May News Bytes

 

MWA Intelligence Redefines Meter, Service and Toner Monitoring 

May 22, 2013 — MWA Intelligence (MWAi) has announced a new iMPS print tracking sensor for the PRTG Network Monitor from Paessler AG. The iMPS sensor for PRTG Network Monitor automatically detects network MFP’s and printers capturing model, serial number, meters, toner usage and service alerts. The MWAi Sensor is one of more than 170 types of PRTG Network Monitor sensors, which makes the monitoring of virtually any device easy and thorough, enabling network administrators to take a proactive approach to monitoring network health. PRTG Network Monitor, which currently has more than 150,000 active installs, supports among others SNMP, WMI, Flow monitoring, as well as packet sniffing and monitoring of IPv6 devices. The extensive list of sensor types includes pre-built sensors specifically designed for monitoring of QoS, Websites, e-mail systems, applications, databases, virtual environments, and many others. The software is ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small office/home office, to large enterprises, and is used by more than 70 percent of Fortune 100 companies. For an in-depth explanation of the iMPS sensor for PRTG Network Monitor, please visit this blog page: http://www.paessler.com/blog/2013/05/21/news/mfp-meter-monitoring

Konica Minolta bizhub C554e/C454e Series Offers Enhanced Performance 

May 29, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced the launch of the bizhub® C554e/C454e Series of Color Multifunctional Products. Featuring Konica Minolta’s INFO-Palette design, these high-speed, high-volume print/copy/scan MFPs are considered enhanced versions of their predecessors (bizhub C554/C454) and offer broader accessibility, more effective communication, improved information sharing and energy savings, according to a Konica Minolta news release.

The series is ideal for a broad range of users, including medium to large businesses; healthcare, education and legal customers with customization needs; and corporate environments with high-quality color output needs. With output speeds of up to 55 ppm and built in print control, this new series provides high-volume printing with pro-quality inline finishing options. The series also incorporates the latest evolution of INFO-Palette design with enhancements including: improved swiping; drag and drop; tap and toggle; pinch in and pinch out; as well as image rotation operations. The control panel offers direct access to downloadable apps from the Konica Minolta bizhub MarketPlace, and security has been expanded on these models, making them one of the first bizhub MFPs to comply with the IEEE 2600.1 international standard for MFP and printer information security as well as ISO 14001 international environmental standards.

To reduce energy consumption, the series incorporates a wake-up function, which enables automatic answering for network communication. The result is a larger power shutdown area that reduces power consumption in sleep mode so that electricity is only provided to the area needed to wake up the device. This new platform consumes less than 1.0 watts during sleep mode and also improves TEC values.

BTA Managed Services Workshop Scheduled for June 19 

May 29, 2013 — The Business Technology Association (BTA; www.bta.org) will hold its newly revised BTA Managed Services Workshop on June 19, 2013, in Chicago, Ill. Attendees to the workshop will receive free registration to the June 17-18, 2013, Cruise to Success district event, hosted by BTA Mid-America.

The BTA Managed Services Workshop has been updated to include the Managed Services Business Model. This model is the first of its kind, specifically for BTA dealers, and has been developed by workshop instructors Mitch Morgan and Chris Ryne of Growth Achievement Partners (GAP) and Continuum. GAP has been assisting dealers in making this important transition since 2009. Continuum is a large, experienced provider of managed services operations to dealers, and currently manages more than 500,000 endpoints. The companies’ combined knowledge in the managed services space will allow dealers to walk away with a “time-tested” business model and key metrics to guide success in this important strategic area. The business model includes an action plan and covers such topics as:

• Revenue: The appropriate targets, mixes and types, and how those should change over time to include items like hardware-as-a-service and cloud services brokerage.
• Contracts & Account Expansion: Seats under management, revenue per seat and growth expectations via additional products and services over time.
• Activity & Pipeline: Sales cycle duration, pipeline metrics, activity targets to achieve business model revenue targets.
• Head Count: Productivity measures for sales and vCIO personnel, target head-count levels based on seats managed and customers under contract, and personnel mix between sales and operations.
• Compensation: Who to pay, how to pay and when to pay, as well as target compensation levels as they relate to gross profit and revenue.
• Profitability: Target contribution level and operational levels to enhance performance.
• Operational Metrics (Core NOC/Help Desk): Key drivers of managed services profitability and customer satisfaction, including productivity measures, availability metrics and response times.

