BROTHER
Brother is How Work Now Works
It's (past) time for businesses to rethink their approach to document management to meet the challenges of the new work environment. Today mid-sized and large enterprises operate across multiple locations, using both digital and paper document workflows to meet the unique requirements of each workgroup — efficiently, securely, and cost- effectively.
Meet the new needs of how work now works with robust and reliable printers, all-in-ones, and scanners, as well as document management solutions for workgroups any size, anywhere. This Playbook explores how Brother solutions can help meet your changing workgroup needs.
How Work Now Works
The new kind of office demands a new approach to document technology — less bulky, less centralized, and a lot less costly. Brother devices are built to support today's distributed workforce and to streamline both paper-based and digital processes, so companies can stop overpaying for the oversized copiers they no longer need.
Independent workgroups
The traditional office is gone, probably forever, which means oversized, centralized copiers may no longer be needed. Decentralize your office tech and give each workgroup their own robust, reliable Brother printer or enterprise class all-in-one — customizable for each workgroup.
Triple Layer Security
Keeping sensitive documents and data secure is always a business priority, but it’s even more critical for distributed workgroups. That’s why Brother devices offer security at three levels: device, document, and network.
Hybrid working
Maria works from home Tuesday / Friday. HR comes in alternate weeks. Chris in Legal? Depends. Give your workforce the tools they need to work from anywhere. Brother offers document management technology and solutions for workgroups of any size.
Centralization is out — Balanced Deployment is in
To help provide a more comfortable and secure print environment in the future workplace, Brother recommends a Balanced Deployment approach, which means placing the appropriate number and type of devices within close proximity to the people who actually use them. This approach helps to reduce employee interactions by decreasing the number of people sharing the same device.
This solution delivers smaller, more flexible "pods" comprised of a number of Brother printers, all-in-ones, and scanners. Our robust printers and all-in-ones also offer a low total cost of ownership (TCO) with the same functionality as larger, "big iron" devices — but at a fraction of the cost.
Who are the buyers?
General Manager
Values:
Speed, efficiency, and low cost of ownership
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
- May be open to try a business-grade device if a trusted reseller strongly recommends it
IT Director
Values:
Speed, no downtime, and intuitive use
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
- May be open to try a business-grade device if a trusted reseller strongly recommends it
Procurement
Values:
Easy acquisition and preferred purchasing vendor
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
Who are the buyers?
IT Manager
Values:
Productivity, reliability, and low / no support needed
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
Department Manager
Values:
Department productivity and enhanced workflow
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
Finance
Values:
Optimal solution within the budget
Opportunity:
- Could potentially use any Brother product, depending on business and department
Get to know your buyer's journey
The typical Brother customer’s journey is about finding the right devices, at the right price, for the right job. Customers want to find the right solution quickly and without hassle. Ease of doing business is what helps set Brother apart in the marketplace.
Awareness
Business need triggers receptiveness to the Brother brand.
Research
Customer initiates high-level research to gain further insight.
Customer Thoughts:
- Where can I find what I need?
- What is the cost vs. quality?
- Does this product get the job done?
Consideration
Customer contacts a Brother dealer to validate solution appropriateness.
Customer Thoughts:
- Does this product work with my network?
- Does it fit my needs and my budget?
- What mobile capabilities does it include?
Conversion
Customer purchases and prepares to integrate their chosen solution.
Customer Thoughts:
- This is a good deal.
- Does this product plug and play?
- Is this solution scalable?
Relationship
Customer enters a deeper engagement with Brother as a source of information and support.
Discovering customer needs beyond the device
This essential shift is about taking a consultative approach to understanding a customer’s workflow needs versus only talking about the capabilities of a device. Their specific workflow will drive the device feature set needed and expose needs for software and services that, when combined with Brother hardware, address the customer's entire problem — not just their device capabilities wish list. Consultative selling requires workflow and system knowledge and a good deal of listening. Is your customer looking for audit trails, simplifying processes for users, or better accountability? Understanding customer workflow is key to recommending the right combination of Brother solutions.
Index
Big Picture
Focused Solutions
Industry Solutions
More Information
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I have corporate employees working from home
Brother covers:
- Device Management
- Document Security
- Mobile Productivity
Key topics:
- Ensure employees can operate productively at home
- Offer similar device capabilities as the equipment in your corporate office
- Offer advanced connectivity options like wireless networking and mobile device printing and scanning1
- Print from and scan to popular business cloud services directly from the touchscreen of select devices2
- Keep home offices organized and save time with Brother label printers
- Help limit device / document access and protect against network intrusions with Triple Layer Security features
- Enable remote access to the control panel for troubleshooting or training3
- One-year exchange limited warranty: if a machine breaks, a replacement device will be shipped directly to the employee's home
