62% of MENA organisations do not measure printing costs, says Canon study

Despite 76% of MENA organisations saying printing or copying documents is “essential” or “very important” to them, 62 % of them do not measure print costs efficiently, with the print cost measurement undertaken by organisations being ‘typically basic and informal’. This was revealed as part of Canon’s Office Insights 2016 report which aims to highlight the impact of document handling technology in high-growth markets across Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.

The in-depth analysis of 1,000 business decision-makers and end-users in 10 key countries revealed that most businesses expect to spend more on printing, yet make little effort to actively track that spend or manage it in an efficient and profitable manner. Managed print services (MPS), which basically refers to services offered by an external provider to optimize or manage a company's document output, is not extensively used in these markets, but there is an appetite and decision makers are considering it. 26% currently use a third party MPS solution and 28% of decision makers say they are considering MPS.

"It's clear that businesses will need support and guidance to make the right calls on which technology will fit their requirements cost effectively and deliver tangible improvements to workflows. The lack of awareness is a barrier, but once this has been overcome the discourse is open and the opportunities will follow” said Shadi Bakhour, B2B Business Unit Director, Canon Middle East.

“There is a real opportunity to educate businesses around the actual cost of printing and the efficiencies that can be drawn from tracking and managing print costs.” added Bakhour.

Canon’s Office Insights 2016 report studies information management and technology’s role in how it is managed. The study leverages findings from business decision-makers and end-users across Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa.