GreatAmerica Announces Managed IT Business Planning
Nov. 14, 2013 – GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation and Collabrance LLC have announced the rollout of a Managed Information Technology (IT) Navigator business planning seminar for office equipment and telecommunication dealerships, independent VARs, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs).The program includes a free Webinar offered in November and December, as well as a hands-on business planning session on January 14-15, 2014 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The events will be facilitated by Milton Bartley, president & CEO, ImageQuest Managed Services, Nashville, TN. Bartley will help guide executive teams through the step-by-step development of a managed IT services business model and operational structure. Businesses starting a managed IT offering–or scaling and enhancing a current one–will gain insight in sales force compensation, pricing strategies, and specific operational considerations, such as team structure and project implementation management.
Free Navigator Webinars: Managed IT: Build It, Run It, & Explain It To Your Clients
Wednesday, November 20, 1:00PM Central
Wednesday, December 4, 1:00PM Central
1.5-Day Managed IT Services Navigator Business Planning Session Tuesday/Wednesday, January 14-15, 2014 Hosted at GreatAmerica & Collabrance Headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Interested solution providers can receive a $500 early bird discount when they register before Friday, December 6, 2013. Managed IT Navigator participants do not need to be current GreatAmerica or Collabrance customers to take part in the Navigator programs.
For additional information or registration, contact Collabrance at (877) 715-8485 or go to www.greatamerica.com/ManagedITNavigator.
Sharp Unveils Cloud Portal Office
Nov. 11, 2013 – Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America has introduced Cloud Portal Office, a cloud-based document-storage and sharing service designed for an increasingly mobile workforce, where companies need to share information while still maintaining control and security over critical documents.
Sharp says Cloud Portal Office provides secure anywhere, anytime access” to information and document, enables remote and in-person collaboration, and creates a single repository for electronic and hard-copy documents accessible that’s accessible from tablet PCs, smartphones, traditional PCs, as well as Sharp’s Aquos Board Interactive Display Systems, and Sharp OSA enabled MFPs.
Cloud Portal Office provides:
- File and folder sharing – Files and folders can be shared with remote workers, or with those in the same office, when collaborating on projects.
- Conferencing with Cloud Portal Office’s integration with Sharp’s Aquos Board. Presentations are now easy to access and present, with no laptops or other technology needed.
- Capturing of and archiving hard copy documents through Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs (OSA 4.0 or later). The system integrates directly with Sharp OSA MFPs, allowing hard copy documents to be scanned and then stored alongside digital files, with document-indexing provided.
- Enhanced folder sharing and permission-setting capabilities that allow users to share as much or as little as they like.
Sharp will provide Cloud Portal Office as its first Software as a Service (SaaS) application available through Sharp’s Cloud Portal platform. It provides a management console for a suite of Sharp and third-party cloud services; offering the channel a single purchase and management platform, while providing customers with unified license-management and single-sign on across services.
Cloud Portal Office’s suite of software allows users to connect to the software no matter where they are, and to easily upload documents. The suite includes Cloud Portal Office Desktop for syncing software with Macintosh OS and Microsoft Windows computers; Cloud Portal Office Mobile app for Apple iPhones, iPads and Android smartphones and tablets; Cloud Portal Office Meeting Room, the Aquos Board Interactive Display connector, and Cloud Portal Office Scan/Print, a Sharp OSA enabled MFP Connector.
Cloud Portal Office will be available in the first quarter or 2014.
Sharp Announces Color Desktop MFPs
Nov. 11, 2013 – Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America has introduced two new desktop color imaging systems, the MX-C250 and MX-C300W that print, copy, scan, and fax, and provide output at up to 30 ppm. The new models are designed for small workgroups and businesses.
The MX-C300W includes wireless connectivity, and users can scan or print from up to five wireless devices such as a PC, laptop, smartphone, and tablet simultaneously. With Sharpdesk Mobile or standard wireless communication protocols, users can access the MX-C300W without a wired connection. Users no longer have to transfer files or images to a local machine prior to printing. Wireless connectivity also enables the document system to be placed in locations that may not have a wired network outlet.
