Managed Print Services, 2024
How MPS is supporting workplace transformation
The Managed Print Services Market Landscape
Excerpt report: HP
September 2024
Quocirca MPS Vendor Landscape, 2024
September 2024
Executive summary
In today's hybrid work environment, managed print services (MPS) remain a key enabler for driving efficiency,
improving security, lowering environmental impact, and enhancing workflow automation. As organisations embrace AI, cloud technology and accelerate their digitisation initiatives, MPS suppliers must deepen their expertise in adjacent technology areas to support the broader transformation that MPS can deliver. This includes document workflow automation, AI-enabled analytics, and intelligent document processing (IDP), which can all improve business outcomes from traditional MPS engagements.
Quocirca's MPS 2024 study reveals that cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing are top technology investments.
With hybrid work now embedded into the workplace, there is a growing need for MPS suppliers to deliver effective workplace technology for hybrid work environments, ensuring security while not impacting user productivity. Meanwhile, organisations are planning technology refreshes to embrace AI-powered PCs. This is set to drive significant opportunities for MPS providers to offer more advanced services. Quocirca's research shows that 95% of companies plan to refresh their technology to embrace AI-enabled PCs in the next year, and
73% of those planning to refresh their PCs say they will also refresh their printer fleet at the same time.
While leading MPS providers already leverage AI for predictive maintenance and support, they can also use it to offer advanced analytics to improve device optimisation, identify opportunities for digitisation, and help secure devices and documents.
In terms of top drivers for MPS, lowering environmental impact (average score of 4.45 out of 5); improving security (average score of 4.22) and service quality (4.16) are top drivers). However, MPS is underperforming when it comes to rating the effectiveness of MPS for lowering environmental impact, receiving an average score of 3.9. Security also underperforms (3.98) and, notably, reduced cost (3,88).
Nevertheless, overall satisfaction rates with MPS providers are relatively positive. Overall, 48% of organisations are very satisfied and 44% quite satisfied with their MPS provider. Midmarket organisations are most satisfied
(57%) and organisations in the US (52%). Just over a quarter (26%) say that they definitely plan to change provider at the end of their contract, with 39% saying that they will potentially change provider.
The commoditisation of MPS services is a growing challenge for providers. With the core services available across many suppliers, customers face an increasing number of options, leading to lower loyalty. As competition in the
MPS sector intensifies, customers expect higher levels of service and support. Ultimately, MPS providers that fail to deliver exceptional customer experiences risk losing clients. Proactive support is key, with customers valuing this over reactive support. Also, with cybersecurity front of mind for many organisations, customers prioritise security and compliance. MPS providers with weak security measures or outdated compliance practices risk losing customers.
Quocirca's research also reveals that the top selection criteria for MPS providers are IT expertise (42%),
cybersecurity expertise (33%), and workflow automation expertise (31%). To support digital transformation,
customers are increasingly adopting new technologies. MPS providers that fail to adapt and offer relevant services may become obsolete. Equally, the rise of AI and automation is changing the MSP landscape. Providers that do not leverage these technologies to improve efficiency and service delivery may fall behind.
To mitigate these risks, MPS providers must build strong customer relationships, differentiate their services, and
