January News Bytes

Following are the big and small news stories for the month of January.

DocuWare ISO-9001 Certified for Third Time 

Jan. 31, 2013 – DocuWare has once again proven its compliance with all requirements of the international standard DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. The German Quality Management (DQM) Academy tested the document management software and certified it for a third consecutive time.

External testing provides users with an additional assurance that the highest product quality is guaranteed. For this reason, global software company, DocuWare, applied for ISO-9001 recertification in 2012. Major requirements for this certification are the consistent use of methods and procedures to prevent errors and the maintenance of a well-developed Quality Management System (QMS). The results for the third test were again positive: DocuWare’s methods once more meet all requirements of international standard DIN EN ISO 9001: 2008. The certificate issued by the DQM Academy for the “development and distribution of standard software for document management” is valid until October 10, 2015.

Laryssa Alexander appointed President of ECi’s Office Equipment Division 

Jan. 30, 2013 – ECi Software Solutions has announced that Laryssa Alexander has beenappointed President of its Office Equipment Division. Alexander is currently the President of OMD Corporation and La Crosse Management Systems, Inc. and now expands her responsibilities as she takes over as president of Digital Gateway, Inc., replacing Jim Phillips, who departed earlier this month. Alexander will be responsible for overseeing development of the division’s software and services for the office equipment, point of sale, banking and related industries. ECi’s office equipment division markets the e-automate, OMD and La Crosse software solutions to these industries through its various operating subsidiaries.

ILTA Names Nuance the Leader in Document Scanning, Cost Recovery and Voice Recognition Solutions for the Legal Community 

Jan. 28, 2013 – Nuance Communications, Inc., a provider of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that its scanning, cost recovery and voice-to-text technology solutions for legal once again led their respective categories in the 2012 International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) Technology Survey. The survey, representing more than 90,000 attorneys and more than 200,000 law firm technology users, showed Nuance eCopy ShareScan as the leading document scanning and workflow software; the combination of Equitrac Professional and Copitrak, a division of Nuance, as the leading cost recovery solution; and Nuance’s Dragon® desktop and mobile offerings as the leading voice recognition solution.

In the document scanning and workflow category, Nuance eCopy ShareScan was ranked the top software, with 26 percent of law firms using eCopy to automate document workflows. eCopy ShareScan is the world’s best-selling document scanning and workflow solution for networked MFPs. It provides law firms with everything needed to automate paper-to-digital workflows, letting legal professionals scan paper documents easily and securely. The software works with MFPs from the world’s leading vendors – including HP, Canon, Ricoh, Konica Minolta and Xerox. This is the third year the ILTA has included the document scanning and workflow category in the survey. eCopy ShareScan has been selected as the leading scanning solution all three years.

The ILTA 2012 Survey showed adoption of voice recognition technology continues to grow, with Nuance being named the leading solution for desktop and mobile app users. Thirty six percent of law firms utilize Dragon on desktops, while 16 percent use it via smartphone apps – an increase of more than 50 percent since 2011. Dragon turns speech into text and can be used to create documents and control PCs by voice, allowing users to work three times faster than typing and with up to 99 percent accuracy. Attorneys and legal professionals can use Dragon speech recognition to create and edit documents more quickly, reduce transcription costs, and streamline repetitive workflows without having to overhaul current business processes or existing information systems.

With the combination of Equitrac Professional and Copitrak, Nuance is also the clear leader in cost recovery. Combined, nearly two-thirds of all law firms that participated in the survey rely on Nuance solutions to recover costs associated with document printing, scanning and copying. Equitrac is the world’s leading solution for print management and cost recovery, providing organizations with an automated way to track, audit and bill for document reproduction activity, while helping firms to significantly reduce print costs. Equitrac Professional delivers these benefits by automatically enforcing printing rules, authenticating users, and accurately identifying and allocating document costs.

Kyocera Announces the Release of AccuSender  

Jan. 22, 2013 – KYOCERA Document Solutions America, has announced the release of AccuSender, a new capture and distribution business application designed to save time and boost productivity in the workplace. Kyocera designed AccuSender as a secure and reliable way to e-mail scanned documents of any size to multiple destinations—directly from a Kyocera MFP.

According to Kyocera, AccuSender makes it easy and convenient to handle files of all sizes. Until now, many servers could not accommodate large files and often required complicated and time-consuming workarounds. With AccuSender, users have the option of splitting large files between multiple e-mails or using the built in YouSendIt functionality to distribute large scanned documents quickly and easily. Users simply scan their file, enter the destination(s), select scan settings and delivery options, and send their document. The documents are sent using either a file split feature or via YouSendIt, a leading third-party provider of file transfer and collaboration services, based on user selection. If YouSendIt is selected as the transfer method, recipients receive an email link to the file, which they can download with a single click.

AccuSender offers a range of features critical to the safe, accurate, and convenient distribution of documents, reports Kyocra. It offers the ability to e-mail large documents without server file size limitations, password protection to ensure document security, barcode routing sheets simplify the sending of documents to multiple destinations, and confirmation to ensure document delivery. It also includes document stamping (including Bates stamping), convenient cover pages, and to protect critical information, document retention, storage, and destruction.

In addition, the AccuSender application is ideal for meeting specialized vertical workflow needs within the enterprise, finance and legal sectors.

AccuSender is available through authorized Kyocera dealers at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $289.

BLI Honors Plustek and Brother Scanners with Outstanding Achievement Awards

Jan. 28, 2013 – Buyers Laboratory LLC has given “Outstanding Achievement” awards to Plustek and Brother for their technological achievements in the scanner arena. BLI’s “Outstanding Achievement” awards acknowledge those that bring products and capabilities to the office imaging market that stand out for their extraordinary ingenuity, usefulness or value. Brother’s ImageCenter ADS-2500W was honored for “Outstanding Achievement in Innovation” while Plustek’s DocAction earned recognition for “Outstanding Achievement in Scan Profile Utility Design.”

