Are you a business considering switching from Xerox or evaluating alternatives to Xerox for your printing and document management needs? Understanding the landscape of Xerox competitors is crucial for organizations seeking cost savings, better service, or improved technology. By exploring the top alternatives to Xerox, you can make informed decisions that directly impact your bottom line and operational efficiency.
Xerox is known as one of the major producers and providers of printers, copiers, and managed print services (MPS). Managed Print Services (MPS) are programs offered by print providers to manage all aspects of business printing devices, including printers, scanners, faxes, and copiers. While Xerox’s full-service offerings are popular, many businesses discover drawbacks during their engagement, such as hidden costs or subpar service. Others may not realize the disadvantages of working with Xerox or other MPS providers and end up overcharged or underserved.
In this article, we will explore how Xerox stacks up against the competition, provide a detailed look at common alternatives to Xerox, and share useful tips for working with any MPS provider. We will also review Xerox’s main competitors in the industry and help you determine if switching is the right move for your business.
Xerox vs. Competitors
The print and copier industry is highly competitive, with several major brands offering similar products and services. There are often few distinguishing features between vendors, making cost differences a key factor when choosing a provider.
For the average customer working with Xerox, comparing pricing and locking in contracts is quite difficult for a few reasons:
Customers typically only receive pricing information from a sales rep, whose offer can vary widely depending on the day.
Customers don’t have access to national pricing data that can tell them if they’re getting a good deal based on their business type.
Customers simply don’t understand how to properly negotiate with vendors to secure the best deals.
Additionally, many customers don’t just lease or buy their machines from Xerox—they also enroll in their MPS program, which comes with its own set of drawbacks, including paying for unneeded services and being overcharged for a variety of reasons. Understanding the process of negotiating and managing these contracts is crucial for customers to avoid overcharges and inefficiencies. These types of issues don’t just pertain to Xerox; they are also common among the other major vendors in the industry.
Next, let’s review the main competitors to Xerox in the market.
Alternative to Using MPS
Though the competitors we list in the next section can be used as product alternatives to Xerox, we don’t recommend using any of their MPS. There are alternatives such as MPS auditing and consulting which can bring you better results than using MPS and can help you accomplish the same objectives. Managed services can also include a broader range of IT and document management solutions beyond traditional print services, offering integrated support for business workflows and digital workplace needs.
If you’re already enrolled in an MPS, or if your organization has more than $10,000/month in lease and print costs, our MPS auditing and consulting services can help you audit your lease agreements, contracts, invoices, and level of service to find you savings or ultimately replace your MPS provider.
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Below, we outline the top alternatives to Xerox for your business needs.
Xerox Current Competitors
Xerox’s main competitors in the printing and document services industry include HP Inc., Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta, Kyocera Document Solutions, Lexmark, and Toshiba.
These companies compete directly with Xerox in providing printers, copiers, and managed print services to businesses.
Summary of Main Xerox Competitors
HP Inc.
Canon
Ricoh
Konica Minolta
Kyocera Document Solutions
Lexmark
Toshiba
1. Canon
Canon Overview
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Year founded: 1937
Areas served: Worldwide
As one of the top Xerox competitors in the world, Canon is known for bringing new and exciting approaches to the print and copier industry. Canon has demonstrated expertise in creating innovative print and copier solutions for businesses. Throughout the years, Canon has made a name for itself by offering well-built machines at affordable prices for businesses of all sizes.
2. Ricoh
Ricoh Overview
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Year founded: 1936
Areas served: Worldwide
Ricoh is a major manufacturer of commercial and industrial printers and copiers, and also offers a suite of managed print services. Ricoh also provides integrated digital solutions to improve business operations. Innovation is a focus for Ricoh and it is always looking to help companies implement solutions that optimize organizational workflows.
3. Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Overview
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Year Founded: 2003
Areas Served: Worldwide
Konica Minolta offers award-winning multifunction printers that are aimed at optimizing your business’s print infrastructure and workflow. Its machines come in a variety of sizes, making them suitable for a number of different types of business and objectives.
Konica Minolta also provides specialized solutions for the education sector, supporting digital transformation and operational efficiency in schools and universities.