In addition to the business model, participants will be trained on a sales process that has been successful for managed services sales. The sales process is a three-phase sales process that provides clarity to the important components in closing managed services opportunities.

BTA member tuition for the BTA Managed Services Workshop is $995 for one attendee and $745 for an additional attendee from the same dealership. BTA members may also apply their $150 discount coupon received with their membership toward the workshop.

For more information or to register, visit www.bta.org/MS or call (800) 843-5059.

Phillips Office Solutions Hosts 800 Guests at Customer Appreciation Day

May 28, 2013 – Neither inclement weather nor a major traffic tie-up in the area could dampen enthusiasm for Phillips Office Solution’s annual Customer Appreciation Day. Eight hundred guests participated in the daylong event, held May 9 at Phillips’ headquarters in Middletown, PA. Phillips presented the event – among the largest office products dealer expos in the United States – in conjunction with Guernsey Office Products Inc. of Dulles, Va. On Dec. 31, Phillips sold its office supply division to Guernsey.Besides featuring more than 100 product manufacturers, Customer Appreciation Day provided guests with breakfast and lunch, seminars, show specials, prize drawings, massages and health screenings.

Phillips (www.buyphillips.com) is one of central Pennsylvania’s leading independent office solutions companies. Phillips provides document management and workplace interiors products from offices in Greencastle, Lancaster, Middletown, Reading and York, PA, and Hunt Valley, MD.

Print Audit Partners with IDC to Provide Exclusive Offers to Premier Members

May 28, 2013 – International Data Corporation (IDC) and Print Audit have partnered to offer exclusive benefits to members of Print Audit’s Premier subscription program. With 163 members world-wide, Premier is a subscription program that gives office equipment dealers virtually unlimited access to all of Print Audit’s products for one low monthly price.

IDC is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets. One of the benefits available to Premier members is access to four IDC Printing and Imaging Webinars during the course of the year on topics such as predictions for the future, Managed Print Services, mobility and more. As part of the partnership Premier subscribers also gain access to IDC Webcasts on various IT related topics. Furthermore, Premier members will receive a discounted rate on Print and Imaging related research studies.

Ray Belanger elected First Vice Chair of South Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

May 27, 2013 – Ray Belanger, CEO of Bay Copy (www.baycopy.com), has been elected First Vice Chair of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  He is second in the line of succession to chairing the Chamber’s Board of Directors, a duty he will assume in 2014. In his current role, he will work closely with the current Chair of the Board, as well as with CEO Peter Forman and COO Robert Rivers.

The Norwell, MA resident is an active member of the South Shore Chamber and has served the Chamber in a number of capacities during his time as a member. Belanger, who has been president of Bay Copy since 1992, is also a founding member and past president of Select Dealer Group, a national trade association of office products dealerships. He is a past President of the Konica National Advisory Board, a current member of the Lexmark Advisory Board and has been a featured speaker/panelist at industry events.

Ricoh & Xerox Take Joint Aim at the Patent Trolls

May 23, 2013 – Ricoh Americas Corporation and Xerox Corporation have filed a Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 7,786,426 (“the ’426 patent”) at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). The ’426 patent has become the subject of an aggressive patent licensing campaign by various affiliates of MPHJ Technology Investments who are targeting users of the products of virtually every manufacturer of multi-function imaging equipment, including Ricoh and Xerox.

The campaign by MPHJ’s affiliates, which has focused primarily on small and medium-sized businesses, asserts that the use of multi-function printers in combination with email or network software infringes MPHJ’s ’426 patent and demands a license fee be paid for such use. As part of the Inter Partes Review Petition, Ricoh and Xerox are seeking a ruling from the USPTO that the claims of the ’426 patent are unpatentable and were fully anticipated by various prior art references.

In a joint statement the companies said, “Ricoh and Xerox believe that the ’426 patent is invalid, the infringement claims are without merit and the licensing demands of MPHJ are unsupportable. Today’s filing demonstrates both Ricoh and Xerox’s strong commitment to their customers and authorized dealer networks. If successful, our action will both nullify the ’426 patent and help disable MPHJ’s licensing campaign against our customers. We are confident this is the right action to take to support our customers.”

