There have been numerous commentators providing opinions as to Sharp’s future in the copier business. An article by Nikkei suggested that Kyocera was in discussions to buy Sharp’s copier business. Sharp US has stated that the article is not accurate and that Sharp is not Read More

This week we touch base once again with Russ Jacketti, vice president of sales, with WJS Enterprises in Metairie, LA, to find out what products, solutions, and services are currently hot and what’s not in his market. What’s hot? Jacketti: Right now the 50-65-ppm Canon color Read More

Last week we presented comments from dealers on what they expect from their manufacturers. This week we’re turning the tables and asking manufacturers what they expect from their dealers. As with last week’s comments I think you’ll find the following responses predictable albeit Read More

Can you believe Adele’s album 21 is still in the Top 10? I may have a reputation as a music snob, but I recognize greatness when I hear it. I even bought it on vinyl. It’s the Tapestry of the 21st century with so many great songs, including “Rumor Has It”. But I digress, sort of. Read More

In case you missed it earlier this week Ricoh Company, Ltd. announced that they had made a significant investment in PTI Marketing Technologies, a provider of Web-to-print and marketing personalization solutions for enterprise users and print service providers. According to the Read More

This week Bill Fraser, president of Fraser Advanced Information Systems in Reading, PA, shares what’s hot and what’s not in his marketplace. What’s hot? Fraser: What’s hot is your high-end color where you can get more volume and more clicks and more revenue. When you’re selling a Read More

I’ve been speaking to a number of dealers over the last couple of weeks and have been asked a number of questions regarding the financial stability of Sharp, as if I would know the answer to that question. Apparently, there’s been a lot of talk circulating, rumors mostly, about Read More

It’s been approximately seven years since I’ve written about what dealers expect from their manufacturers. Even when many of those expectations are expected it’s still good to have someone else validate what you already know. It only reaffirms what’s important and what continues Read More

When is the right time to take another look at reman color toner?  Where can you obtain unbiased data to assess the risk/benefit of the current market opportunity?  What is your risk profile for exploring emerging opportunities? These are important questions to independent Read More

Bonjour, Messieursdames. As you read this I’m on my way to Montreal for a long weekend. I could use a break even though it’s going to be a short one. Meanwhile, I have a fun read for you this week. It’s always fascinating to hear what office technology dealers expect from their Read More

This week Al Aaron, president of Saxon Office Technology in Morrisville, PA, shares what’s hot and what’s not in his marketplace. What’s hot? Aaron: Our color boxes are moving nice because people are buying color whether they need it or not. They figure the price is so close, why Read More

As the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, so does technology. That’s true whether you’re talking hardware or software, and nowhere is that more evident of late than in the world of office technology. Hardware manufacturers are releasing apps that enable printing from anywhere Read More

Who says you can’t have fun and offer up FREE print solutions? We’ve just landed the guru of print to our Print4Pay Hotel forums! Just about a week ago me and the wife paid a visit to the boardwalk at Seaside Heights, New Jersey aka Jersey Shore. The sweet smell of Read More

I received an e-mail last Friday morning from Reed Melnick, president of Nevill Business Machines asking me to call him about some big news out of Carrolton, Texas. Reed’s a great source and always responds when I need a quote or a perspective on some issue. I tried calling but Read More

(Editor’s note: This is the second installment of an article I wrote that originally appeared last summer in Independent Dealer magazine www.idealercentral.com. It offers some perspectives that all dealers should pay attention to within the competitive MPS landscape.) After Read More