Still confused about MPS?

Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 March 2011 07:55 Written by Jake Chaney Wednesday, 30 March 2011 07:41

MPS is such a new term in the office industry that most people are still unsure about what exactly an MPS program is and whether or not it could be beneficial for them to pursue the opportunity.  Below we have listed our exclusive process on how we can determine if an MPS program is right for your organization.

Process that WJ Office Uses for MPS

1. 1.  Meeting with the decision makers (normally more than one individual). This normally consists of the person in charge of finance (CFO, Owner, etc.) and someone involved with the IT function (CIO, IT Director, General Operations Manager) to explain exactly what Print Management entails.
   2.           a)It is not an equipment sale.
   3.           b)It IS a fact-finding process designed to uncover the actual costs of putting toner on paper (based upon a per page calculation) that laser printers are making.
   5. 2)  Load the Data Collection Agent on to the server of the customer & perform initial meter reading.
      2.           a)  This identifies the IP address, the model number, serial number, and print totals
      3.           b)  Do a physical inventory and print configuration page for each printer

                          i.      We find locally attached printers

                         ii.      We see which users are close to a copier

                        iii.      We find out special needs of the users

1. 3)  Request that the customer calculate costs from old invoices or usage reports.
   1.            a)  Dollars spent on toners
   2.            b)  Dollars spent on service, maintenance kits, and new printers
   4. 4)  Look at the supply closet to see print cartridges in stock currently
      1.            a)  Identify investment dollars that are tied up in supplies
      2.            b)  Identify any cartridges that are obsolete, expired, or that the printer associated with that cartridge is no longer being used
      4. 5)  Perform second meter reading.
      6. 6)  Create a proposal with our findings
      8. 7)  Determine whether it is beneficial to move forward with an MPS program.
         1.             a)  Are there sufficient savings in “hard dollars?”
         2.             b)  Are the “soft costs” of IT time and opportunity costs sufficient to merit a change?
      10. These steps get the relationship started into Phase One of our Managed Print Services program. From here we begin the consultative relationship that involves quarterly meetings in which data is presented, recommendations regarding other ways to reduce costs and extend the life of the equipment are evaluated. Over the contract period, information will be presented regarding the prints, printers, and we collaborate with feedback from the customer and give recommendations on ways that workflow might be improved, assets better deployed, and costs can be better contained.

Buy Local

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 10:28 Written by Jake Chaney Tuesday, 15 February 2011 10:24

Survey Finds "Buy Local" Message Benefitting Independent Businesses

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Jan. 26, 2011) – For the fourth year in a row, a national survey of independent businesses has found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign have experienced markedly stronger revenue growth compared to those located in areas without such a campaign.

The survey, which was conducted over an 8-day period in January, gathered data from 2,768 independent businesses, including retailers, service providers, restaurants and others.  It found that those in places with a "buy local" initiative reported revenue growth of 5.6% on average in 2010, compared to 2.1% for those elsewhere.  

Among independent retailers, which accounted for nearly half the respondents, there was a similar gap in holiday sales performance, with those in "buy local" communities seeing a 5.2% increase in holiday sales, while those elsewhere reported an average gain of 0.8%.   

"Buy local" campaigns run by Independent Business Alliances and Local First groups are now underway in about 140 cities nationwide.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents said that public awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned businesses had increased in the last year, while 24% said it had stayed the same and only 3% said it had decreased.

Business owners in cities with active "buy local" campaigns reported a wide range of positive impacts on their business.   Almost half reported that the campaign had brought new customers to their business and 55% said it had made existing customers more loyal.  More than two-thirds said local media coverage of independent businesses had increased and 51% said that local government officials were now more aware and supportive of the needs of independent businesses.

Comments from survey participants highlighted key challenges facing independent businesses, including the weak economy and government policies that often favor their large competitors. Yet businesses active in "buy local" initiatives repeatedly cited these efforts as making a difference in their survival and success. "It is abundantly clear to me that a greater percentage of the public is attuned to the value of supporting local independents compared to just a couple years ago," noted one Arizona business owner.