Ricoh and Xerox will continue to monitor MPHJ’s licensing efforts and will update their customers and authorized dealer networks with any further developments regarding the USPTO’s Review.

Compass Sales Solutions Expands Partnership with Kyocera Document Solutions America 

May, 21, 2013 – Compass Sales Solutions, a provider of sales opportunity management software, has announced its enhanced alliance with Kyocera Document Solutions America, a dynamic force in the MFP and printer industry. Kyocera Document Solutions, who has been a long term user of Compass Sales Solution’s Sherpa Trek product at several of its locations, has decided to extend its usage to all locations throughout the United States and Canada.

For their 200+ users, Kyocera locations will be using the Sherpa Expedition product in conjunction with their own CRM product, Focus.  The Sherpa Expedition product will allow Kyocera Sales Reps to accurately manage the TCO analysis process, price profit into both MPS and hardware opportunities, produce quality and professional proposals, accurately generate forecasts, and have full integration into E-Automate. The flexibility of Sherpa Expedition allows Kyocera to create a system for its sales team that provides them all the resources necessary in one integrated system; sales, administration, service and management can now execute multiple marketing strategies on a united front.

Konica Minolta Adds OpenText Fax Solutions to Its EnvisionIT Portfolio 

May 20, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced the addition of OpenText RightFax and Fax Appliance to its EnvisionIT vertical solution portfolio. The OpenText fax products work directly with Konica Minolta bizhub Office MFPs to provide both small and large customers with a complete networked fax solution that maximizes an organization’s productivity and cost-savings.

OpenText RightFax: This scalable, networked fax solution is designed for organizations with fax volume of more than 500 faxes a day and can support intense fax volume of the largest enterprises. Through the touch-screen display integration of the bizhub Office MFPs, customers can access a multitude of RightFax features to streamline document scanning and distribution by fax and email as well as personalize cover pages, phone books or billing code lists. This close integration between bizhub Office MFPs and RightFax helps automate paper-driven processes to reduce operational costs and decrease risks associated with stand-alone fax machines and unsecure email communications.

OpenText Fax Appliance: Intended for customers with fax volume less than 500 faxes a day, Fax Appliance offers simplicity in a hardware-based network fax solution. It includes a powerhouse of fax features in a compact device and is available in 2 analog line (A102) and 4 analog line (A104) versions. It also uses a simple scan-to-email method of initiating a fax transmission, which provides for simple faxing straight from bizhub Office MFPs.

Pantone LLC Approves Kyocera’s TASKalfa Devices 

May 20, 2013 – KYOCERA Document Solutions America, Inc. has announced that Pantone LLC, a provider of professional color standards, has approved the TASKalfa 5550ci, 4550ci, 3550ci, and 3050ci MFPs for PANTONE Color production capabilities. Pantone approval is granted only after rigorous analysis. When testing the TASKalfa devices, the company’s color scientists and color analysts developed Kyocera device-specific look-up tables, allowing users to print superior simulations of proprietary PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM Colors. Pantone scrutinized the output—along with the toner, driver, resolution, and engine of each TASKalfa device. Overall the results during this analysis were found to be exceptional.

sd|University Schedules Enterprise Selling Skills at KATUN Headquarters July 16-17 

May 20, 2013 – sd|University, the advanced training division of Strategy Development, is conducting their Advanced Enterprise Selling Skills Workshop (AESS) on July 16-17, 2013 at KATUN Headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. The Advanced Enterprise Selling Skills workshop will empower a dealer’s sales force to penetrate new accounts and develop additional business into existing accounts. Some of the topics covered include:

• Time and territory management
• Business acumen and decision-maker motivation
• Prospecting
• Questioning and listening skills
• Initial sales call and presentation skills
• Proposal writing fundamentals
• Proficiency in negotiation
• Account planning and customer retention
• How to maintain and expand customer relationships

This intensive, two-day program, designed by Strategy Development consultants, will be taught by Gary Schwartz, consultant with Strategy Development.

If you are an sd|University member company, this is one of the portfolio of educational experiences your sales team should attend. If you are not enrolled in the tuition program, you 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, please contact Tom Callinan at callinan@strategydevelopment.com or at (610) 527-3317. 

