HP joins NZ govt print panel

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has joined competing printer vendors Canon, Fuji Xerox, Konica Minolta and Ricoh to provide printing services as part of a whole-of-government panel to New Zealand departments and agencies.

The contract, negotiated by the Department of Internal Affairs in Wellington, was part of a government strategy to save costs by using a single supplier for print services.

Approximately 200 government agencies will receive access to the services including a printing payback guarantee. The guarantee means that if departments do not save money using HP print services, the vendor will reimburse them.

Departments also get access to a hardware recycling program which offers a free collection service for used cartridges, computer hardware and rechargeable batteries with zero waste landfill.

HP all-of-government contracts manager, John Ivil, said in a statement that the government agencies could reduce the cost of the fleet by up to 30 per cent through a balanced deployment, reduction in paper use, and improved management of printing devices.

“As a previous supplier of IT hardware to the New Zealand Government, we are pleased to see HP join contract arrangements to maximise choice and value for all of our agencies," he said.

HP is also a dominant player in the Australian government space due to its relationship with Canon for managed print services.

Last year it tendered for a Federal Department of Finance and Deregulation contract worth $57 million annually.

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