Xerox (XRX)’s Channel Partner Operations believes a new free printer program offers a way for its channel partners to differentiate themselves in the managed print services (MPS) market. Xerox makes the move within weeks of a new executive appointment.

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based document management corporation on Tuesday said its new plan for managed services providers (MSPs) enables partners to offer free printers to customers.

The Xerox Small Office Savings Plan works like this: Partners offer their customers a free Xerox color printer; and in turn, customers agree to pay a predictable monthly fee used exclusively for supplies.

Printers available under this channel-only plan include the Xerox Phaser 6500, 6600 and 7100 or the Xerox ColorQube8570. The company also throws in free on-site service and support with each device.

The upside for customers, who can place their supplies orders online, is the monthly supplies charge is the same each month, allowing them to more easily manage budgets and cash flows, the company said.

The Xerox Small Office Savings Plan is available starting September 15 with the following monthly charges: Phaser 6500 at $59; Phaser 6600 at $99; Xerox ColorQube 8570 at $109; and Phaser 7100 at $149

Xerox recently appointed John Corley as president of Channel Partner Operations in August to replace Douraid Zaghouani, who made the personal decision to pursue opportunities outside of Xerox. Corley first stepped into his role on September 1.

Xerox in April rolled out a new cloud-based plug-in that integrates its printer discovery and monitoring capabilities with LabTech Software, a remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for MSPs.

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