Ricoh Unveils MP 2501SP MFP

May 21, 2013 – Ricoh Americas Corporation has announced the MP 2501SP, a 25-ppm MFP designed to meet the diverse needs of small workgroups. The MP 2501SP copies and prints documents up to 11×17 inches, scans in color, and offers optional faxing and advanced security features. It extends Ricoh’s advanced technology platform, including mobile worker support, cloud connectivity and sustainability features – to the most economical end of its product line.

“The MP 2501SP handles the steady printing and copying work you expect while also serving as a high-powered information portal, whether by itself or as part of a fleet,” said Dominic Pontrelli , Senior Vice President, Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “Built on our next-generation MFP platform, it’s engineered specifically to address businesses’ emerging challenges in information workflow – input, processing and output.”

For example, workers and authorized guests can scan to and print from their mobile devices’ SD cards or their USB thumb drives. They can use Ricoh’s new advanced technology platform services to implement a wide range of solutions for document capture, management, storage, processing (e.g., OCR), printing, sharing, customer relationship management and more. The MP 2501SP’s sustainability features include ENERGY STAR® accreditation, automatic duplexing, optional quota setting and an eco-friendly indicator that encourages users to reduce paper consumption.

Organizations can easily customize workflows through the 4.3-inch color tilting touchscreen panel, with each user able to program up to 72 icons. With the optional hard disk drive (HDD), the MP 2501SP can store up to 3,000 electronic documents for convenient use. For financial institutions, health care providers and other organizations requiring advanced security, the MP 2501SP offers optional password-protected and user-specific authentication to help prevent unauthorized access to key documents and ensure system privileges.

The MP 2501SP is easy to manage as part of a fleet. Administrators can customize the color touchscreen with a company logo and program icons for specific functions and applications. They can register user codes, set user quotas, run usage reports, configure devices centrally and apply common settings across multiple devices of the same model for simplified fleet management.

The MP 2501SP is available now for a suggested retail price of $5,000. Some features may require additional options. For details on Ricoh’s full line of products, services and solutions, visit www.ricoh-usa.com.

BTA Mid-America District Cruise Set for June 17-18

May 14, 2013 – On June 17-18, 2013, the Business Technology Association’s (BTA) Mid-America district will host Cruise to Success, an educational and networking event at the DoubleTree by Hilton — Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

The event will feature a keynote presentation by Doug Albregts, president of Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America, four additional educational sessions presented by industry leaders and a dealer panel focused on turning business disruption into opportunity. Dealers will be able to participate in networking events that will allow them to connect with their peers, including a welcoming reception on June 17, and dinner and a scenic cruise on Lake Michigan aboard the Spirit of Chicago on June 18. In addition, there will be time to visit with 30-plus exhibiting sponsors, many of which will hold drawings for great prizes during the event. Dealer attendees can also enter on site for a chance to win a $500 American Express gift card from BTA Mid-America.

Cruise to Success begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 17, with one-on-one vendor/dealer meetings that will be held until 3 p.m. These meetings will give dealers the opportunity to earn $30 for each 15-minute one-on-one meeting attended, up to $210 per dealership. These meetings have been established to provide dealer attendees quality time with select vendors and to help defray travel costs. For more information, visit www.bta.org/15MinMeetings. At 4 p.m., the event will kick off with opening comments and Albregts’ keynote presentation, “The Disappearing Channel.”

The 2013 BTA Channel’s Choice Awards will be presented just prior to Monday evening’s welcoming reception, which will be held from 5:30 until 7 p.m. The reception will give attendees time to network with peers and visit with exhibiting sponsors. Breakfast will begin at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, followed by opening comments, the dealer panel, an educational session and lunch. After lunch, the final educational sessions, closing comments and prize drawings will be held. On Tuesday evening, attendees will enjoy the Lake Michigan dinner cruise.

In addition to the keynote presentation, the Cruise to Success educational sessions will be: “Growing the Business by Building a Strong Team Environment,” with Larry Coco of Coco Training & Consulting Inc.; “Cruise to Success or Drown in Legalities,” with Bob Goldberg, BTA general counsel; “What is Wrong With All This Talk of Transformation,” with Ed McLaughlin of Valderus LLC; and “The Great Mobile Workforce Debate,” with Terrie Campbell of Ricoh Americas Corp. The dealer panel, “Turning Business Disruption into a Welcome Opportunity,” will be moderated by David Ramos of Katun Corp. Panelists include John Kuchta, president of SolutionOne, Lincoln, Neb.; Chip Miceli, president of Des Plaines Office Equipment, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Brian Snow, president of Advanced Business Systems, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Greg Walker, president of East Texas Copy Systems Inc., Tyler, Texas.

