letter read at the kick off, the Printer Working Group (PWG) a task force of the IEEE, encouraged collaboration with the PWG and the formation of the MPSA.
“The development of the MPSA is a major step to share the value of real cost savings available in the Output Device space to enterprises of all sizes and to finally document key expectations for manufacturers, dealers and end users,” noted Bob Barrette, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Perfect Output of Kansas City.
“I’m excited to help with the initial formation of this association,” said Justin West of Nationwide Insurance. “It will be a great venue for collaboration between all stakeholders in the MPS industry. Ultimately, end-users will benefit too, through consistent, high-value MPS solutions.”
The Managed Print Services LinkedIn group is the hub for MPSA members to share information, and full minutes of the launch meeting are already posted. The Photizo Group, leading research firm specializing in analysis of the printing and imaging industry, will provide administrative support for the MPSA during the formation stages. Vendors, dealers and enterprises can also find MPS information and resources at http://www.managed-print-services.com./