Service agreements on printers and copiers are very similar to an insurance policy. You usually don't appreciate having one until it comes time for a chargeable repair. One of the many benefits to having a service agreement is that your costs are fixed, and if something major needs repair or replacement, it is usually covered. So when the time comes to take advantage of a service agreement, you will know how much per year you will spend instead of hoping it won't break down or having a really expensive part replaced.
There are many options when it comes to paying for a service agreement. We at Complete offer monthly, quarterly and annual billing based upon volume. Most service agreements are billed by cost per copy (CPC). This means you only pay for what you use. Each time you print, copy or receive a fax, the internal meter clicks. Depending on the billing cycle your company prefers, each month or quarter, an invoice is generated by multiplying the cost per page by the total number of prints made.
Total Cost Management
Complete Office Solutions, Inc. offers a complete line of management & usage tracking software. Print Management software is an extremely useful business tool that provides online real-time tracking of equipment usage. It will notify you automatically of error codes, paper jams, toner usage and everything else associated with your machine. This software can help you calculate how much you are paying for the total ownership of all of your equipment. Most, if not all copiers, MFP’s and printers can be monitored on your network with our revolutionary Print Management Software.
Compare Coverage and Save $$$
It is very important that you have an understanding of what type of coverage is being offered and best suits your business needs. Before you purchase a Service Agreement, find out if the agreement includes supplies. Find out what the normal operating hours of Service Technicians are, and which holidays do they take off. What is their response time? Most Service Agreements do not cover abuse or neglect, so be cautious with those paper clips and staples as they can cause an expensive repair and it probably won’t be covered. Be sure everything is in writing, so there won’t be any surprises.
Which Type of Contract?
Most service providers have three different levels of coverage:
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All-Inclusive
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Semi-Inclusive
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Basic
Make sure that the coverage you get meets the needs of your business. You don’t want to overpay for services that you will never need or possibly use.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped to shed some light on purchasing a Service Agreement for your company. Whether you are about to purchase one or are in the process of purchasing a Service Agreement, call Complete and one of our polite, knowledgeable and courteous representatives will be happy to explain what we can do for your company.