BTA Presents More Scanner Awards

Jan. 28, 2013 –Buyers Laboratory LLC has announced its Winter 2013 “Pick” awards in the scanner category today, with honors going to scanners from Avision, Epson, InoTec and Panasonic. The “Pick” awards acknowledge the products that gave the best performances in BLI’s extensive suite of laboratory tests. The Avision AV1860 was recognized as “Outstanding A4 Flatbed Workgroup Scanner” and the Epson WorkForce Pro GT-S55 was selected as “Outstanding A4 Workgroup Scanner.” Other scanners acknowledged include the InoTec SCAMAX 403 Series for “Outstanding Low-Volume A3 Production Scanner,” the InoTec SCAMAX 413 Series for “Outstanding Mid-Volume A3 Production Scanner,” and the InoTec SCAMAX 423 Series for “Outstanding High-Volume A3 Production Scanner.” Panasonic’s KV-S1046C Series was honored as “Outstanding Mid-Level A4 Workgroup Scanner.”

 

Compass Sales Solutions and TriMega Partner up to Help Drive MPS Success

Jan. 23, 2013 – Compass Sales Solutions, a provider of sales opportunity management software and TriMega Purchasing Association, a not-for-profit buying group serving office products dealers and technology resellers, are excited to announce a strategic alliance.

As part of a continuing focus on helping their members gain success in the Managed Print Services (MPS) arena, TriMega has selected Compass Sales Solutions, and the Sherpa Expedition MPS product, as a key tool available to their members to manage the analysis, configuration and proposal generation process for their MPS engagements.  From (Total Cost of Ownership) TCO analysis, MPS contract pricing, new product configuration/pricing, and proposal generation, Sherpa Expedition is the perfect tool for their dealers to maintain a competitive advantage and increase profitability.

TriMega office product dealer members as well as their INTEC Powered by TriMega technology reseller members, will both now have access to the Sherpa Expedition product at a special TriMega preferred rate and have all the benefits that the Compass product offers.  Brian Stevenson, TriMega’s Director of MPS states, “We believe Compass Sales Solutions’ MPS products are among the best in the industry and are pleased to offer this opportunity to our membership.  Together we can offer programs that provide better MPS tools to increase dealer’s efficiency and reduce their cost.”

TriMega members can find out more about this powerful tool, the partnership, and the many associated benefits of Compass at www.trimega.org or by contacting Jim McMeel at Compass Sales Solutions at (800) 295-0411 or sales@compasscontact.net.

Konica Minolta Launches bizhub MarketPlace

Jan. 22, 2012 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced the immediate availability of the Konica Minolta bizhub MarketPlace, offering users downloadable apps directly from the bizhub MFP control panel screen. The bizhub MarketPlace is a user-friendly, one-stop shop to browse and access apps that offer an enhanced document management experience and improved overall productivity, according to Konica Minolta.

Konica Minolta’s software engineering team developed the bizhub MarketPlace as a platform that customers can use to easily add enhanced functionality to their bizhub MFPs based on their specific business requirements. The platform offers the customer the flexibility to add new functionality to their MFPs throughout the life of the installation as simply as adding an app to their smartphone or tablet.

Current available apps via the Konica Minolta bizhub MarketPlace include:

• Connect to Microsoft SharePoint – online storage and retrieval directly from the bizhub MFP control panel.
• Clean Planet – streamlined recycling processes.
• Paper Templates Lite – a library of forms to access and print at the touch of a      button.
• Paper Templates –  additional forms and functions over the Paper Templates Lite app.
• Announcement – an easy way to communicate to employees with customized ads or announcements from the MFP control panel.
• RSS Feeds  – a simplified way to get the latest information from news feeds at that bizhub MFP.
• Connect to the Weather – access to current weather at the location of the bizhub MFP or location of your choosing.
• Connect to Twitter– easy, automatic Tweets relevant to your business or organization.

Konica Minolta and Hyland Software Announce Strategic Alliance

Jan. 22, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) and Hyland Software, Inc. (Hyland) have announced a strategic alliance to provide a seamless solution that integrates Hyland’s OnBase enterprise content management (ECM) software with Konica Minolta’s bizhub product line. The integration is designed to maximize organizational productivity and efficiency and deliver better customer service, ensuring its customers stay competitive.

“Hyland Software’s proven platform aligns with Konica Minolta’s strategy to provide integrated ECM solutions that harness the power and technology of our strategic partners,” says Sam Errigo, senior vice president, Business Intelligent Services. “Our goal is to provide additional value to our customers by giving them business process management tools to enhance their productivity.”

“This partnership is a natural alliance between two leading solutions providers,” adds Bill Priemer, president and CEO, Hyland Software. “Our shared focus in the healthcare and higher education industries enables us to continue to be the leading ECM offering in those markets as well as expand our global customer adoption.”

Both companies experienced continued growth and recognition in the past year. In January 2012, Konica Minolta was named 2012 Document Imaging Solution Line of the Year by analyst firm Buyers Laboratory. Similarly, Hyland Software received recognition from analyst firm, Gartner, as a Leader in the 2012 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Content Management.

Bay Copy Adds Toshiba to Product Line

Jan. 21, 2013 — Bay Copy, a Rockland, MA-based provider of digital document solutions, has recently been named as a Toshiba product dealer. The Toshiba product line complements the other manufacturers which Bay Copy represents, including Konica Minolta, Muratec and Lexmark. Bay Copy CEO Ray Belanger recently returned from a national dealer meeting in Las Vegas where he participated in an intensive program detailing the latest equipment and technology that Toshiba offers. Bay Copy will carry a variety of Toshiba offerings, including copiers and MFPs (Multi Function Printers).

