In the upcoming year, all industries will continue to face challenges such as economic instability, energy shortages, and disruptions in supply chains. As more companies implement staff reductions, there will be a shift in the relationship between employers and employees. While remote and hybrid working will remain prevalent, there may also be an increased return to in-person offices which could increase the demand for office-based solutions. In order to stay competitive, companies in the industry will need to adapt their offerings to align with the rapid advancements in technology.

Here are some predictions from industry experts within the industry expect to see in 2023:

Return to the office?

While hybrid working, where employees split their time between the office and working from home, is likely to continue, we can expect to see a re-evaluation of expectations around remote working. Companies may be less willing to offer the same level of flexibility as they did before, while employees may be more cautious about requesting to work from home.

“In 2023 we may see less resistance to a return to the office which will lead to a rise in office occupancy levels.”

Louella Fernandes, Quocirca

Increased adoption of cloud-based solutions

As more businesses move to the cloud, we can expect to see an increase in the adoption of cloud-based managed print solutions. These solutions offer a range of benefits, including the ability to manage printers and copiers remotely, improved accessibility, as well as enhanced security and scalability. With cloud-based solutions, businesses can easily add or remove printers and copiers as needed, and access their print data and reports from anywhere.

“Cloud adoption is already rising sharply, and there’s now a clear distinction now between cloud-first and cloud only businesses.”

Steve Holmes, PaperCut

Greater focus on sustainability

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue, and we can expect to see more emphasis on eco-friendly managed print solutions. This could include solutions that reduce paper waste, use recycled materials, or minimise energy consumption. For example, Principal already offer solutions that automatically switch printers and copiers to energy-saving modes when not in use, and that allow users to print on both sides of the paper. These types of solutions can help businesses reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability.

“Organisations which have not made steps to become carbon neutral will be looking for initiatives to help them demonstrate their commitment to sustainability”

Steve Pearce, Kyocera

Continued growth of managed print services

 The managed print industry is expected to continue to grow in 2023, as more businesses recognise the cost and efficiency benefits of managed print solutions. This will likely lead to more competition in the market, as well as the introduction of new and innovative solutions. As businesses continue to look for ways to streamline their operations and reduce costs, managed print services will become an increasingly attractive option.