Skip to main content

Hi Guys,

I have a few thoughts and questions on the role of single function lasers and A4 MFPs in MPS

Any feedback or hole-poking is welcome.

SFP vs MFP

So far in MPS deals it seems like a standard post-consolidated fleet generally consists of a central copier-based A3 MFP and strategically placed supplemental SPFs for each office or workgroup.

Based on the overall cost picture it seems to me like some of these satellite/supplemental placements could also be filled by A4 MFPs - Are you guys seeing that?

If so, any thoughts on the ratio of SFP-to-A4 MFP in terms of all satellite placements?

Any insight into the ratio of products that are pulled from the consolidated fleet? I assume they are mainly SFPs, fax machines, and inkjets..


Metered Vs. Toner-Out

Given that many of these SPFs and A4 MFPs sell with a toner-out sales model (vs. metered) , any thoughts on how these toner-out models will co-exist in the dealer channel? I know many dual-line dealers carry HP, Samsung, OKI etc, but many probably do not.

Any momentum on SFPs or A4 MFPs being offered as metered products? I know select A4 products from the standard copier vendors (MP171, WC6400, iR 1022, etc), but those are from the copier vendors and sold under the copier brands (Aficio, WorkCentre, imageRUNNER).

How have you come up with ways to sell MPS contracts that include both metered CPCs and toner-out costs?

Any major problems or added supply issues when doing this? What are the solutions?

Do you see any situations where printer vendors are finding ways to make it easier for traditional copier dealers to carry/sell/supply their products for MPS deals -like HP & Toshiba?


A4 MFP Needs

Assuming that A4 MFPs do carve out a niche in MPS, are there any key features, specs, color capability, prices, costs, that you think would make sense to properly support MPS workgroups from a functionality and cost perspective.

My thoughts are they have to provide solid functionality, and be compatible with the central MFP, but avoid redundancy with central MFP



Thanks for your insight!
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by GIntel:
Thanks for your insight!


My first thought is that your post has a lot of jargon in it I don't understand. (I'm directly responsible for MPS, so it's not that I'm unfamiliar with the terms).

When Art can't understand your question about and industry he's been in for 20+ years, it's time to back up and re-write Smile.

Secondly, regarding your questions about placing supplemental A4 MFPs around, it all depends upon the customer.

I have some customers that have central MFPs and NO additional MFP capability. I have others (mainly Law firms) where every device is an MFP, even if it sits on a person's desk.

Regarding problems selling different programs, I think the major problem we've encountered is communicating the features of the contract to the customer.

Some end users don't know their machine is covered, so they just suffer with poor print quality, noise or errors even though they are paying us to fix those (but not ever calling us). Others (without the all-inclusive per page contract) call and want to order toner, then argue that its "included" or free.

It's tough to communicate everything to all the end users within a company.

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×