IT Plays Critical Role in Hardcopy Acquisitions for US Corporations

This IDC study analyzes a selected portion of IDC's Corporate Print and Document Infrastructure Survey and focuses on the process for hardcopy procurement in the corporate marketplace. It is part of a series of several short research pieces that discuss user responses to a variety of hardcopy issues. Other topics covered in this survey but analyzed in separate IDC research documents include MFPs, color, page volume and supplies, channel preferences and document solutions/services.

"A better understanding of the acquisition process for hardcopy peripherals and related supplies is essential for hardcopy vendors to gain success in the increasingly competitive hardcopy marketplace. This survey study highlights that IT plays a critical role in hardcopy acquisitions, but this department does not have sole responsibility across all stages of the hardcopy acquisition process. U.S. companies are increasingly using a team approach to such acquisitions and include executive, purchasing, and office management team members as well as IT. This is done to ensure that hardcopy acquisitions are made in the best interest of the company," said Keith Kmetz, program director of IDC's Hardcopy Peripherals Solutions and Services programs.