4. Sharp
Sharp Overview
Headquarters: Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Year founded: 1912
Areas served: Worldwide
Sharp has been a leader in the print industry for many years, and it continually works to bring high-quality business products to its customers. Many customers enjoy the ease of use and setup of Sharp products. Sharp’s focus on user-friendly products helps employees adapt quickly to new technology, enhancing workplace productivity. Sharp also aims to maximize a business’s resources and productivity in order for organizations to achieve their goals.
5. HP
HP Overview
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California
Year founded: 1939
Areas served: Worldwide
HP products (Hewlett Packard) integrate well with many organizations, and customers like the added security that HP brings to their print infrastructure. As a multinational information technology company, HP is known for its cost-friendly multifunctional printers and copiers that work great for businesses that aren’t focused on high-volume printing.
6. Lexmark
Lexmark Overview
Headquarters: Lexington, Kentucky
Year founded: 1991
Areas served: Worldwide
Lexmark offers a number of multi-function products for businesses of all sizes. They aim to design smart and practical solutions that help businesses maximize their ROI on equipment spending. Lexmark also emphasizes the importance of sustainability throughout the print life-cycle with its products and services. Whatever industry you work in, Lexmark has tailormade products and services to produce the best possible outcomes for your business. Lexmark also provides tailored solutions for the finance industry, helping organizations improve compliance and operational efficiency.
7. Toshiba
Toshiba Overview
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Year founded: 1875
Areas served: Worldwide
Toshiba’s wide selection of multi-function printers brings customers the security and productivity they are looking for. Their products are known for their easy-to-use and customizable interfaces, with a strong commitment to developing intuitive user interface designs for enhanced user experience. Whether you run a small business or a large enterprise, Toshiba products can fit your needs.
8. Kyocera
Kyocera Overview
Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
Year founded: 1959
Areas served: Worldwide
Kyocera is continually innovating and bringing a variety of different products to their customers which promote efficiency and productivity. They have award-winning customer support and do what they can to bring great pricing to businesses across the globe. Kyocera is also environmentally conscious and its products are known to be reliable. Their product range is designed to meet the needs of diverse users, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Benefits of Switching
Switching to a different provider of managed print services can have numerous benefits for businesses. Below are some of the key advantages:
Cost Savings
Potential to reduce overall printing and document management costs.
Avoid overcharges and unnecessary services often bundled in MPS contracts.
Top competitors like Konica Minolta and HP Inc. offer tailored solutions that can be more cost-effective for your specific business needs.
Access to Latest Technology
Gain access to the latest printers, copiers, and document management solutions.
Many companies, such as Canon and Lexmark, offer free demos and trials, allowing you to test new technology before committing.
Innovative tools and services can help create a more efficient and sustainable print infrastructure.
Improved Support
Enhanced customer support and service packages from leading competitors.
Comprehensive support options, including workflow automation, computer technology, and document services.
Reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency.
Additional Benefits
Improved productivity through streamlined document management.
Greater flexibility in choosing services that match your business requirements.
Opportunities to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
By considering these benefits, businesses can make informed decisions about whether to switch providers or renegotiate their current contracts.
Switch or Renegotiate Contracts to Find Savings
There are several alternatives to using Xerox products and services. Depending on your business needs, one company might have products that are a better fit and are more cost-friendly than your current Xerox products. Since comparing pricing is difficult for the average customer, we recommend consulting a third party like P3 Cost Analysts to help you secure the best deals possible for your print infrastructure.
As described above, we also recommend using our MPS auditing and consulting services instead of utilizing the MPS from these vendors. Doing so will allow you to accomplish the same objectives while avoiding any unnecessary costs or overcharges. If you’re currently part of an MPS program, we can help you by optimizing your lease agreements, consolidating your contracts, uncovering errors or overcharges, and also making sure you are getting the level of service you deserve.
We are specialists in MPS auditing and ultimately help our clients save an average of 30%–40% on their MPS expenses.
If you’re interested in having P3 Cost Analysts take a look at your MPS contracts, lease agreements, invoices, and service agreements, feel free to reach out today for a free expense audit.
