The RS4 strategy delivers value in many ways—from reduced procurement friction to improved customer loyalty—but one of its most powerful levers is data. Specifically, the real-time data collected through the installation of a Data Collection Agent (DCA).
For dealers, installing the DCA is what turns a smart sales strategy into a fully operational revenue engine.
Without visibility into what’s happening across the customer’s printer and copier fleet, much of the RS4 opportunity remains out of reach. The DCA provides:
Real-time toner and ink levels
Page counts and usage trends
Device health status and error reporting
Predictive insights for proactive replacement
This data allows you to eliminate waste, prevent stockouts, consolidate shipments, and begin monetizing unmanaged devices—many of which would otherwise be lost to competitors.
DCA installation is a pivotal ask—and timing is everything. Asking too early can create unnecessary friction, especially if your buyer doesn’t have IT authority. But waiting too long risks delaying the ROI that RS4 is designed to deliver.
Here’s a smart sequence:
Build trust first – Show savings through Norm Cards and the Planning Calculator.
Prove results – Deliver on smaller wins like supply cabinet restocking or purchasing consolidation.
Then introduce the DCA – Once your customer sees the logic, the request feels less like a tech risk and more like a logical next step.
Your buyer might be excited—but they may not control the network. That’s okay. Your job is to equip them with the business case they need to bring the DCA request to their IT team.
You can help by:
Clearly stating what the DCA does—and does not do (it’s read-only, lightweight, secure).
Explaining the business benefits—cost savings, proactive service, fewer disruptions.
Offering documentation that can be reviewed by the IT manager or security team.
Once the DCA is installed, RS4’s full potential comes into play:
Automated supply fulfillment with just-in-time reordering
Consolidated shipments to lower freight costs
Real-time messaging tied to actual usage
Closed-loop recycling and environmental reporting
For dealers, this means stronger margins, more recurring revenue, and deeper customer integration.
DCA installation isn’t just a tech checkbox—it’s a turning point. It’s the move that transforms RS4 from a great strategy into an embedded part of your customer’s daily operations. With the right approach and timing, it becomes an easy “yes”—and a long-term win.
Related Reading:
Quarterly Reviews: RS4’s Accountability Edge: Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) in RS4 are essential for measuring results, building trust, and proving your value, ensuring long-term customer loyalty and growth.