News & Events

3 Keys to a Successful Self-Maintenance Program

(February 12, 2013 Irving, TX)
Companies are consistently trying to find new ways to reduce costs, increase productivity and strengthen their bottom line.  The real question is:  how am I going to do this?
Servicing your own equipment
An opportunity exists to support customer needs by offering products, services and client support relationships which allow the customer to service their own equipment.  This type of program focuses on providing the lowest cost solution to customer’s currently under a full or partial service contract.  The primary objective is to transfer fixed expenses into variable expenses; hence reducing overall maintenance costs by approximately 40% or more.  Sounds great right?

The print industry has a wide variety of finished products it produces from bill boards to business cards and it makes sense that there should be just as wide of variety in your service and maintenance options.

Steps to a Successful Self-Service Program
Step 1 – Company Buy In
For a self-service program to be successful you have to have everyone from managers to operators & supply chain to production buy into the concept.  The easiest way to accomplish this objective is to have a consultant work with you to outline a basic strategy that reflects your service needs.  By working closely with you, you can get a customized plan that works best for you and that everyone understands and buys in to the program.  Simprint – Self Maintenance Program

Step 2 - Right People.  Right Place.  Right Time. (Trained Technician)
You’ll need the right people trained and business relationships to cover the following technical areas – Xerox – Productivity Plus Program
  • Theory of operations
  • Diagnosing problems
  • Location of components
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Service maintenance
  • Maintenance documentation & software support
Step 3 – Secure supply chain of parts, consumables and 2nd level technical support
This item often gets over looked by most companies considering going self-service.  You’re worried about changing the company culture and finding the right people – the cost savings/value comes from the service side and that is partially correct.  However, OEM alternative parts and consumables can save your company as much as self-service.  Simprint Product & Service Offering

Example:  A company which had Step 1 and Step 2 taken care of – and in the first year cut operational expenses (service related) by almost $1M (Operating Revenue of $10M).

The misconception is that after gaining company buy-in and acquiring/training the right people the savings are as good as they can get, but that is wrong.  The following year the same company secured OEM alternative parts, consumable/disposable items from a trusted partner and saved an additional $1M.

The bottom line: 50/50 (service/parts) savings

“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”
- Albert Einstein

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