Data as a Feature: Is The Managed Print Service Industry Ready?

Today apps are overtaking traditional websites in offering more than services, such as bank account access or being able to order a pizza. Apps often give their users access to data, and not just a large amount of data that doesn’t have much value, but data that is specifically designed to give value to the user. In addition to this printers and multi-function devices are also becoming more intuitive and handling large amounts of data that is sent to them for printing daily.

What is Data as a Feature (DaaF)?

Data as a feature is the act and process of treating data as the main feature of a software product in the way it delivers value to the end user. A product with data as a feature, such as a bank account app, delivers data in a way that helps the user meet a specific goal e.g. checking their bank account balance in real-time. That data can often be sent to printers and multi-function devices if users choose to print out their bank statements and other sensitive data, for example.

Making data easier for users to digest is now a huge trend, and decisions are being made for this which affects apps, services, printers and multi-function devices across all industries. So, is the managed print service industry ready for this new trend, and for offering “data as a feature” to end users? As they come to expect more along with value, demand and deep insights, software product managers are often tasked with the responsibility of making sure that “data as a feature” is successfully implemented. If they can package and deliver data effectively in a product, users can be more informed.

Why build data as a feature?

Today, everyone is overwhelmed with data. Business users to have data being bombarded at them from all angles, so the challenge has shifted. Previously users asked for more data, but now they are getting too much of it, although they still want to get value out of that data. Software developers have responded to this by translating and presenting data to users in a way that they can use immediately and with which they can act straight away. Data as a feature is being built into apps, devices and multi-function printers, and data is being displayed in visually appealing, easily consumable and intuitive ways.

The managed print service industry today needs to begin treating data as a feature in the products they are building. In other words, data should not be viewed as merely a byproduct of apps and multi-function printers and devices, but as the main feature.

Conclusion

Data as a feature will be a huge part of the managed print service industry in 2019 and beyond, and knowledge must be available of what data needs are required for multi-function devices and printers in this changing landscape. At ITDS we deliver first-class user experiences with our multi-function devices and printers that bring real value to the marketplace.

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