BTA General Counsel Bob Goldberg will also be available during the event to provide free legal consultations to BTA members. A post-event workshop will follow Cruise to Success. On June 19, Mitch Morgan and Chris Ryne of Growth Achievement Partners will present the BTA Managed Services Workshop. Attendees to this post-event workshop will receive free registration to Cruise to Success. For more information, visit www.bta.org/MS.

BTA member dealer registration (with dinner cruise) for Cruise to Success is $199, which includes the keynote session, educational sessions, dealer panel, Monday welcoming reception, and Tuesday breakfast and lunch. BTA member dealer registration without a dinner cruise ticket is $169. BTA member dealers who register at $199 receive a second free registration (including the dinner cruise) for one of their dealership’s employees; those who register at $169 will also receive a second free registration (excluding the dinner cruise). Non-member dealer registration with a dinner cruise ticket is $249. Non-member dealer registration without a dinner cruise ticket is $219.

For more information, including full session descriptions, additional pricing information and the registration form for the event, visit www.bta.org/BTAMidAmericaEvent.

 

Ricoh Rolls Out Two New Color Production Systems

May 14, 2013 – Ricoh Americas Corp. has introduced two new full-color digital imaging systems for in-plant print centers and print service providers. The RICOH Pro C5100S and RICOH Pro C5110S production imaging systems print and copy up to 65 ppm and 80 ppm, respectively. Ideal for helping businesses launch their first production printing programs, the devices blend application flexibility, high productivity and cost-effectiveness in a compact footprint, according to Ricoh. In addition, both models feature a new toner formulation that increases the printable color gamut by 10 percent compared to Ricoh’s other color production printers and has a lower fusing temperature, which means faster warm-up times and lower energy consumption.

A Ricoh press release notes that the RICOH Pro C5100S and RICOH Pro C5110S are also the first to feature new, enhanced toner transfer technology and elastic fusing-belt technology to deliver higher-quality imaging on heavily textured media. The imaging systems enable customers to save more than 60 attributes to a single Media Library selection to minimize guesswork and enhance productivity. To simplify print management in Windows or Mac environments, the RICOH Pro C5100S and RICOH Pro C5110S offer two controller options, including the value-based Fiery E-22B, or the server-based Fiery E-42B for advanced control typically reserved for high-end devices. Both controllers are running the very latest EFITM FS-100 platform for unparalleled color control and seamless workflow integration.

The RICOH Pro C5100S and RICOH Pro C5110S incorporate a wide range of professional-grade finishing options for stapling, hole punching, saddle stitching, full-bleed booklet finishing and more.

Canon Solutions America Recognized for Inkjet Innovations

May 14, 2013 – Canon Solutions America, Inc. (CSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., has announced it was voted “Company to Watch” by attendees of the inaugural Inkjet Summit 2013, which was held April 9 -11 in Ponte Vedra, FL. The recognition was presented to CSA’s Production Print Solutions (PPS) team during the Awards Dinner on the final night of the event.

The invitation-only event was the first of its kind, focusing solely on inkjet printing technology. Industry expert Charlie Corr led a team of top industry consultants, leaders and digital printing visionaries as they explored the future of inkjet printing through a series of keynotes, panel discussions and case studies focused on the latest inkjet trends and technologies. Other topics of discussion included appropriate paper stock for inkjet printing and preproduction workflow considerations.

The interactive event brought together suppliers of inkjet solutions with qualified attendees from the transactional/transpromo, direct mail/marketing, and books/publishing segments. The goal was to help senior managers and other decision-makers understand how inkjet technology will impact their business and guide them in shaping their vision and strategy for the future. In addition to the thought leadership garnered from speakers and panel discussions, attendees enjoyed ample opportunities to meet one-on-one with inkjet manufacturers and learn about new products and technologies. Meanwhile, vendors were able to develop more intimate relationships with potential buyers who are specifically interested in inkjet printing solutions.

