TONER AS A STAND-ALONE CATEGORY
Author: Marvin W. Ward, CPM, CPIM, Contracts Manager for Countrywide Home Loans 1994-2007
Contributing Editor: David Galen, VP of Strategic Sourcing & Print Production Manager, 1996-2007
Read the full white paper (PDF) to get the author's contact information: 
White Paper: "Toner as a Separate Category"
White Paper
TONER AS A STAND-ALONE CATEGORY
Introduction
This White Paper documents the benefits of managing toner as a separate category.
It shows three common business models used to buy toner supplies.
We conducted carefully controlled experimentation at Countrywide Home Loans.
Our research was based upon evaluating eight manufacturing facilities.
We reviewed the test results of each manufacturer by Buyers Labs and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Countrywide then performed its own internal testing. We proceeded to use the business model shown as C below, (management of toner as a separate category), for nine years. We have now validated this model with the purchase of over 500,000 toner cartridges.
We have summarized our findings below.
The data shows the strengths and weaknesses of the following toner supply management strategies:
Our research and extensive cost studies proved that the lowest total cost for printer cost management was achieved by unbundling the sourcing of printer hardware, maintenance, and toner/maintenance kit supplies. Here are the facts which led to this conclusion:
Vital Toner Management Factors:
