In today’s dynamic business landscape, the adoption of flexible working practices has become increasingly prevalent. Teams are now dispersed across different locations, including various offices, remote workspaces, and even different countries. It’s evident that there is a growing preference for informal work environments that prioritise convenience and simplicity, enabling easy access to corporate resources and streamlined printing systems. Consequently, organisations are actively seeking innovative ways to digitally transform their processes and empower their employees with increased flexibility.

Strategic investments in future-proof technologies have become imperative to ensure business resilience and continuity. An ideal solution should drive flexibility, scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness while effectively addressing operational pain points and delivering tangible value. The question arises: Does such a comprehensive solution exist?

Cloud-based solutions emerge as the answer, offering the ability to meet all these requirements and establishing themselves as indispensable tools for forward-thinking organisations. Cloud storage platforms like Google Drive have long supported distributed teams. However, the benefits of cloud technology extend beyond mere file storage. Migrating print services to the cloud is the logical next step, enabling remote access to corporate resources. Let’s delve into the numerous advantages of implementing a cloud print solution within your business framework.

What distinguishes Toshiba’s cloud printing solution from your current setup?

Elimination of server hardware requirement

Traditional print infrastructures often rely on on-premise server hardware, incurring significant acquisition, maintenance, and service costs. In contrast, solutions like e-FOLLOW.cloud offer a serverless alternative that eliminates the need for local hardware and client software. By installing the e-FOLLOW.cloud app on your Toshiba MFP, you can establish seamless and secure communication with the cloud, empowering remote print management without the complexities of hardware installation. Cloud print management is the ideal solution if streamlining your print infrastructure is a priority.

Cost savings

Migrating to a cloud printing solution brings substantial cost savings in various aspects. It begins with the immediate cost benefits of avoiding print server hardware procurement and reducing IT administration, service, and maintenance expenditures. Additionally, cloud print solutions generate indirect cost savings across the organisation. The flexibility of cloud printing injects agility into workflows, saving valuable time previously spent commuting for document access, printing, and retrieval. Empowering workers to control and manage their print activities from any location enhances productivity and increases profitability over time.

Enhanced sustainability

Unregulated and inefficient printing practices can have a detrimental impact on the environment and financial resources. Cloud-based print management gives users greater control over their printing operations, reducing the risk of abandoned printouts and unnecessary paper waste. By embracing cloud printing, companies can take progressive steps toward implementing sustainable practices and aligning their operations with environmental objectives.

Robust security measures

Security concerns often arise with remote printing. However, Toshiba’s cloud printing solutions prioritise stringent security protocols. Communication channels are consistently encrypted, ensuring maximum security for user data, billing information, and print-related content. Strict separation of customer credentials and data protects personal information, while secure print release functionality eliminates the risk of sensitive documents falling into the wrong hands.

Scalability

A significant advantage of cloud solutions lies in their inherent scalability. Whether your business is small-scale or a multinational corporation with numerous locations, offices, users, and MFPs, a cloud print solution accommodates your growth trajectory effortlessly, ensuring uninterrupted support.

Empowering possibilities

Embracing informal and flexible working styles empowers teams and signifies adaptability. Identifying areas requiring future-proofing and determining strategic investments can be complex. However, feature-rich cloud print solutions free up time for crucial priorities and equip teams with the flexibility to confront future challenges.

At Managed Technology, we specialise in evaluating the most suitable hardware, software, and cloud-based solutions tailored to your business requirements. Our expertise lies in seamless integration strategies, simplifying printing environments, and optimising workflow efficiency. After completing the migration process, your team can unleash their creativity, collaborate effortlessly, and print their best ideas from anywhere. Partner with us to unlock the true potential of cloud print solutions and propel your business towards increased productivity and agility.

Managed Technology has received its ISO 9001, demonstrating its commitment to customer expectations and delivery of customer service.

The certification evaluates whether a business’s Quality Management System (QMS) is appropriate and effective. During the assessment process, Managed Technology was able to have full visibility of how the whole business operated, with areas of improvement being easy to identify. By having these business functions assessed regularly, the likelihood of continuous improvement is more likely.
And the biggest upshot of such certification? The impact on the customer.

In an industry where the customer is always king, finding ways that will make them happier, and more likely to use your services, are invaluable. The ISO 9001 certification ensures that Managed Technology customers can be certain that they are receiving the best service and products that meet their requirements. This accreditation sits alongside Managed Technology’s attitude to customer solutions: the offering of a bespoke service that works best for you.

Receiving the accreditation has had a positive impact within Managed Technology itself. As well as the reassurance that customers are getting the best service possible, the ISO 9001 accreditation is a confirmation that Managed Technology are delivery consistent performance. This is down to the people behind the scenes, the people on the ground. This “reward” for their hard work leads to an increase in job satisfaction, improved morale which results in an improvement in business results. A happy workforce is a successful one.

The Directors were delighted upon hearing the news saying “It’s always good to be recognised for the hard work you’ve put in. To receive such a customer centric accreditation, which involves such a stringent set of requirements, is testimony to the amazing team that we have here. Our whole business revolves around customer delivery, and the ISO 9001 accreditation shows that what we are doing is the right way.”

In 2016 The Medway Youth Trust (MY Trust) put out their printing services contract for tender. The youth development organisation based in Kent were battling growing costs for servicing and machine rental and as a small charity they needed more…

Managed Technology were pleased to be awarded the contract through their ability to deliver cost savings but what seemed to set them apart from the incumbent providers as well as the competition was their approach to the job in hand.

“Nothing was too much trouble for them,” comments Simone Miles, CEO at The MY Trust. “They listened to the issues that we had with our current suppliers and took on correspondence while we looked to end the various contracts that were in place.”

Managed Technology won MYT’s trust with their levels of customer service and deep dive into the workings of the charity. The service provider looked at the current needs of the Trust as well as what was required in the future and created a bespoke offering for them. This was, and continues to be, reviewed periodically to ensure that MY Trust is getting the most out of its service.

Simone goes on to say: “Managed Tech have always been transparent, being honest with us and looking to provide the best deal for our needs. They work with other charities and understand the constraints that come with that. We trust their opinions and expertise and know that they have our best interests at heart and to us that is what makes them different to other suppliers.”

This Trust goes further than copier and printer services. Managed Technology has built a working relationship with the Trust, advising on IT issues and recommending contacts. This “added value” is something that Simone and her team truly deem significant.

“Managed Tech ticks a lot of boxes for us and have been excellent to work with. We are perfectly happy to be in a five-year contract with them.”

And as always, it is the small things that make a difference.
“One of the first things that Managed Technology did was make a donation to the MY Trust,” Simone says, “I think that says it all.”

There is often a feeling that there is no escaping a “bad” contract. You’ve made an agreement with another party and you are bound for the duration. Only then, can you look at other options. However, this isn’t necessarily true. A contract should be beneficial for both parties, and if the customer isn’t happy then they shouldn’t have to be locked in. This was the predicament that charity, Dogs for Good (formerly known as Dogs for the Disabled) faced with their photocopier and print contract. That was until Managed Technology got in touch.

Sarah Knight, Office Manager at Dogs for Good, knew that the contract that they were in was a bad one:

“We were ‘stuck’ in a six-year contract for our three photocopiers with a large UK company who were not only expensive, but also lacked any customer service skills.”

The contract was one that Sarah and her team inherited meaning that they had no real say in what was required. To make matters worse, the photocopier providers had been brought out by a larger company, where communication was worse than before and there was a sense it wasn’t going to get any better.

“We would get a new Account Manager every month or so,” Sarah continues. “In fact, at one point the Account Manager phoned a few months after first introducing himself, to introduce himself again, forgetting that we had already spoken! It was clear there was a lack of care for their customers from their side and we needed a change.”

Easier said than done. Despite this clear and obvious need for a new contract, none of the companies that approached the charity could release them from their current one, which still had two years to run. The team decided to ride out the contract and reconsider their options come 2018.

This was when Managed Tech came to the rescue.

Unlike all the other providers, Managed Technology drew up a proposal that meant that they could get Dogs for Good out of their pricey contract and move across to Managed Technology. After a couple of meetings, a “grilling from the team” and a concise proposal, the charity decided to sign a new contract with Managed Technology and the installation of three new photocopiers and a new printer. It was, as Sarah describes it, “seamless”.

What has also impressed Sarah and the team is that it wasn’t just those initial meetings that Managed Tech put the effort into but ever since 2016, the year the contract started, the provider has been on hand to communicate and to solve problems.

“You can actually phone up and speak to somebody,” Sarah explains. “We even got a direct line to Dominic! It was a real contrast to what we were used to and it’s massively time-saving which is priceless.”

And it is not just the time that is being saved. Dogs for Good is set to save £16,250.00 over the term of the contract, a significant amount for a charity that relies on donations, fundraising and volunteers. It costs £3m a year to run the charity, which supports people with a wide range of disabilities including physical disabilities, autism, dementia and learning disabilities through the help of specially trained dogs since its inception in 1988.

Thanks to Managed Technology, Dogs for Good won’t be chasing their own tails when it comes to print costs.

There’s been lots of news around the arrival of 5G technology, which is due to reach the UK in 2020. Claiming to be up to 100 times faster than the current 4G capability, and to have the ability to download a full HD movie in just 10 seconds, 5G promises to pave the way for a variety of innovative new technologies and services. But what does this mean for businesses?

Cloud Computing

The introduction of 5G will see huge changes to Cloud Computing. Functions currently only carried out on devices and machines will soon be able to be held in ‘the Cloud’. And with super-fast download speed, 5G will only make it easier for employees to work remotely, and in collaboration with other colleagues in different locations.

Virtual meetings

5G’s increased ability to handle high-resolution images, and its sub-millisecond latency, could see video conferences and meetings reaching new levels of impressive. In fact, some have noted the potential for holographic conference calls.

Remote working

5G promises a faster and more efficient delivery service, allowing for much quicker data transmission and communication between parties, meaning working remotely is sure to become easier than ever. As well as this, the service will be much wider and more reliable, making working from any location a much simpler task.

IoT

It has been estimated that by 2020, when 5G reaches the UK, there will be more than 20 billion connected devices across the world. 5G is sure to unlock the potential of IoT, meaning businesses can optimise their use of everything from appliances and lighting systems, to temperature control and wearables for staff, to keep connected. Utilising these outlets also means businesses can make themselves run more efficiently, and in turn, reduce costs.