GreatAmerica Scores Highest-Ever Dealer Rating in 2013 Cannata Survey
Dec. 19, 2013 – GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation scored a record 4.6 out of 5.0 in overall satisfaction in the Leasing Companies section of The Cannata Report’s 2013 Annual Dealer Survey, released last month. GreatAmerica has received the highest Dealer rating in three out of the last four Cannata surveys. The next highest leasing company score was 4.0. The Cannata survey is unique to the office equipment channel and a highly regarded independent poll of dealer opinions.
Of all financing companies in the poll, the report summarized “…there are two that particularly stand out —GreatAmerica Financial Services and U.S. Bancorp (USB). Another way to look at this information is that 74 percent of GreatAmerica dealers rate the company as Excellent, while 48 percent rated USB as Excellent.”
GreatAmerica also received the most “Excellent in Every Way” ratings from Dealers in four of the six manufacturer lines.
Ervin Equipment Finance Adds to Office Products Team
Dec. 13, 2013 – Ervin Equipment Finance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ann Arbor, announces the hiring of Lori Maxon as Relationship Manager to expand its office technology finance market team.
“With over 14 years of experience in the industry, Lori has a proven ability to consistently and successfully leverage long term relationships into profitable finance programs,” said R.J. Grimshaw, Executive Vice President & Chief Sales Officer. “Her industry knowledge, experience, and commitment to client service make her a natural fit within the entrepreneurial culture at Ervin.”
Prior to joining Ervin, Ms. Maxon served as Relationship Manager with Key Equipment Finance.
HP Rolls Out HP S900 Series MFPs
Dec. 10, 2013 — HP has announced the HP S900 Series MFPs, devices that they say will help reduce costs for organizations with high volume print, copy and scan needs. This suite of devices reportedly offers faster printing and scanning speeds to help increase office productivity. Key HP solutions integrated within the HP S900 Series include integrated fleet management, security, and document workflow to enhance and simplify IT management.
The HP S900 Series will be delivered exclusively as part of HP Managed Print Services (MPS) and HP Partner MPS agreements, providing customers with guidance to optimize, manage and improve their printing assets. The new HP S900 series devices allow HP MPS customers to solve their need for higher-volume devices with a unified, single-vendor HP fleet.
The HP S900 Series includes one monochrome MFP— the HP MFP S956dn—and three color MFPs—the HP Color MFP S962dn, HP Color MFP S951dn and HP Color MFP S970dn—that produce commercial-quality color prints at speeds ranging from 51 to 70 ppm and offer high-volume input capacities of 1,100 to 8,600 sheets. Finishing solutions include stapling, saddle stitching, booklet making, hole punching, folding, and trimming.
Each device in the S900 Series is equipped with HP’s business printing solutions designed to simplify business printing environments. These solutions include HP Web Jetadmin; HP Remote Monitoring; HP Universal Print Driver for remote management; HP Access Control for security, job accounting, and pull printing; and HP Capture and Route for improved workflow and document management.
Additional information about HP’s expanded MFP portfolio is available at www.hp.com/go/HPDiscoverBarcelona.
Konica Minolta Acquires CopySource Inc.
Dec. 10, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. has announced that it has acquired CopySource Inc., a business solutions dealership headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., to increase Konica Minolta’s reach in the southeast Florida region. As part of the acquisition agreement, CopySource will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta and maintain its current locations in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties, as well as its entire roster of more than 60 employees.
CopySource will continue to provide customers with best in class enterprise content management (ECM) solutions, managed print services (MPS), hardware and services. CopySource President Tim Marshall 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.
Recognized as an Inc. 5000 Company for two consecutive years, CopySource opened for business in January 2008 and quickly grew to be a leading regional provider of innovative document management systems and services that enable customers to improve document work flow and increase efficiency. Through the integration of copiers, printers, MFP technologies, and document management software and systems, CopySource delivers tailored, high-value solutions that are implemented and supported by its team of services professionals.
Ervin Leasing Celebrates 35 Years, Becomes Ervin Equipment Finance
Dec. 9, 2013 — Ervin Leasing is celebrating 35 years in the equipment finance business by updating its name to Ervin Equipment Finance. Ervin is one of the oldest financing companies in the industry and has earned a reputation for integrity and personal service from their work with over 9,000 vendor partners since 1978. In January 2013, Ervin Equipment Finance joined forces with Bank of Ann Arbor, an Ann Arbor Michigan based bank with total assets and assets under administration of over $1.7 billion.
“Bank of Ann Arbor recognizes the 35 years of success enjoyed by Ervin and is very confident in the future growth potential of Ervin Equipment Finance,” said Tim Marshall, president & CEO, Bank of Ann Arbor. “We have a substantial level of liquidity which will provide a stable source of funding to support Ervin’s expansion. Ervin’s national focus also provides us with economic diversification.”
“Now that we’re affiliated with Bank of Ann Arbor, we are attracting top producing sales professionals and future vendors that want high touch personal service.” explained R.J. Grimshaw, executive vice president & Chief Sales Officer, Ervin Equipment Finance.
Konica Minolta Receives “2013 Environment Minister’s Award for Global Warming Prevention Activity”
Dec. 11, 2013 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. has announced that parent company Konica Minolta, Inc. has been awarded a “2013 Environment Minister’s Award for Global Warming Prevention Activity (Implementation of Countermeasures)” by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan, in recognition of the initiatives to prevent global warming through the company’s “Green Factory Certification System.” Presented each December during Global Warming Prevention Month, the Ministry of Environment has awarded the Environment Minister’s Award for Global Warming Prevention Activity since 1998, honoring individuals or groups that have made significant contributions toward preventing global warming.
The Green Factory Certification System is part of Konica Minolta’s Eco Vision 2050 vision. This vision is guided by three main goals for the year 2050: reduce CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle by 80% compared to 2005 levels; promote recycling and effective use of Earth’s limited resources; and work to promote restoration and preservation of biodiversity. As part of this vision, Konica Minolta has established the “Three Green Activities” that will help achieve these goals. The Green Factory Certification System is one of the “Three Green Activities” and serves to comprehensively evaluate the environmental activities of Konica Minolta’s production sites. In place since 2010, the purpose of this system is to bring costs down and reduce environmental impact by developing activities in line with each business’ production strategy.
Toshiba e-STUDIO’s Earn Better Buys for Business Editor’s Choice Award
Dec. 10, 2013 —Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. has announced its e-STUDIO 477s/527s series MFPs secured the Better Buys for Business Editor’s Choice Award for best products in the monochrome copier category. Better Buys for Business selected the e-STUDIO527s series after rigorously testing other manufacturers’ current monochrome copiers. The company’s latest monochrome multifunction products were recognized for combining next-generation security and ecological features within a sturdy and compact design.
Print Audit Earns U.S. Military Certificate of Networthiness
Dec. 10, 2013 – Print Audit has earned a U.S. Military Certificate of Networthiness (CoN # 201316602) for its flagship software, Print Audit 6. Print Audit’s certification was issued just days after the U.S. Army issued a Directive that requires all Army organizations to perform an analysis for their print environment and cut unnecessary expenses. A Certificate of Networthiness (CoN) is a requirement for all enterprise software products that are installed within the U.S. Army Enterprise Infrastructure Network. CoN Certification signifies that Print Audit 6 is in full compliance with the Army’s strict standards for security, supportability, sustainability and compatibility. The certification also applies to all National Guard, Army Reserve and Department of Defense organizations that use the Army Enterprise Infrastructure Network.
PrintFleet Announces Strategic LINK Partnership with PrintReleaf
Dec. 9, 2013 – PrintFleet Inc. has announced that it welcomes PrintReleaf, provider of The PrintReleaf Exchange [PRX], a cloud-based program that translates paper consumption into trees, as its newest LINK partner.
PRX is the first known technology that reverse-calculates paper consumption to determine the environmental impact on the world’s forests. Within the platform, customers ‘releaf’ (or offset) their consumption by planting new trees – equivalent to their consumption – across global reforestation projects. PrintReleaf has exclusively contracted more than 112 million trees to help revitalize our forests and offset vast paper consumption.
LINK provides PrintFleet Vision and Enterprise users a simple and elegant solution for automatic transmission of device and fleet data to the PRX, according to PrintFleet. By adding LINK, PrintReleaf will be providing end-users with yet another way to help neutralize paper waste, improve efficiency and participate in sustaining our global forests.
Kyocera Adds Two New High-Speed MFPs to TASKalfa’s Line
Dec. 4, 2013 – KYOCERA Document Solutions America has strengthened its TASKalfa lineup by launching two color MFPs. The TASKalfa 7551ci and the TASKalfa 6551ci are designed to streamline document workflows, simplify daily tasks, and maximize efficiency by employing the hallmarks of the TASKalfa brand, according to a Kyocera press release.
The TASKalfa 7551ci (70 ppm color and 75 ppm black) and the 6551ci (65 ppm color/black) generate color or black-and-white scans, and feature optional Super G3 fax/network fax capabilities for high-speed document delivery. Other features include:
- Scanning speeds up to 200 ipm (impressions per minute);
- Robust paper handling of up to 12-inch x 18-inch and 140-pound index;
- Up to 7,650-sheet paper capacity with optional paper feed units;
- Standard color scanning to multiple destinations, including folder, email, FTP, USB, and Apple and Android mobile devices;
- Standard 270-sheet dual-scan document processing;
- Standard Scan Extension Kit for Searchable PDF (OCR);
- Processing speeds of 1,067 MHz;
- Apple AirPrint capability for mobile printing solutions on iOS devices;
- Intuitive and customizable touch screen control panel.
- Optional Fiery Print System for higher level color output
Designed with Kyocera’s long-life technology, the TASKalfa 7551ci and 6551ci offer a 600,000-page preventive maintenance (PM) schedule with a matching drum yield.
Kyocera TASKalfa MFPs integrate with a wide range of business applications, each driven by Kyocera’s proprietary and scalable HyPAS software platform. Some of the most popular include Kyocera Cloud Connect, which allows users to print from and scan to the cloud directly from the MFP’s control panel; HomePOINT, which enables users to print from and scan to network folders directly from the MFP’s control panel; and DMS Link, a customizable interface that streamlines workflow by linking a Kyocera MFP to an existing document management system.
Other powerful apps include PinPoint Scan, a robust app that makes it easy to scan from the MFP to a desktop; AccuSender, which permits the scanning and distributing of large files without size restrictions; and PreservDOX, which automatically routes and stores critical documents securely at the Kyocera MFP for immediate access when networks go down.
The TASKalfa 7551ci and TASKalfa 6551ci have manufacturer’s suggested retail prices of $39,545 and $32,954, respectively.
Copier Careers Publishes 2013 Sales Representative Salary Survey Results
Dec. 4, 2013 – The Copier Careers 2013 Sales Representative Salary Survey is now available. This year’s survey reflects the responses of nearly 10,000 sales professionals who work in the copier channel. Via Copier Careers online survey, reps shared information about their base pay, commissions, quotas, and more. Highlights from this year’s survey include:
· Both base pay and commission have increased for all sales job titles, with Major Account Managers earning the highest total compensation ($130,565) and Account Executives earning the lowest ($88,881).
· For both Account Executives and Named Account Managers, quotas have increased since last year in response to the success of solutions sales.
· As always, recruiting top sales reps is a challenge for copier channel employers. One way employers can attract the hungriest hunters is to offer a broader range of solutions than the competition. “If reps feel that their current employers aren’t offering a full range of solutions, then they know they’re leaving money on the table,” says Jessica Crowley, Director of Recruiting for Copier Careers. “And that’s a pretty good reason for a sales professional to make a change.”
To read and download the free 7-page salary survey, visit http://copiercareers.com/salary_survey/2013_sales_rep_salary_survey.pdf.
PrintFleet announces LINK Partnership with Compass Sales Solutions
Dec. 5, 2013 – PrintFleet Inc., a provider of managed print software and solutions, has announced that it welcomes Compass Sales Solutions, a provider of sales force automation and print management solutions, 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. 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.
The collaboration between PrintFleet and Compass Sales Solutions promises to bring competitive advantage and enhanced profit and productivity to the Companies’ mutual customers.
Toshiba Presents Latest Version of e-BRIDGE Print & Capture Mobile App
Dec. 2, 2013 —To address the needs of an ever increasing mobile workforce, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. (http://business.toshiba.com) has unveiled the latest version of its e-BRIDGE Print & Capture mobile software app. The upgraded app – compatible with all Android smartphone and tablet devices supporting version 2.3.3 (released in February 2011) or later – enables users to wirelessly scan from and print to the company’s e-STUDIO™ multifunction products (MFPs). With reportedly more robust scan and finishing capabilities, the free new app is particularly appropriate for the bring your own device – commonly referred to as BYOD – crowd.
By integrating Re-Rite – Toshiba’s optical character recognition software – users may convert paper documents into editable file formats on the fly and then distribute those files to a shared network folder, an email address or both. The new mobile app also scans to the latest Adobeformats including PDF/A (archive) and Slim PDF (high compression) protocols.
As a result of adding a new stapling option, the new e-BRIDGE Print & Capture app now answers user’s paper finishing needs. This feature is ideal when sending documents to an e-STUDIO MFP while rushing across the building for a meeting.
To help lessen an organization’s environmental footprint, the mobile print software features Toshiba’s Toner Save mode as well as the e-STUDIO’s Omit Blank Page option.
e-BRIDGE Print & Capture is also compatible with Private Print and other user authentication applications. A download of Toshiba’s new mobile app is available on Google Play.
Square 9 Softworks Opens Midwest Regional Office
Dec. 2, 2013 – Square 9 Softworks, developer of the SmartSearch Enterprise Content Management suite, has announced the opening of a new Midwest regional office located in Carmel, Indiana. Located just north of Indianapolis, Square 9’s most recent geographical extension will bring a higher level of support to channel partners in the Central U.S. The expansion has had the added benefit of creating several new technical, sales and management positions within the greater Indianapolis market.
The Midwest Regional office comes in response to the geometric growth of Square 9’s reseller channel throughout the central US and Canada. Channel growth coupled with changing market demand by customers for increasingly integrated solutions created a strong case for a more regionalized model with Indianapolis being a logical choice. Among the most cost competitive markets for corporate facilities, Indianapolis is known for its booming industrialized scene. The 13th largest city in the nation, Indianapolis thrives as a diversified economy filled with great opportunity.
Headquartered out of New Haven, Connecticut, Square 9’s Midwest Regional office is just the first step in planned regional expansion plan. Locations for a San Francisco Bay area location are currently being scouted in anticipation for a Q1 launch with future regional offices planned for the Southwest US and Western Europe.
Square 9’s Midwest Regional office is located at 650 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032.
FlexPrint Honored by Inc. Magazine
Dec. 1, 2013 – Inc. magazine named FlexPrint, Inc. to The Build 100, a new business index that honors an elite tier of companies that have expanded their employment in each of the past five years. The index was created by studying the growth performance of millions of U.S. midmarket companies between 2007 and 2012. This inaugural list celebrates agile, enduring firms across a spectrum of industries, including Coyote Logistics (3,228% workforce growth), HubSpot (709%), and Smilebuilderz (639%), among others.
The Build 100 is not just another business award; it is a predictive tool built on rigorous economic research showing the only statistically significant predictor of a company’s future success is sustained job growth over time. Every Build 100 company has added jobs in each of the last five years; a feat worth celebrating in any economic climate.
“72 percent of all new U.S. jobs are created by 1 percent of companies,” says Inc. economist-in-residence Gary Kunkle. “The Build 100 represents that top 1 percent of that 1 percent. They should be celebrated, but they must also be studied so that we can better understand — and replicate — the decisions, priorities, investments, and strategies that helped them grow.”
Inc. will unveil the full Build 100 list in its March 2014 issue and on its affiliate Website TheBuildNetwork.com in early 2014. To make the cut, companies had to have achieved employee growth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Companies founded after 2008, or those with a current U.S. workforce smaller than 85 employees, were not considered. In addition, all Build 100 companies have agreed to participate in a year-long research initiative studying the key drivers of sustained growth.
