Xerox, LabTech partner to tackle managed print

Douraid Zaghouani, president of the Channel Partner Operations at Xerox Technology

Douraid Zaghouani, president of the Channel Partner Operations at Xerox Technology

Managed print isn’t the sexiest service in the market, but it’s among the most profitable and fastest-growing in the services segment. To make it easier for managed services providers to adopt and deliver managed print services, Xerox is teaming up with LabTech Software to deliver a plugin module that makes printers visible and manageable through a single remote monitoring and management dashboard.

Xerox PrintAssist Services is an extension of existing Xerox managed print applications and tools. It allows solution providers and MSPs to treat network-connected printers the same as other IP-enable devices. Solution providers can see when machines jam, consumables run low and components reach the end of service life.

Through the information provided by Xerox PrintAssist Services, solution providers can address printing needs of their customer organizations, ensuring low disruptions, reduced costs and better user experience.

“The market is ripe for solutions providers to enhance their service offerings, and that can be done by managing print,” said Douraid Zaghouani, president of the channel partner operations at Xerox Technology. “Xerox PrintAssist Services is another example of how we help partners expand their profitable revenue by connecting our technology and services so they can simplify their customers’ everyday business processes.”

By teaming with LabTech, Xerox makes it easier for MSPs to extend their offerings with managed print. LabTech provides a ready platform used by thousands of MSPs through which printers can be monitored and administered, consumables tracked and replenished, and work order tickets created and resolved.

Managed print is among the most profitable services offered through the channel because of its low cost of operations and high returns. The basic premise of managed print: Solution providers can regulate the flow of consumables, putting customers on a subscription for maintenance and replenishment of ink and paper.

The managed print model has been in the channel for nearly a decade, but is among the lowest penetrated models. Solution providers that offer the service say the model generates sustained revenue and profits. However, many solution providers shy away because of inexperience selling consumables and inability to actively sell the service as a value to customers.

By partnering with LabTech, Xerox is looking to tap into a large pool of MSPs, which could result in an accelerated adoption of the service offering and revenues. It’s a sound strategy several other services vendors have done with LabTech and its sister companies, ConnectWise and Quosol.

This article originally appeared on Channelnomics.com.