What the Partnership Between HP and Xerox Means for Office Technology Solutions

Every industry has its surprises, but a few witnessed a pair of longstanding rivals suddenly become partners. In June 2019, HP and Xerox surprised the office technology industry with an unexpected partnership. Widely described as a game-changer in industry news, the deal is designed to open up a new range of growth opportunities for both print technology leaders while delivering enhanced technology solutions to its customers. For Smile’s HP customers, there are some key elements to consider.

This new partnership means an increased array of offerings for customers using both HP and Xerox technology. Here’s an overview of this new and interesting partnership, and what it means for organizations seeking office technology solutions.

An Overview of the Deal

At the core, the partnership between these two printing technology giants leverages the strengths of each to access different markets and opportunities for growth. Both Xerox and HP will utilize each other’s leading-edge hardware and software. Xerox will:

Source certain A4 and entry-level A3 printers from HP, particularly for its strategically important AltaLink and VersaLink printers. These printers would retain Xerox branding, but be officially running HP engines.
Provide toner for these devices to HP.
Give HP access to DocuShare Flex, a cloud content management solution, and ConnectKey, a workflow solutions and device integration software.

In other words, Xerox will trade its software for access to HP’s hardware. In return, HP will:

Give Xerox access to its Device-as-a-Service program, known as the HP Partner First Program.
Make Xerox an authorized reseller of HP PCs, displays, and other electronics. Without a doubt, this surprise partnership will change the office print business as it’s currently known. Although further details haven’t been released, these few early terms shed light onto some of the effects which might occur. Read on to learn more about what this deal means for office technology, and what to expect.

On its surface, the deal is designed to take advantage of the best elements of each company to augment the value that each respective brand brings to its customers. HP gains a significant advantage with its newly gained access to ConnectKey, as it has struggled over the years to develop a rival software solution. Likewise, HP’s extensive line of hardware creates new market opportunities for Xerox to explore in its focus on developing yet more innovative office technology.

Without a doubt, this surprise partnership will change the office print business as it’s currently know. Although further details haven’t been released, these few early terms shed light onto some of the effects which might occur. Read on to learn more about what this deal means for office technology, and what to expect.

An Emphasis on Integration and Apps

Both companies have long been committed to developing productivity solutions aimed at improving workflow process efficiency. However, it is Xerox’s ConnectKey technology which largely took over the printing industry as the definitive workflow integration software. Although Xerox had created ConnectKey to be compatible with other brands, not all HP printers were capable of running ConnectKey. That will now change .

Likewise, HP is also bringing its own apps to the partnership. Under this deal, Xerox will also gain access to HP’s TechPulse, a software developed for proactive monitoring and issue detection in devices. In other words, users will gain the ability to not only fully integrate their workflow processes, but also a means to monitor the devices supporting their workflow at all times.

Together, this partnership means that HP customers will gain access to more tools designed to increase workflow and integration. For the workflow solutions industry, it means greater flexibility in the solutions which providers can offer.

Device-As-a-Service Is Becoming the Norm

Device-as-a-Service, or DaaS, is a new business model which combines hardware and software services in a single contract. It’s been identified by the IDC as one of the fastest accelerating innovations in IT. Its survey in late 2018 indicated that some 40 percent of companies engaged in or were planning to leverage DaaS. If you’re interested in starting a DaaS company, you may need to use a hardware inventory planning software to help you manage all of your equipment and devices. See here now to learn more about hardware inventory management software.

The HP-Xerox partnership will help DaaS become the norm across the imaging industry. For example, under the partnership, HP customers will be able to purchase a printer which comes already loaded with ConnectKey, TechPulse, and other necessary tools – rather than having to purchase each separately. Likewise, Xerox customers may soon be able to purchase or lease HP office tablets pre-loaded with ConnectKey or other print environment apps.

DaaS is one strategy which companies are taking to get into the hands of customers exactly – and only – what they want. Unlike buying each component and software separately, DaaS allows a more holistic solution that encompasses the lifecycle of the device and its associated processes from end to end. For Xerox customers, this means access to more devices that better integrate with the office workflow while HP customers will enjoy the ability to introduce more integration into their current devices.

