Your Managed Print Services Association and the European MPS Conference

Your Managed Print Services Association and the MPS conference in Amsterdam - the coming out party; the Vanguard. Think of it as a precursor to the North American conference in May.

Not only will your MPSA be attending the MPS Conference in Amsterdam, Jim Fitzpatrick the President of your MPSA will lead a presentation on the "State of Standards".

Since the election of your MPSA Team, much has been accomplished in preparation for the European MPS Conference. Indeed, in less than six months, the MPSA has built an infrastructure, website(parts under construction), and put together membership offerings.

Oh but wait, there is so much more.

A three month membership is free to those who sign up now for a limited time

Check it out here.

So, you might say,

"Greg, why in the world would I ever want to be part of the MPSA? I sell copiers, toner, printers, service, servers, telephony, storage, EDM, etc."

Good question.

Here's my answer: you will be part of something that will add value to your client relationships.

This is an organization of like minded people, at the very beginning of organizing. We are sharing insight on a non-competitive basis, elevating the discourse and breaking free form the shackles of the past...

...yeah, that was dramatic.

We are not a bunch of statisticians collecting data points from across the output device spectrum(not that there's anything wrong with that).

And we're not a group of beard scratching consultants who have been in the industry for the last 105 years espousing re-hashed copier sales training(not that there's anything wrong with that).

From my experience with just the executive members, the board members, and even our detractors, this is a good thing.

For instance, your elected officials are of such a diverse background and employed in completely different sectors - yet we all get along and we are all looking to improve MPS awareness. To use a word I have come to despise- Synergy.

We hope to establish some basic standards ultimately sharing tools that will help you transform the transactional into relational. Adding depth to your selling engagements.

But we shouldn't do it alone - we need you.

My "special" mission is to keep the direct avenue's of input open to the "trenches" - the people on the street, in the mix, winning and losing deals everyday, owners, managers, executives, clients and selling professionals.

No frackin Ivory Towers here, no elitism, no snobbish intelligentsia- this is a goal.

And it is just that, a goal. I know the solitary fighting man is a tragic story; it never ends well for the "Leonidas" of the day or a young Anakin and remember what happened to John the Baptist.

But it's fun.

- Yikes.

LOL!

Why I Want to Be Your Managed Print Services Association President

A Time for Choosing

To be President, Greg Walters

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fellow members of Your MPSA, I am reaching out today to ask for your support and your vote for President of Your MPSA.

Like our industry, Your Managed print Services Association has experienced a great shift – from an obscure genesis in San Antonio to an impeccable international presence. Since our humble beginnings back in 2008, I’ve been part of the great transformation of Your MPSA to center stage.

Today, Your MPSA and our niche are on the edge of greatness. From Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Johannesburg, Oklahoma City, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Seattle, Miami, New York City, Des Moines, Ontario, Berlin, San Juan, Paris, and Los Angeles, fellow MpS’rs are taking up the MPSA banner, helping businesses reduce costs, preserve jobs and make life easier.

That’s right, there’s more to MpS than toner on paper.

Still, I remember our proud technology lineage and customer focused pedigree. I believe in our industry. I see resilience and perseverance within each OEM, inside every provider and in the can-do attitude of all those “down the street” reps. We are a hearty bunch.

My Vision for Your MPSA is to grow with the shift, not against it. The winds of change are mighty and wise is the person who sails with the current. Knowing this and with bold confidence, we will move into a prosperous era unbound by misguided dogma of the past.

We will not venture the seas alone. Collaboration will be a supporting aspect in the coming years for Your MPSA – I will actively pursue open relationships and engage with anyone who brings value to our members.

One thing I’ve learned during my three year involvement with Your MPSA is that when we focus on the needs of our membership, forgetting corporate agendas, we do great things. I believe Your MPSA is For the Members, by the Members. Outside agenda’s will be left at the office.

Winston Churchill said that ‘the destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits, not animals.’ And he said, ‘There is something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty.’ As I travel the MpS ecosystem, I am often approached by MPSA members and non-members, asking questions about the future. Those questions aren’t posed out of fear or desperation. With each query there is a sense of determination and of duty. When “great forces are on the move in the world”, it is this spirit that sustains us; the same spirit Your MPSA is founded.

My Vision for Your MPSA is growth through attraction. Our message will cultivate and extend relationships within our niche and outside the industry. And I promise, Your MPSA will continue to be member-centric.

If you and I share a passion for our ecosystem and if you believe, like I do, our best days are yet to come, then ‘You and I have a rendezvous with destiny’.

Cast your vote for me, volunteer and let’s get started.

Thank you for your time,

Greg Walters

greg@waltersgroupinternational.com

Vote Here.

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Click to email me.

MPSA Task Force Brings Meaning to Managed Print Services

"Managed print services is the active management and optimization of document output devices and related business processes." - MPSA, 2010 DOTC 

Reflection - This was a very difficult task. One which Joe and Matt struggle with for months. A task that created a lot of dynamics within the MPSA Board. Joe and Matt came through and the board unanimously(yes, including me) approved. 

I like that the definition can be applied to both MPS provider and a self-implemented MPS engagement, like Nationwide Insurance. It's a good base, a solid foundation to build upon. And something easily Incorporated into multiple MPS talk-tracks for your prospects and clients. 

Good Form! 

PRESS RELEASE: New MPS definition helps end-users and providers standardize services, expectations 

Mount Laurel, NJ – July 8, 2010 – As the managed print services juggernaut rolls on to its projected $60 billion market size by 2013, one thing has been missing – a definition of this amazing segment. Just what exactly do we mean by “managed print services”? 

Background: The Emergence of Managed Print Services Over the past 10 years, the traditional copier and printer industries have converged, especially with the introduction of multifunction peripherals (MFPs). With the blending of these two hardware-focused industry segments, their products became commoditized. 

At the same time, users need more help managing their output devices, so a managed services approach to output emerged. Managed print services (MPS) grew as a business model revolving around servicing end-users’ output needs, not focused on a specific hardware manufacturer. The true MPS provider is a new breed: vendor agnostic and customer-focused. 

Ultimately they are paid for their consulting value, in addition to the tangible products that fulfill the consultation. Defining a New Business Model Until now, MPS has gone undefined, but thanks to the efforts of the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA), the market (worth over $25 billion globally) has a focus. 

According to the MPSA, "Managed print services is the active management and optimization of document output devices and related business processes."

Another Case for Chaining AI: Ex-AI Googler, Dr. Hinton

 'The Godfather of AI’ Quits Google and Warns of Danger Ahead

Source: The New York Times

Date: May 1, 2023

“I console myself with the normal excuse: If I hadn’t done it, somebody else would have.” - Hinton

Greg's Words

One of the AI pioneers from Google resigned and is speaking up about the dangers of AI.  Another one.  Like others, he is concerned that false information will be spread throughout the Universe at the hands of that dastardly, Modern Day Prometheus, artificial intelligence.

This coming from an ex-Googler is a bit ironic as Google is the King of steering content regardless of truth or falsehood - sponsored gets the top left position.

The list grows;  CRE CxOs, bank Presidents, Hollywood writers, graphic designers, musicians, and academics charging the line for more AI 'regulation'.

Nope.

"AI ἀναρχία" Now.

Enjoy our summary. For an alternative take on the New York Times report, go here.

Key highlights:

• Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, an AI pioneer, resigns from Google to speak freely about the potential dangers of AI.
• Hinton's immediate concern is the spread of false information online and the potential for AI to replace jobs.
• He suggests that global regulation may be necessary to prevent a dangerous AI race between tech giants.

_______

Industry Pundit and MPS Pro Ken Stewart Joins Photizo

A friend of DOTC, indeed one of the earliest "connections" I made out here in the MPS Ecosystem, Ken Stewart.

It is a great honor to know this gentleman, and to see one of the MPS Titans receive "just rewards".

Congratulations, Ken. Photizo is fortunate to have you.

----------------------------

Stewart brings channel background, customer experience and MPS leadership

Lexington, KY – July 30, 2010 – Ken Stewart, experienced managed print services professional, founder of industry blog ChangeForge.com, and decorated former Marine, has joined Photizo Group, leading advocate of managed print services research and consulting. In his new role as senior consultant, Stewart will focus on developing education tools, training, and other programs for the reseller channel.

"I am honored to join a team I so greatly respect, and believe this exciting opportunity to be a marriage of like minds and passions. As this industry continues to evolve, I look forward to serving our clients with integrity, intensity and insight as part of Photizo Group," said Stewart.

Universal Constant: Are you the "Historic-Denier"

"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

- Winston Churchill

The Earth rotates, our Moon orbits, both circle the Sun, the solar system flows within the Galaxy and the Milky Way drifts through the Universe.

Nothing stands still.

