Law firms and legal practices are among the most document-intensive organizations, which means the efficiency and security of print management can have a major impact on daily operations. As law offices of all sizes look for ways to streamline and automate their document processes, many are turning to managed print services (MPS) as a possible cost-effective solution. However, while MPS offers numerous benefits, such as enhanced security, reduced downtime and streamlined workflows, there are concerns in making a change that requires weighing the advantages against the potential drawbacks to make an informed decision.

The analyst firm, Gartner, defines MPS as services offered by an external provider to optimize or manage a company’s document output. Law firms operating with dozens, hundreds, or even more, print devices face budgeting and other challenges in the administration of their print operations. With days filled with more critical issues, it is easy for law firm management to fail to track how much is actually being spent on printing or if the costs being tracked cover the total cost of ownership.