The Copier Buyer Challenge

The following factors tend to limit the ability of the organization's procurement team to maximize its document-related investments:

--Gathering accurate volume and spend histories from multiple internal departments and locations, some of which utilize various equipment suppliers

--Applying a single network administration utility and a single print driver across all brands of equipment

--Staying on top of key industry trends without relying on the information supplied by seller's agents

--Finding enough time to meet with each vendor in order to provide a fair and level playing field to all

--Keeping control of print jobs going to outside vendors

--Dealing with problems posed by the age and limitations of current equipment

--Gaining MIS/IT involvement in the effort to connect digital copiers

--The lack of unadulterated insider industry knowledge

--Reducing the confusion stemming from non-coterminous lease expiration dates

--Reconciling monthly invoices on every unit in the fleet

--Perhaps fundamentally changing the acquisition strategy from the traditional outright purchase or straight lease to a cost-per-impression format

--Maintaining a channel of communication with a representative sampling of users

--Getting accurate service reports from vendors

--Providing users with freedom of choice but balancing the overall best interests of the organization