Bay Copy will be Toshiba’s main distributor in the South Shore/Eastern Massachusetts market as a Toshiba dealer,” says Ted LeBlanc, director of sales, Eastern Division, Toshiba. “Ray is a new breed of dealer in our industry. He is knowledgeable, adaptable and has always been at the forefront of technology.”

Print Audit Releases Major Update for Rapid Assessment Key 

Jan. 21, 2013 – Print Audit has released a significant update for the scanning engine of its award-winning assessment tool, the Rapid Assessment Key. Rapid Assessment Key version 2.20 includes significantly improved tracking accuracy with numerous office equipment dealer’s devices. The Rapid Assessment Key is a USB-based meter-reading tool that allows office equipment dealers to gather meter reads, discover network devices and troubleshoot output issues. Due to the fact that the device requires no software or hardware installation, the key allows dealers to gather critical information about their devices in just minutes.

The scanning enhancements added with Rapid Assessment Key version 2.20 will result in more accurate page counts, support for additional sub-counters and improved supply level detection with many manufacturer’s devices, including Sharp, Lexmark, Kyocera, HP, Canon, Konica Minolta, OKI, Samsung and Ricoh.

This update is free for all current Rapid Assessment Key owners and is available as an automatic update, which can be accessed by plugging in the USB key and launching the scanning software.

Visit the following link for a complete list of changes in this release:

www.printaudit.com/downloads/txt/Rapid_Assessment_Key_v2.2.0_Release_Notes.pdf

For more information about the Rapid Assessment Key, visit www.printaudit.com/rapid-assessment-key.asp

Katun Corporation and Compass Sales Solutions Announce Strategic Partnership

Jan. 18, 2013 — Katun Corporation, a provider of OEM-compatible imaging supplies, and Compass Sales Solutions, a provider of sales opportunity management software, have announced a strategic partnership.

Katun develops imaging products, programs and solutions for clients to stabilize their business and increase their profitability. This strategic partnership will allow Compass Sales Solution customers to upload Katun’s consumable product line and prices into their MPS Pricebook to quickly generate complete MPS and business proposals.

Steve McBride, Katun VP, North America Sales, states, “We are excited about being able to offer this no-cost integration with the Compass MPS Price Book. Allowing Compass customers to easily access and convey Katun product information when bidding on new business will offer your MPS customers the high-quality, high-value printer products that Katun provides.”

“This integration will work to more efficiently manage your printer dealership and increase your sales productivity, reduce your output costs, and become a leaner operation,” adds Troy Casper, President of Compass Sales Solutions.

Transform 2013 Conference Announces Track Dedicated to Hardware and Supplies 

Jan. 17, 2013—Photizo Group is announcing that its global MPS Conference, Transform, will now provide a complete educational view of the imaging industry. It will feature three separate tracks in 2013 to expand upon its past model, which was focused solely on MPS. One of the featured tracks will be Hardware and Supplies, which was the focus of the former Lyra Imaging Symposium. Transform Global 2013 will take place May 6-9, 2013 in Scottsdale, AZ, at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center.

Prior to Photizo’s acquisition of Lyra Research in 2012, the Lyra Imaging Symposium was held annually from 1998 to 2012, drawing between 175 and 250 attendees and numerous sponsors and exhibitors. Staying ahead of the hardware and supplies industry curve was the primary educational focus of the event. Photizo Group will now utilize Lyra Research’s recognized and proven expertise, providing hard-hitting, relevant hardware and supplies content to faithful former Symposium attendees. Several original features of the Lyra Imaging Symposium will be incorporated into Transform 2013, including topical roundtable discussions, vendor scorecards, and financial analyst speakers and panelists.

Former Lyra Imaging Symposium attendees will see some familiar faces presenting at Transform in May. Featured Photizo analysts include:

• Larry Jamieson, director of the Hardware Advisory      Service and Supplies Advisory Service, will present on how to      survive a rapidly changing printer market;
• Charles LeCompte, president and founder of Lyra      Research and co-director of Photizo’s Digital Workflow Transformation      Advisory Service, will present industry vendor scorecards; and
• Ann Priede, vice president of services and      publications, will present on today’s digital workflow pioneers.

Photizo Group acquired Lyra Research in January 2012, uniting the two market leaders, and creating the broadest, most comprehensive line of market intelligence and consulting services in the imaging industry to date.

Photizo Group is excited that the Transform Conference has expanded its range of presentation topics and promises to deliver the industry’s timeliest and most comprehensive premium education. Featured tracks will be Hardware and Supplies, Services, and Office of the Future/Digital Workflow Transformation. To view the full agenda, visit global2013.photizogroup.com/agenda/ .

For more information on the Transform conference series, or to register, please contact Terri Crowley, Photizo’s director of conferences and events, at tcrowley@photizogroup.com

ERP Business Conversion Expert Carolyn Hackmann Joins MWA Intelligence 

Jan. 17, 2013 — MWA Intelligence (MWAi) has announced that imaging channel veteran, Carolyn Hackmann has joined MWAi as their senior analyst leading the SAP Business One implementation team. As an authorized Gold Partner for SAP Business One, MWA Intelligence provides the office technology and imaging channel dealer community with the technology, business process and consulting knowledge to easily adopt successful, long-term IT strategies.

“We are thrilled to have Carolyn join MWAi and lead our SAP Business One implementation team,” says Michael T. Stramaglio, CEO and President of MWA Intelligence. “Carolyn is a highly effective, results-driven professional with extensive experience in office dealer standards, ERP conversion and business processes. Her winning attitude, industry knowledge and reputation are known far and wide in the dealer community, and she is a stellar addition to the MWAi team.”

