Print.IT Reseller - issue 80

PRINTITRESELLER.UK 43 VOX POP Rather than providing a purely transactional opportunity, an increasing number of employers will want these products wrapped up into managed service bundles that will enable them to extend their responsibilities in to the home... continued... Sam Elphick, Sales Director, Lex Business Equipment: “Definitely. During the first lockdown we reached out to our MPS customers to offer a consultative approach to solve their issues regarding at home printing. “Some were able to take advantage of cloud solutions and other applications which allow for printing from home – to the office, where if it was to be posted out etc., post room staff could then organise. However for those employees who needed an at home print, scan and copy solution – we provided Lexmark A4 devices, which are low cost and a small footprint too. Our customers appreciated our ability to add these to their MPS agreements and we offered the same level of service.” Mike Mulholland, Head of Services and Solutions, Brother UK: “The hybrid workforce, where companies will create a fluid employment model with colleagues working at home, in offices and in co-working spaces, will provide new opportunities for vendors and partners to work together to meet the transformation in how businesses operate. “Homeworking will become a permanent fixture for many and rather than sitting at the kitchen table, people will want more comfortable and sophisticated workspaces, creating greater demand for business grade printers, second and third monitors, ergonomic laptop risers, supportive chairs, microphones and more. “And rather than providing a purely transactional opportunity, an increasing number of employers will want these products wrapped up into managed service bundles that will enable them to extend their responsibilities in to the home for not just technology, but for security and health and wellbeing.” Martin Roberts, Managing Director, Neuways: “In terms of ensuring technology is fit for purpose at home in the long-term, there is work to be done. While we have navigated the transition to remote working successfully, the gathering of technology together to enable it was a bit of a rush for many businesses. “One thing a business needs to implement quickly is the flexibility to move from remote working to the office, with a focus on using devices that enable this. Compact devices are important for travel and for taking up less space when you’re working from home. Laptops can obviously do this, but the key is for everything to link together. “If we’re not careful, cyber security can be neglected. With more people remote working, there’s a greater opportunity for people to sit outside of the corporate IT security fence, for example, if they’re not using company VPNs or do work on their personal devices. As a business, we use Microsoft 365 applications to ensure everything is backed up and seamlessly linked – it helps make things easier for our employees to stay productive.” Steve Holmes, EMEA Regional Director, PaperCut: “It is not just an opportunity, but it is essential to the recovery of the economy that the channel works with organisations to help provide staff with the equipment and solutions they need to facilitate hybrid working, as many businesses will offer their staff the options of working from the office and/or working from home. “Prior to COVID-19, the hybrid working model was slow to take off – despite its recognised benefits – hindered as much by mind-set as it was by technology. But the pandemic has fast-tracked the hybrid movement, and finally it is going to be the norm for millions of formerly office-bound employees. Given the environmental and productivity benefits it delivers, it’s right that the rush to embrace hybrid working is being accelerated, but a large part of its success will hinge on the solutions offered to staff being fit for purpose. That means the channel advising customers on solutions and services that deliver enterprise-grade performance, productivity, security and resilience, rather than interim or ‘make do’ solutions.” Steve Holmes