The consumer market is flooded with tools to enhance personal tech performance through hardware and software tools. In these days of Alexa and Google Home there are many ways that consumers interact with physical devices using apps and voice commands. Check the weather, turn on and off lights, schedule events in your calendar and get reminders on critical activities all through your mobile device or a small speaker system in your home.
These systems also have the ability to link physical locations since the apps which command them reside on mobile devices we all carry with us from place to place.
Commercial world is a bit different
For most businesses their world is a bit different. The number of users which need access is often large. Security is a critical need and device control has often been seen as a secondary need and something that is left to break fix response. In many offices the local printer and even network printer devices are left to be managed by the luck person who sits closest. Support is obtained with a panic phone call when something breaks.
There is a better way to manage print enabled devices which is being adopted and deployed by more and more businesses as knowledge of the capability expands. Through the deploying of enhanced device management software linked to a remote monitoring system it is much easier to manage device performance and support.
Consider the benefits of:
- Real-time device diagnostics and alerts
- Convenient firmware updates
- Remote error resolution, code-resetting
- Supply level monitoring: reorder toner before it runs out
and potentially fewer onsite repair visits.
What is even more beneficial is the potential for better management through the capture of better use data.
Deeper understanding of needs through robust usage data
Identify trends, user requirements
Right-size devices across your fleet
Detailed analytics and customizable graphic reports
Optimize device configuration to meet constantly evolving needs
This type of software/hardware interface is available in many configurations. Unfortunately it is not something that is generic in nature and it does take good understanding of its deployment by both your print vendor and the in-house or contract IT management to be successful
KFS, Kyocera Fleet Services
One good example of a vendor supported tool is the KFS device management system that is available with Kyocera equipment. One of the key features of the Kyocera line is that they offer both print only and multi-function printer hardware which all can be managed by the deploying of the KFS system.
Imagine having your print support vendor contact you in advance of issues because they have received an alert about an impending potential issue or a reset that needs to be done. Imagine having advance toner warnings remotely handled without someone having to find out when the device runs out at the time of a critical print run.
Technicians can monitor devices in real-time, anticipate issues, even update firmware remotely during off-peak hours – maximizing uptime, making sure business gets done.
The service also provides comprehensive usage data: Which devices get used the most?
Which the least? Is there too much color printing? Or not enough? Over time, the entire document infrastructure can be optimized to best meet the unique and evolving needs of every organization.
Your vendor needs to understand and use the tools
One of the keys to this type of software/hardware system working to the advantage of the print customer is a vendor which understands the tools and embraces their use. Sometimes having robust fleet management in place can give too much information or potentially cause issues with support deployment. If the scope of the service is not understood and is not seen as a useful and necessary tool then push back on the alerts or the need for customer contact can create issues.
Just having the tool available does not equate with obtaining the benefits.
Leppert has been using this type of enhanced interface as a key part of its print management support for many years and has found that it is a substantial advantage for clients when properly deployed. Working with both in-house IT and with contract IT they have found that end users, client print management personnel and support workers all benefit from using these services.
While it is not quite the same as asking Alexa or Google Home to check the weather for you or to schedule your lights, the gains from using this kind of enhanced device management can be much greater in cost control, reduced down time and increased productivity.
Lee K
