The latest industry research frames office equipment as part of a broader technology ecosystem: AI, cloud print, capture, security, sustainability, and workflow automation.
ACT reframes how vendors are judged
Quocirca's ACT framework evaluates vendors on Automation and AI, Cloud and Collaboration, and Technology Ecosystems. That is a useful lens for buyers because it forces comparisons beyond engine speed and monthly duty cycle.
Vendors that score well tend to integrate capture, cloud storage, security, and service tooling into one coherent experience rather than selling isolated hardware.
2026 trends favor software and services
Quocirca's 2026 trends report says differentiation is moving toward software and services, with AI-ready print and capture environments creating new value. Offices are being asked to connect printers and scanners to document workflows, identity systems, and line-of-business apps.
Managed print is evolving into managed document infrastructure: devices as connected nodes in a smart office, not standalone boxes in the corner.
What this means for buying decisions
The buying decision is becoming less about a single device and more about the partner who can connect printing, scanning, service, security, supplies, and digital processes. That favors dealers who understand both hardware and the office systems around it.
For BC businesses, the question to ask is not only which model to lease. It is which partner can keep the fleet secure, visible, supported, and integrated as the office becomes more automated.