Carolyn brings her extensive background and in-depth knowledge of Imaging Channel business processes and ERP systems to MWAi’s SAP Business One implementation team. Starting her career with Modern Business Systems and OMD in Jefferson City Missouri, she was instrumental in the development and implementation of the initial ERP’s in the dealer channel. Most recently, Carolyn spent the last four years with Digital Gateway and ECi where she worked closely with dealers to streamline their business processes, as well as guide dealerships through their conversion from OMD to Digital Gateway’s E-Automate solution. For those attending the Executive Connections Summit in Scottsdale, AZ, January 22-24th, Carolyn will be leading a session on Conversion Priorities; Process, Communication, or People?

AIIM Teams with Photizo to Present Workshop at Transform 2013 Global Conference

Jan. 17, 2013—Partnering with Photizo Group for the first time, AIIM, the global community of information professionals, will present a one-day workshop at Transform, Photizo Group’s annual global imaging industry conference. Transform 2013 Global will take place May 6-9, 2013 in Scottsdale, AZ, at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center. As supporters of information professionals for nearly 70 years, AIIM is known industry-wide, with the distinct advantage of being a trusted source of information and education for its community of more than 100,000 members.

The workshop, How to Sell Document Management Solutions—From Reactive to Proactive Solution Selling (AIIM ECM Sales Enablement Certificate Course), will take place on May 9. The course will teach attendees how to identify, engage, and close customers, as well as the importance of becoming a trusted advisor. Geared toward sales representatives and channel partners, attendees will get access to resources that will allow them to tap into AIIM’s professional knowledge of industry best practices. Exploring the foundation of sales, opportunity identification, customer engagement, and maximization of opportunity, attendees will be a part of a customized, hands-on training process. Attendees will be able obtain an AIIM ECM Sales Enablement certificate from this training.

“We’re incredibly excited about this partnership and the education opportunity we’ll be providing at Transform 2013”, says John Mancini, president of AIIM. “We’re equipping the community to position and sell solutions in a way that enhances the selling organization and provides value to their customers. These are the industry’s best sales practices, provided in a one-day course.”

Transform 2013 Global is the premier conference in the imaging industry, offering premium education about the ever-changing managed print services industry, as well as hardware, supplies, and digital workflow transformation. As the imaging industry landscape continues to change, Photizo Group’s mission to be industry thought leaders reaches new heights each year, promising that this year’s conference will be a game-changer.

Conference attendees who wish to take part in the workshop can e-mail Terri Crowley, Photizo’s director of conferences and events, at tcrowley@photizogroup.com.

Registration is $395 (in U.S. dollars) for conference attendees, which, remarkably, is a discount of more than 50 percent over the list price for this special workshop session. For those who do not plan to attend Transform, but wish to register for the workshop, registration is $450 (in U.S. dollars).

BTA to Host ProFinance 2.0 as a Front Runner Workshop to Winter Break District Event

Jan. 15, 2013 – On Feb. 6-7, 2013, the Business Technology Association (BTA; www.bta.org) will host ProFinance 2.0 as a front-runner workshop to BTA’s Winter Break district event, hosted by BTA Southeast in Orlando, Fla. ProFinance 2.0 attendees will receive free registration to Winter Break (www.bta.org/BTASoutheastEvent).

Over the last 10 years, the principles of ProFinance have dramatically improved the performance of hundreds of dealerships. But with the introduction of color, connectivity, software and managed print services (MPS) the business has changed — and ProFinance has changed with it. ProFinance 2.0 incorporates these changes into the new industry model, including benchmarks for MPS. With more than 30 key benchmarks, this management tool will help you and your team achieve double-digit operating income.

John Hey and John Hanson of Strategic Business Associates  will lead this one-and-a-half-day financial benchmarking workshop. They will share their knowledge from 25-plus years of experience in building one of the largest dealerships in North America and on advising many of the most successful companies in the industry. This hands-on training will provide practical ideas that can be put into action immediately. It will give your company the competitive edge that is so vital in today’s marketplace. Learn proven sales and service plans, effective management bonus programs and critical organizational strategies.

For more information or to register for ProFinance 2.0, visit www.bta.org/ProFinance or call (800) 843-5059. BTA members can also use their $250 coupon received with membership when registering. Returning BTA member ProFinance students seeking a refresher course and the opportunity to obtain the new model can attend for 50 percent off the member price (coupon does not apply).

Panasonic Announces Support for EMC Cloud-Based Scanning Application

Jan. 14, 2013 – Panasonic has announced compatibility with the EMC Captiva Cloud Toolkit for all current document scanners. By integrating this technology into Panasonic’s document scanners, customers can streamline image acquisition into Web applications and business processes without the need to download additional software or Active X components.

The EMC Captiva Cloud Toolkit is a software development kit (SDK) that enables web applications to directly access Panasonic scanners without the need for downloads, launch of thick client software or limitations to a specific web browser. By adding the EMC Captiva Cloud functionality to its scanners, Panasonic ensures web applications developed with the EMC Captiva Cloud Toolkit will seamlessly drive scanning functionality and create a more streamlined and easy scan experience for users. Paper intensive business processes can have scan functionality integrated into Web-based business applications, thus streamlining scan and image classification to improve and simplify business process efficiency.

The EMC Captiva Cloud Toolkit provides broad support for web browsers and web development platforms, significantly reducing the barriers to acquiring physical documents into web- or cloud-based applications and business processes. The toolkit works with standard web browsers, including Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. With the EMC Captiva Cloud Toolkit, developers can easily scan-enable web-based business applications compatible with existing corporate Web browsers and development environments, including HTML5, Microsoft Silverlight, JavaScript, and Adobe Flash.

For more information on Panasonic’s full line of scanners, visit: http://panasonic.com/business/psna/products-document-imaging/scanners/index.aspx.

