Are SMBs printing in-house more than outsourcing? Recent studies indicate this is the case. 
A few years ago, in the aftermath of the recession, Photizo Group, a marketing intelligence group focused on the imaging industry, teamed up with 1105 Media, a provider of integrated business-to-business information and media, to conduct a survey of printer users among US small and medium-size businesses (SMBs).
The purpose of the survey was to determine future SMB print usage needs and in particular if factors other than the economy would lead to "permanent, irreversible changes to the printing market." The survey included responses from printer users in 386 small and medium businesses. The research focused on changes in printer volume from a similar survey conducted the previous year. Among respondents, while 51 percent said that there was no significant change in year-to-year page volume, 27 percent reported an increase in page volumes over the course of the year. Only 18 percent reported a decrease.
Top factors attributed to businesses whose printing volume increased included:

• More applications than the previous year
• Business expanded, same number of workers
• Bringing print jobs in house

Another indication of the trend among SMBs to move printing in-house comes from IBISWorld. In its "Quick Printing in the U.S. Market Research Report" issued in January this year, the market research organization points out that advances in the computer technology are enabling consumers and small businesses to complete tasks previously serviced by the Quick Printing industry from the convenience of their homes and offices. To this end, new high quality color printing technology is enabling SMBs to produce the sophisticated sales, retail and marketing materials that allow them to differentiate their services and compete against larger players in an increasingly competitive global market. 
As an example, earlier this year, we announced our HP OfficeJet Pro printers that deliver affordable, professional color and big performance in a compact package for small businesses. We also introduced HP LaserJet printers with leading laser performance, print-shop quality color documents as well as best value for black-and-white printing
 
SMBs turn to Managed Print Services to control and reduce office printing costs
Despite continued reliance on print, controlling printing costs continues to be a concern among SMBs. A Quocirca study of SMBs across Europe indicated that cost control is the top print management priority they face, yet they do not have the resources to devote to print management. According to Quocirca, SMBs estimate that on average they spend 15% of their IT budget on printing, but many lack the insight into usage in order to manage print costs. Overall 70% of today's SMBs do not have the tools to track or monitor printing.
The need for better cost control, along with rising printer security concerns, is driving SMB Managed Print Services (MPS) adoption. In fact, Transparency Market Research forecasts the MPS market to reach nearly $95B billion by 2024, rising from $26B in 2015. And as the desire for mobile printing continues to rise, MPS provides the integrated tracking, reporting and security required for SMBs to better monitor and control printing wherever it originates. 
All indications are that printing will continue to be a major business process and competitive advantage for SMBs. Today's cost-conscious printers and MPS offerings are enabling forward-looking companies to handle this once outsourced service in-house.