1 Requires connection to a wireless network.
2 Requires an Internet connection and an account with desired service.
3 Network access required.
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Sharing devices and the future of work
Brother covers:
- Hybrid Work Environment
- Decentralized Printer Configuration
- Minimized Device Contact
Key topics:
- Drive business continuity for employees in the new office environment
- Meet the needs of future work environments, both in-office and remote
- Improve employee productivity with a Balanced Deployment that places the appropriate number and type of devices within close proximity to the people who actually use them
- Deliver smaller, more flexible "pods" comprised of Brother printers, all-in-ones, and scanners
- Limit device access and ensure social distancing through a smaller, decentralized employee-to-device ratio
- Enable smart features — including print job release via badge, workflow shortcuts, and remote management and configuration
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Visitor Management
Our location needs visitor management
Brother covers:
- Visitor Badges
- Indoor Signage
- Labeling
Key topics:
- Produce visitor badges with high print speeds using versatile connectivity options
- Ensure key information (such as valid dates on visitor badges) is highlighted with black / red printing
- Produce labels for custom signage, envelopes, packages, shelving, and more
- Create labels the size you need them to be
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Control and Govern Documents
Enable Digital Transformation
Brother covers:
- Print Management Services
- Capture Services
- Output Management Services
Key topics:
- Kofax ControlSuite integrates best in class document capture, print management, and output management capabilities
- Gain the security to manage and protect your business document information
- Increase productivity by ensuring documents get to the right people at the right time
- Meet compliance regulations with automatically generated audit trails
- Drive end-to-end process orchestration across the enterprise
- Enhance your digital transformation with intelligent capture capabilities
- Improve information management with secure print release, usage tracking, and auditing
Brother offers Kofax ControlSuite on select Brother devices.
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Device Management & Deployments
Expand visibility with additional insights
Brother covers:
- Device Status and Alerts
- Device Management
- Driver Packaging / Automation
- Batch Machine Deployment
Key topics:
- Gain insight into a business' printing and scanning fleet using reliable and scalable solutions
- Manage status change notifications and receive information on events and alerts
- Maximize uptime with automated deployment and easily configure multiple machines at one time
- Improve document management efficiencies across the entire business
- Minimize downtime, while providing a better customer experience overall
- Simplify fleet administration
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Advanced Security
I am concerned about security
Brother covers:
- Device Security
- Document Security
- Network Security
Key topics:
- Help eliminate outside threats while supporting the latest protocols
- Control device sharing with convenient badge authentication
- Limit device access at the group, individual, and activity level
- Protect sensitive data sent over networks
- Enable users to safeguard printed confidential data
- Keep your devices secure
- Protect documents in transit to and from print and scan devices
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Brother Workhorse Series
Which printer should I select?
Businesses need durable, reliable, and secure devices that provide exceptional output while being economical to own and easy for a diverse workgroup to use. Brother business products are scalable to meet the needs of your growing business while delivering the professional results you expect.
The Brother Workhorse Series is comprised of robust monochrome and color laser printers and all-in-ones to help meet the needs of how work now works.
To ensure employees can operate productively in a hybrid work environment, remote employees will need access to compact printers that offer similar features and capabilities as the devices in office.
From corporate office to home office, Brother is at your side with a complete portfolio plus the tools and technology to manage your printers wherever they're located.
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More Value
What can Brother devices do besides copy and print?
Brother offers software solutions and services related to print, mobile, security, device management, meter reads, scanning and document workflow, and more. Many solutions are built into the Brother device customers already have, while others can be added as apps or web services. Our message to customers is "Your Brother device can do more to help your business."
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Print Efficiency
How can I maximize printing efficiency?
Brother covers:
- Print from Cloud Services1
- Help Protect Printed Information
- Print Workflow Improvement
- Mobile Printing2
- Time Saving Utilities
Key topics:
- Monitor departmental print costs while maintaining document security
- Reduce print waste levels
- Scalable input and output paper handling accessories (optional)
- Improve productivity across the business
1 Requires an Internet connection and an account with desired service.
2 Requires connection to a wireless network.
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Document Capture
I am looking for fast and easy scanning
Brother covers:
- Mobile, Compact, and Desktop Scanners
- Back-end Document Capture Solutions
- Devices with Networking, Cloud, and File-Sharing Capabilities
Key topics:
- Intuitive operation, image optimization, fast scan speeds, and exceptional reliability
- Digitize single and double-sided documents, business and plastic ID cards, receipts, photos, and more
- Meet specific workflow demands and help ensure document security
- Easy integration into document management systems, applications, and workflows
- Expand security with secure documents, safeguarding networks, and restricting device access
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Mobility
I am interested in mobile solutions
Brother covers:
- Mobile Device Use With Cloud Services1
- Scan to Mobile2
- Mobile Printing2
- Mobile Data Workflows
Key topics:
- Meet remote workgroup demands with advanced connectivity options — from network solutions to printing while on-the-go
- Encourage productivity virtually anytime and anywhere with scalable mobile solutions
- Make it easy for users to connect, print, and share information — quickly, easily, and securely