Konica Minolta Included in FTSE4Good Global Index for Tenth Consecutive Year 

May 13, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced that its parent company – Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) – has been included in the FTSE4Good Global Index by the FTSE Group in the UK, one of the best known indices in the world for socially responsible investment (SRI) communities. This marks the tenth year in a row that Konica Minolta earned this recognition.

The FTSE4Good Global is provided by FTSE, an independent company owned by the London Stock Exchange Group. The FTSE Group confirms that Konica Minolta has been independently assessed according to the FTSE4Good criteria, and has satisfied the requirements to become a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series. Created by the global index company FTSE Group, FTSE4Good is an equity index series that is designed to facilitate investment in companies that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards. Companies in the FTSE4Good Index Series have met stringent environmental, social and governance criteria, and are positioned to capitalize on the benefits of responsible business practice.

For additional information on Konica Minolta’s global CSR and environmental efforts, please click here.

Formax Introduces 6206 Series Inserters 

May 10, 2013 – Formax has introduced the compact 6206 Series Inserters, adding to its full line of mailing solutions. The 6206 Series is available with up to four feed stations, and combines ease-of-use with energy savings and a compact footprint. Standard features include a full-color touchscreen control panel with job wizard, a vertical output stacker which holds up to 250 filled envelopes, a dedicated semi-automatic document feeder for daily mail, automatic water level detection, and AutoSet^M for one-touch setup of new jobs. The 6206 Series can store up to 20 programmable jobs, and has a powerful folding system which accurately folds up to eight sheets of paper at the same time. Its energy-saving standby mode automatically powers down the inserter after one hour of being idle.

Four configurations are available, including the 6206-Basic 1 ith one automatic sheet feeder, the 6206-Basic 2 with two automatic sheet feeders, the 6206-Advanced 1 withone sheet feeder and one insert/BRE feeder, and the 6206-Advanced 2 with two sheet feeders and one insert/BRE feeder. Additional features include cascade mode to maximize production, a drop-in feed system, and the ability to process documents up to 14 inches long.

Formax Introduces the FD 574 Cut-Sheet Cutter 

May 13, 2013 – Formax has introduced the FD 574 Cut-Sheet Cutter, featuring greater speed and accuracy than the discontinued FD 572, at the same price. It’s designed to handle cut sheets generated from a digital printer, and is ideal for processing checks, coupons, notices, and tickets.

The FD 574 has an increased processing speed of up to 2,640 sheets per hour and enhanced cutting accuracy of +/- .5 mm. The top-loading feed tray accurately feeds up to 500 sheets with guide rollers to prevent paper curling, new transport rollers, and controls for fine-tuning. Combined with optional perforator and center slitter units, it can cut, slit and perforate in a wide variety of configurations. Its quality-engineered cutting system produces precise and razor sharp edges on each piece. Standard features include a LCD control panel, six pre-programmed settings for popular paper sizes, up to 100 programmable jobs, safety interlocks, and the ability to process sheets up to 12 x 18 inches. Options include a slitter, perforator, and belt conveyor stacker for convenience.

The FD 574 is suitable for offices and print shops of various sizes.

Photizo Mobile Brings Insights to the Masses

May 7, 2013 — The Photizo Group has announced the launch of its new mobile application, Photizo Mobile, now available for free on iTunes and Google Play. The Photizo Mobile app delivers the most important headlines from the imaging industry directly to the user’s mobile device on a daily basis.

Photizo Mobile answers the question, “What is most important in the imaging industry today?” The Photizo Mobile user will benefit from the Group’s deep industry expertise and the convenient delivery of top imaging headlines, including trends, announcements, and market events. Photizo finds the day’s most important information, so the user doesn’t have to.

The app delivers the day’s top three industry Insights and provides a brief synopsis of each topic prepared by one of Photizo’s expert analysts.

According to Ann Priede, VP of Photizo Group’s Publications and Services, “Our goal is to bring Photizo’s insights to the entire imaging industry. In essence we are bringing insights to the masses by making it easy and convenient to have the information you need.”

Photizo Mobile complements but does not replace the broad array of market intelligence services which Photizo Group provides to the leading technology providers and channel partners in the imaging market. According to Priede, these services are fine-tuned to provide the deep, detailed insights major corporate clients need, whereas Photizo Mobile is designed for individual users.

