HP strikes global deal with Aussie ISV PaperCut

HP Inc. has struck a deal that will see its bundle, resell and support print management software from Australian ISV PaperCut, first in Australia and then around the world.

The deal means that HP’s Australian and New Zealand channel will be able to bundle PaperCut as they sell hardware and offer managed print services.

PaperCut develops software that monitors and analyses printer use, to control costs and avoid waste. The Melbourne-based company is just over 20 years old and has more than 100 million users in 60,000-plus organisations across 95 nations.

Matt Winlaw, HP’s Australian managed print services director, told CRN he considers PaperCut the leader in its field. That status means making it easier for the HP channel to acquire and deploy PaperCut is a win/win proposition.

“Historically some organisations would buy the hardware, then buy the print management software, and a third party could support the software and hardware,” he said.

The new deal streamlines such arrangements. Resellers will be able to purchase PaperCut’s wares from HP at the same time they acquire hardware, then bundle it with support.

HP can provide support for PaperCut, with its involvement transparent to end-customers.

Winlaw told CRN that all of HP’s local print support team has been “upskilled” to be familiar with PaperCut products, and will provide either phone support or on-site visits as needed. He added his belief that this “true end-to-end service” will be well-received by the channel.

PaperCut was not available for interview, but a statement from HP Inc. featured Global Partner Alliance Director Dan Quest saying “HP and PaperCut have a long-standing technology partnership resulting in a mature and stable embedded solution used worldwide. This extended partnership ensures our mutual customers all receive our joint first class service and support experience. I’m thrilled that we’re starting here in Australia and NZ first.”

CRN has contacted PaperCut’s existing local partners, Paytec and Taco Technologies, for their thoughts on the deal as it appears to have obvious competitive consequences. Neither had responded at the time of writing. HP’s WInlaw said he thinks any current partner can benefit from the new deal.

HP has also brought another print management software vendor, Y Soft, to Australia and New Zealand, under similar arrangements to the PaperCut deal.