How Texas and Oklahoma Businesses Can Maximize Tech Investments Before 2026

Every year, businesses in Texas and Oklahoma reach the final stretch of their budget cycle and face the same dilemma: upgrade aging technology now, or push the decision into next year and “make do” a little longer. The problem is that waiting often leads to higher long-term costs such as unexpected downtime, mounting repair bills, or missed tax advantages that could have reduced the total cost of ownership.

With 2026 quickly approaching, now is a perfect time for organizations to plan smarter. It's an opportunity to maximize their technology budgets and to leverage financial tools that reward proactive investments, especially when it comes to essential equipment like printers, copiers, and workflow technology.

As a print vendor serving Texas and Southern Oklahoma, we’ve seen how quickly technology needs can shift for local businesses and organizations. Many of the businesses we support come to us with aging office equipment that drains budget, slows productivity, and becomes more expensive to maintain the longer it stays in service.

This blog will walk you through why timing matters, why our region is uniquely positioned for growth, and how to approach tech investments so your organization enters 2026 smarter.

Before we go any further, there’s one resource that will help you get the most out of this strategy:

 

Table of Contents

• Why Timing Matters Before 2026
• Why This Is Especially Important for Texas and Oklahoma
• Using Section 179 to Maximize Your Tech Budget
• Where Office Equipment Fits Into the Bigger Tech Picture
• Three Smart Steps to Maximize Your Tech Investments
• How Local Expertise Helps You Avoid Waste
• Conclusion: Make the Most of Your Tech Budget Before 2026

Why Timing Matters Before 2026

When organizations delay technology decisions, two predictable problems can arise:

• Budgets get squeezed, and purchases become reactive instead of strategic
• Costs rise due to inflation, component increases, or emergency fixes

Printers and copiers are a perfect example. The price of printers can often increase due to factors like supply-chain pressures and model updates. Unfortunately, many businesses in our region keep outdated devices longer than they should. They think they’re saving money, when in reality they’re paying more in:

• Energy usage
• Maintenance
• Supply waste
• Downtime and staff interruptions

Planning ahead before the year ends gives you more control over your budget, more time to compare solutions, and the opportunity to take advantage of tax incentives like Section 179. Acting early allows you to make thoughtful, strategic investments rather than rushed, last-minute purchases.

Why This Is Especially Important for Texas and Oklahoma

Texas and Oklahoma are in the middle of steady economic expansion. More relocations, more infrastructure projects, and more small-to-midsized business growth also means more competition, more compliance needs, and bigger demands on IT and operations.

That means your internal workflows (like print, scan, routing, and document security) need to keep up. Companies in TX and OK that modernize early have a competitive advantage because they:

• Reduce operational waste
• Improve response times and productivity
• Stay ahead of technology and compliance requirements
• Support hybrid or multi-location teams more effectively
• Avoid surprise capital expenses later

The bottom line is that running on outdated equipment can slow you down. And it can happen in ways you don’t see until it’s too late.

Many organizations in our region are also transitioning to cloud-based workflows. If you're evaluating whether your systems are built for where your business is headed, check out our blog Is Your Document Strategy Cloud Ready?

When your core office systems, like print, scan, and document processes, can’t keep up with your workflow demands, the hidden costs can add up. That’s why planning ahead is a good long-term business strategy.

Using Section 179 to Maximize Your Tech Budget

One financial tool you might not be aware of is Section 179. This is part of U.S tax code and it allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment (including printers and copiers) during the same tax year it’s placed into service. Instead of depreciating the equipment over several years, Section 179 can provide immediate tax relief.

This means organizations can:

• Buy smarter
• Lower their tax burden
• Improve cash flow
• Upgrade technology without waiting years for ROI

 

By leveraging Section 179 correctly, you can turn year-end purchases into a strategic financial advantage. This is especially helpful for office equipment that your organization depends on every single day.

Where Office Equipment Fits Into the Bigger Tech Picture

While it’s easy to focus on laptops, servers, and cloud tools, office print environments are one of the most overlooked cost centers. But they’re also one of the easiest to optimize. Modern printers and copiers now serve as:

• Secure network endpoints
• Workflow engines with scanning automation
• Cost-control tools with user tracking and reporting
• Support hubs for hybrid teams

By upgrading outdated devices, you can reduce waste, improve productivity, and strengthen security. Plus, when you combine this with print management software (PMS) or MPS, the savings multiply over time.

Read the blogs below to learn more about how PMS and MPS can enhance your print environment.

• 5 Reasons Why You Need Managed Print Services
• Managed Print Services vs. Print Management Software: What’s the Difference?

Three Smart Steps to Maximize Your Tech Investments

1. Prioritize equipment that impacts daily workflows

Focus first on what employees touch most. This includes things like printers, copiers, and workflow tools that affect productivity all day long.

2. Pair your budget with Section 179 for maximum ROI

Planning ahead of time allows you to capture tax savings instead of missing the window.

3. Choose solutions that reduce long-term operational costs

It’s not all about hardware. Look for tools that automate, secure, and streamline (like MPS or print management software).

How Local Expertise Helps You Avoid Waste

Consider working with a local partner. In Texas and Oklahoma, business environments are fast-moving, and personal relationships still matter. A regional provider can:

• Understand your state’s requirements
• Respond faster on service and support
• Help you avoid overspending on hardware you don’t need
• Build a long-term plan that fits your growth

As a Texas-based print vendor expanding into Oklahoma, we see firsthand how much waste businesses eliminate simply by getting an honest assessment of their print environment before buying.

Make the Most of Your Tech Budget Before 2026

Now is a great time to think about maximizing your tech investments before 2026 rolls around. It’s not just about buying new equipment; you also want to consider timing, planning, and making the most of tools that reward smart decisions. Whether you’re upgrading to reduce downtime, boost efficiency, or take advantage of Section 179, acting early can help you save a lot of money and avoid last-minute stress.

Download our Free Section 179 Tax Savings Guide to learn how you can take advantage of this tax incentive for your office technology.

If you’d like help reviewing your print environment or identifying opportunities to save, contact us. Our team is happy to walk through options with you.