Managed Print Services (MPS) involve managing hardcopy device fleets (copiers, printers, multifunction devices, and fax machines

Fax

Fax , sometimes called telecopying, is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material , normally to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device...

) in a unified fashion. Whilst this can be done internally, the term is typically associated with outsourcing

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is the process of contracting a business function to someone else.-Overview:The term outsourcing is used inconsistently but usually involves the contracting out of a business function - commonly one previously performed in-house - to an external provider...

 the fleet to an external vendor.
Managed Document Serices (MDS) is a close relation to MPS where vendors consider the service to be wider than simply print. MPS/MDS are a subset of the broader Managed Services

Managed services

Managed services is the practice of transferring day-to-day related management responsibility as a strategic method for improved effective and efficient operations inclusive of Production Support and lifecycle build/maintenance activities...

 market, although MPS/MDS have unique applications for an organization. There are many definitions of MPS in the market place ranging from re-branding of break-fix contracts to outsource contracts with on-site staff. The only known definition of MPS for which the major vendors have reached consensus was Intellect UK's in 2009.

Core Aspects

The core aspects of MPS are defined as: Management information with consolidated billing Proactive maintenance of the equipment fleet Ongoing optimisation of the environment throughout the contract life There are a wide variety of other services and software applications that can be added to this core.

This diagram shows a core focus on print rather than printers, 3 core elements and several optional elements in the outer ring.

MPS are facilitated by key software applications that fall into one of four categories:

1. Print Management software to manage the volume and nature of print and authenticate users
2. Device Management software to monitor and manage the print devices in an environment
3. Discovery and Design Software to analyse and plan for the change required in implementing a MPS
4. Scan Routing software to route scans to various destinations including fax servers, network folders, email or workflows

The MPS Providers vary in size, abilities, and hardware/software supported.

Four Groups of MPS Providers

There are four main groups of organisation type that are engaged in MPS.

OEMs

Such as Canon, HP, Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta

is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instruments. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a Kansai office in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture...

, Kyocera

Kyocera

is a multinational manufacturer based in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions...

, Lexmark

Lexmark

Lexmark International, Inc. is an American corporation which develops and manufactures printing and imaging products, including laser and inkjet printers, multifunction products, printing supplies, and services for business and individual consumers...

, Océ

Océ

Océ N.V. is a Netherlands-based company that develops, manufactures and sells printing and copying hardware and related software. The offering includes office printing and copying systems; production printers and wide format printing systems for both technical documentation and color display...

, OKI

Oki

-Places:*Oki District, Shimane - the Oki Islands in Japan, formerly Oki Province*Oki, Fukuoka - a town in southern Japan*Oki Islands - a group of islands in the Sea of Japan*Oki Airport - The airport serving the Oki Islands...

, Ricoh

Ricoh

or Ricoh, is a Japanese company that was established in 1936 on February 6th, as , a company in the RIKEN zaibatsu. Its headquarters is located in Ricoh Building in Chūō, Tokyo....

, Sharp

Sharp

Sharp or SHARP may refer to:*Sharp *Sharp , a flour made from hard wheat*Sharp , Canadian magazine*Sharp Daily, a free newspaper published in Taiwan and Hong Kong*Sharp...

, Toshiba

Toshiba

is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...

 and Xerox

Xerox

Xerox Corporation is an American multinational document management corporation that produced and sells a range of color and black-and-white printers, multifunction systems, photo copiers, digital production printing presses, and related consulting services and supplies...

.

Although historically partisan many OEMs are providing brand independent MPS with their managed service arms. This de-focus away from single brand solutions is a key trend in this space.

Systems Integrators

Such as Accenture

Accenture

Accenture plc is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company headquartered in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is the largest consulting firm in the world and is a Fortune Global 500 company. As of September 2011, the company had more than 236,000 employees across...

, Capgemini

Capgemini

Capgemini is a French global IT services company, one of the world's largest management consulting, outsourcing and professional services companies with a staff of 114,274 operating in 40 countries. It is headquartered in Paris and was founded in 1967 by Serge Kampf, the current chairman, in...

, Computacenter

Computacenter

Computacenter plc is the parent company of a group of European companies which provide computer services to public and private sector customers. Despite the spelling of the word "center", it is a UK company based in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Its competitors include Fujitsu, Getronics, Capgemini and...

, Fujitsu Services, Steria

Steria

Steria delivers IT enabled business services, focusing on key vertical market sectors: public services, finance, telecommunications, utilities and transport. The company provides consulting services for its clients' core business processes, and also develops and operates their information...

 and SCC

SCC

-Companies:* Secure Computing Corporation* The Sirius Cybernetics Corporation, a fictional company from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* Specialist Computer Centres, British-based IT consulting company...

.
These organisations have looked to append MPS to their wider Managed Service contract with clients.

Managed Service Providers - IT and Copier resellers

There are a large number of companies in this area typically focusing on the SMB space.

Independent Consultancy Practices

There are a number of vendor independent consultancy practices providing independent advice (not providing MPS themselves) to customers that help them go to market including analysis, business case creation, RFP creation and ongoing optimization support.