The Benefits of Print Strategy: Why Bother?

It doesn't matter what industry you're in; you rely heavily on documents. Documents are a key driver in business processes, keeping information secure, easy to access, and simple to share. But documents aren't only a benefit to the modern business; they're also a burden. Estimates suggest that document production consumes between 1-3% of an average company's annual revenue, and this cost is steadily growing. 

If you feel your printing costs are too high, you're probably not alone—and likely not wrong. One of the most effective ways companies have tackled the cost problem in office printing is with a print strategy: a well-defined set of goals, guidelines, expectations, and best practices that help businesses manage their print environment. In this two-part series, we'll discuss the benefits of having a print strategy for your company.

The Importance of a Print Strategy

Why manage your print environment? Why worry about an area of business that may not seem easy to improve? There are a few reasons why companies are talking seriously about print strategy.

• Lower costs: As mentioned before, many companies are watching revenue be eaten up at the printer. Having a well-defined print strategy can lower your overall costs while driving your business toward better efficiency.
• More eco-friendly: When you know what you're printing and are more conscious of your printing habits, you're doing the environment a favor. Many companies include specific environmental goals in their print strategy.
• Big productivity wins: Unmanaged print environments are cesspools of inefficiency, from outdated machinery to ineffective workflows. A print strategy can get your document workflows back on track.
• Less IT burden: Your IT staff likely answers print-related help requests more often than others. A print strategy can improve your device uptime, reducing the burden on your IT department.

Tune in next week for part two of our print strategy series.