Our annual CIO survey found that 26% of the respondents have already deployed 3D printing or are planning for 3D printing. Complicating the adoption of 3D printers by more organizations is the fact the price of enterprise-class devices ranges from $2,500 to over $2.5 million. Few companies will make significant investments without an acceptable ROI, which cannot be developed if 3D-printed pieces are not produced. Most manufacturing firms do not have the resources to own a variety of 3D printers of different technologies that may be occasionally used. For low-volume manufacturing and experimentation, 3D print service bureaus are an ideal solution for organizations that either cannot or do not want to be manufacturing. Indeed, these bureaus represent a new future for contract manufacturing. A practical alternative to making a significant investment is to engage with a 3D print service bureau.
Managed print services (MPS) is the term for a service offered by an external provider to take primary responsibility for an enterprise’s print infrastructure. MPS programs are designed to meet certain objectives, such as driving down costs, improving business efficiency, enabling digital transformation (including reducing reliance on print), or reducing environmental impacts. The core components of MPS include: 1) Thorough requirements assessment. 2) Optimization of new and existing hardware. 3)Provision of service, parts and supplies within defined service levels. 4) Active management and reporting on devices, utilization and other key performance indicators (KPIs). 4) User training and change management to support solution adoption. In addition to core services some add-on components have become popular: a) Print server consolidation or elimination and cloud solutions. b) Digitization and automation of previously paper-reliant workflows and integration with business systems (document and content management digital platforms). c) Security capabilities for print infrastructure, along with security consultancy services. d) Sustainability and green initiatives programs and services.
Gartner defines the outsourced digital workplace services market as the capabilities required of a provider to deliver consulting, implementation, or support services to end users of technology who utilize end-user devices or applications to conduct business. Services offered in the outsourced digital workplace services (ODWS) market include integrated and ubiquitous digital workplace (DW) services to employees to increase their engagement, productivity and digital dexterity in support of the organization’s digital business strategy.