Industry Leaders Converging in Scottsdale for Executive Connection Summit

Jan. 14, 2013 – Hundreds of print/imaging industry leaders are meeting in Scottsdale, AZ January 22 through the 24 at the Executive Connection Summit with Technology United to learn about and discuss the technologies, trends and best practices that are driving and transforming the industry. The Summit includes a packed agenda of speakers from some of the leading technology companies in the world, along with industry thought leaders from inside the print/imaging industry and from beyond, including SAP and the Technology United alliance members; Intel, Newfield IT, GreatAmerica Financial Services, LMI, Intellinetics, ESP, Green Hills Software, Barrister and GreenPrint, as well as other technology companies not typically known by the print/imaging channel.

“The Executive Connection Summit has been designed to focus on Managed Services with great respect and care for the dealer community, and we are very grateful for the many dealers who have provided their input and support,” says Michael Stramaglio, President/CEO of MWA Intelligence and Chairman of the Board for Technology United. “Attendees will have a tremendous opportunity to hear some great speakers, including Rick Taylor, President/COO of Konica Minolta and 2012’s Industry Executive of the Year who will kick off this fantastic three day event, as well as kick start the New Year!”

The Executive Connection Summit will set the stage for 2013 with a distinctive format that will give attendees the opportunity to take part in discussions, as well as the opportunity to not only listen, but to speak with and share ideas about technology and business models for the New Year, with a prestigious line up of speakers and guests, in a unique forum that will bring the leaders of the print/imaging channel together for 2 1/2 days of in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing.

For more information contact: marketing@mwaintel.com or visit  www.technologyunited.com/ecs

sd|University to Hold Business Planning and Operational Excellence Workshop in April 2013

Jan. 14, 2013 – sd|University, the advanced training division of Strategy Development, is conducting their comprehensive Business Planning and Operational Excellence Workshop on April 15-16, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV.

Developed by the team at Strategy Development, this two-day educational workshop’s sole purpose is to set the framework for a daler’s team to develop an operational business plan. “This workshop is designed as a ‘mini MBA’ in running an imaging company for senior management and takes the industry model deep into the 21st Century,” states Tom Callinan. “With clearly defined goals and a methodic approach learned in this workshop, dealerships will be able to form a solid business plan that they can effectively execute, and in the process, form a more cohesive team approach to managing their business. As part of the comprehensive training, we will also get into details of how to launch an effective MPS and/or managed services initiative.”

Using the case study approach, attendees of the Business Planning and Operational Excellence Workshop will learn how to use the Strategy Development Scorecard, industry statistics, and a company’s SWOT analysis as the foundation of the planning process. Some of the other topics covered include a review of the three major financial statements, cash management, and developing commitment action documents. The program will include a specific focus to launching or improving a managed print services (MPS)/managed services (MS) strategy. The final step in the training will be how to put in place a monthly operational process to ensure attainment of the goals, or where necessary, mid-course adjustments. The comprehensive, two-day workshop will be taught by Callinan and Gary Schwartz, consultant with Strategy Development.

For dealers who are a sd|University member company, this is one of the portfolio of educational experiences a sales and management team should attend. If a dealer is not enrolled in the tuition program, employees can still attend Strategy Development’s award-winning education by enrolling for the individual classes. This award-winning training—receiving the highest accolades over the last six years—is available at the lowest individual class investment in the industry. For a list of all classes currently scheduled for sd|University please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/events.

For more information or to register for the SD Business Planning and Operational Excellence Workshop, visit www.strategydevelopment.com/businessplanning or contact Tom Callinan at callinan@strategydevelopment.com or at (610) 527-3317.

Notable Solutions, Inc. Acquires EOM Business of Barr Systems

Jan. 10, 2013 — Notable Solutions, Inc. (NSi) has announced that effective immediately the company has acquired the Enterprise Output Management (EOM) business and operations from Barr Systems, LLC. Barr’s EOM software is a leading solution for enterprise output management, providing proven secure print delivery and cost management capabilities to key vertical industries, including state and local governments, financial services and healthcare organizations.

With this acquisition, NSi expands its addressable market by meeting customer demands for the real-time transformation of data streams from legacy mainframe and ERP systems into contemporary line of business applications. Furthermore, the combined solution adds to NSi’s existing secure document capture and print offerings with enhanced mobile printing and centralized print cost management capabilities.

As part of the acquisition, Barr’s CEO, Gabriel Schwartzman, has become Vice President of Output Management at NSi. “With this acquisition, we have a unique opportunity to truly redefine the industry,” said Schwartzman.  “Together, we remain committed to supporting Barr’s EOM installed base with an expanded solutions portfolio and leading-edge innovations which will yield even greater cost savings and enhanced efficiencies for our customers.” 

Benefits for Existing NSi AutoStore Customers: NSi customers will benefit from the company’s enhanced print management solution which will integrate user access control, cost management and reporting capabilities, according to a news release. Specifically, the existing NSi channel can offer customers:

• A managed print services offering fulfilled by an enterprise ready rules-based printing, cost management and access control suite;
• A mobile printing solution which includes secure mobile pull print and a secure mobile print submission;
• MFP/Printer fleet monitoring and print control capabilities; and
• Output reporting. 

Complementary Vertical Markets: NSi and Barr have a complementary customer base, with more than half of Barr’s installed base representing the same key vertical market segments NSi sells into today, including insurance, financial services, and state and local government agencies. 

Strong Channel and Vendor Partnerships: The EOM product acquired is sold through similar sales channels as NSi products today which include Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Xerox, and others. With this acquisition, NSi’s channel partners will be able to offer a fully integrated portfolio for secure office and production output management; providing customers with centralized management and continuity of operations across the enterprise. NSi will continue to support third-party print and user authentication solutions from partners such as Equitrac, YSoft and others.  

Benefits of a Consolidated Platform: Barr’s Enterprise Output Management solution complements NSi’s strengths in secure print and electronic document capture and the secure exchange of business information in the office environment.