The MX-C250 and MX-C300W will be available in mid-December 2013.
MX-M565N
Sharp Rolls out Six Monochrome MFPs
Nov. 11, 2013 – Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America has released the Advanced Series and Essential Series, a family of six mid- to high-volume monochrome MFPs. The new Advanced Series (MX-M365N, MX-M465N. and MX-M565N are designed for customers with demanding workflows, and are rated print at 36-, 46-, and 56-ppm, respectively. They feature Sharp’s 10-inch tablet-style touch-screen, an integrated retractable keyboard, wireless networking, true Adobe PostScript 3 print driver, and optional high-capacity paper handling and document finishing. The Advanced Series also provides access to Sharp Cloud Portal Office, Sharp’s cloud-based document storage and sharing service that’s accessed via mobile devices, desktop PCs, compatible Sharp OSA-enabled MFPs, and Sharp Aquos Board Interactive Display Systems.
The Advanced Series MFPs offer built-in wireless networking, as well as support for the free Sharpdesk Mobile app, which provides printing and scanning from mobile devices.
The Essentials Series (MX-M364N, MX-M464N and MX-M564N) are designed for cost-conscious customers and offercopy, network print, and scan at 36-,46- and 56-ppm, respectively.
The new MX-M365N, MX-M465N and MX-565N Advanced Series and the MX-M364N, MX-M464N and MX-M564N Essentials Series will be available in the first quarter of 2014.
Innovolt Ranks as 29th Fastest Growing Company in North America on Deloitte’s 2013 Technology Fast 500
Nov. 13, 2013 — Deloitte has unveiled the 2013 Technology Fast 500 Awards, which ranks Innovolt Inc., the leading provider of intelligent asset management technology, as No. 29. The Fast 500 recognizes the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America.
“Thanks to our team of highly innovative and progressive employees, Innovolt has seen immense growth since our 2006 inception,” explains Jim Mitropoulos, Innovolt CEO. “The hard work of our team, combined with the vast need for a technology that protects and extends the life of valuable electronics from power and environmental disturbances, has made for a highly successful few years for Innovolt.”
Power disturbances have a larger impact on businesses and the economy than is commonly known. The financial impact of downtime ranges from $14,500 to $6.5 million per hour, according to Gartner research. Since 2006, Innovolt’s technology has proven to decrease costs associated with equipment downtime through its electronics management solution.
Due to the great need for this technology, Innovolt grew 8,234 percent during the period of 2008 to 2012. The foundation of Innovolt’s technology solutions consists of Innovolt ROC™ and the Innovolt Management Cloud. Innovolt’s Remote Optimization & Control technology safeguards often-sensitive equipment from disturbances, while the cloud platform allows for prediction, measurement and optimization of these essential assets.
Overall, 2013 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 137 percent to 208,897 percent from 2008 to 2012, with an average growth of 2,600 percent.
Katun Introduces New Performance Color Toner for Canon imageRUNNER Advance C5030/C5240 Applications
Nov. 13, 2013 – Katun Corporation has introduced Katun Performance color toner for use in Canon imageRUNNER Advance C5030/C5035/C5235/C5240 applications. This toner set provides a reliable alternative for Canon dealers looking to boost the profitability of their iR C5030/C5035/C5235/C5240-series machines, according to Katun.
In addition to the color toner for use in the Canon iR Advance C5030, Katun has announced the launch of numerous toner product offerings for use in Lexmark printers and MFPs. The addition of these toners reaffirms Katun’s commitment to providing a comprehensive product offering for Lexmark dealers – helping them improve profitability on their most important machine populations, now and in the future.
Katun products may be ordered by phone, fax or email, or via the Katun Online Catalogue – the one-stop Internet resource that allows registered customers to locate and order thousands of Katun products while viewing real-time information about their orders and accounts. Customers can access the Katun Online Catalogue, or find Katun customer service contact information, at www.katun.com.