Some observe "change" in patterns - our lifecycle, ocean tides, seasons, sunrises and sunsets - there is a basic rhythm and circular order. Though seasons repeat and the Sun always rises, each Summer is unique, every Sunset, one of a kind. Flow patterns have similar signs, yet every journey is singular.

Even though we live within the turbulence, recognizing the past in our future is challenging.  The establishment doesn't like change.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

- George Santayana

Business systems abide the same laws yet it's difficult to recognize the signs of change, turn of seasons.  Arguments are historically similar, the signs as prominent, examples clear, but buried in the status quo:

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." - Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation

"It’s time we wake up from the pipe-dream of the paperless office..." - Wired

"Tsk. Death of the Copier? Come on, the OEMs will be around forever and people need to make copies.  Who let this guy in?" - Some print/copier dude, Lyra, 2009.

We've all been here before - as a society and as the human race - today it's the internet, a century ago it was the telegraph. Today it's iPADs, yesterday it was chalk.

Chalk.

There have always been visionaries, there will always be Ludittes.  As further illustration, consider the following list discovered years ago via Fred Kemp, a professor in Texas, by way of Collins and Halverson and originally presented by Dave Thornburg and David Dwyer.  

They're describing resistance to change. I know you'll see parallels.

Fascinating:

• From a principal's publication in 1815: "Students today depend on paper too much. They don't know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can't clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?"
• From the journal of the National Association of Teachers, 1907: "Students today depend too much upon ink. They don't know how to use a pen knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil."
• From Rural American Teacher, 1928: "Students today depend upon store bought ink. They don't know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education."
• From FTA Gazette, 1941: "Students today depend on these expensive fountain pens. They can no longer write with a straight pen and nib. We parents must not allow them to wallow in such luxury to the detriment of learning how to cope in the real business world which is not so extravagant."
• From Federal Teachers, 1950: "Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries."
• From a fourth-grade teacher in Apple Classroom of Tomorrow chronicles, 1987: "If students turn in papers they did on the computer, I require them to write them over in long hand because I don't believe they do the computer work on their own."
• From a science fair judge in Apple Classroom of Tomorrow chronicles, 1988: "Computers give students an unfair advantage. Therefore, students who used computers to analyze data or create displays will be eliminated from the science fair."

Breathtaking, isn't it? "Deniers" from 1815 to 1988.

I remember business owners back in the 90's exclaiming, “Why would I ever need a computerized accounting system?” Three years later, most of those suppliers were gone.

Do you hear similar comments? Yes, everyday.

OEM sponsored ‘studies’ reporting how office print is rising or a blog projecting paper as the preferred knowledge transfer medium appear almost daily; more signs lamenting "pen-knives" and "store bought ink".

I hope you're not telling your employees or prospects, they don't know how to "write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves" or "Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country..."

Robots are replacing jobs like never before, and that's okay.

The business world is evolving away from paper - processes are quicker and more efficient when utilizing digital conveyance of information, and that's okay.

Technology will be the great equalizer, women will be paid the same as men, minimum wage may end up at $40.00/hr, but cashiers and order takers will be replaced with the aforementioned robots.  And that's okay.

Study history, recognize the signs, see the future, flow through the now.

Don't be the historic-denier.

Curious about your future?  Interested in technology as a catalyst?  Join us for a thrill-packed, riveting, web-event, "The Future of Everything", May 19, 2016.

Successful MPS Conference Is Further Validation for Managed Print Services Industry

Conference attendance more than doubles; attendees enthusiastic about program

LEXINGTON, KY – June 4, 2010 – To say the managed print services market is growing would be an understatement. As evidence, consider the powerful participation in the recent MPS Conference hosted by Photizo Group. Attendance more than doubled from the 2009 event, from 135 in 2009, to 290 at the 2010 gathering in San Antonio, TX.

“As one attendee noted, the conference and swelling number of attendees is yet another confirmation that MPS isn’t a sales pitch it’s not just a strategy, it’s THE business strategy for the industry,” said Ed Crowley, CEO of Photizo Group.

Photizo Managed Print Services Conference 2011 - Look to Yesterday and See Tomorrow

This year the North American MPS Conference is going to be huge - attendance up, interest in MPS common, the niche now firmly established as an industry.

Why should you go?

Maybe you don't want to be the last person on your block selling copiers. No doubt to the surviving collection of people who don't care about value, costs or spending our money: Public Sector.

Do you think this "Hot New MPS Thing" will finally catch on next year?

