Managed print services vs buying your own printer — which actually saves Saskatchewan businesses more? We break down the hidden costs of unmanaged printing.
Introduction
Most Saskatchewan businesses don't know what they spend on printing. Toner here, a repair there, a new desktop printer when the old one jams too often — it adds up quietly. Managed Print Services (MPS) puts a structure around that chaos. But does it actually save money compared to buying your own printers?
The Hidden Cost of "Just Buying a Printer"
When a Saskatchewan business buys a printer outright, the purchase price is only the beginning:
Toner and ink — the real profit center for printer manufacturers
Repairs and downtime — a broken printer stops work until someone fixes it
IT time — who installs drivers, troubleshoots network issues, orders supplies?
Multiple devices — personal desktop printers scattered across the office are notoriously expensive to run
No visibility — you can't manage what you don't measure
The Saskatchewan government found this out firsthand. When they assessed their printer fleet, they discovered far more devices than necessary, many of them inefficient personal printers. Their move to managed print was driven partly by the recognition that unmanaged printing wastes money.
What Managed Print Services Actually Do
MPS is not just a service contract. It's a different operating model. Under a managed print agreement, you typically pay a cost-per-page (CPP) or flat monthly fee that covers:
Equipment (lease or bundled hardware)
Toner and supplies — automatically replenished before you run out
Service and repairs — proactive maintenance, not emergency calls
Fleet optimization — right-sizing the number and type of devices
The Saskatchewan government's managed print program operates exactly this way: a lease and cost-per-page model with service, parts, toner, installation, and support all included.
The Savings Are Real — But They Come From Optimization
MPS doesn't just shift costs around. It reduces them by:
1. Eliminating unnecessary devices. The University of Regina reduced its campus printer fleet from nearly 2,000 devices to 445 through output optimization. Their five-year print costs dropped from $4.5 million to $1.3 million.
2. Reducing toner waste. Automatic replenishment and volume tracking prevent the "order toner just in case" behavior that inflates supply costs.
3. Shifting to more efficient devices. Replacing many small printers with fewer, larger, more efficient multifunction devices lowers cost per page, energy use, and maintenance burden.
4. Gaining visibility. When you know what you're printing, where, and how much it costs, you can make informed decisions. Most businesses can't do this without MPS.
What Vonex's Managed Print Service Includes
Vonex Business Solutions provides managed print services to Saskatchewan businesses with a focus on optimization — not just supplies and service.
Our MPS clients get:
Automated supply replenishment — toner arrives before you need it
Usage monitoring — see exactly where pages are printed and what they cost
Fleet assessment — we identify redundant or inefficient devices
Up to 30% cost reduction on total print spend
Loaner units if equipment fails
Under-4-hour response across Saskatchewan
We serve healthcare, education, government, manufacturing, professional services, and small-to-medium businesses across the province.
When Buying Your Own Printer Still Makes Sense
MPS isn't for everyone. A single-person office printing 50 pages a month probably doesn't need a managed program. A business with unusual printing needs — specialized media, unique security requirements, or very low volume — may find simpler solutions more cost-effective.
But for any Saskatchewan organization with multiple printers, regular toner orders, and occasional repair calls, MPS almost always reveals savings that weren't visible before.
The Saskatchewan Advantage: Local MPS Provider
National MPS providers exist, but Saskatchewan businesses benefit from a local partner. Vonex is based in Saskatoon with six service teams covering the province. When your printer goes down, you're not waiting for a technician from Toronto.
As an authorized Kyocera dealer, we also bring manufacturer-level expertise to every managed print engagement.
Want to know what your printing actually costs? Book a free print assessment with Vonex — we'll show you the numbers, no obligation.
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