From Press to Profit: How to Bundle RSA Software with Production Print Upgrades

Q1 is the perfect time to pair workflow automation solutions with new hardware.

January goes beyond turning the calendar page; it unofficially marks the start of the production print refresh season. As organizations finalize their budgets and plan for the year, many review the performance, reliability, and total cost of ownership of their production devices. That makes Q1 an excellent time for resellers to build relationships, stand out with proposals, and boost margins.

But here's the challenge: hardware alone rarely tells the full story anymore. Buyers expect more than just speed and duty cycle. They want smoother workflows, less manual input, faster turnaround times, and higher productivity without increasing headcount. These expectations present a strong opportunity for resellers who know how to bundle software with hardware.

This is where RSA solutions such as QDirect, WebCRD, ImpactVDP, ReadyPrint, turn an equipment refresh into a high-value, high-retention upgrade.

Why Hardware Sales Need Software Support in 2026

Across in-plants, CRDs, and commercial print operations, customers are under pressure to:

• Control labor costs
• Reduce job turnaround time
• Increase throughput using the same or fewer personnel
• Automate repetitive steps
• Improve visibility into production status and SLAs

A new production engine addresses only some of these pressures. Without workflow automation, print centers often find it hard to reach the efficiencies their new device promises. Bundling RSA solutions closes that gap.

Make Your Hardware Proposal Stickier

Customers who buy hardware with workflow automation tend to stay longer, spend more, and are less likely to switch vendors. Why? Because the software becomes part of their daily routine. It's integrated into job intake, routing, batching, ticketing, and reporting. Removing it would cause disruptions, so they don't. That's the definition of "stickier."

Bundling RSA software with a new device:

• Locks together hardware, software, workflow, and training
• Demonstrates strategic value versus transactional selling
• Increases ROI for the client
• Boosts reseller margins through software plus services
• Creates predictable follow-up opportunities (upgrades, add-ons)

When the workflow functions smoothly, the hardware performs better. And when the hardware performs well, customers credit the reseller who provided a complete solution, not just a press.

Start-of-Year Refresh = Start-of-Year Workflow Transformation

January is when discussions begin about, “How can we print smarter this year?” This is the ideal time to guide customers from focusing only on the device to considering the entire production ecosystem. Here’s how RSA software fits naturally into those conversations:

1. Improve Job Intake and Reduce Human Touches with WebCRD

When a customer upgrades devices, job submission often becomes the next obstacle they want to overcome. WebCRD provides in-plants with a self-service ordering portal, automated pricing, and smooth routing. Connect that to a new press, and you're offering not just output, but transformation.

2. Automate Job Routing and Maximize Engine Utilization with QDirect

A shiny new press isn't profitable unless the shop keeps it running. QDirect automates routing, batching, and load balancing across devices, ensuring the upgraded hardware provides maximum ROI. It also allows workflow changes without involving upstream customers or operators.

3. Offer Value-Added Personalization with ImpactVDP

If the customer is ready for more personalization or variable communications, pairing ImpactVDP with their new device gives them a turnkey path to higher-margin work.

4. Ensure Files Are Print-Ready with ReadyPrint

Upgrading hardware may involve fixing legacy file issues, like outdated templates, mismatched formats, and inconsistent print settings. ReadyPrint automatically standardizes and prepares files, eliminating the need for expensive manual adjustments.

How to Position Bundles to Your Customers

Resellers who consistently bundle RSA software follow a simple playbook:

Lead with the problem, not the product. Ask:

• "Where are your bottlenecks today?"
• "Where could you eliminate manual steps?"
• "How long does job intake or file prep take your team?"

The customer's pain points will map directly to RSA capabilities.

Show the math.

Frame the added value in quantifiable terms:

• X hours saved per week
• Y% increase in throughput
• Z reduction in operator intervention

Most customers are considering upgrades precisely because they want better productivity—make the numbers work in your favor.

Bundle training and professional services.

Customers who invest in workflow automation expect guidance. Your services become part of the solution and part of your margin.

Propose a multi-year roadmap.

Every RSA implementation creates opportunities for future enhancements, expansions, or add-ons as customer needs evolve.

From a Press Upgrade to a Profit Upgrade

In 2026, resellers who win more and retain more accounts aren't just selling hardware. They're providing integrated, automated, end-to-end production environments. January is the perfect time to introduce RSA software as the key to transforming a standard device refresh into a strategic workflow overhaul.

Sell the press, yes. But bundle the workflow that enables your customer to unlock its full value. That's how resellers turn a press upgrade into a profit upgrade, and how you make this year your strongest yet.