December is a natural pause point for small and midsize businesses. 

Budgets are closing. Contracts are up for renewal. Technology decisions that were made in urgency are finally being re-examined with clarity. 

And many SMB leaders are realizing the same thing as they plan for 2026 ... they don’t have a technology problem — they have a complexity problem: 

• Too many platforms. 
  
• Too many vendors. 
  
• Too many decisions competing for limited time, budget, and internal expertise.

That’s why forward-thinking SMBs are shifting away from “best-of-breed platforms” and toward something far more effective: A trusted technology partner. 

As organizations head toward year-end planning, in-plant print operations face a familiar challenge: prove your value or risk being overlooked. 

Leadership teams are evaluating budgets, headcount, and vendor strategies for 2026 — often comparing internal operations against outsourcing alternatives. The in-plants that thrive aren’t just producing jobs efficiently; they’re quantifying impact, documenting savings, and positioning themselves as strategic partners. 

Here’s how in-plant leaders can enter 2026 with clarity, confidence, and data-backed credibility. 

As commercial print providers head into 2026, the margin for inefficiency is shrinking. Labor costs remain high, customer expectations continue to rise, and capital investments face heavier scrutiny than ever before. The question isn’t whether to modernize — it’s where modernization will deliver the most impact. 

Print operations that enter 2026 strongest will share a common focus: maximizing uptime, minimizing waste, and aligning technology investments with long-term profitability. Here’s where commercial printers should concentrate their efforts now. 

Government agencies across the country are entering the busiest—and most strategic—season of the year. Budget closeout isn’t just about spending remaining funds wisely; it’s about positioning your agency for stronger compliance, better audit performance, and improved citizen service in 2026. 

But with expanding digital demands, hybrid teams, and rising scrutiny on operational efficiency, many agencies are discovering a hard truth: outdated print and document workflows are now core barriers to modernization and mission delivery. 

Here’s where leaders should focus as they wrap up 2025 and prepare for a more efficient, more accountable 2026. 

As hospitals look ahead to 2026, one reality is becoming clear: compliance readiness now hinges on workflow visibility, not just policy updates. Patient data is moving across more devices, teams, and locations than ever, and even small breakdowns — a misrouted scan, unsecured print job, or moment of downtime — can quickly create reportable risk.  

With hybrid teams, rising cyber threats, and mounting documentation requirements, hospitals must address the hidden workflow vulnerabilities that quietly undermine compliance long before an audit.

For law firms, trust is the business model. Every document and client interaction depends on accuracy and reliable workflows. Heading into 2026, client trust increasingly hinges on workflow visibility, uptime, and document integrity. 
 
Technology issues aren’t just internal disruptions; they shape the client experience and impact retention. That’s why modern workflow visibility is becoming a foundation of competitive legal practice. 

Every year, campus leaders face a familiar question: Is our print environment ready for what students, faculty, and staff will need next semester? 

But 2026 raises the stakes. Enrollment pressures, shifting budget cycles, accessibility requirements, and increasingly digital-first students are transforming how colleges and universities deliver information, services, and support. Print remains central to that mission, but only when it’s reliable, equitable, and built for modern campus life. 

This year-end checklist helps institutions assess where they stand today so campus leaders can build a stronger, more accessible, student-centered print strategy for 2026