Lease vs. Buy: What’s Best for You?
The best value to the organization comes through a plan that:
(1) Fits the device to historical volume at each location;
(2) Pools all of the clicks into one program;
(3) Reconciles the click pool annually;
(4) Charges a standard cost per copy for each device.
In a pooled agreement, the organization agrees to buy a set number of copies (a minimum) at a fixed CPC. Prints made over the minimum are charged at an "overage" rate, generally something like .005 cents per copy.
Ray Chambers, CGCM, MBA, has invested over 30 years managing and directing printing plants, copy centers, mail centers and award-winning document management facilities in higher education and government.
Most recently, Chambers served as vice president and chief information officer at Juniata College. Chambers is currently a doctoral candidate studying Higher Education Administration at the Pennsylvania State University (PSU). His research interests include outsourcing in higher education and its impact on support services in higher education and managing support services. He also consults (Chambers Management Group) with leaders in both the public and private sectors to help them understand and improve in-plant printing and document services operations.