As a result of this acquisition, NSi will open a new office in Gainesville, Florida where it will operate as the company’s Output Management Center of Excellence.

Konica Minolta Acquires DocuSource 

Jan. 8, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced that it has acquired DocuSource, a dealership headquartered in Cerritos, Ca., to increase Konica Minolta’s document management systems, solutions and services in the southern California region.

DocuSource will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. and maintain its two current locations in Cerritos and Los Angeles as well as its entire roster of employees. DocuSource will continue to provide customers with best in class enterprise content management (ECM) solutions, managed print services (MPS), hardware and services. The company will also maintain its existing ECM and MPS partnerships. DocuSource’s Chief Executive Officer Les Walker and President Jon Rashap will continue to lead the operation and will report directly to Rick Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

“This strategic acquisition positions Konica Minolta to further increase our presence in a highly competitive marketplace,” says Taylor. “Our goal is to implement a multi-faceted growth strategy that encompasses organic growth, value-based partnerships with dealer partners, and make acquisitions where there is clear value for the customer and the company. DocuSource’s reputation as a leading business solutions company in the region along with its award-winning, high level of service, proves that the company has the ability to provide a complete breadth of solutions that includes technologies, services and expertise along with an exceptional management team.”

Founded in 1990, DocuSource is a provider of business process improvement and enterprise content management systems, solutions and services to improve document workflow and increase efficiency while reducing costs. DocuSource integrates enterprise content management software and managed print services to deliver customized solutions that address a customer’s critical business requirements. Its solutions are implemented and supported by highly trained and experienced consultants, engineers and technicians. DocuSource has been recognized nationally for its success, including recent admission into Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. and as one of the area’s Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Kofax MarkView for Accounts Payable 8.0 Has Mobile Device Capability

Jan. 8, 2012 – Kofax, a provider of Capture Enabled BPM (business process management) solutions, has announced the launch of Kofax MarkView^® for Accounts Payable 8.0, the first fully secure mobile solution for the automated capture and processing of accounts payable (AP) information. Kofax MarkView 8.0 reportedly significantly accelerates processes and optimizes cash management by enabling customers to use the cameras in mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets to capture, view, manage and approve information from receipts and invoices from anywhere, at any time, within a secure chain-of-custody that includes AP processes and workflows.

Kofax MarkView for Accounts Payable is a comprehensive, capture enabled financial process automation application for AP and other functions. It automates the receipt and capture of paper and electronic invoices, extracts relevant data from that content, perfects it and then manages the information into workflows for routing transactions through exception handling and approval processes. Kofax MarkView leverages Kofax Mobile Capture, which allows mobile devices to become viable tools for information capture and automation solutions. It helps prevent fraud by providing complete chain-of-custody assurances so that only authorized users can access and submit content to relevant systems and processes. Once captured, an image cannot be altered or tampered with and does not remain on the mobile device. 

Business Technology Association Announces BTA Field Service Foundations Workshop

Jan. 8, 2013 — The Business Technology Association (BTA; www.bta.org), in partnership with Service Strategies Corp. (www.servicestrategies.com), a San Diego based consulting and training firm dedicated to advancing service excellence, is launching a new classroom educational workshop that will provide office technology service professionals the guidance and tools they need to manage a highly successful field service operation. The class will make its debut on Feb. 6-8 as the front-runner workshop to the Winter Break event (www.bta.org/BTASoutheastEvent), to be hosted by BTA Southeast on Feb. 8-9 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

The BTA Field Service Foundations Workshop, designed for service management and dealership principals, is a two-full-day course that will provide a solid foundation of skills needed to successfully manage a field service operation. Field service managers must have a high quotient of skills and insights into the specific demands of their customers, team members and the service business environment.

This workshop includes topics covering leadership, coaching and facilitating the activities of a field service team toward the accomplishment of the evolving technical services mission. The workshop is broken up into 10 modules, each with its own learning objectives: Leading the Knowledge-Based Organization; Managerial Leadership and Behavior; Understanding the Service Product; Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty; Managing Strategically for Field Service Operations; Management Operations Analysis; Decision Making for Field Service; Staffing and Resource Planning; Performance Measurement and Metrics; and Performance Coaching and Retention.

Examples of learning objectives include:

· Assess the impact of change on the service operation.

· Identify the three managerial systems that make up the foundation of an effectively managed field service organization.

· Examine and explain the nature of field service solutions as service products.

· Explain how service offerings contribute to the overall strategies of the organization.

· Identify the production resources of the field service organization.

· Understand the impact of combining scheduled, semi-scheduled and demand activities in a field service operation.

· Explain the value of inspiring, encouraging and challenging members of the field service team.

The BTA Field Service Foundations Workshop instructor is John Hamilton, president of Service Strategies. He has more than 30 years of service industry experience, and has a well-rounded background from managing engineering, quality control and training organizations. Hamilton is also a frequent speaker at service and support conferences worldwide. Prior to founding Service Strategies, he was global director for technical support at EDS Unigraphics, a provider of CAD/CAM and PLM systems.

BTA member tuition for the BTA Field Service Foundations Workshop is $1,695;a 10 percent discount applies when dealerships send multiple attendees to the sameworkshop offering. BTA members may also apply their $150 or $250 discount couponreceived with their membership toward this workshop. Non-member tuition is $2,125and includes a one-year BTA dealer membership.

For more information on this workshop, visit www.bta.org/FieldServiceFoundations or call (800) 843-5059. Attend the Feb. 6-8 workshop and receive free full registration to Winter Break. 