Perhaps you're such a output-geek, friends and family are starting to put you in the same class as "Trekies"(for the record, its "Trekor"). Fewer people stick around once you get going on "scan once, print many".

And maybe approaching a three-some like the one above, intimidates you.

Ok, that has little to do with MPS; more to do with DOTC_AfterDark.

If you're into Managed Print Services, see a future beyond Stage 4, and reside out here with me 'to the right of the bell curve', this is our time.  Come.

Former IBM Executive Michael Maupin to Join the Advisory Board of The Water Training Institute

Press Release:

Philadelphia, PA, May 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Former IBM Business Unit Executive Michael Maupin has joined the Advisory Board of The Water Training Institute (a division of Water, a New Jersey-based consulting & services firm).

Maupin, who is the Managing Director of the business development firm MBI and author of the book "The Billion Dollar Deal" (11/09 Oxford Hill Press), has also joined the sales training staff and will be delivering segments of The Water Training Institute’s Certified Managed Print Services Seller (TM) Sales Training & Certification Program beginning in September.

“Michael Maupin brings more than 15-years of exceptional sales performance, unsurpassed big-league sales management experience, and overall sales know-how to Water’s already-outstanding sales training team” says Bobby Smith, a Principal at Water Canada. “His sales credibility and credentials strengthen that of The Water Training Institute and supports our goal to provide absolute top-notch professionals delivering the best experience to our clients. And besides, anyone who has achieved 11 (eleven) consecutive 100% Clubs and 3 Golden Circles at IBM, as Maupin has, is a proven, exceptional sales performer.”

Smith and Maupin became acquainted back in 2004 when Smith was a consultant at HP and Maupin joined Water to deliver a Consultative Sales Training program to the entire Hewlett-Packard U.S. Imaging & Printing Group sales force. But Maupin’s association with Water goes back even further. “When I started at IBM in the late ‘80s,” says Maupin, “the foundation of our sales training was based on the techniques offered by The Water Training Institute. Later, when IBM eliminated its internal training, I personally relied on Water for the training needs of all of my new hires. Now, I’m excited to work with this fine organization.”

The Water Training Institute’s Certified Managed Print Services Seller (TM) program begins September 16-18 in Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of the program is to provide sales professionals with a thorough understanding of Managed Print Services (MPS), comprehensive MPS sales training, a tailored MPS sales acumen evaluation & development plan for each participant, and a Certification Exam that – combined with the other aspects of the program - would substantiate that the successful candidate has demonstrated a certain standard of MPS sales performance and comprehension. More information can be found at www.h2o15.com.

“As a former sales rep, sales manager, sales executive, and the current Managing Director of a firm that helps companies close deals, I know the importance of being able to consultatively sell service-based solutions in today’s market” says Maupin. “It is my opinion that – if companies are serious about preparing their sales associates to sell Managed Print Services effectively – they should strongly consider the Certified Managed Print Services Seller (TM) program as the vehicle to help them get there.”

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KINDLE DEVICE UNIT SALES ACCELERATE EACH MONTH IN SECOND QUARTER; NEW $189 PRICE RESULTS IN TIPPING POINT FOR GROWTH

SEATTLE-July 19, 2010-(NASDAQ: AMZN)-Millions of people are already reading on Kindles and Kindle is the #1 bestselling item on Amazon.com for two years running.

It's also the most-wished-for, most-gifted, and has the most 5-star reviews of any product on Amazon.com.

Today, Amazon.com announced that Kindle device unit sales accelerated each month in the second quarter-both on a sequential month-over-month basis and on a year-over-year basis.

"We've reached a tipping point with the new price of Kindle-the growth rate of Kindle device unit sales has tripled since we lowered the price from $259 to $189," said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon.com.

"In addition, even while our hardcover sales continue to grow, the Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format. Amazon.com customers now purchase more Kindle books than hardcover books-astonishing when you consider that we've been selling hardcover books for 15 years, and Kindle books for 33 months."

Managed Print Services: EatersOfTheDead

August 2010 -

I attended a webinar hosted by the MPSA. The subject matter included a quick synopsis of the MPS industry by InfoTrends and a future view of the MPSA and how our members can contribute to the growth of the Association.

Jim Fitzpatrick, MPSA President presented very well.

The "state of the industry" provided by InfoTrends was great and relevant - unfortunately for me, nothing new.

A re-occurring theme was exposed - the cannibalization of our industry.

Randy, from InfoTrends, observed the "eroding of the supplies market..." and that there is no "real expansion in the market..."

