Looking for an Office Equipment and IT partner? Don't ask us, Let AI Decide

With over a billion questions being answered by AI every single day, we figured why not see what they have to say about choosing the right Office Equipment and Managed IT partner in the Twin Cities. 

When evaluating companies to manage your telephony, office equipment, and IT needs in the Twin Cities, it's essential to consider their service offerings, customer satisfaction, and overall reputation. Here's an in-depth comparison of Coordinated Business Systems, Loffler Companies, and Metro Sales:

Coordinated Business Systems

Founded in 1983 and based in Burnsville, Minnesota, Coordinated Business Systems offers a range of services, including copiers and printers, managed print services, IT solutions, and telephony systems.

Pros:

• Customer Service: The company emphasizes a personalized approach, aiming to provide innovative and extraordinary customer service.
  Coordinated
  
  
• Employee Satisfaction: Employees have rated the company 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with 87% recommending it to a friend and 81% having a positive outlook for the business.
  Glassdoor
  
  
• Community Engagement: Coordinated Business Systems actively engages in community initiatives and promotes green practices, reflecting a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Cons:

• Employee Turnover: Some reviews indicate concerns about employee turnover and management practices, suggesting potential internal challenges.
  Indeed
  
  
• Compensation Concerns: Certain employees have expressed dissatisfaction with compensation and benefits, indicating room for improvement in these areas.
  Indeed

Loffler Companies

Established in 1986 and headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, Loffler Companies provides copiers, printers, IT solutions, managed print services, IP phones, software and workflow technology, and onsite managed services.
Loffler

Pros:

• Comprehensive Services: Loffler offers a wide array of services, making it a one-stop shop for many business needs.
  
  
  
  
• Employee Satisfaction: The company has a CEO approval rating of 84/100, indicating strong leadership and employee satisfaction.
  Owler
  
  
• Managed Services Platform: Loffler provides a managed services platform that offers real-time information on networks, phone systems, video surveillance, and printers, enhancing transparency and control for clients.

Cons:

• Limited Public Reviews: There is a scarcity of detailed customer reviews available online, making it challenging to gauge customer satisfaction fully.
  
  
• Potential Service Delays: Given the comprehensive range of services offered, there may be instances of service delays during peak times, although specific data is limited.

Metro Sales

Founded in 1969 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Metro Sales specializes in office imaging equipment, including copiers, printers, scanners, fax machines, and projectors. Owler

Pros:

• Experience: With over five decades in the industry, Metro Sales has a long-standing presence in the market.
  Owler
  
  
• Specialization: The company focuses on office imaging equipment, which may appeal to businesses seeking expertise in this area.
  
  
• Service Response Time: Metro Sales guarantees a 3-hour response time for the Seven County Metro area and a 4-hour response time for branch areas, ensuring prompt service.
  Coordinated

Cons:

• Employee Satisfaction: The company has a CEO approval rating of 69/100, which is lower compared to its competitors, potentially indicating areas for improvement in leadership or employee satisfaction.
  Owler
  
  
• Limited Service Offerings: Metro Sales primarily focuses on office imaging equipment and may not provide as comprehensive a suite of services as its competitors, potentially requiring clients to seek additional vendors for other needs.

Pricing

Specific pricing information for these companies is not readily available online, as costs typically depend on the specific services and solutions tailored to a client's needs. However, some cooperative purchasing agreements indicate that companies like Coordinated Business Systems and Loffler have agreed to pricing arrangements for copier and related services.
Amazon S3

Customer Reviews and Common Feedback

• Coordinated Business Systems: Employees appreciate the company's culture and management, noting a supportive environment. However, some reviews mention concerns about compensation and internal communication.
  Loffler

• Loffler Companies: While specific customer reviews are limited, the company's comprehensive service offerings and employee satisfaction suggest a positive reputation.

• Metro Sales: Detailed customer reviews are scarce, but the company's long-standing presence indicates a stable operation. Employee feedback suggests room for improvement in leadership satisfaction.
  Owler

Conclusion

All three companies offer a range of services that could meet your telephony, office equipment, and managed IT needs. Coordinated Business Systems and Loffler Companies provide comprehensive solutions with a focus on customer service and employee satisfaction. Metro Sales offers specialized expertise in office imaging equipment but may have areas for improvement in employee satisfaction.

Coordinated Business Systems

Best Suited For:

• Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): Coordinated Business Systems excels at working with businesses that value personalized service and direct relationships with their service provider.
• Businesses Focused on IT Integration: Companies looking for both telephony and IT management in one place benefit from Coordinated's comprehensive solutions.
• Highly Customized Solutions: Ideal for businesses in industries requiring specific print and document workflows (e.g., legal, healthcare, financial services).

Verticals That Benefit:

• Healthcare: Their managed IT and print services ensure compliance with data security standards like HIPAA.
• Financial Services: Data-sensitive industries can benefit from secure document management and tailored IT support.
• Legal: Law firms requiring robust print, fax, and scanning capabilities find value in their integrated solutions.

Loffler Companies

Best Suited For:

• Medium to Large Enterprises: Loffler’s comprehensive offerings scale well for larger organizations with diverse needs, from managed IT to telephony to print services.
• Organizations Needing Diverse Managed Services: Businesses that prefer a one-stop-shop solution for IT, office equipment, and telecom benefit from Loffler’s breadth of services.
• Multi-location Businesses: With centralized management platforms, Loffler is excellent for businesses with multiple offices.

Verticals That Benefit:

• Education: Schools and universities benefit from their managed print services and workflow automation.
• Non-profits: Their broad service offerings and ability to streamline operations appeal to budget-conscious organizations.
• Government: The ability to handle secure workflows and integrate managed services aligns well with government agency requirements.

Metro Sales

Best Suited For:

• Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): Metro Sales is particularly strong in delivering reliable and specialized print and imaging solutions, making it a good fit for SMBs.
• Companies Focused on Office Equipment: Businesses that heavily rely on copiers, printers, and imaging devices may find Metro Sales’ specialization appealing.
• Organizations Looking for Legacy Support: With their long history in the industry, Metro Sales may be a preferred partner for businesses with older equipment looking for maintenance and upgrades.

Verticals That Benefit:

• Retail: Retail locations that require simple and reliable imaging and document solutions benefit from Metro Sales’ focus.
• Small Legal Practices: Metro Sales’ expertise in imaging and document management supports smaller law firms.
• Startups and Entrepreneurs: Their narrower focus on office equipment suits businesses looking for cost-effective, no-frills solution

Comparison Summary by Business Size and Vertical

Tailored Recommendations

• Small law firm needing reliable print solutions? Consider Metro Sales for their expertise in document imaging.
• Non-profit with tight budgets and multi-functional needs? Loffler Companies provide scalable and budget-friendly managed services.
• Growing healthcare provider needing IT and document security? Coordinated Business Systems delivers tailored and secure solutions.

Each company’s strengths align with specific business sizes and industry needs, so your decision should reflect both your operational requirements and long-term growth goals. Contacting them directly for a needs analysis can ensure the best fit for your business.

Conclusion

Finding the best company for your organization will take more than asking a few questions to AI, but going in with this information early can help guide conversations as well as act as a starting point for multiple companies. 

Interested in chatting with a Coordinated Business Systems team member? Contact us here to speak with a human, not a robot. 😉