- Print and scan wirelessly from smartphones and tablets2
- Offer users advanced mobile and cloud solutions ideal for the remote workforce
1 Requires an Internet connection and an account with desired service.
2 Requires connection to a wireless network.
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Mobile Support
I want to use my mobile device
Brother covers:
- AirPrint® from Apple® iOS® devices
- Mopria™ from Android™ devices
- Brother Mobile Connect app for both Apple
- iOS and Android
Key topics:
- Advanced printing from and scanning to a smartphone and tablet1, including cloud services2
- Wi-Fi Direct® connection between a machine and mobile device
- without accessing a corporate network
1 Requires connection to a wireless network.
2 Requires an Internet connection and an account with desired service.
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Cloud Services
Can I use my Brother device with cloud-based services?
Brother covers:
Key topics:
- Connect directly to popular cloud services without a computer1
- Scan a document to and print documents directly from the account
- Scan to PDF, searchable PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other popular file formats
1 Requires an Internet connection and an account with desired service.
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Tracking / Reporting
How can I improve tracking and reporting?
Brother covers:
- Third-party Integrations
- Device Management
- Network Configuration
- Automate Status Reports
Key topics:
- Expand visibility with additional insight into the print environment
- Meter reading and cost recovery solutions
- Extensive data collection with advanced reporting capabilities
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Document Workflow
I need to improve document workflow
Brother covers:
- Barcode Processes
- Scanning and File Routing
- Cloud Storage Integration
- Workflow Automation
- Document Management
- Fax Processing
Key topics:
- Workflow efficiency can help streamline a wide range of processes across an entire organization
- Scan and send documents directly from a Brother device to a selected destination with ease
- Enable secure transmission to help meet document handling regulations and protect sensitive or confidential information
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Third Party Software
Can I use third-party software with my Brother device?
Solutions from Brother integrated partners are represented across every major software category in our portfolio. Get more work done from the Brother Workhorse Series with best in class third-party software solutions. Plus, our solutions team can analyze your needs and specify a solution that's exactly right for you.
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Status monitoring
-
Cost control
-
Charge back
-
Secure printing
-
Electronic documents
-
Workflow automation
-
Image / data capture
-
And more!
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Brother Assessment Services
The changing nature of work is driving the transformation of workspaces. The rise of the hybrid office has had a major impact on where, why, and how employees print, scan, and copy, and new technologies are evolving to accommodate these changes.
As a result, there has never been a better time to understand your current print environment and develop a strategy for improvement. Brother Assessment Services can help you reimagine your print and imaging environment for the way you work today. From predictive analytics to full, on-site infrastructure optimization assessments, our consultants will help you develop strategies to increase productivity, lower costs, strengthen security, and help reduce your environmental impact.
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Brother Warranties
Brother is at your side with warranty programs that deliver both value and peace of mind. Priority options and extended warranty coverage are also available. Rest easy knowing that you have lifetime Brother support1.
Exchange Service
Brother will send a replacement machine based on the warranty terms for the device. The replacement is typically delivered within two business days for most business locations.
Extended Warranty Programs
All Brother machines come with a limited manufacturer's warranty with the option for a multi-year limited warranty extension that includes extra benefits. The purchase of an extended warranty qualifies you for Priority Exchange and the Priority Account Line.
Priority Exchange (Overnight Warranty Exchange)
This overnight warranty exchange program sends replacement units for next business day delivery. The program covers the shipping costs both ways. Customers receive a return label and packing materials with their replacement unit.
Priority Account Line
Get exclusive access to a priority service number for the life of the unit. Calls are answered directly by the Brother Priority Service Team — ensuring fast, high-quality support.
Value Print Program
This program offers a limited warranty extension that provides a total of three full years of warranty coverage, as well as significant discounts on Brother Genuine Toner and Ink.
1 Support provided for the life of the Brother product.
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How to find answers and overcome challenges
Brother makes a variety of tools, programs, online information, and other resources available to its partners. In addition, your Brother team is committed to your success and is available to provide guidance and direction when you’re looking for answers to your customers' challenges.
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Brother Solutions & Services Portfolio
Access the entire portfolio of
Brother solutions and services
Find solutions for a particular
device model or category
Get the details on each solution
and see related content
See which solutions support the
topics in this playbook
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Visit brother-usa.com/business for more information on Brother Business Solutions.
©2024 BROTHER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
All trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective companies. AirPrint is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Mopria™ is a registered or unregistered trademark of Mopria Alliance, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Android and Google Drive are trademarks of Google LLC. Wi-Fi Direct® is a trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance®. ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Evernote is a trademark of Evernote Corporation and used under a license. All specifications subject to change without notice.
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