How Hardware-As-A-Service (HAAS) Improves Business Operations

Operations managers across the supply chain are realizing that HaaS offers a better alternative to business as usual – and industries like yours that rely on speed and efficiency can now have the newest, best-performing printing and labeling technology – always!

Hardware-as-a-Service is changing the way warehouse and supply chain managers procure the most up-to-date printing and labeling technology.

Spend a minute with David Crist, president of Brother Mobile Solutions to learn more.

What is Hardware-as-a-Service and why is it needed?

We’ve all seen companies struggle to get technology projects approved—despite clear business benefits—due to cash flow issues or competing budget priorities. Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is a way to get today’s most advanced printing technology into the hands of your clients now so they can close security gaps, increase efficiency and compete more effectively. Instead of having to justify a capital equipment expenditure (CapEx) to purchase hardware, HaaS enables the program to become part of the company’s operating expense (OpEx), as a recurring budget line item.

What’s been the general experience with HaaS? Won’t companies object to not owning the hardware?

We are still happy to sell hardware! HaaS is an option that allows you to move more deals forward. Clients who choose HaaS will appreciate the ability to deploy more up-to-date and secure equipment—with all the latest features—as a competitive advantage. Plus, by removing the upfront investment and ownership, companies will be able to reduce their administration and internal IT support costs.

While Brother’s HaaS program, called Shift&Print Subscription Service, is among the first in the auto-ID arena, enterprise printers and copiers in the office have been using a HaaS model for many years. A recent study by Spiceworks found that 71% of IT decision-makers said the top benefit of HaaS has been reducing the support burden on their internal IT staff. Nearly 40% credit HaaS with lowering total cost of ownership and reducing expenses, while 43% cite easier setup and maintenance as well as reducing the amount of obsolete technology in the workplace, which can be a critical security issue. HaaS is simply a more modern and convenient way of managing technology assets.

What happens when the HaaS subscription runs out?

We’ve designed the HaaS program with four different options for clients at the end of a contract term. They can renew at a discount for the same items they currently have; they can buy-out certain assets and “own” them. They can retire or return assets that they aren’t using or don’t like, and, of course, they can upgrade to the newest devices or equipment. Unlike a CapEx purchase, HaaS gives your clients much more flexibility.

Who benefits most from HaaS?

Operations managers in a wide range of verticals such as over-the-road trucking, warehousing, retail, home healthcare and across the supply chain are realizing that HaaS offers a better alternative to business as usual. Organizations of any size can now have the latest, best-performing printing and labeling technology. For smaller companies, it’s even easier to scale up to meet growing needs, while only paying for what they need, when they need it.

Anything else we should keep in mind?

We recognize that not all companies will embrace HaaS for the same reason that some companies still prefer on-premise software. But times are changing, and Brother Mobile Solutions is your partner to help make sure you can take full advantage of the change.

Contact an expert.