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Managed Print Services: Supporting HIPPA Compliance
December 27, 2022 9:02 pm Leave a Comment
Managed print services is an effective solution for security, efficiency, and organization–but did you know it can help with compliance, too? Here’s how managed print helps healthcare organizations comply with HIPPA regulations effectively and efficiently.

How Managed Print Services Supports Healthcare

Managed print services isn’t just for “desk jobs.” It also supports industries spread across multiple locations or with complicated regulations–and that’s especially true when it comes to healthcare.

Hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other organizations have unique needs, especially when it comes to regulations like HIPPA. Managed print services helps balance those regulatory requirements with plenty of efficiency–that way, employees never have to choose between doing the right thing and doing the fast thing.

Here are a few ways managed print services supports healthcare through HIPPA compliance:

Encryption

Encryption helps protect sensitive data as it’s being transferred to and from the printer, as well as while it’s stored on the printer’s hard drive. Managed print services helps make encryption quick and easy, so healthcare organizations can connect their favorite devices without worrying about security vulnerabilities.

Visibility

HIPPA regulations require a lot of visibility. With managed print services, it’s easier than ever to track what’s being printed, who is accessing machines, where data is being sent, and more. This improves security and compliance without adding extra hoops for employees to jump through when caring for patients.

Follow-Me Printing

Follow-me printing, also called pull printing, is a solution that protects sensitive documents from being stolen off the print tray. A user prints their file as usual, but the paper isn’t released until that same user walks to the printer and enters a unique code or PIN. This triggers the machine to print the appropriate document.

Conclusion

Healthcare has high stakes, which means it comes with plenty of unique challenges–like HIPPA compliance. Luckily, managed print is up to the challenge, helping organizations with solutions such as encryption, visibility, and follow-me printing.

Managed print services has plenty to offer. Contact us today to see what else it can do for your healthcare organization (or any organization!).
Did You Know Your Multifunction Printer Can Do This?
December 22, 2022 9:03 pm Leave a Comment
A multifunction printer can scan, print, copy, and fax–but that’s not all. Many machines also have finishing options that take their efficiency to a whole new level. Here’s what your multifunction printer is really capable of!

4 Multifunction Printer Finishing Options

To find out which functions come standard on your multifunction printer, it’s always smart to start with the user manual. However, you need to know what to look for–and these four finishing options are especially impressive. Quick, efficient, and great for versatile print projects, these options are offered by many machines:

Folding

Folding printed paper by hand can take all day, but it’s an important step in many print projects. Luckily, your multifunction printer may be able to help out. Read the user manual to see which fold types–from C-fold and Z-fold to the fun accordion fold–are supported by your device.

Hole-Punching

Hole punching is another task that could eat up valuable company time if you do it manually. Your multifunction printer may have what’s called an “internal hole puncher” to do this automatically. The machine punches two or three holes through entire stacks of paper at a time, making sure everything is neat, perfectly spaced, and–most importantly–finished in seconds.

Stapling

Can’t find your stapler? Not to worry–your multifunction printer can help. You might need an additional attachment to make this feature work, but if you’re tired of organizing papers, stapling them by hand, and then repeating the process seemingly infinitely, this is the best solution for you.

Booklet Finishing

The grand finale of finishing options is the booklet setting. It folds, punches holes, and staples to create booklets you can share with your customers or even your entire company.

Conclusion

So, can your multifunction printer do all this? It’s not just about printing, scanning, faxing, and copying; it’s about doing those things in ways that make sense–and often, that includes some combination of these finishing options.

Want to see more of what a multifunction printer is capable of? Contact us today!
Managed IT Services: What Is Co-Managed IT?
December 17, 2022 9:04 pm Leave a Comment
Managed IT services promises to fit businesses of all shapes and sizes–which means it can take a few different forms. Here’s just one example–co-managed IT–and what that could look like for your company.

Sharing Responsibilities With Managed IT Services

You’ve probably heard that managed IT services allows you to outsource your IT stress without completely giving up control. But what happens if you want to maintain a lot of control?

Co-managed IT is an arrangement where you and your provider share the responsibilities of handling your IT environment. The key is to split those responsibilities clearly and effectively–just like in any other partnership.

Here are a few things to know about co-managed IT:

You’ll Get Similar Benefits

Managed IT services in any form comes with a lot of benefits. If you choose a co-managed route, you’ll see most of these benefits–but the exact results depend on you and your partnership. For example, if you try to maintain control over too many things or if you don’t split responsibilities clearly enough, you might see reduced benefits until you reorganize. On the other hand, if you find the perfect balance, you could see increased benefits because you’re letting your own expertise complement the provider’s.

Communication Is Key

Communication is important in any managed IT services arrangement, but especially in co-management. To begin, make sure your provider understands exactly what your goals are. Then, discuss which responsibilities you want to keep and which will be handed over to the provider. From there, you should stay in constant contact about questions, processes, changes, and more.

Responsibilities Can Be Shifted

Nothing is set in stone when it comes to co-managed IT. You can generally change the distribution of responsibilities if you find that one approach isn’t working. This kind of flexibility allows you to keep up with new needs, evolve your business, and experiment to find exactly what fits your IT environment.

Conclusion

Managed IT services isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it can be altered in different ways–such as co-management. If you choose to maintain control over certain tech responsibilities, you could see even more benefits and create a valuable relationship with your provider.

Interested in managed IT services? Contact us today to learn more about this solution and options like co-management.
Scanning FAQs: Do You Need a Multi-Page Scanner?
December 7, 2022 9:05 pm Leave a Comment
Scanning is a great solution–but could it be even better? Here’s how to know whether a multi-page scanner should be in your future!

What Is Multi-Page Scanning?

Maybe you have a scanning solution in place already, or perhaps you’ve been trying to choose one that’s right for you. Either way, it’s likely that you have a pretty clear image of what to expect: Put a paper on the glass or in the tray, wait for the scanning process to be completed, and repeat.

But what happens if you have a huge stack of papers to scan–and, worse, there’s a huge line of people behind you with the exact same need?

That’s where multi-page scanning comes in.

A multi-page scanner, also known as a production scanner, does exactly what it promises. Instead of handling one side of a document at a time, it scans both sides and races to the next at high speeds. That means you can put your stack of double-sided papers on the tray and sit back for a minute or two–no switching required. Many companies find this efficiency especially helpful now that paper and digitization needs are changing due to increased customer demands, remote and hybrid work, and more.

Do You Need Multi-Page Scanning?

So, do you need a multi-page scanning solution? Ask yourself these questions to find out:
- Do we scan more than a few documents per day?
- Do we anticipate scanning increases in the upcoming months or years?
- Is there always a line at the scanner?
- Do other print jobs have to be put on hold every time a big scanning job comes up?
- Do we spend too much time scanning documents manually and/or individually?
- Do we want to transition more smoothly to the digital world?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, it’s probably time to consider multi-page scanning. After all, paper isn’t going anywhere soon–which means you need a solution capable of keeping up.

In conclusion, multi-page scanning is fast, efficient, and perfect for businesses with growing scanning or digitization needs.

Contact us today to get started with scanning solutions like these!
How to Go Green With Managed Print Services
November 25, 2022 9:05 pm Leave a Comment
Managed print services and even printing itself might not be your first stop when it comes to green initiatives. However, they should be–and here’s why!

Managed Print Services: A Smart Way to Get Greener

These days, one of your company’s biggest goals should be to improve environmental friendliness without impacting your workflows or bottom line. Easier said than done, right?

Well, managed print services might just be the answer you’re looking for.

Managed print helps you print smarter instead of more frequently, which is the same approach it takes to other parts of your business and workflow. That means you can reduce waste of all kinds–time, money, even paper, and energy.

Here are a few more examples of how managed print services helps you go green the smart way:

Learning more about your habits

One of the first steps in any environmentally friendly solution is finding out why it’s necessary in the first place. Your managed print provider can perform a print audit to give you more information about your habits, needs, and challenges–and how they impact both the environment and your bottom line.

Making sustainable choices

Managed print services is a great way to evaluate your choices and be sure you’re making the right call. For example, your provider can help you choose recycling programs for paper and toner cartridges, buy from environmentally friendly suppliers, and more.

Improving without complicating

Another great (and green!) benefit of managed print services is its ability to implement earth-conscious solutions without giving you more work or otherwise complicating your day-to-day life. You’ll probably start with workflow improvements such as using digital communication tools instead of printing certain documents–and from there, you’ll make all kinds of progress toward a better, greener business.

Conclusion

Managed print services isn’t just about printing; it’s about printing the smart way. That creates rich benefits for your company, including the ability to go green without damaging your bottom line. Who knew printing could be the beginning of an environmentally friendly journey?

Are you ready to get a little greener? Contact us today to see how managed print can help!
How a Multifunction Printer Supports Remote and Hybrid Work
November 15, 2022 9:06 pm Leave a Comment
Remote and hybrid work are here to stay, so it’s time to find new ways of using existing equipment–like the good old multifunction printer. Whether you have one of these machines already or are in the market for a powerful tool, you might be surprised to find out just how helpful a multifunction printer can be for remote and hybrid work.

Why a Multifunction Printer Is Better Than Ever

Let’s be honest: At first, the transition to remote and hybrid work probably felt like the end of the world–especially if your workers weren’t used to it. There are plenty of benefits, sure–but the technical and organizational demands likely seemed a bit overwhelming.