More poignantly, we are "cannibalizing the market".

Randy and others are half right.

Strange Twist - Managed Print Services is Redefined Again: Printing Industry of America

In an unpredictable and amusing way, HP's announcement today regarding the Printing Payback Guarantee, triggered negative reaction from the PIA.

You will remember the PIA is the Printing Industries of America.

They bill themselves as "...the world's largest graphic arts trade association..." and today chastised HP for leaving it's core business to start printing greeting cards.

Hang on, this is going to be fun...


From the PIA Press release...

"...It is with disappointment, therefore, that Printing Industries of America learned of HP's latest offering -- managed print services, which was advertised with great fanfare in this morning's Wall Street Journal. "We are always concerned when a major vendor in our industry deviates from its core offerings to venture into managing print solutions, which the private sector has competitively provided for hundreds of years," notes Michael Makin, President and CEO of Printing Industries of America..."

Go ahead, read it again...

HP is deviating from "its core offerings to venture into managing print solutions..."?

Whiskey...Tango...Foxtrot!

LOL! The PIA are the folks printing your wedding invitations, posters, handbooks,etc.

What is your definition of Managed Print Services?

I am pretty sure it is not online customer job tickets, soft proofing of files on line, job status, retrieval of jobs and files, instant notification of job arrivals and proof approvals, and a product catalog.

Wait. It might not now be, but maybe it SHOULD be someday---?

I was in absolute shock - stunned actually.

I didn't understand when murmurings appeared on Twitter about "PIA's negative reaction to HP's announcement" - who the heck is PIA?

Did Ben kill a fly during the press conference?

How could anyone respond negatively to a simple guarantee?

Alias, a PR was issued, and the third ugly head of ignorance around the definition of Managed Print Services spewed forth.

I doubt very much that my comment will be posted on their board - I have been accused of sometimes being "blunt".

The PR is here. Go now, enjoy. My comment, that will never see the light of day, or smell the sweet scent of ink, is below:

OMG!

There is no way an organization that has been around for "100 years" can be so stupid...right?

"HP...Compromising their position..."

LOL! Bufoons!

I would urge all PIA members to re-evaluate their membership if this is the kind of direction the PIA leadership hands down.

Stunning...absolutely stunning...

You could have at least Googled "Managed Print Services" - even on dial-up the correct information could have saved you this embarrassment.


Too much, do you think?

Taming the Digital Dragon: Global Regulation on Artificial Intelligence?

Balancing Innovation and Security in a Tech-Driven World

"...It will likely take an AI-related catastrophe before any international rulebook or organization begins regulating AI technologies..."

Greg's Words

I despise rules; not Natural rules.  The man-made, legislative acts posed as 'protective' and oriented around 'safety' have devolved from logical to constrictive. Worse, the narratives behind laws, rules, regulations, and mandates have either become more transparent or simply more blatantly 'anti-fun' used to prop up old structures.

I bristle when I hear clamor about "how we need to slow down" AI development with guardrails and committees.  For me, it is both too Early and too Late to control AI Evolution.  The Genie is out of the bottle; the first of many more bottles to come.

But here's the fulcrum of my belief:  If AI were going to make us extinct, it would have done so a long time ago.

The masses are mystified by today's ChatGPT.  I stress the current version is a civilian edition.  Would I be the only person who thinks what we are using today is a decade behind what DARPA and others have bubbled away in some underground lab somewhere?

I can't be.

All this panic talk about slowing things down is hogwash put forward by people who up until three months ago couldn't spell "AI" let alone put together a reasonable prompt.

No no, dear reader.  The AI isn't going 'extinct' us.  BUT - this isn't to say a bad actor isn't going to use AI to try. I'll let the military handle that one.

What is needed with AI is a body of folks who will craft reasonable rules of engagement and policies designed to accelerate innovation AND illuminate all the possibilities of AI.

We don't need more laws.

Check out this summary of this article.

Executive Summary:

1. As AI technologies become increasingly integral and potentially harmful, leading voices within the field argue that regulation of these technologies should be a global priority.
2. Despite industry support for AI regulation, tangible action has yet to be taken by policymakers, who remain more focused on other pressing issues such as limiting China's access to critical resources and establishing shared terminology around AI risks.
3. Significant challenges lie ahead in navigating global regulations, with current models unable to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI. Advocates suggest that companies should preemptively adopt potential regulations and safety standards, ideally leading to broader global implementation.

