[Lexmark News Blog] Records and Information Management: Not just for destruction and defense anymore

Stephanie Eaton. senior solution manager for information governance at Perceptive Software, a Lexmark company, recently wrote an article on Perceptive’s InContext blog about records and information management (RIM) that discusses what happens as companies broaden their understanding of what RIM actually means as electronic information grows.

While organizations are far from getting rid of all their paper, many are making a conscious effort to do more electronically, which means they are producing even more data than ever before. An analyst report titled “IDC Predictions 2013: Competing on the 3rd Platform” estimates that “The ‘digital universe’ —the total of all digital data created (and replicated)—will reach 4ZB in 2013, almost 50 percent more than 2012 volumes, and nearly a quadrupling of 2010 volumes.”

Click here to read the rest of the article on InContext.

[Lexmark News Blog] What is the ideal life span for your devices?

We’re sharing some of our most popular blog posts from the past year. “What is the ideal life span for your devices?” was originally published in February of 2013.

Historically, businesses have purchased printers and used them until they expire, which can take 10 years or more in some cases (we know some of you still have Optra S devices from 1997 out there!). Yet, these same businesses are leasing other output devices, such as copiers and fax machines, and replacing them every three years. Why is there such a big difference in life-cycle strategy for such similar technologies?

Is it because copiers are thought to be inherently less reliable and require replacement much more frequently?  Traditional copiers may have been less reliable, but the migration to digital printing engines brings them into a class that is much closer to printers, simply with added scanning mechanics on top. For example, Lexmark’s multifunction printers (MFPs), which can be used as digital copiers, are built upon the same reliable engines as our award-winning printers. So, the reliability of the mechanics in the MFP is similar to the printers, which may be used for many years. With that in mind, the recommended life span should be similar between MFPs and printers.

Several years ago, Lexmark engaged in a study with a large corporation to determine how often it should replace its printers. As a high volume user, we looked at its increasing device failure rates due to heavy use and wearing mechanics, as compared to the expected increased reliability of new devices, enabled by both new parts and more reliable designs.  We also looked at the soft costs of user interactions created by device failures, and the impact of lower consumables costs from new, higher yield cartridges.

What we found was that the financial tipping point, when it made sense to replace the company’s  printers and MFPs, was around 48 months. If it had been running lower volumes, the life-cycle recommendation would have been closer to 60 months. In short, the study showed that it made sense to replace the printers more often than what’s typical in the market, but less often than what is typical in the market for MFPs.

Approximately two thirds of requests for proposals with MFPs are only for a 36-month term. If not for reasons of reliability, why would these more expensive devices need to be replaced this often?  In an economic environment where businesses are squeezing more and more costs out of their operations, it would seem that extending contractual life cycles to 48 or 60 months would make financial sense, as it would spread the cost of the device over a longer period of time.

Extending leases over longer terms could have multiple benefits, including:

• Reducing monthly depreciation expenses
• Expanding the functional life of the devices
• Reducing transition management costs (soliciting, evaluating, purchasing, installing, training and old device disposal) and general business disruption with users
• Lessening environmental impact through extension of the functional life of equipment
• Lessening  “churn” for associated technologies, such as workflow systems, which leverage the imaging capabilities of MFP devices

It’s understood that shorter-term leases might receive different financial treatment than longer-term leases- as an operation lease versus a capital lease. However, it’s still interesting that similar device types based upon the same technologies are acquired in different ways –  purchased printers versus leased copiers. Why not lease printers as well… or purchase the copiers like printers, now that distributed MFPs are available and affordable?  These are questions that should be asked as part of building a comprehensive output management strategy.

So how long does your business expect to keep your output devices? Why? Furthermore, given the convergence of technologies, are your acquisition methods for printers versus MFPs also converging as well (are you looking to more printer leases, or more MFP purchases)? 

Please engage the conversation share your thoughts below.

This article was submitted by Scott Hill, Operations Consultant, Lexmark Global Services and member of the LexmarkNews Blog Editorial Board.

[Lexmark News Blog] Print security: how it can help your business

Channel Pro UK recently posted a great opinion piece on print security and how it can help your business that we wanted to share.

The piece discusses why companies should be looking beyond protecting hard copy documents and focus on securing their network.

“It’s time to address the growing need for security and control in the workplace. The stakes are high – if a business chooses to ignore risks associated with accessible information, the impact can be more than just a short-term loss in profits. In the long-term, businesses can harm their market competitiveness and brand credibility, and erode customer loyalty.”

Read the full article here.

[Lexmark News Blog] Perceptive Software Positioned in Leaders Quadrant of Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Content Management

Lexmark’s Perceptive Softwareannounced yesterday that it has been positioned byGartner, Inc. in the Leaders Quadrant for enterprise content management (ECM) solutions, 2013. Gartner evaluated 23 vendors in their most recent iteration of the annual Magic Quadrant for ECM.

Perceptive Software continues to show double-digit market growth, both organically and via acquisitions. Perceptive Software’s technology platform spans content management, process management, intelligent capture and enterprise search that, both separately and together, bridge the gap between enterprise applications and the processes and information those systems don’t manage.

