Per Scan Costs RICOH

[RobFuller]

Just looking at our options for renewal on our All-in-one printers contract with RICOH, I was surprised when they talked about introducing per page charging on scanning as well as printing/copying. Now printing/copying I understand as that as covering the consumables element but scanning, I feel this a flat no and to me comes across as a cash grab from declining printing volumes.

 

I was interested to see what other people's experience was before I do a wider review, is this common across the market at the moment?

[PotNoodleTech]

I assume they are talking about you charging your users for scanning rather than them charging you for scanning?

 

We didn't bother charging users for scanning as we just use scan to email and it's easy to use no training and no real cost.

 

I guess you could technically if you were belt and braces say there should be some charge to cover wear and tear on the machine & software & support costs etc but I don't see the point it's all coming from the same main school budget so your just robbing Peter to pay Paul and possibly discouraging people form using the reprographics services for no real reason.

[Edu-IT]

Never paid for scanning.

[MatthewL]

I have seen this before walk away from it now, I thought that had stopped long ago.

 

I think we might see more of this as print declines and machines are used more for scanning as it is a way of them making up for what the loose printing, although full stop there is no money in copiers except the initial sale/deal of them. There are components that have a shelf life when it comes to scanning as the plattern on top does have a lifetime and parts do require swapping no different to the print side of things so that might be how they justify it. What I would be looking at here depending on how the machine is setup even if you copy it could count it as a scan so you could end up paying double one to watch for, same with prints/copies they could be set to double/triple click which again was a practice I thought was long gone. Do a copy mono and take a page count before and after check mono only gone up one, do same with colour, then A3 check what they are doing you for now.

 

Find another supplier if I were you, having worked in the industry doing support just a heads up knowing what some of the greedy people of the industry like to do.

[RobFuller]

I assume they are talking about you charging your users for scanning rather than them charging you for scanning?

 

We didn't bother charging users for scanning as we just use scan to email and it's easy to use no training and no real cost.

 

I guess you could technically if you were belt and braces say there should be some charge to cover wear and tear on the machine & software & support costs etc but I don't see the point it's all coming from the same main school budget so your just robbing Peter to pay Paul and possibly discouraging people form using the reprographics services for no real reason.

 

No I don't want to change my users for scanning, RICOH are proposing there will be per scan cost on top of the rental costs for new machines and possibly existing ones if we look to extend our contract with them.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

I have seen this before walk away from it now, I thought that had stopped long ago.

 

I think we might see more of this as print declines and machines are used more for scanning as it is a way of them making up for what the loose printing, although full stop there is no money in copiers except the initial sale/deal of them. There are components that have a shelf life when it comes to scanning as the plattern on top does have a lifetime and parts do require swapping no different to the print side of things so that might be how they justify it. What I would be looking at here depending on how the machine is setup even if you copy it could count it as a scan so you could end up paying double one to watch for, same with prints/copies they could be set to double/triple click which again was a practice I thought was long gone. Do a copy mono and take a page count before and after check mono only gone up one, do same with colour, then A3 check what they are doing you for now.

 

Find another supplier if I were you, having worked in the industry doing support just a heads up knowing what some of the greedy people of the industry like to do.

 

This is what I needed to hear thank you.

[PrimaryNetMan]

And this is why you should be purchasing copiers via a DfE approved framework.

[Cw2k]

Also watch out for these types of contacts charging 2 clicks for a3

[DrCheese]

And this is why you should be purchasing copiers via a DfE approved framework.

 

This - Photocopiers is 100% the one thing you should never ever procure via anything other than a framework.

I try not to generalise, but the MFD industry is one of the shadyest setups out there. The amount of attempted con jobs I've seen over the years aimed at schools from some of them is shocking.

 

Trying to charge per scan is a new one, but not surprising - I bet it's dressed up as "But it uses the cloud" as well.

[MatthewL]

Only got to look at this article from 2015.

[RobFuller]

We have always gone through frameworks before and will continue. This is their attempt of an offer direct .......

[PotNoodleTech]

Ok - that's not good it does sound like as others have said you are not on a framework. If your not on a framework you're getting ripped off! Charging for scan clicks - literally I've never heard of it!

 

I would suggest checking what type of agreement you are in and if it is not one of the education approved frameworks which Ricoh are on - then get off that contract and start a new one, possibly do 3 quotes etc too just to show Ricoh your serious.

[PotNoodleTech]

We have always gone through frameworks before and will continue. This is their attempt of an offer direct .......

 

Ah lol I didnt see this - under no circumstances go direct.

 

I extended my contract with Ricoh after year 3 for the last 2 years as we were happy with the copiers but that was all under the same T&C as the old framework contract, same click costs no scanning costs, etc.

[RobFuller]

I can confirm we are not paying for scan clicks and are currently in a framework agreement via KCS. This was only an offer for our upcoming renewal which I certainly will happily decline I was just interested if this is normal as they were implying KCS will start introducing this (I have not confirmed this with them directly yet so cannot confirm if fact).

 

Next port of call is - https://find-dfe-approved-framework.service.gov.uk/find/type/buying/what/ict/ict-categories/mfd

[chazzy2501]

Price per scan.... get a new supplier. I like our sharp printers well enough. 0.1p a black and white and 3.6p for a colour (any paper size) scanning is free. The new printers include OCR which is a nice meta data addon for the teams stuff. (also the read aloud feature for the SEN pupils)

[TheRobins]

100% always buy managed print devices via a Framework on an operating lease, I am just renewing for another 5 years with Ricoh on the CCS framework, they have been fantastic and are the best value also. Speak to your account manager as well and get this looked into. Drop me a DM if you like I can share some details with you.

[PotNoodleTech]

Yeh I've gotta admit I am more than happy with Ricoh copiers are great and framework pricing etc is good.

 

It almost sounds like RobFuler's got an over-zealous account manager who wants to meet some extra targets. My account manager down in Cardiff would never entertain talking to a school and not using a framework.

[Nathantech]

Interesting thread..no way should we pay for scans! I am interested in what people are paying for prints&copies though...... 0.22 mono and 2,2 colour at the moment on a 3 year deal

[RobFuller]

I would request CCS Framework RM6174 Lot 2 spreadsheet of prices.

 

Then you can compare all the models, features, speeds and pricing. Made it so much clearer and transparent. We reduced costs and increased speeds!

[CTRLP]

I think most MFD suppliers are now looking at introducing a scanning charge. Historically it's always been covered by the meter clicks from print/copy but at the same time that volume has declined dramatically scanning has also increased. The document feeder tyres, rollers etc are consumable items that wear out and need maintenance so guess they need to be paid for somewhere.

[Nathantech]

I guees it depends on how much they charge.....if it's something like £x per 1000 scans then probably OK (ish)....but it would slighly sour things