Is It Workflow? Or Is It Just a Tool?

DOTC, 2013

Tool: 

“something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession.” – Merriam-Webster. 

Back in the good ol’ days, before MpS, a few smart folks started referring to scanning as the on-ramp to document management. Not a bad way to look at it, and not a bad way to turn an ancillary tool into more than what it is – that's called marketing. It’s akin to selling copiers as “document management engines,” when all they really do is put marks on paper. It’s selling an idea, not the machine. 

Today the new dimension in managed print services – workflow – is undergoing the same marketing treatment. As the rush toward this niche intensifies, intrepid voyagers be aware: 

There is a difference between workflow tools and workflow. I'm not belittling the attempt to get involved in this business or suggesting some sort of “workflow” purity. I bring this up because, unlike managed print services, your prospects and clients have an understanding of workflow and what to expect. They may not formally label it as workflow, but they will recognize the benefits of making a change in the way things have always been done.

If you present scanning software as a workflow solution, you'll end up disappointing everybody, and two years from now, we'll be reading articles about the “false promises of workflow.” It is important to know the difference between a tool and a philosophy, between a pitch and an idea. 

To illustrate further, let’s take a look at some examples: 

New to Copier Sales – Use Local Events to Share Your Expertise

We used to call them “networking groups.” Local Chambers of Commerce and small business groups would put together an after-hours event, inviting local businesses to connect with each other and prospects. They met once a month and ended up being full of real estate agents and insurance salespeople handing out business cards and trading stories over drinks. It seems almost old school, but I think these types of get-togethers are more important now than pre-COVID. 

But there is a difference and I’m suggesting you take advantage of the subtle shift in connecting with prospects. Hosting a small group in a casual, off-site meeting over coffee or adult beverages is a great venue for high-quality meetings.

This is not a huge production, so there’s no need for big planning meetings or marketing pieces. You’re just Jane/John getting together for an informal chat with peers.

You can host these small gatherings.  It’s easy when you consider the following:

Read the article here.

Managed Print Services is an Opportunity. Always has been...

Ray is okay.  

But he beats up on anyone who is not one of his sponsors.  He criticizes everyone from HP to the MPSA.  HP is an easy target but the MPSA is a non-profit all-volunteer organization.  He specializes in targeting people who do not pay to be part of his cabal. Indeed, one of his current companions fell victim to his vitriol until they paid and joined his clan.

He is opinionated and not afraid to say what is on his mind a quality I typically admire.

This time Ray is pouncing on a person promoting managed print services as an opportunity.  I don't know why Ray hates managed print services, but he does.  Defining managed print services as only toner and services is short-sighted - that's how Ray sees MpS.

I won't link to the original, you can find it on your own.

Below is my response, for whatever it's worth.

###

Okay, Ray 

- people think of you as a troll, because you act like one. 

Take it from a guy who owns "The Death of The Copier" inside the copier industry. In the early days of DOTC, I was vilified for even mentioning MpS because it "took away" volumes by reducing the number of images generated. This is true, but I was not referred to as a troll - "pain in the ass", yes.  Bully, no.

Unfortunately for you, your tone and word choice come across, at times, as boorish. Like a bully, or curmudgeon. This garbles your overall message which at times is relevant - but this is not one of those times.

Your argument against MpS representing opportunity is incorrect - but so too is the viewpoint you demean.

There is an opportunity with MpS when defined as more than toner and supplies. MpS is BPO, it is IT, it is ITAM, it is IoT and it is and always was a bridge into the MS realm.

“Managed print services is the active management and

optimization of business processes related to documents and

information including input and output devices.” - MPSA

Unattainable panacea? It would appear so, but MpS is not dead(to my surprise), just ask our friends at Lexmark and Sharp.