Toshiba Simplifies Document Workflow for Large Businesses with eConnect

May 7, 2013—Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (http://business.toshiba.com has introduced its eConnect for Perceptive Software connector.  eConnect allows for the seamless integration of Toshiba’s line of e-STUDIO multifunction printers with Perceptive Content, formerly known as ImageNow. As a result, office employees may now capture and process documents in a safe and secure manner from the front panel of a Toshiba device. Toshiba’s eConnect for Perceptive Software extends the capability of the MFP allowing businesses to use a Toshiba e-STUDIO as a capture on-ramp to Perceptive Software anywhere within their facility. Toshiba e-STUDIO products connecting to Perceptive Content further simplify an organization’s business processes by seamlessly integrating with an array of enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.

Moreover, businesses incorporating a Toshiba e-STUDIO with Perceptive Content definitively enhance the capabilities of the device by permitting employees to singularly or collaboratively manage documents while operating in separate departments or countries, according to a Toshiba press announcement.

Users incorporating Toshiba e-STUDIO devices with Perceptive Software further receive peace-of-mind with the understanding their documents are protected by an array of security elements. Perceptive Content integrates such security measures as user authentication and authorization, user activity auditing, data storage protection and encrypted communication to maximize data safety while fulfilling an organization’s legal obligations.

eConnect for Perceptive Software is now available through Toshiba Business Solutions and other authorized Toshiba dealers. The suggested retail price is $600 per device.

Print Audit to Exhibit at DocuWorld 2013 and Unveil Next 20 Premier Promotion 

May 7, 2013 – Print Audit has recently announced that over 150 office equipment dealers now subscribe to its Premier subscription program. The program is expected to continue its rapid growth with the unveiling of a promotion at this week’s DocuWorld 2013 conference, which will allow the next 20 dealers that sign up for Premier to receive a special bonus. Print Audit will be exhibiting in the show’s Technology Pavilion and will also host a speaking session on Friday May 10 at 1PM (CDT) entitled “Print & Device Management – How to Build Additional Recurring Revenue.” DocuWorld 2013 gathers Docuware customers, solutions experts, partners and team members to share unique insight into the latest products and solutions in the field of information management. DocuWare enables any size organization – in any industry – to transform documents into valuable capital.

Regardless of format or source, DocuWare automates business processes and workflows by electronically managing and sharing documents. Print Audit Premier is a subscription-based program that allows office equipment dealers to increase their profit margins on print management solution sales by providing access to all of Print Audit’s products for one low monthly fee. With Premier, subscribers receive access to a full array of print management tools that can be used to uncover more sales opportunities, truly manage printing in any environment, lower print costs and add value to the dealer’s machines in field. DocuWorld 2013 takes place May 8 – 10, 2013 in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency. For more information on DocuWorld 2013, please visit the following Website: http://docuworld.docuware.com/americas/2013

GreatAmerica Selects Print Audit as Additional FleetView Provider

May 2, 2013 – GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation has announced that it has added Print Audit Premier as an offering under its FleetView brand of device remote monitoring and management. Previously powered by either PrintFleet or FM Audit, the FleetView expansion with Print Audit allows resellers to not only monitor devices, but also influence print behaviors through its rules-based structure. Additional functionality available to the end user includes built-in cost recovery capabilities, follow-me printing and secure print release.

The Print Audit model is designed to help an MPS provider save its end-user clients’ money and provide additional features, but also turn a typical cost center into a revenue generator. By providing end users new benefits and value, office equipment dealers can charge a monthly fee, which grows their recurring revenue.

GreatAmerica has been active with MPS solutions for a decade, specializing in bundled billing and offering other nonfinancial services for its customers, like Collabrance managed IT services. They have offered hosted fleet monitoring solutions for more than seven years.

NER Data and Preton Sign Distribution and Integration Agreement

May 2, 2013 – NER Data Corporation today announced a distribution and integration agreement with Preton, a provider of printing cost reduction software.

Preton develops PretonSaver, a print management software application focused on providing detailed print usage data for optimizing toner and paper consumption and controlling printing activity. PretonSaver gathers a set of user focused reporting data from all network and locally connected printers and includes extensive print policy enforcement capabilities for reducing toner and consumption. PretonSaver optimizes the amount of toner consumed by utilizing Preton’s core Pixel Optimizer technology, which intelligently identifies and removes overlapping and other unnecessary pixels during the printing process.