Kofax MarkView 8.0 Accelerates Invoice and Receipt Processing with Mobile Devices

Jan. 8, 2013 – Kofax plc, a provider of Capture Enabled BPM (business process management) solutions, today announced the launch of Kofax MarkView for Accounts Payable 8.0, the first fully secure mobile solution for the automated capture and processing of accounts payable (AP) information. Kofax MarkView 8.0 reportedly accelerates processes and optimizes cash management by enabling customers to use the cameras in mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets to capture, view, manage and approve information from receipts and invoices from anywhere, at any time, within a secure chain-of-custody that includes AP processes and workflows.

Kofax MarkView for Accounts Payable is a comprehensive, capture enabled financial process automation application for AP and other functions, according to a company press announcement. It automates the receipt and capture of paper and electronic invoices, extracts relevant data from that content, perfects it and then manages the information into workflows for routing transactions through exception handling and approval processes. Kofax MarkView leverages Kofax Mobile Capture, which allows mobile devices to become viable tools for information capture and automation solutions. It helps prevent fraud by providing complete chain-of-custody assurances so that only authorized users can access and submit content to relevant systems and processes. Once captured, an image cannot be altered or tampered with and does not remain on the mobile device.

MWA Intelligence Awarded Gold Partner Status by SAP

Jan. 6, 2012 — MWA Intelligence, a provider of enterprise-class Machine to Machine (M2M) and Machine to People (M2P) solutions and services, has announced that they have been awarded SAP Gold Partner Status by SAP America, Inc. After only 5 months as an approved SAP Partner, MWAi has achieved this unprecedented recognition in record time, according to the company. The SAP Gold Partner Status recognizes remarkable accomplishments in sales along with rigorous certification attainment and in depth training. MWAi has reached this status by providing the SAP Business One application to the Office Technology and Imaging Channels.  SAP Business One is an integrated, affordable business management application designed specifically for growing businesses as well as for subsidiaries of large enterprises running SAP solutions in their headquarters. As an authorized Gold Partner for SAP Business One, MWA Intelligence provides the Office Technology and Imaging Channel businesses with the technology, business process and consulting knowledge to easily adopt successful, long-term IT strategies.

MWA Intelligence is responding to a growing need among Office Technology and Imaging Channel businesses struggling to gain and maintain competitive operating advantages with disparate, non-integrated business management systems.  SAP Business One offers a complete, affordable integrated solution that will allow dealers to have instant visibility into all of their business intelligence, across multiple businesses or locations and completely eliminates the need for multiple, unrelated business systems. Together, MWA Intelligence and SAP will provide Office Technology and Imaging Channel businesses the ability to make smart IT decisions, improve future performance, and achieve long-term success with little financial or strategic risk.

SAP Business One is a complete, integrated business management solution that provides transparency and instant visibility into operations. The solution helps companies to better unify, manage and control their entire business across financials, sales, customers and operations while eliminating redundant data entries and errors at the same time. The solution not only provides immediate results in operating efficiency and real-time business decisions, but also comes with an affordable price tag.  The affordably priced SAP Business One application is designed for those businesses that recognize the importance of leveraging business software as an integral component of their business growth strategy.

Des Plaines Office Equipment Introduces “Lunch and Learn” Series

Jan. 7, 2013 – Des Plaines Office Equipment (DPOE), www.dpoe.com, a Chicago-area provider of office equipment solutions including Managed Print Services and Managed Network Services (IT), has announced the launch of their new program, the Lunch and Learn Series, to be held at their Elk Grove Village headquarters beginning in January.

The workshop series will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST at 1020 Bonaventure Drive, Elk Grove Village. The first workshop is “HIPAA Compliance,” to be held Wednesday, January 16, which will review HIPAA laws and provide advice on how companies can remain compliant within their facility. Topics will include how to utilize secure office equipment and software. Attendees will learn the benefits of having a HIPAA certified staff member.

The second workshop, Data Security, will take place Wednesday, January 23, and will cover File and Document Security within the organization. Topics covered will range from simple file management security at the PC desktop level to document security with an office copier/printer.

The third workshop, which will be held Wednesday, January 30, will cover the topic of Legal Document Management. In particular, the workshop will look at how common documents are processed within the legal industry, and how to use software to store and retrieve files electronically. Attendees will also learn about simple electronic workflow procedures to streamline office paperwork.

In addition to learning about these topics, business owners will have the opportunity to network with each other.

Print Audit Rings in the New Year with its 100th Premier Member

Jan. 7, 2013 – Print Audit has announced that over 100 office equipment dealers have joined Premier since the program was launched in 2012. Print Audit Premier is an exclusive new subscription plan that gives dealers access to all of Print Audit’s products for one low monthly price. Print Audit created the subscription program with the brand promise of helping office equipment dealers win new customers, keep current customers and make a lot of money. The company has met and exceeded its expectations for Premier, with the average Premier dealer earning an extra $2.93 per device per month in profits within 90 days of signing up.

New Premier dealer, Complete Business Systems of East Texas, sees Premier as a way to also increase efficiency and responsiveness.  “The ability to independently and instantly license and install Print Audit products while the ‘iron is hot’ simply changes the game,” states Allen Pigeon, director of Professional Services, Complete Business Systems.  “We can now roll out Print Audit products in a timely manner and demonstrate to the customer that we can move quickly and efficiently. Premier allows us to fully control our destiny.”

In a recent interview, Donny Mihalevich of Standley Systems took the time to answer some questions about how successful the Premier program has been for his company. Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQmswSQF5so to watch the video. For more information about becoming a Premier member, please visit: www.printaudit.com/premier

Advanced Imaging Solutions Expands IT Services with Acquisition of Pinnacle of Indiana

Jan. 7, 2013 – Advanced Imaging Solutions, a provider of managed print services, copiers, printers, and managed IT services has announces its purchase of Pinnacle of Indiana, a Microsoft Certified Partner and one of the top managed information technology service providers in the Midwest. Together, they will serve over 3,000 customers concentrated in Northern Indiana and Central and South Michigan. This acquisition positions Advanced Imaging Solutions as a leader in the rapidly growing information management market, according to a company news release.