As it turns out, multifunction printers went through a similar ordeal. Like you, they had to adapt their skills to a new world–and like you, they pulled through and are even stronger for it.

Here’s how a multifunction printer can help you win at hybrid and remote work:

Better technology

A multifunction printer is an impressive piece of technology on its own, but it’s more impressive now that it’s been proven to stand up to unique needs. Say, for example, you need a copy of a document that’s stuck at the office. One of your on-site coworkers can use a multifunction printer to scan it to the cloud, then you use your multifunction printer to print it at your home office. It’s the same tech, but better because you know how to use it for your new needs.

Better security

Remote and hybrid work introduce unique security vulnerabilities, so people thought more carefully about how their multifunction printer could be used as a tool instead of a weakness. Now it’s obvious that these machines can give you insight into usage habits, help monitor for red flags, and match up with secure settings from multiple locations–all because workers found new ways to utilize their devices.

Better collaboration

When people are spread across multiple locations, it’s more important than ever to prioritize collaboration. A multifunction printer makes this possible by providing access to a host of efficiency and communication apps, allowing you to fit it to your work style–for example, scanning straight to email.

Conclusion

A multifunction printer is the perfect partner in remote or hybrid work. That’s because it takes its existing benefits and adapts them to different needs, environments, and challenges, giving you a familiar solution in an unfamiliar landscape.

Looking to add a multifunction printer to your fleet or upgrade to face new demands? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today!
Managed IT Services: Are You Ready for Fileless Malware?
November 10, 2022 9:07 pm Leave a Comment
Lately, it seems like there’s a new IT security threat around every corner. That’s certainly the case today, and it’s all thanks to the rise of a unique attack: fileless malware. Here’s what you need to know (and how managed IT services can help).

Managed IT Services FAQs: What is Fileless Malware?

It’s true that cybersecurity and solutions like managed IT services are more important than ever–but small and medium-sized businesses already know that. This is because smaller businesses face attacks more often, generally thanks to the assumption that tight budgets and limited expertise lead to big vulnerabilities.

As such, it’s critical for smaller businesses to stay alert–especially when it comes to new threats like fileless malware.

What is fileless malware?

Most malware works by leveraging executable files. These files might not look like trouble to the naked eye, but they have instructions that lead your operating system down the wrong path.

Fileless malware is different because it doesn’t hide its nefarious instructions inside a file. Instead, it infiltrates a trusted application in a technique called “living off the land.”

How does it work?

A fileless malware attack might begin in much the same way as a traditional malware infiltration. A falsified website or phishing email provides access to your operating system, where the malware finds and exploits vulnerabilities in commonly used tools. The applications become a gateway to the rest of your system, opening doors for hackers to steal, corrupt, or lock just about anything they want.

How can managed IT services help?

The good news is that you don’t have to hide from fileless malware–or traditional malware either, for that matter. Managed IT services helps you identify software vulnerabilities and implement targeted solutions to defend yourself, your data, and your entire network from attacks of various types. Your provider also works with you to build better habits around spotting fake emails and websites that may contain cybersecurity threats.

Conclusion

Fileless malware may be an impressive and somewhat terrifying new addition to the digital threat lineup, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your world. Managed IT services gives you the tools, support, and knowledge you need to keep your company out of hot water.

Ready for a little help from managed IT services? Contact us today to get started!
Why You Need to Fully Commit to Scanning
November 4, 2022 9:11 pm Leave a Comment
If you’re unsure about a new business solution or change, it might seem sensible to commit partially at first. After all, you don’t want to waste time and resources on something that isn’t going to work in the end, right? Unfortunately, this approach can become like a self-fulfilling prophecy–because if you don’t commit, you won’t see all the benefits, and then you’ll be disappointed. That’s why it’s important to go all in when it comes to solutions like scanning.

What Real Scanning Looks Like

Halfway committing to a business solution is like dipping your toe in the water, and fully committing is like jumping in feet-first. That’s especially true of scanning, where the biggest benefits await those who are confident enough to take the plunge.

So what does real, complete, no-holds-barred scanning look like? Here are a few examples:

Streamlined workflows

When you’re fully committed to scanning solutions, your workflows prosper. That’s because you won’t have any half-done solutions; instead, your documents will be digitized, your tasks will be automated, and your work will be a whole lot easier.

Organized digital workspaces

If you only “half scan,” you’ll end up with a “half digital” workspace. Committing to this solution allows you to make the full switch, which means shrugging off time-consuming manual tasks and better utilizing your tech solutions–all because you scanned the right way.

Secure data

No more worrying about those paper documents. Real scanning allows you to fully embrace digital defenses like passwords and firewalls.