Get Ready for More Options from the Xerox-HP Partnership

The surprise partnership between HP and Xerox will ultimately mean more options and capabilities for customers. The first results of this partnership will appear on the market during the second half of 2019. As a provider of HP hardware solutions, Smile is excited to work with customers to take advantage of these new options in the near future.

Whether you work with Xerox or HP technology, Smile can help you overcome your productivity challenges. Contact us today to learn more.

Need to Update Hardware for the New School Year? A Managed Print Assessment Can Help

Every student knows that printing is a massive part of the school experience. Whether it’s rushing to print off an essay you got from an essay writing service reddit five minutes before class or mailing out thousands of school letters or reports, a campus often has a more demanding print environment than many businesses do. That makes it a priority to keep the printers in top shape at all times, upgrading and refreshing the print environment as necessary. To help with this, many schools opt for an assessment from a managed print service provider.

The slower summer term is perfect for upgrading and refining the print environment of a campus ahead of the fall when the students return in force. August is here, leaving just two short months before the fall rush. Thinking about getting a managed print assessment done on a school printing environment? The time to do it is now.

How a Managed Print Assessment Helps a School

Schools need printers both for academic and administrative uses, making their printing demands more vigorous than many offices. With more people using the printers constantly, things like efficiency and security take on new levels of importance. A managed print assessment is a valuable investment for schools because it can help identify areas for improvement and optimization. In particular, schools can:

1. Identify and eliminate weak spots in security.

Printers have long been identified as a weak spot in office security. However, in schools, they take on a new level of security risk due to the sheer volume of material passing across them each day. Likewise, hackers choose to target schools because they know it’s difficult to stay on top of the amount of data these institutions handle.

Therefore, a managed print assessment will identify areas in the print environment where weak spots exist. Schools will work with experts to develop a strategy which eliminates these weak spots, helping the institution to stay proactive with security.

2. Take advantage of workflow tools.

Like a business office, schools benefit from workflow solutions. Whether it’s helping students print their essays faster or making sure that staff always have access to the printing capabilities they need, workflow tools help a campus make the most out of its print environment. A managed print assessment looks at not simply the devices used, but also the processes which these devices support.

3. Emphasize efficiency with high-speed devices.

It may be tempting to buy a printer for life, but older devices hinder efficiency and productivity. In contrast, multifunction printers, with their ability to do everything, have long been a staple in enterprise offices. Schools, too, can take advantage of this technology. High-speed devices are quintessential for keeping up with the constant tide of papers which the average campus prints. A managed print assessment can help identify areas where devices such as MFPs may help improve the efficiency of a print environment.

4. Redeploy existing devices strategically.

Having the right printers for the job is only half of the strategy for achieving an optimized print environment. These devices also need to be deployed physically to foster an optimum workflow. Therefore, before buying new printers to handle the increased printing demand, get a managed print assessment done. It can help a school with the layout of its physical printers to ensure the best accessibility, visibility, and efficiency – and potentially avoid yet another purchase.

5. Leverage dealer expertise.

Schools have a lot to think about when it comes to technology, and the vast array of printers available on the market may make the selection stressful. However, a dealer such as Smile can pinpoint the specific needs of a print environment, the guide the organization towards the choices which best serve its needs. Leveraging the expertise of a dealer streamlines the purchasing process for new printers,. saving time and money.

6. Rethink paper usage.

Like businesses, educational institutions also look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and adopt greener practices. A managed print assessment assists with such initiatives by shedding much-needed light on the print environment. In addition to identifying processes and areas for improvement, these assessments often identify where it’s possible to reduce waste by eliminating unnecessary printing.

Avoid the Rush: Think Ahead About Printers

When it comes to what to do with the printers, it’s a heated debate between repair versus replace. Printers are the backbone of campuses as much as they are in offices – they need to be optimized, updated, and periodically replaced. The summer term is the best time of the year to think about improving a campus’ printing environment with a managed print assessment.

Technologically savvy students increasingly demand an environment that matches their digital literacy. A well-functioning print environment is one way to meet that expectation and support them in their studies.

Smile specializes in workflow solutions for educational institutions. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

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