Need to Update Hardware for the New School Year? A Managed Print Assessment Can Help

Every student knows that printing is a massive part of the school experience. Whether it’s rushing to print off an essay you got from an essay writing service reddit five minutes before class or mailing out thousands of school letters or reports, a campus often has a more demanding print environment than many businesses do. That makes it a priority to keep the printers in top shape at all times, upgrading and refreshing the print environment as necessary. To help with this, many schools opt for an assessment from a managed print service provider.

The slower summer term is perfect for upgrading and refining the print environment of a campus ahead of the fall when the students return in force. August is here, leaving just two short months before the fall rush. Thinking about getting a managed print assessment done on a school printing environment? The time to do it is now.

How a Managed Print Assessment Helps a School

Schools need printers both for academic and administrative uses, making their printing demands more vigorous than many offices. With more people using the printers constantly, things like efficiency and security take on new levels of importance. A managed print assessment is a valuable investment for schools because it can help identify areas for improvement and optimization. In particular, schools can:

1. Identify and eliminate weak spots in security.

Printers have long been identified as a weak spot in office security. However, in schools, they take on a new level of security risk due to the sheer volume of material passing across them each day. Likewise, hackers choose to target schools because they know it’s difficult to stay on top of the amount of data these institutions handle.

Therefore, a managed print assessment will identify areas in the print environment where weak spots exist. Schools will work with experts to develop a strategy which eliminates these weak spots, helping the institution to stay proactive with security.

2. Take advantage of workflow tools.

Like a business office, schools benefit from workflow solutions. Whether it’s helping students print their essays faster or making sure that staff always have access to the printing capabilities they need, workflow tools help a campus make the most out of its print environment. A managed print assessment looks at not simply the devices used, but also the processes which these devices support.

3. Emphasize efficiency with high-speed devices.

It may be tempting to buy a printer for life, but older devices hinder efficiency and productivity. In contrast, multifunction printers, with their ability to do everything, have long been a staple in enterprise offices. Schools, too, can take advantage of this technology. High-speed devices are quintessential for keeping up with the constant tide of papers which the average campus prints. A managed print assessment can help identify areas where devices such as MFPs may help improve the efficiency of a print environment.

4. Redeploy existing devices strategically.

Having the right printers for the job is only  half of the strategy for achieving an optimized print environment. These devices also need to be deployed physically to foster an optimum workflow. Therefore, before buying new printers to handle the increased printing demand, get a managed print assessment done. It can help a school with the layout of its physical printers to ensure the best accessibility, visibility, and efficiency – and potentially avoid yet another purchase.

5. Leverage dealer expertise.

Schools have a lot to think about when it comes to technology, and the vast array of printers available on the market may make the selection stressful. However, a dealer such as Smile can pinpoint the specific needs of a print environment, the guide the organization towards the choices which best serve its needs. Leveraging the expertise of a dealer streamlines the purchasing process for new printers,. saving time and money.

6. Rethink paper usage.

Like businesses, educational institutions also look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and adopt greener practices. A managed print assessment assists with such initiatives by shedding much-needed light on the print environment. In addition to identifying processes and areas for improvement, these assessments often identify where it’s possible to reduce waste by eliminating unnecessary printing.

 

Avoid the Rush: Think Ahead About Printers

When it comes to what to do with the printers, it’s a heated debate between repair versus replace. Printers are the backbone of campuses as much as they are in offices – they need to be optimized, updated, and periodically replaced. The summer term is the best time of the year to think about improving a campus’ printing environment with a managed print assessment.

Technologically savvy students increasingly demand an environment that matches their digital literacy. A well-functioning print environment is one way to meet that expectation and support them in their studies.

Smile specializes in workflow solutions for educational institutions. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.