Print in Retail Reimagined: Unified Management

Retail can be as much about experience as it is about products, there was a company that stood out for its innovative approach to home furnishing. With 89 stores and a presence that spanned continents, this company was a household name, synonymous with quality and style.

Despite its longevity as a brand, it faced a challenge that was common for retailers—managing its print infrastructure. The copiers at corporate headquarters and the piecemeal support across stores were a testament to a system that was fragmented, with each element—toner, service, hardware—operating in isolation.

Their vision was clear: they needed a holistic service, one vendor to streamline their processes, reduce costs, and improve management capabilities. They needed more than just a vendor; they needed a partner who could enhance service for their aging fleet and provide the visibility they were seeking.

FlexTG offered a comprehensive managed plan that spanned the company’s stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices. An all-inclusive Managed Print Services (MPS) program was implemented, encapsulated in one monthly invoice, and the need for hardware replacements became a thing of the past.

The transformation was profound. Automated toner replenishment for all devices across all locations ensured a seamless operation without wasteful stockpiles of expired supplies. Departments were aligned, and knowledge was shared, creating a network of ‘coaches’ within the company, spanning IT, Finance, and Procurement.

The benefits were extensive. Service was enhanced, vendor management was streamlined, and the executive goal of cost reduction was met—and exceeded. The consolidation of 5-6 vendors into one single source model was a game-changer. Asset management improved, billing became simpler, and visibility of inventory and usage was now driven by data metrics.

But perhaps the most significant change was the liberation of store employees from the time-consuming task of manual ordering, processing dozens of monthly invoices, and placing service calls with multiple vendors. Now, they could focus on what truly mattered—serving their customers, engaging in value-driven activities that enhanced the customer experience. As a result, they reimagined operations and, in doing so, redefined what it meant to be cost-effective and customer-centric in the modern age.