The survey was conducted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit research and educational organization, in partnership with dozens of national and local business organizations, including the American Booksellers Association, Alliance of Independent Media Stores, American Independent Business Alliance, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, National Bicycle Dealers Association, and TriMega Purchasing Association.  

Complete results may be downloaded here: http://www.newrules.org/sites/newrules.org/files/2011-ind-business-survey.pdf

Before and After

Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 February 2011 10:56 Written by Jake Chaney Wednesday, 02 February 2011 10:53

[Paul Corkery]  Due to not having worked in the Office supplies industry in any capacity before joining the WJ Office team in September 2010, I was not entirely sure how the business worked and therefore was a self confessed novice on a lot of industry specific terminology, along with industry practices in general.

I am extremely lucky to have such excellent people around me to answer all of my continuous questions and educate me to the various practices / procedures in this wonderful business. One very incorrect assumption I had about this business before joining it, is that I was under the impression that Office supply sales and customer service would quickly become monotonous and I feared that daily routines would become so carbon copied from one day to the next. However, that was a major incorrect assumption on my behalf as I am fully aware now that this business does not remain stagnant nor have the same daily routines or the same procedures. Having worked in the Insurance Industry for many years, I was quite used to working in a dynamic, fast paced and ever changing environment and I quickly realized shortly after joining WJ Office, that this Industry was no different and had the same, if not more, of interesting daily challenges to conquer and something new to learn about every single day. The Office supply business is a very stimulating and rewarding Industry and I am delighted that I find myself to be a part of it.

Blog - Nate

Last Updated on Thursday, 30 December 2010 09:17 Written by Jake Chaney Thursday, 30 December 2010 09:13

[Nathan Chaney}  Throughout the last 10 years in the office products industry I have seen both sides of the distribution channel.  I worked for Office Depot and now for the independent channel in WJ Office.  Both have strengths and weaknesses.  I favored the independent not only for how the staff was treated but also the products being sold.  The independent channel is inherently “customer focused” because that is the life-blood of the organization.  Office Depot was more “stockholder driven” and there is a big difference between those.

 
The biggest difference is the type of furniture being sold. Furniture for home use has a different level of construction than furniture for the office.  Almost everyone you meet with, would not debate you on this but do we know what exactly is different?  First of all, desk construction from the “Big Box” channel is made up of LDF (Low Density Fiberboard) coated in a Melamine (which is the same thickness as a sheet of copy paper) and is fastened with a cam-lock system.  Cam-lock’s are a good way to construct office furniture but the difference is the connection.  

Commercial furniture has a metal-to-metal connection which allows for the end user to move it multiple times  as well as longer term durability.  This is reflected in the warranty (WJ does not have a manufacturer under 10 years on desks).  The commercial desks are also constructed of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) to hold shape, add weight and can take a screw.  MDF is more dense than solid wood.  This is why drawers do not warp and why your desk surface stays level even after you have moved the unit a couple of times.  The MDF is in turn fused with a HPL (High Pressure Laminate) which is ¼ “ thick and has better impact resistance (i.e. Drop tested) than a solid surface.   All commercial furniture is tested by an independent rating agency (BIFMA) in which it has to pass certain standards to qualify as Contract Furniture (a.k.a. Commercial).

There is also a social consequence of purchasing furniture.  Most all of the furniture from an independent dealer is made to order, which means it is not sitting in a warehouse waiting to be shipped.  Also, the lead times are roughly 4-6 weeks, but the product is made in the U.S. and North America.  To me, this is the most important aspect.  Most of the big box furniture is made overseas and made to different quality standards.  This is purely for stockholder interest and to increase margins.  Ever wonder WHY the furniture you see on their shelves is so cheap?  Now you know.

Both types of furniture have a place in this market.  When you decide to buy, just make sure you know what type is best for you.

Nate Chaney

WJ Office - Furniture