Pinnacle will operate as a division of Advanced Imaging Solutions, and its name reflects new ownership: Pinnacle – An Advanced Imaging Solutions Company. All Pinnacle products will remain in place ensuring their commitment to providing information technology solutions and services. Additionally, Pinnacle’s 50 management, support, and engineering employees will continue to operate out of their current locations at 4100 Edison Lakes Parkway in Mishawaka and 8910 Purdue Road in Indianapolis Indiana, throughout the transition to Advanced Imaging Solutions.

sd|University to Hold MPS Sales Workshops in Baltimore March 5-7 

Jan. 7, 2013 – sd|University, the advanced training division of Strategy Development, is conducting their MPS training March 5-7, 2013 in Baltimore, MD. The SD MPS Sales Workshop will take place on March 5-6, followed by the SD MPS Advanced Sales Workshop on March 7, 2013.

The two-day class, SD MPS Sales Workshop, will be taught by Tom Callinan, principal of Strategy Development, and Gary Schwartz, Consultant for Strategy Development, and will cover the MPS sales process for both small, fewer than 25 devices, and mid-sized, 50 – 250 devices, companies. A dealership’s sales team will learn the proper contact level and value proposition based on company size; how to get an appointment at the correct level; how to identify the areas of pain associated with the print environment based on company size; how to conduct an effective and efficient assessment to support the business case for a change; how to price a transaction, both outsourced and equipment led; and finally, how to present a winning proposal. For more details please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/mpsfundamentals.

The one-day SD MPS Advanced Sales class, also led by Callinan and Schwartz, will focus on the quarterly business review (QBR), a process Strategy Development introduced to the MPS community. With proper execution of the QBR a dealership will consistently gain share of wallet within customers’ accounts. For a full class description, please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/mpsadvanced.

The MPS Sales Workshop will provide sales professionals with the tools they need to be successful in MPS and be successful at taking customers from your competitors. Once a dealership starts to grow their portfolio of mid-sized MPS customers, the MPS Advanced Sales class will demonstrate specifically how to continue to gain share of wallet within those customers’ accounts.

For dealers who are a sd|University member company, this is one of the portfolio of educational experiences a sales and management team should attend. For those not enrolled in the tuition program, they can still attend Strategy Development’s education by enrolling for the individual classes. This award-winning training—receiving the highest accolades over the last six years—is available at the lowest individual class investment in the industry.

All sd|University classes can also be held at a dealer’s location for larger groups. For more information on sd|University and how the tuition program works and how it stacks up against the competition visit www.sd-university.com. Dealers  can still register for individual classes as well.

For more information or to register for the SD MPS classes, please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/events or contact Tom Callinan at callinan@strategydevelopment.com or at (610) 527-3317.

sd|University to Hold Strategic Sales Management Workshop in February

Jan. 2, 2013 – sd|University, the advanced training division of Strategy Development, is conducting their comprehensive Strategic Sales Management Workshop on February 20-21, 2013 in Dallas, TX.

“Our business is changing dramatically and to be successful it is imperative that you have educated sales managers,” says Tom Callinan, principal of Strategy Development. “Your sales manager needs to know how to develop, manage and retain their sales team. Our Strategic Sales Management Workshop will not only teach your sales managers how to develop great sales people, but it will also show them how to significantly grow their business.”

The SD Strategic Sales Management Workshop was designed to provide sales leaders a framework, process and tools concentrated on developing sales professionals, uncovering new business and expanding share of wallet with current customers. All sales leaders, or sales professionals moving into a management position, will benefit greatly from this interactive workshop. They will leave with proven processes that, when implemented, will increase their effectiveness, reduce turnover and drive improved results. The workshop will be taught by Gary Schwartz, consultant for Strategy Development.

Some of the topics covered in this two-day workshop include: how to build an effective sales team; territory design and management with focus on MPS and equipment; designing individual development plans; account planning and penetration; and, effective forecasting. All attendees will leave with templates for account planning sessions and development planning as well as a customizable on-boarding schedule.

For dealers who are a sd|University member company, this is one of the portfolio of educational experiences their sales and management team should attend. If a dealer is not enrolled in the tuition program, they can still attend Strategy Development’s education by enrolling for the individual classes.

All sd|University classes can also be held at a dealer’s location for larger groups. For more information on sd|University and how the tuition program works and how it stacks up against the competition visit www.sd-university.com. For a list of all classes currently scheduled for sd|University please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/events.

For more information or to register for the SD Strategic Sales Management Workshop, visit www.strategydevelopment.com/salesmanagement or contact Gary Schwartz at schwartz@strategydevelopment.com or at (817) 600-2216.

Industry Veteran Ken Staubitz Joins BEI Services, Inc. as National Sales Manager 

Jan. 2, 2013 – BEI Services, Inc. (BEI) has hired Ken Staubitz as national sales manager. Staubitz has experience in all levels of imaging dealerships service and operations.  As the Service Consultant for Strategy Development over the last two years, he has coached and trained hundreds service VP’s and Managers in best practices to achieve maximum service productivity.  Prior to Strategy Development, the majority of Staubitz’s career was with Modern Office Methods in Cincinnati, OH. His most recent position with MOM was as director of client services in which he managed over 60 service personnel in various locations while facilitating the BEI program. Staubitz consistently exceeded the various financial and operational benchmarks which allowed him to successfully train and consult for both the dealer channel and various manufacturers to improve their service operations.

“We are extremely pleased to have Ken join our team” says Wes McArtor President of BEI Services. “The addition of Ken increases our bandwidth allowing us to better support our current customers, while Ken focuses on bringing new prospects to our services. We feel with Ken’s real world experience using BEI Services products, he will be able to educate our prospects why it is so important to use BEI products that will dramatically improve service performance.”