New technologies and improved print management can save UAE business Dhs540m annually on printing costs

Recent developments in technology and improved management printing solutions have created the opportunity for business and public sectors to make a substantial contribution to productivity and competitiveness by using in house printing.

John Ross, General Manger, Middle East, India and North Africa for OKI Printing Solutions, said:

"With the right management and infrastructure, companies can enjoy fast in house printing at a lower cost, saving manpower and materials."

Emirati business spends around Dhs5,102m each year on printed material; including Dhs1,136m on outsource printing, larger in size than the entire Emirati legal sector.

With the latest printing technology the need of outsourcing is becoming less necessary for firms to use expensive specialist printing services. In house printers allow business to share documents electronically from the internet, emails and print them immediately.

Second, print on demand and achieve professional quality prints that are cost effective and more environmentally friendly.

Printing stationary, business cards, signage, labels and other marketing material can now be brought in house. The report estimates that Emirati companies can save Dhs98m per year by brining currently outsourced printing functions in house.

Greater saving can be made in terms of staff time; printer and consumable costs thanks to Managed Print Services that helps identify and manage opportunities for efficiency in document printing operations. This implies that Emirati business could save between Dhs140m and Dhs442m per year.

The most intensive printing takes place in the educational, postal and courier services sectors, followed by the advertising and architectural activities that make up the largest share of turnover.

"Overall, we estimate that the cost of in house printing at firms account for 0.5% of Emirati gross value added, this is nearly twice as much as the value of outsourced printing," added John Ross.

Also, the use of in house printing could benefit the environment and lead to a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of up to 9,000 tonnes and of carbon fuel use by up to 4,000 tones per year and a reduction, the equivalent of taking nearly 2,500 cars off UAE's roads.

Printing is an essential function of all businesses and has been changing rapidly.

Confirms John Ross, "In turn, these changes have created a real opportunity for better printing solutions to make a significant contribution to improved productivity and competitive edge. In responding to this, OKI Printing Solutions has both the technology and knowledge to help organizations manage their printing in-house more cost-effectively."