As part of the agreement, NER Data will leverage key PretonSaver capabilities and integrate vital usage data into its industry leading Print4 Managed Print Services (MPS) Application.

By combining PretonSaver with Print4, customers will gain superior management capabilities at the document, device and user levels. PretonSaver data will be incorporated into the Print4 Online portal to provide users with a single view into every aspect of a print environment, while providing the core competencies of each application. The core Print4 MPS solution consist of over 20 different MPS program types, a cloud-based technology suite, automated toner alerting and fulfillment, a comprehensive support structure and a world-class printer service business. In addition, NER Data offers IT imaging services and print planning/policy administration services.

Xerox, XMPie Open Door for Graphic Designers

May 1, 2013 – Creating and producing personalized, impactful direct mail campaigns, brochures, posters and booklets just got easier – and more affordable – with the combination of software from XMPie^®, A Xerox Company, and the Xerox Phaser 7800 Color Printer, according to a Xerox news release.

This bundled solution for variable data printing is designed for creative shops, advertising agencies, and marketing communication firms who want to produce colorful, highly personalized, one-of-a-kind communication collaterals for their clients.

Designers working with Adobe InDesign can leverage XMPie’s uDirect Studio LE software to incorporate data and images in unique and attention-grabbing ways. For example, variable data-driven collateral can be tailored by region or customer profiles and personalized images and graphics – such as names appearing in clouds or roadway signs – can be created with XMPie’s uImage and AdobePhotoshop or Illustrator.

Once the creative elements are completed, the Phaser 7800 produces materials that match the designer’s vision, with colorful output and consistent image quality. The printer comes equipped with professional color management tools and finishing options – making it easy for shops of any size to produce high-end marketing pieces.

Design boundaries can also be pushed with the printer’s capacity to handle heavyweight stocks for books and calendars, and non-traditional sizes for postcards and photos.

The XMPie uDirect Studio LE and the Xerox Phaser 7800 Color Printer bundles are available immediately in North America and Europe. Pricing starts at $8,299, which includes a Phaser 7800/DN with the XMPie software; a savings of 32 percent versus buying the printer and software separately.

BTA to Host ProFinance 2.0 June 5-6 in Denver 

April 30, 2013 — On June 5-6 in Denver, Colo., the Business Technology Association (BTA; www.bta.org) will host ProFinance 2.0, a one-and a-half-day financial benchmarking educational course for office technology dealers. The course is led by instructors John Hey and John Hanson of Strategic Business Associates (www.strategicbusinessassoc.com).

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 dealers and their teams achieve double-digit operating income, according to a BTA press release.

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).

 

sd|University to Hold MPS Sales Workshops at GreatAmerica Financial Services June 11-13  

April 30, 2013 – sd|University, the advanced training division of Strategy Development, is conducting their MPS training at the GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation headquarters in Cedar Rapids, IA this June. The SD MPS Sales Workshop will take place on June 11-12, followed by the SD MPS Advanced Sales Workshop on June 13.

The two-day class, SD MPS Sales Workshop, will be taught by Tom Callinan, principal of Strategy Development, and will cover the MPS sales process for both small, fewer than 25 devices, and mid-sized, 50 – 250 devices, companies. MPS sales teams will learn how to:

•  Approach the proper contact level and present a value proposition based on company size
•  Get an appointment at the correct level
•  Identify the areas of pain associated with the print environment based on company size
•  Conduct an effective and efficient assessment to support the business case for change
•  Price a transaction, both outsourced and equipment led
•  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, will focus solely on the quarterly business review (QBR), a process Strategy Development introduced to the MPS community. With proper execution of the QBR attendees will consistently gain share of wallet within their customers’ accounts. For a full class description, please visit www.strategydevelopment.com/mpsadvanced.

At the conclusion of the first day of training, GreatAmerica will host a special networking dinner for all attendees.

If you are an sd|University member company, this is one of the portfolio of educational experiences your sales and management team should attend. If you are not enrolled in the tuition program, you can still attend Strategy Development’s award-winning education by enrolling for the individual classes. This training is available at the lowest individual class investment in the industry.

All sd|University classes can also be held at your location for larger groups. For more information on sd|University and how the tuition program works and how it stacks up against the competition please visit us at www.sd-university.com.