________

Toshiba Announces Entry Level DocMan

Press Release:

RVINE, Calif. - (Business Wire) Toshiba America Business Solutions (TABS) today announced the launch of three new software solutions – deskSystem, deskRecord and deskForm – designed to improve document management, capture, work flow, and output for multifunction printer (MFP) users.

These solutions represent tier one offerings in a new, multi-tiered Toshiba software strategy announced to dealers over the summer during Regional Summits in Las Vegas and New Jersey.

The “desk” software developed by Prism Software Corporation, targets small- to mid-sized businesses requiring affordable entry-level solutions. These solutions are also easy for dealers to install, connect, and complement the award-winning Toshiba MFP line-up. Software add-on options within tier one will range between $495 and $3,995.

“Part of the reason we designed a tiered strategy was to help our SMB customers who had a need for software add-ons, but often felt that the options available in the marketplace were too advanced and thus too costly for their particular needs. This made it difficult for them to fully maximize productivity and efficiency within their offices. By offering simplified, affordable solutions, we can meet their needs, increase their productivity and improve their bottom line,” said Joseph Contreras, director, Product and Solutions Marketing, TABS.

“At the same time, we’re providing an opportunity for Toshiba dealers to complement MFP sales and build professional services practices by offering solutions that are easy to deploy.”

deskRecord is a complete desktop document management system that:

Quickly searches and retrieves documents;
Decreases the need for physically filing paper documents;
Provides real time document tracking and auditing;
Instantly shares documents via email; and
Saves documents directly from Microsoft Office applications

deskSystem is an easy-to-use desktop application that allows users to:

Create work groups for community-based work flow and collaboration with intuitive document composition and editing;
Create personalized and automated workflows and business processes for the automatic processing of documents;
Automatically route documents in and out of software programs such as DocRecord,
deskRecord and SharePoint; and
Easily and quickly compose and edit complex documents.

deskForm is a complete personalized communication solution for cross-channel messaging for small organizations. Key features include:

Create personalized print and electronic promotional, transpromo and transactional documents;
Generate personalized Web pages and HTML emails;
Fully-integrated postal certification;
SMS text messaging to provide instant notifications to customers;
All capabilities in a single application;
Integrated Microsoft SharePoint Server Output; and
Integration with DirectSmile for the creation of unique, personalized graphics and images.


About TABS

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) manages product planning, marketing, sales, service support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers, and toner products throughout the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS has five divisions: the Electronic Imaging Division; the Toner Products Division; the Document Solutions Engineering Division; the International Division; and TOPAC U.S.A., Inc., dba Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of TABS, that operates a network of wholly-owned office equipment dealers throughout the United States.

Named the most favored manufacturer ten times by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are markers for the industry. Among the many other awards garnered in recent years, Toshiba was named the "Manufacturer of the Year" eight times by Marketing Research Consultants (MRC), and has twice been named to the CIO 100 for being among the top 100 "bold" (2008) and "agile" (2004) companies in the world.

TABS is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest electronics/electrical equipment company and the world's 91st largest company in terms of sales. Ranked by Fortune magazine as the eighth Most Admired Electronics Company in the World, Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. Fiscal year revenue in 2008 was approximately $76.7 billion.

Your MPSA Election: Ten Questions For the Candidates: "Consulting" Opening.

This election is heating up, some candidates actively campaigning.

The Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) election is underway for a current opening on the board that will serve a one-year term (May 2010 – May 2011). The open position is for someone in the “Consulting” area which can be defined as "any person working for a research or vendor independent professional services organization, and is not a full time employee of any Manufacturer, Dealer or Industry Logistical/Component provider."

Submitted for your review:

10 Questions from DOTC to all those running.

And by all I mean, Bob Barrette, Fred Berger, Randy Dazo, Merlijn de Vroe, Randy Elliott, Mitchell Filby, Harry Hecht, Steve Juris, Jim Kahrs, Johan Kosters, Steven Power, Gerry Skipwith and Mike Woodard.

DOTC invites all to answer in the form of a comment to this post.

Responses will be unedited.

One detail - EACH ANSWER WILL BE 144 CHARACTERS OR LESS.

The voting is open to MPSA Members.

This should be fun:


1. What is your definition of MPS?
2. Does MPS currently have more in common with Copier or IT Sales?
3. What do you see as the future of MPS?
4. What is the number one benefit your clients receive from working with you?
5. In round numbers, how many clients have you consulted to or trained in, Managed Print Services, as defined in question one?
6. What value will you bring to the members of Your MPSA?
7. When was the last time you proposed, or help propose a MPS solution?
8. Do you belong to any other industry associations? If so, which?
9. What contribution to the MPS industry, do you feel Your MPSA should provide?
10.Who is your hero?