PrintFleet announces LINK partnership with Supplies Network
Nov. 12, 2013 – PrintFleet Inc. has announced today that it welcomes Supplies Network as a LINK partner. PrintFleet LINK provides PrintFleet Vision and Enterprise users a simple and elegant solution for automatic transmission of device and fleet data to distributors, service and solutions providers in the LINK partnership program, according to the company. LINK reportedly reduces both the technical and contractual complexity of supply chain integrations, allowing resellers to “get connected” and improve their competitiveness in the marketplace.
“This new capability greatly simplifies the exchange of data from resellers enabling the delivery of services and products for their MPS customers,” says Barney Kister, senior vice president of Strategic Relationships for Supplies Network. “The LINK service allows PrintFleet resellers utilizing PrintFleet Vision, or their own server, to pass data to Supplies Network for processing, utilizing our unique algorithms. The result is finely filtered actionable intelligence for services and true just in time supplies management.”
Toshiba to Integrate OpenText’s RightFax Software Throughout e-STUDIO Line
Nov. 11, 2013—To assist in bolstering user productivity and information security while minimizing user costs, Toshiba America Business Solutions has announced its partnership with enterprise information management software company, OpenText. As a result of Toshiba’s partnership, company will sell OpenText’s preeminent fax server software, RightFax. This technology enables users of Toshiba’s e-STUDIO line of MFPs to eliminate the need to manage and maintain telephony connections and fax boards while significantly reducing their fax costs, according to a Toshiba press release.
OpenText’s advanced fax software will be available through Toshiba’s more than 100 Toshiba Business Solutions subsidiaries as well as the company’s nearly 300 independent dealers.
Since RightFax software integrates with virtually every office application including Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes, Toshiba’s enterprise customers have the option to securely send and receive fax documents via email while sitting at their computer or using an e-STUDIO MFP.
Toshiba’s MFPs Meet New Environmental Standards and Qualify for Inclusion in the Definitive Green-Rating System’s Imaging Equipment Category
Nov. 11, 2013—To underscore its commitment to designing and delivering products to help facilitate customers’ environmental stewardship, Toshiba America Business Solutions has announced that 34 of its e-STUDIO MFPs are registered in EPEAT. EPEAT is the definitive global rating system for greener electronics.
Toshiba registered its multifunction products in the recently added imaging equipment category of the EPEAT Registry. The EPEAT system rates products on a lifecycle basis and considers, among other things, its absence of toxic substances, its use of recycled and recyclable materials, and its design for recycling, product longevity, energy efficiency, corporate performance and packaging.
To be added to the EPEAT Registry, an imaging device must meet at least 33 required environmental performance criteria. Products may achieve higher ratings by meeting some or all of 26 additional optional criteria. The rating criteria were developed during a four-year stakeholder consensus process that involved hundreds of representatives from the environmental, research, governmental and manufacturing sectors.
EPEAT is used as an environmental purchasing requirement by eight national governments, including the United States, and is integrated into hundreds of municipal, educational, healthcare and enterprise IT contracts worldwide. For more than six years, EPEAT ratings have helped companies, governments and consumers compare and purchase greener PCs and monitors, resulting in significant environmental benefits. The EPEAT system expanded in 2013 to include televisions and imaging equipment such as printers, copiers, scanners and multifunction devices.
According to the Green Electronics Council, since 2006, purchasers choosing EPEAT-registered electronics over products that don’t meet the system’s criteria have eliminated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 11 million U.S. vehicles’ annual impact, avoided more than 394,000 metric tons of hazardous waste and reduced solid waste by nearly 167,000 metric tons – equivalent to nearly 86,000 U.S. households’ annual waste.
RhinoDox Names Chris Clexton Enterprise Content Management Account Executive
Nov. 11, 2013—Document Solutions Company RhinoDox has hired Chris Clexton as Enterprise Content Management Account Executive. Clexton will have responsibility for positioning and sales of Business Process Automation solutions for RhinoDox. Clexton joined RhinoDox in October from Hewlett-Packard/Autonomy Corporation where he held the position of Enterprise Sales Account Executive for the Midwest Region.
