According to the association, MPS should be defined as follows: “Managed print services is the active management and optimization of document output devices and related business processes.”
Board members Matt McLeish of Parts Now! and Joe Barganier of MT Business Technologies played a key role in defining the term. The MPSA said that the requirement was a “short and descriptive definition that embraced the full MPS spectrum”.
The board said that it took four months of research, polls and discussions with several multiple MPS organizations.
McLeish said: “It was important that MPS be defined properly, so the industry could develop common professional standards that end-users could turn to when selecting an MPS provider.”
MPS Consultant Barganier added: “I’m pleased with the definition, and now we can set out to create professional industry standards based on this common foundation. Ultimately, it will improve the experience of users related to printers and copiers, and give providers a stronger focus for their services and strategies.”
MPSA President Jim Fitzpatrick commented: “This was a difficult assignment to craft a definition that would be meaningful and agreeable to multiple audiences. We commend the effort and the results it brought to the MPS industry. The MPS market now has a standard definition that we can build upon and modify as our industry evolves. That’s an important milestone we can all be proud of.”
Greg Walters, author of the Death of the Copier blog, commented: “This was a very difficult task. One which Joe and Matt struggled with for months. A task that created a great deal of dynamics within the MPSA Board. Joe and Matt came through and the board unanimously (yes, including me) approved.
“I like that the definition can be applied to both MPS provider and a self-implemented MPS engagement, like Nationwide Insurance. It’s a good base, a solid foundation to build upon. And something easily incorporated into multiple MPS talk-tracks for your prospects and clients.”