There is a scenario that plays out in conference rooms across the Mid-Atlantic every week. A critical network scanning function stops working, and the finger-pointing begins. The copier dealer blames the firewall; the MSP blames the printer. To stop this cycle, businesses must adopt an integrated IT and print strategy that unifies these disparate vendors into a cohesive team.
While competitors and industry analysts are currently focused on “commoditized” topics like sustainability or basic cost-per-click savings, they are missing the larger strategic conversation: fragmentation. In an era where office equipment is sophisticated enough to be a network endpoint, maintaining a wall between your IT Services and your Print Technology is a strategic error.
Why You Need an Integrated IT and Print Strategy
Ten years ago, a copier was just a copier. Today, your multifunction printer (MFP) is an IoT (Internet of Things) device. It requires firmware updates, integrates with cloud storage (SharePoint, OneDrive), and authenticates users via Active Directory.
This convergence has created a “Gray Zone” where responsibilities overlap. Without an integrated IT and print strategy, you introduce friction:
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The MSP cares about security and uptime. They often view printers as “unsecure rogue devices” and lock them down, inadvertently breaking functionality.
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The Copier Dealer cares about output and volume. They often prioritize ease of access over strict security protocols, creating tension with the MSP.
The result? You, the client, are stuck in the middle, playing referee between two vendors who speak different languages.
The Hidden Cost of Fragmentation
We often talk about “Soft Costs” in business—inefficiencies that don’t show up as a line item on an invoice but bleed profit nonetheless. An integrated IT and print strategy is the antidote to one of the largest soft costs: Resolution Time.
When a single provider manages both the network rails and the trains running on them (the devices), the “Blame Game” vanishes.
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Scenario A (Fragmented): A scanning issue takes 4 days to resolve as tickets bounce between Vendor A and Vendor B.
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Scenario B (Integrated): The Print Advisor walks down the hall to the IT Advisor. They look at the same network map. The issue is resolved in 4 hours.
According to a recent report by Gartner, vendor consolidation is a top priority for CIOs seeking to reduce risk surface area. This isn’t just about convenience; it is about accountability. In a consolidated model, there is “One Name to Blame” (or, as we prefer, one hand to shake). There is no “other vendor” to “play hot potato” with.
Strategic Alignment vs. Tactical Purchasing
Many organizations treat their vendor list like a collection of tactical purchases. You found the cheapest copier lease in 2023, and the cheapest IT support in 2024. But in 2026, tactical purchasing is being replaced by strategic alignment.
With the rapid adoption of AI and advanced cybersecurity compliance (CMMC, HIPAA), your vendors need to move in lockstep.
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If your MSP implements a Zero Trust security policy, your Print provider needs to know immediately to upgrade the MFP’s authentication protocols.
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If your Print provider installs a new document management workflow, your IT team needs to ensure the bandwidth and storage are ready.
If you lack an integrated IT and print strategy, these two partners aren’t talking to each other—or better yet, on the same team—and your digital transformation will stall.
The “Proven People” Approach to Integration
At Doceo, we have spent years thoughtfully building our IT Services Division alongside our Print Division. We didn’t do this just to sell more things; we did it because the technology demanded it.
Our Advisors don’t just sell hardware; they architect workflows. Because we understand the language of the server room and the copy room, we eliminate the friction that slows other businesses down.
Stop Playing Referee
In 2026, your time should be spent on growth and strategy, not on mediating disputes between your vendors. It is time to demand a partnership where your technology stacks communicate as seamlessly as your people do.
Next Step: Are your vendors talking to each other, or talking past each other? Schedule a FREE integrated IT and print strategy consultation with a Doceo Advisor today.
