CompTIA, the non-profit association for the information technology (IT) industry, announced the formation of a new member-driven community for the fast-growing market for managed print services.
The CompTIA Managed Print Services Community is one of several communities formed to advance specific technology solutions, markets and business segments vital to the continued growth and success of the IT industry. CompTIA also offers communities for cloud computing, healthcare IT, IT security, IT services and support, managed IT services, and for small business owners.
“These groups provide a forum to bring together leaders in specific technologies or markets to learn, network, address issues facing their business and create resources and best practices for others in the industry,” said Dan Liutikas, senior vice president, industry relations, CompTIA.
The chairman of the CompTIA Managed Print Services Community is Greg VanDeWalker, senior vice president, strategic relationships, GreatAmerica Leasing Corporation, a national commercial equipment finance company that works with manufacturers, vendors and dealers across the country.
“The managed print market is distinct from mainstream technology products and is considered a separate channel,” VanDeWalker said. “Selling managed print contracts is significantly different from selling other managed IT services. The physical nature of managed print and the specific challenges of maintaining print services, print devices and consumables are distinct needs that need to be addressed in the print community.”
The community’s early initiatives will include evaluation of the need for a managed print services organizational credential; and development of best practices and standards for the market.
Strong Growth Predicted for Managed Print
The managed print services market is among the fastest growing areas in the broader arena of managed IT services. One research firm, Photizo Group, estimates the global market for managed print will grow from to $20.3 billion in 2009 to $59.7 billion by 2013.
In an economic environment that’s still challenging, contracting with a solution provider to manage print services can be a cost-effective alternative to the traditional purchase and lease arrangements under which organizations historically have acquired office printers, copiers and multifunction devices. Organizations that switch to a managed print model have experienced savings of between 10 percent and 30 percent in their print-associated costs, according to industry estimates. Managed print also can contribute to an organization’s sustainability goals be reducing its print power consumption and print carbon footprint.
Managed print also is a viable option for organizations of all sizes. A 2010 CompTIA survey of small and mid-sized business found that their use of managed print will increase from 6 percent in 2008 to 17 percent this year.
In addition to its expertise with communities, CompTIA also plays a significant role in the managed print market through two print-related skills certifications. CompTIA PDI+ validates a technician’s competence in basic maintenance of printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines and other devices. CompTIA CDIA+ certifies expertise in the technologies and best practices used to plan, design, and specify a document imaging management system. Both certifications are widely used by many of the leading print technology manufacturers.
The CompTIA Managed Print Services Community will hold its inaugural Managed Print Services Summit Nov. 15-16, 2010 at CompTIA headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. For more information on this summit or to learn more about the Managed Print Services Community, contact CompTIA at communities@comptia.org.
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