New standards are being defined
Rugged Managed Print Services (RPMS) are fast becoming the new standard within supply chain applications.
Their popularity has arisen from the growing demand for a new kind of Managed Print Service one which is better suited to the challenging and unique, environments in which the systems tend to be sited.
Durability and reliability are certainly valuable characteristics when it comes to supply chain applications however, arguably, of higher importance is the intelligence capability of these latest rugged systems. The ability to predict and pre-empt issues is invaluable within manufacturing and the supply chain in general.
The value of intelligence
The built-in intelligence of the most up-to-date rugged MPS solutions allows the provider to both monitor the performance of units and anticipate potential problems before they occur. Through intelligent surveillance, they can monitor status and usage across the estate to ensure that the capacity is at any time is balanced and efficiency across the installed estate. This can indicate where units that are stressed by close to capacity operation or worse, over-loading and running the risk of failure. Also highlighted, could be where printers are not fully utilised. Since print demand can vary by area and business season, where demand requires it, the printers can be reassigned to the need as appropriate or additional short term additional capacity can be added by investing in short term peak workload rentals rather than acquiring new printer that will not be fully utilised for long periods.
And even when it comes to maintenance, the ability to anticipate events means that inconvenient and costly downtime can be avoided. Consumable items such as printer heads or batteries will need to be replaced on a regular basis and this wont always fall at the best time for manufacturing. Allowing these essential tasks to be predicted and scheduled at an appropriate point in the overall process is most certainly favourable when it avoids the need to halt production and have both staff and machinery standing idle for prolonged periods of time.
Over time, companies tend to acquire different legacy versions of printers with their different nuances. This can cause issues with staff needing to know multiple variations of a simple operations. Standardising a single set of devices aids productivity and simplifies processes. An RPMS can help to identify these and help in the selection of a standard equipment whether thats new, refurbished or simply short terms peak workload rental units.
Reliable, endurable, predictable and cost effective
Whilst reliability, endurability and predictability may be the qualities of Rugged MPS most valued by supply chain customers, the fact that print costs vary considerably from unit to unit mean that there may be more direct cost savings to be made too. With print making up around 20% of the average supply chain users total costs, the reduction on the bottom line possible by the switch to these rugged services is perhaps just the icing on the cake.
Can PLM Global help with your MPS needs?
If you would like to chat about the many benefits of Rugged Managed Print Services already being enjoyed within our supply chain clients, or would like some advice on the options available to assess, replace or perhaps even refurbish your existing equipment, then get in contact with PLM Global via https://www.plm-global.co.uk/contact/. We specialise in the supply, repair and maintenance of hand-held capture devices, mobile print and EPoS hardware and can guide you, regardless of where you are on your Managed Print Services journey.