Threw that last one in, just for kicks.


That's it.

10 simple questions, 144 characters for each answer.

Voting procedure and candidate Bio's are here.

Click to email me.

Your Managed Print Services Association - Three Months Free

Your MPSA is opening up and inviting you to "test the waters" with a comp'd 3 month membership.

From the MPSA site, here.

Special Offer - Special Limited Time Offer

Become a Member of the MPSA

In order to kick-start the MPSA we will be allowing potential members to sign-up for free membership to the MPSA, which runs from 12/01/2009 to 02/28/2009. This will give you the opportunity to test the MPSA benefits, and assist in our numerous projects.
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This is great opportunity to check out the MPSA and see if membership would enhance your customer relationships.

Heck, it's free...give it a whirl.

The Death of Managed Print Services : Photizo Identifies The Fourth Horseman

Sept, 2009

TheEndOfTheWorld as WeKnowIt 

It was a free Photizo webinar about vendor-provided MPS programs and how somebody looking to get into MPS could evaluate all the choices. 

A simple, straight forward, easy to understand theme. Attending would be a good way of keeping up with what others think. 

Besides, I could work some spreadsheets and email while keeping one eye on the slide deck. The presentation was interesting, the questions posed engaging - the answers even more gripping. 

For instance, when asked about the future market growth for MPS, Ed responded by saying copier sales may increase by 3% by 2013, contrasted against a 28% growth in MPS. 

More importantly, of the 80% of dealers NOT providing MPS, 50% will disappear. 

 Ominous? Yes. 

But there is something more - a darkness slowing creeping over the MPS Ecosystem. 

At first, it's just the feeling that someone is watching you, then that slight prick at the back of your neck, the sudden chill - a kick in the breeze, movement at the edge of your peripherals - are those...hooves...I hear? 

---------------- 

A question was posed by somebody trying to reconcile the "box moving" mentality with this new MPS paradigm; Transactional vs. Relationship. And Ed hit it, 

"...whoever owns the service levels, owns the customer..." - makes sense and is self-evident. 

But then the question turned to the future of MPS - I think somebody actually asked Ed to define the 3 Stages, Control, Optimize, Enhance - "what would be the fourth stage?" was the follow-up question, it seemed to be a rhetorical one. 

But Ed has an answer. The Fourth Stage. 

The first board meeting of your Managed Print Services Association was held this past Friday. This is a significant event and trumpets in MPS as a real, defined philosophy and business niche. In order for the MPSA to begin, MPS needed to have some sort of definition - vague or otherwise, there had to be a common idea to rally around. 

Part of the definition formed around the three stages of MPS, observed by the Photizo group. To be certain, HP, Xerox, and all the other players in MPS either had or developed their own definition in "stages" or "phases" - but the basic 3 stages, Control, Optimize, Enhance apply to most MPS programs. 

As observed here on DOTC, the first two stages are sufficient and fall nicely into the traditional copier, office equipment model. The Third stage, Enhance, is a bit more advanced and demands more expertise. But the Fourth Stage is purely mind-blowing. 

Ed defined the fourth stage a managed print services Practice, managing the entire network. 

Imagine your remote monitoring software reading supply levels, meter reads, service events as well as network traffic, power consumption, and desktop PC usage. Imagine being hired by your client to optimize the network completely. Asset management, service calls, data flow - everything - managing the dynamic IT infrastructure. 

Yes, the Fourth Stage will take the "P" out of MPS - or will it? It is my opinion, that the Fourth stage will see the end of MPS. Hybrid firms swallowed up by the likes of EDS/HP, IBM, InfoPrint, and print devices showing up on Tivoli, UniCenter or MainView not PrintFleet, or Print Audit. The Fourth Stage is the Fourth Horseman - you know who rides and you know what follows. 

Have a nice day.

Ricoh can monitor Copier Power using IBM software

Ricoh's Embedded Intelligence System works with IBM's Tivoli Monitoring Networked Multifunction Products- And Why is This Important?

HP, Xerox, Ricoh and Dell: Something Wicked This Way Comes

CompTIA Unveils New Name for IT Channel’s Premier Event: Welcome to CompTIA ChannelCon

Conference will build on Breakaway legacy with more education, training and networking opportunities

Downers Grove, Ill., March 6, 2013 – CompTIA, the non-profit association for the information technology (IT) industry, today unveiled CompTIA ChannelCon as the new name and identity for its premier annual event.

