The focus on AI and managed IT is using up a lot of bandwidth for software and equipment providers. Right now, most OEMs are working on a merger of AI and high-volume production printing and not on whether the intersection of AI and managed print meets the needs of office technology customers.
When you dig into this, what’s interesting is that vendors seem to be working this challenge from two sides. On one side, some are readying to roll-out a convergence of managed print and AI for production printing while not doing much at the office-technology level. So far, it’s hard to say if vendors are working at the front-end (server) level or elsewhere but a full integration for both market segments will come, perhaps sooner rather than later.
On the other side, one OEM paying attention in this space is Konica Minolta (KM) through its All Covered division. What’s interesting is the scope of the endeavor and the fact that AI allows KM and All Covered to take a bigger view than shared documents or basic device connectivity. I traded emails with Cody Walton, senior director for sales engagement at Konica Minolta, who told me, “The journey is still in its early stages but managed print is becoming inseparable from managed IT.” It turn, managed print is becoming joined at the hip with AI but perhaps not as you might expect. Walton said print devices and copiers are recognized as critical endpoints within an organization’s IT ecosystem. Like laptops, servers, and mobile devices, they have to be managed for security and efficiency. Big picture, this can mean that AI and managed print can potentially be configured to provide endpoint protection. More on this in a moment.
Building a Bridge
Software is an essential part of the mix, so I reached out to DocuWare, which specializes in software for office technology. I connected with vice president of channel sales, Mike Gale. He noted that, “AI is becoming the bridge between managed IT and managed print, making both smarter and more efficient.” So far, AI can predict maintenance needs and optimize print usage. This all follows Konica Minolta’s thinking. But AI can also enhance security at the device level.
Managed print has a close connection to how computers are used to create and store documents. Jon Evans, chief of AI at mega dealer Impact Networking headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, noted that, “One of the movements we’ve had in growing our IT business alongside the things we do in the managed print space involved things around software and networks.”
Beyond Printing
At a very basic level AI and managed print could be as simple as routing jobs to printers, a glorified spelling and grammar checker, or a tool that reads a draft, adds relevant content and presents a new version of a business plan, legal treatise, or report. This enables less-skilled people to draft, edit, and produce documents, a worthwhile basic AI capability, given the marginal reading and writing skills of some recent graduates. But the convergence of managed print and AI could add substantially greater value.
Endpoint protection for instance, an often-overlooked part of digital security, is not trivial. A skilled hacker can access a company’s files through an unprotected endpoint—such as a networked printer or digital door lock. The combination of AI and managed print will soon make it easier to ensure endpoints are secure, providing an immeasurable value for customers. Depending on the configuration used, protection could be automatic for all endpoints, making all of a customer’s printing and information secure because the print server communicates with the managed print, AI, and managed IT. This can be part of the AI offering your dealership provides.
Envision a law firm where you have placed multiple devices. Your sales reps have pointed out the risks of outside intrusion presented by network endpoints—such as printers— and that concern has worked its way up to the managing partner, who has realized a VPN may not be enough. So, you offered up managed print enhanced by AI and fired it up while citing the security advantages.
Shortly after being turned on, managed print, enhanced by AI, sent a message to the managing partner at the firm: “AI and managed print have secured endpoints to help prevent unwanted intrusion through 41 MFPs, 7 computers, 4 laser printers, 6 copiers, 37 laptops, 29 tablets, 123 cellular phones,, and 12 scanners, as well as 4 door locks and 8 hallway cameras. AI and managed print will automatically check your network twice a day and alert you whenever a new device attempts to accesses your network, ensuring devices and files in your network remain secure.”
While some of these capabilities can already be done by on-site or remote device monitoring, AI and managed print automate the process, raise the level of sophistication, and makes security more effective.
Implementation of AI and managed print are not at this stage yet but it’s coming, perhaps in as little as 18 months. Dealers need to be ready because it’s important to understand what’s happening and its impact on customers. While smaller customers may not care or be oblivious to the changes, bigger ones may already be asking about security beyond what they have. The example given here is a law firm but imagine offering such intrusion prevention to schools, towns, accounting firms, engineering businesses, and more. All possess varying levels of proprietary information you may be able to protect it with managed print and AI.
AI Is Not IT
AI and managed print are rising in importance but you don’t need to become an AI expert to implement the coming changes. While your equipment and software providers will supply most of the answers you should not rely on your IT team because AI is not really an IT issue. A variety of print business owners from across the US have told me that some of the best people to lead AI solutions are those that can solve problems and look at AI as a resource or tool for doing so. In short, you need people who think of AI as a vast and evolving information source that can be used to address a variety of issues. Managed print is one of them.
This presents an emerging field in which your dealership can become a valuable local resource. But don’t wait. Your customers are already using AI and may be coming to you with questions. It’s better to learn some answers now, be an early adopter, and deal with some challenges than to have a competitor eat your lunch.
