While the current economic recession has forced companies to re-evaluate their business models and overall document spend, it also has started to cause companies to shift their investments toward outsourcing and partnering to better control document costs, according to a survey of key business decision-makers by InfoTrends, Inc., prepared for Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc. (PBMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc.

Three times as many survey respondents indicated that they would increase their outsourcing investment rather than decrease it. In addition, the survey revealed that organizations are looking more closely than ever at potential partnerships in order to expand their market reach.

“While managing cost and risk remain top-of-mind for all organizations, especially in light of the current recessionary environment, businesses are beginning to realize now more than ever, the cost and efficiency benefits of managed or outsourced services that can be realized by partnering with the right outsourcing partner,” said Vincent De Palma, executive vice president and president, PBMS. “Outsourcing enables companies to focus on their core competencies and increase efficiency without making additional investments in people and technology. This helps companies become more profitable, and the use of experts in a particular area can lead to better service levels than internal departments can provide.”

Omri Duek, consultant, InfoTrends Professional & Managed Print Consulting Services, noted that “companies in all industries should consider their core competencies, especially in these tough economic times, and how managed or outsourced services can help support their non-core operations.” He explained the reasons organizations can benefit from managed services include: reducing up-front capital costs and/or operating costs, improving focus on their core business, increasing their agility (such as effectively scaling operations), adapting to a smaller workforce, looking to access best practices and technologies, wanting to improve consistency or service levels, and trying to meet environmental goals or compliance requirements.

Misconceptions About Managed Services
Despite their numerous benefits, misconceptions about managed services continue to exist. According to the survey, several myths still exist. For example: