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Thursday, April 15, 2010

Managed Print Services Market Shows Strong Commitment to North American MPS Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 15, 2010

Sold-out exhibits, expanded sessions signal enthusiastic interest from MPS end users and providers

LEXINGTON, KY -- The managed print services market continues to command attention from channel pros and end users alike, and the North American market has long been one of the most active arenas, with a history of over ten years of MPS engagements. North America accounted for 50 percent of the total global MPS market in 2008, and it continues to grow at a healthy 27 percent compounded annual growth rate.

To keep the momentum, MPS end users and providers have sought and found information and contacts at forums like the annual MPS Conferences. The market has responded enthusiastically to the upcoming 2010 North American MPS Conference May 3-5 in San Antonio, TX. Exhibit space is sold out, and the agenda has been expanded to three speaking tracks to accommodate increased attendance and interest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 15, 2010

Sold-out exhibits, expanded sessions signal enthusiastic interest from MPS end users and providers

LEXINGTON, KY -- The managed print services market continues to command attention from channel pros and end users alike, and the North American market has long been one of the most active arenas, with a history of over ten years of MPS engagements. North America accounted for 50 percent of the total global MPS market in 2008, and it continues to grow at a healthy 27 percent compounded annual growth rate.

To keep the momentum, MPS end users and providers have sought and found information and contacts at forums like the annual MPS Conferences. The market has responded enthusiastically to the upcoming 2010 North American MPS Conference May 3-5 in San Antonio, TX. Exhibit space is sold out, and the agenda has been expanded to three speaking tracks to accommodate increased attendance and interest.

The second annual North American MPS Conference focuses on the theme: “MPS: The Next Stage” and offers case studies, techniques, and ideas for moving to the next stage of MPS engagements. MPS decision makers, vendors and channel partners have signed up in record numbers to benefit from a rich agenda of relevant topics. Photizo Group, the leading research firm specializing in the printing and imaging industry, hosts the popular MPS Conference series, which have brought educational programs to MPS markets around the world.
Stellar Line Up of Industry Professionals

The North American MPS Conference promises a stellar line up of speakers, with multiple keynote presentations, as well as the definitive “State of the Industry” session delivered by Ed Crowley of Photizo Group. The keynote presenters are:

· Mark Boelhouwer, Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation

· Dena Bernard, Director, Customer Satisfaction and Services, Oki Data Americas, Inc.

· Jason Evans, founding partner and CEO of PEQ Service + Solutions (which was acquired by Buchanan Technologies last year) and recently featured in MPSmentor

Chasing Customers, Outrunning Competitors

According to the Photizo Group, the most significant growth factors during the next two years will be evolution of distribution channels, continued focus on cost savings and aggressive vendor programs. The MPS Conference agenda provides a number of sessions geared to these information needs. The expanded three-track format offers targeted education covering a number of MPS areas. A diverse range of managed print services topics such as best practices in implementing managed print services, sales and marketing best practices, change management, transforming the dealership, and selling into the SMB market are all part of the industry’s only dedicated MPS conference.

“Expanding the agenda gives attendees ample opportunities to attend all the sessions they want. With much at stake for participants in this multi-billion dollar industry, it’s important to adjust and accommodate their educational needs and interests,” said Photizo Group CEO Ed Crowley. Photizo Group estimates that the MPS market is currently worth over $25 billion globally and projects it will be a $60 billion market by 2013. “Channel professionals and vendors are also coming on board in record numbers. With the nearly sold out exhibit area, attendees are sure to find solutions and advice to support their MPS goals. The across-the-board enthusiasm and support signal strong interest in the red-hot managed print services market, and the conference is designed to provide the information necessary for success.”

Best Practices, Best Networking

The conference features case studies, panels, exhibitions and interactive sessions that highlight successful approaches and valuable takeaways from actual MPS engagements. Some of the practical topics covered at the San Antonio Conference are managing RFPs and contracts, financial models for MPS providers, and sales and marketing best practices. Decision makers, vendors and channel partners can also network and share their insights and experiences with MPS engagements.

Registration details and other conference information are available at http://www.mpsconference.com.

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

MPS Job Openings Drop: Copier Sales Rep Want Ads Increase - Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?

A want ad, specifically for MPS Sales, prompted me to take a quick look at the graphs provided by Indeed, and located at the bottom of this blog.

Stark contrast between "MPS Sales" and "Copier Sales" demand - as MPS Sales openings apparently tumble, the need for Copier Sales people has sky rocketed.

This is certainly not a scientific study but the graphs contribute fodder for discussion.

MPS Sales jobs listed here.



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Friday, April 2, 2010

Bruce Dahlgren Defines Managed Print Services


"Bringing order to chaos.

There's a huge infrastructure that's built up inside the office environment composed of printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines. Firms have no real single view as to its cost and how much [physically] of it there is."


The article/advertisement is here.


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Thursday, April 1, 2010

As of Today, Edgeline is Gone: The beginning of the End Started in Vancouver

Just under three years ago, Edgeline hit the market.

At the time, all the hoopla and programs felt like a plan, a strategy - not simply wishful thinking.

Over a year ago, January 27, 2009, I reported the shuttering of the Edgeline group in Vancouver.

I knew then.

For the last 12-15 months I have been counseling clients on this development and making plans.

Last month, I installed 15 Edgelines.

Between now and the end of May, I have five for sure and another 17 possible.

HP should discontinue product (and not tell anyone) more often.

Parts and supplies will be support for five years.

From InfoTrends InfoBlog, Robert Palmer writes:

"These types of MFPs are typically leased under a click-based service contract, and HP’s reseller channel is simply not equipped to support that type of sales/service motion..."

"...HP admitted as much when the Edgeline-based MFPs were announced, noting that the products would primarily be sold through direct engagements with large corporate accounts. The CM8050 and CM8060 served an important role for HP in its initial forray into Managed Print Services (MPS)..."

"...In short, HP does not have an adequate channel to move the volumes needed to support the Edgeline platform long term..."

That last sentence pretty much summed it up.

It was fun while it lasted, and the Edgeline technology will live on.

Today, it can be said, that HP is out of the copier business.

How much longer before HP evacuates the printing, hardware business all together?

See More Here.

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Contact Me

Greg Walters, Incorporated
greg@grwalters.com
262.370.4193