How to Commit to Scanning

If you’re ready to jump all the way into scanning, get started with tips like these:
- Organize your approach: Prioritize your documents based on which need to be scanned first. This helps you make sure you’re not missing anything.
- Read the user’s manual: Your scanner is full of features and functions you might not know about. Do a little research to brush up on the possibilities.
- Take your time: Fully committing doesn’t require rushing. Remember to take things one step at a time, so you get the most out of every scanning benefit.
In conclusion, scanning is an effective solution no matter how you approach it–but if you want the real advantages, you need to fully commit.

Contact us today to find out how to make scanning easier and more effective in your office!
Lexmark Elevates Enterprise-Level Security and Full-Solution Support with the Addition of the Lexmark MX432adwe for Small Workgroups
October 23, 2022 9:15 pm Leave a Comment
LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Lexmark, a global imaging and IoT solutions leader, today announced a new black-and-white multifunction printer (MFP) that will meet the small workgroup demands of the printer fleet with full solution support and enterprise-level security. The Lexmark MX432adwe offers scalable solutions support via the embedded solutions framework including the ability to support third-party card readers.

“With threats lurking everywhere in cyberspace, businesses need to be on the lookout to guard their network, devices and output against these constantly changing risks,” said Brock Saladin, Lexmark senior vice president and chief commercial officer. “Lexmark has heard these concerns loud and clear. The Lexmark MX432adwe offers the features of a Lexmark 5-Series printer in a smaller footprint and was built to integrate into any fleet of printers operating securely and seamlessly.”

Scalable solutions
With the embedded solutions framework on the Lexmark MX432adwe, you can add Lexmark or other supported solutions, including third-party print release with badge reader or utilize the included Scan Center to scan documents and route to multiple destinations simultaneously.

Enterprise-level security features
Among many security features, the MX432adwe includes a standard Trusted Platform Module that stores encryption keys on separate hardware from the data, along with authentication and system integrity checks. Cryptographic capabilities create a unique digital fingerprint.

Easy to manage
These sophisticated, IoT-enabled printers are loaded with sensors that continuously monitor hundreds of data points. Connect them to Lexmark Cloud Services to take advantage of benefits like predictive service and automatic supplies replenishment.

Taking care of resources
Lexmark cares for the planet and its people with corporate social responsibility, from our circular-economy practices to our environmentally inspired products. The Lexmark MX432adwe offers built-in energy-saving modes and has two-sided printing as standard to reduce paper usage. It also meets the high requirements for Energy Star®, Blue Angel and EPEAT® Silver.

Other features include:
- Sturdy steel frames
- Extra high-yield cartridges
- 4.3-inch (10.9 cm) buttonless color touchscreen
- Single-pass 2-sided automatic document feeder (DADF) scanners standard
- Time to First Page (TTFP) is as fast as 5.9 seconds
- Optional Intelligent Storage Drive (ISD)
- Optional 550-sheet tray
Sharp Announces New A3 Monochrome MFP Lineup Built On Common Platform with Workgroup Color Series
9:14 pm Leave a Comment
MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), today announces a new line of workgroup monochrome document systems offering common features and options with its accompanying workgroup color multifunction printer (MFP) series. The new Advanced and Essentials Series models range in speed from 26 to 65 ppm and include features that help enable office workers to collaborate with colleagues seamlessly and securely, even when working remotely.

The eleven new models follow the striking design of the recently introduced color workgroup series and offer the same smart features and connectivity. Enhanced cloud services such as Microsoft® Teams can help streamline business communication, and native universal print capability makes is easy for the new models to integrate with Microsoft 365 environments that leverage simplified print management, whether working from the office or remotely.

“The new monochrome Advanced and Essentials Series workgroup document systems offer competitive features combined with outstanding performance and strong security,” says Shane Coffey, Vice President, Product Management, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “We’re excited to strengthen our product offerings with the this new line of MFPs to help organizations enhance their collaboration efforts.”

Built on the latest technology from Sharp, the new monochrome Advanced and Essentials series have been designed to help organizations manage their document workflow with greater efficiency. Innovative features such as multi-feed scan detection and auto skew correction help users speed through their work, freeing up time for them to focus on their day-to-day business. A compact inner folding unit is available that offers tri-fold, z-fold and other fold patterns to help businesses manage more of their jobs in-house. Users can also scan and print files hands-free using their mobile devices with the Sharp Synappx Go app. Strong security features such as system integrity check at startup, application whitelisting and real-time intrusion detection help guard against malicious intruders. Optional antivirus protection powered by Bitdefender offers an added layer of security, augmenting the comprehensive standard features.

The new Advanced and Essentials Series monochrome models are ENERGY STAR® 3.0 qualified and EPEAT Gold registered. The new models include the BP-70M31, BP-70M36, BP-70M45, BP-70M55, BP-70M65, BP50M26,BP-50M31, BP-50M36, BP-50M45, BP-50M55 and BP-50M65 and will be available in late October.