The Pacific business technology blog.
Explainer posts, threat analysis and practical guides. We publish when we have something genuinely useful to say — not on a content-calendar cadence.
-
procurementCost-per-page is the wrong number
The cost-per-page figure on every printer quote feels like a comparable, objective metric. It is neither. Here's what CPP actually measures, the four ways it gets gamed by vendors, and what to track instead if you want a number that reflects the cost you'll actually pay.
Read article -
managed printWhat 'in-country support' actually means in the Pacific — and how to tell which vendors really have it
Every printer vendor claims local support. Few Pacific buyers find out what that means in practice until something breaks. Here are the five measurable things that separate genuine in-country support from a sales pitch — and the questions that surface the difference before you sign.
Read article -
procurement5 questions to ask any printer vendor before you sign
Most printer procurement processes ask the wrong questions and then choose the cheapest answer. Five questions you can put in front of every shortlisted supplier — Ricoh, Kyocera, Toshiba, Brother, anyone — that surface what you'll actually pay, what service you'll actually get, and what happens when something goes wrong.
Read article -
procurementPacific printer comparison: Ricoh, Kyocera, Toshiba and Brother — a factual breakdown for Pacific buyers
A balanced comparison of the four printer brands Pacific buyers most often shortlist. Where each one is strong, where each is weak, and which scenarios point most clearly to each as the right answer.
Read article -
managed printThe cheapest printer is the most expensive: a 5-year total cost of ownership breakdown for Pacific buyers
Procurement decisions made on sticker price alone routinely cost Pacific businesses two to three times the sticker over five years. A breakdown of the twelve cost lines that determine the actual price of running a printer fleet — and how to evaluate suppliers against them.
Read article -
partnersWhy we chose Ricoh as our hardware partner for the Pacific
Customers occasionally ask why we sell Ricoh specifically when there are cheaper printer brands available. The honest answer is that we evaluated suppliers against the operational realities of Pacific markets — parts availability, technician programmes, freight, regional support depth — and Ricoh was the only one whose model held up under all of them.
Read article -
DMARCWhat is DMARC, and why every Pacific business needs it
Most Pacific business domains fail basic email authentication — anyone can send email pretending to be your CEO, your finance team or your bank. Here's what DMARC is, why it matters, and how to deploy it without breaking your real mail.
Read article -
Microsoft 365How to buy Microsoft 365 through a CSP — and why it's usually cheaper
Most Pacific businesses buy Microsoft 365 direct from Microsoft or through a generic global reseller. Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs) usually beat both on price and on accountability. Here's how it actually works.
Read article -
Security AssessmentWhat to ask before buying a security assessment
Security assessments range from a NZ$500 vulnerability scan to a six-figure red-team engagement. Six questions to ask before you sign anything — so you know what you're actually getting.
Read article -
Office PrintersRight-sizing your office MFP: A4 vs A3, colour vs mono, 30 ppm vs 50 vs 95
Most Pacific businesses over-spec their multifunction printer at purchase, then under-utilise it for five years. Here's how to right-size the device against your real volume — and which models fit which use cases.
Read article
Need help applying any of this?
Talk to a Pacific-based specialist — no obligation.