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FMAudit’s technology provides users with volume reports, cost-per-copy reports, usage vs. duty cycle reports, and a monthly matrix report that identifies toner coverage for managed devices. Another report compares the average monthly volume of each device and compares it to the manufacturer’s monthly duty cycles and then provides the dealer with a graphic representation of over- and under-utilized assets. “This report is very quick and puts this information in the hands of salespeople who can target devices for replacement,” says Piper.

Piper reports that dealers are seeing a return on investment within 15 days, and it’s not unusual for some early adopters to double up on the amount of keys within three to four months.

FMAudit isn’t limiting itself to its Viewer USB key. The company is migrating towards an onsite model via FMAudit Onsite, a program that is loaded on a workstation at the customer’s location. Now it’s no longer necessary for the dealer to show up and plug a key in and out of a device. “It’s a fully automated process of what it collects, when, where, and what format,” explains Piper. The company also offers WebAudit, a browser-based data-collection program that collects data via the Internet.

Home-grown solutions such as Ricoh’s @Remote provide dealers with a solution targeted specifically to a specific brand. Interest is increasing. “Our experience has been quite good and we have a significant percentage of dealers who have signed up to market @Remote, says John Carolomano, Ricoh’s senior marketing manager. Most of those, he says, are larger, more proactive dealers.

From a print management perspective, @Remote offers more than just meter readings. It also offers service alerts and provides the dealer and his customer’s IT personal with a fleet management portal that tracks all the devices at a customer site. “You don’t get fleet reporting with third-party meter reading solutions,” notes Carlomano.

@Remote provides what Carlomano calls, “true device management,” automating the service reporting process to where a device can notify the dealer when it needs service so that the dealership is in a position to call the customer and notify them that service is necessary. “It gives the dealership the ability to offer an advanced level of service,” says Carlomano. It also allows dealers to upgrade firmware from a PC with just a few clicks in the devices that @Remote is monitoring. In addition, it automates the toner alert process, which is useful for customers under CPC programs because it enhances supplies ordering. “Device management changes the way a dealership does business,” says Carlomano. “From the way service alerts are processed, to the way dispatch is processed, to the way meters are collected and billed.”

Words of Caution

“Even though they know it’s a market space, most dealers haven’t figured out how to implement a strategy correctly,” says Callinan. “Usually by the time they call me in, they’re floundering. It’s not because they’re making catastrophic mistakes, but they’re 10 percent off

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