“We are very pleased to be recognized by Gartner as a leader in the ECM market and appreciate the confidence our customers have placed in us over the years,” said Henry Worcester, director of analyst relations for Perceptive Software. “The consistent value our customers have achieved with our enterprise content management solutions makes our success possible.”

“Bridging the gap between our customers’ enterprise applications and the processes and information those systems don’t manage provides tremendous value in terms of visibility and control, enabling customers to improve financial performance, reduce risk and ensure future flexibility,” said Scott Coons, President and CEO, Perceptive Software.

To learn more about what makes Perceptive Software an ECM leader, download the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Content Management, Mark Gilbert et al., September 23, 2013.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Maurices accesses employees’ vital stats securely using Perceptive Content

Maurices retail stores offer casual and career apparel and accessories for woman, with more than 4,000 employees and 832 stores in 46 U.S. states and Canada.

In the following case study, learn how Maurices ensures authorized personnel in HR, loss prevention and payroll can access vital information immediately and accurately by using Perceptive Software’sPerceptive Content.

“Users can access information right when they’re talking to a store manager or other requestor,” said Robin Murphy, human resources systems administrator for Maurice’s. “We don’t have to call them back anymore.”

Click here to read the case study and to find out how Perceptive can help your business.

Lexmark acquires PACSGEAR

Lexmark International, Inc. today announced the acquisition of PACSGEAR, a leading provider of connectivity solutions for healthcare providers to capture, manage and share medical images and related documents and integrate them with existing picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and electronic medical records (EMR) systems. Lexmark paid a cash purchase price of approximately $54 million.

“As the healthcare industry continues to digitize its differing forms of content, from X-rays and MRIs to insurance forms, providers are struggling to deploy solutions that will help manage their unstructured information challenge,” said Paul Rooke, Lexmark’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The acquisition of PACSGEAR further differentiates Lexmark’s solutions by better enabling healthcare organizations to capture and process digital content, and then ensure it is connected with the applications and people that need it most so they can deliver the best patient care possible.”

“PACSGEAR and Lexmark share a vision to make all content available when and where it’s needed, throughout the healthcare enterprise,” said Brian J. Cavanaugh, president, PACSGEAR. “We look forward to bringing PACSGEAR technology to the broad range of Lexmark healthcare solutions.”

PACSGEAR will report into Perceptive Software. With this acquisition, Perceptive Software will be uniquely positioned to offer a vendor-neutral, standards-based clinical content platform for capturing, managing, accessing and sharing patient imaging information and related documents within healthcare facilities through an EMR and between facilities via PACSGEAR technology.

PACSGEAR’s industry-leading healthcare technology solutions capture, manage and integrate documents, film and video, visible light and other images from any department with any PACS or EMR. Healthcare personnel in specialties such as radiology, cardiology or orthopedics can connect to, view and share patient medical images and analyze results to enhance patient care and enable better health information exchange.

Click here to read the full press release.

[Lexmark News Blog] Lexmark’s Center for Children launches and is gathering STEAM

Yesterday, Lexmark opened its new Center for Children, a brand new state-of-the-art facility located at our headquarters here in Lexington, Ky. The 25,500 square foot facility, which has a capacity to hold 186 children ages, six weeks to pre-kindergarten, will be run by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a leading provider of employer-sponsored child care. 

One of the key teaching initiatives of the center is to provide a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) based education into the curriculum. This will not be your average daycare.

To gain insight into why Lexmark chose a STEAM curriculum for the center’s students and their futures, we talked to Jeri Isbell, vice president of human resources for Lexmark.

Lexmark: Why did Lexmark choose to incorporate STEAM initiatives into the Center for Children’s curriculum?

Isbell: Lexmark is a technology company. Many of our employees have backgrounds in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. For our curriculum in the Center for Children, we have chosen STEAM, which adds the ‘Art’ component to the original STEM program. All of the subjects are fundamental to children excelling in school. We want to expose them as early as possible to these subjects.

Lexmark: What are the advantages of children having an early introduction to STEAM education?

Isbell: Connecting the STEAM subjects provides a more meaningful curriculum for children. Studies show that children immersed and exposed to a STEAM curriculum at a very early age perform better in science and math than those who are not. We want our children to have the advantage of early exposure to begin to build their interest in these areas.

Lexmark: What is the correlation between STEAM and innovation?

Isbell: Problem-solving and critical thinking, which are the tenets of STEAM curriculum, are the keys to innovation. The Center for Children’s curriculum will be hands-on, inquiry-based, with a lot of projects and activity-based learning. We believe it will be a more engaging, and fun, learning environment.

Lexmark: What has been the response from employees?

Isbell: We’ve had great response from employees.  They are thrilled with the care that was put into the design and build of the center.  The Center for Children is truly state-of-the-art and top-notch.

Lexmark: With both a new childcare center and a wellness center, how will these types of employee services help Lexmark in recruiting?

Isbell: Lexmark is committed to helping our employees balance the pressures of raising their families in our 24/7 global environment. The Center for Children will help our employees with work/life balance, which is key to employee retention and recruitment.  We see the center as another added benefit of working at Lexmark.

For more information on employment at Lexmark, go to our“Careers at Lexmark” page.