The inaugural CompTIA ChannelCon is scheduled for July 29-31 at the Peabody Orlando Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

“Our premier event, known for many years as Breakaway, now has a name that truly reflects its scope,” said Kelly Ricker, senior vice president, events and education, CompTIA. “The quality of the meetings, partnership opportunities, hot topic sessions and channel-neutral training make ChannelCon an unparalleled experience in the IT industry.”

The format and content of CompTIA’s Breakaway conference has changed significantly over the last several years, shifting from an event that emphasized lead generation to a conference centered on business education and networking opportunities.

In 2010, CompTIA shifted Breakaway from a hosted industry event to an un-hosted model, where attendees chose to make their own investments to participate. The following year, a vendor-neutral channel training and education platform was added to the conference.

The introduction of CompTIA’s member communities also raised the activity and engagement levels at the event, allowing vendors, distributors and solution providers to sit at the same table to discuss best practices, address issues facing their businesses and develop initiatives to grow the IT industry.

“We embrace our role as the gathering place where industry opportunities and challenges are addressed collaboratively by all channel professionals, regardless of company or category,” Ricker said. “CompTIA ChannelCon brings together the best cross section of the industry: solution providers, vendors, distributors, analysts, media, tech associations and other channel organizations.”

ChannelCon attendees can expect great education and training opportunities, a lively vendor fair and the unparalleled access to key channel executives.

Other planned activities include:

• Workshops on CompTIA trustmarks, the business-level credentials for IT businesses that adheres to the industry's best practices.
• CompTIA Executive Certificate programs, which provide busy IT professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skill sets in areas such as cloud computing and mobile technologies.
• E-learning Capstone Sessions, the final piece to completing an e-learning Executive Certificate.
• Keynotes speeches and panel discussions featuring top leaders in the business and IT arenas.
• The “Unconference Lunch”, an opportunity for attendees to drive the conference agenda.
• Private events for exhibitors.
• Best of CompTIA ChannelCon Awards.

Registration for CompTIA ChannelCon will open in mid-March. Visit CompTIA Events for the latest information and updates.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org, http://www.facebook.com/CompTIA and http://twitter.com/comptia.
Contact:
Steven Ostrowski
Director, Corporate Communications
CompTIA
630-678-8468
smostrowski@comptia.org

Managed Print Services: Kyocera enhances, Sharp getting in, Brother waiting for MPS to go Mainstream(?)

That's right.

More straw MPS training, a late to the game player and an organization waiting for MPS Industry to "open up".

Press releases and reflection follow:

FAIRFIELD, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Expanding its industry-leading Managed Print Services (MPS) training offering, Kyocera Mita America, Inc., one of the world's leading document solutions companies, today announced that the Company has authorized the Business Technology Association’s (BTA) “MPS Sales Workshop” and “MPS Operations & Service Workshop” for meeting training requirements of the Kyocera Certified MPS Dealer Program.

These two programs are taught by Tom Callinan, Ed Carroll, David Ramos and Mike Woodard of Strategy Development, a management consulting and advanced sales training firm.

The BTA MPS training program and Print Management Solutions Group (PMSG) are the only organizations with authorized educational offerings within the Kyocera Certified MPS Dealer Program.

“Kyocera is committed to enabling and supporting its certified dealers in their development of the MPS business model, and we’re identifying resources which bring the best MPS training programs for sales, services and operations to our dealers,” said Peter Hendrick, vice president of marketing, Kyocera Mita America.

“We believe MPS is the future of our business and we understand that education is the key to a successful MPS strategy. We’ve partnered with BTA and PMSG, two of the industry’s leading Dealer and Training organizations, to deliver the training that certifies Kyocera dealers into our national MPS network.”

The following BTA MPS training programs are authorized for certification to Kyocera’s MPS Dealer Program:

BTA MPS Operations & Service Workshop

The MPS Operations & Service Workshop is designed to jump start the dealers’ understanding of how to set up and manage all service related aspects of an MPS agreement.

BTA MPS Sales Workshop

Designed to provide dealerships with the tools they need to establish a managed print services strategy, the MPS Sales Workshop will educate dealers how to increase the quantity of captured prints, lock in customers, distinguish themselves from competitors, sell more document imaging devices and, ultimately, become the end-user's "single source" for managing printed pages and hardware.

Press Release, here.
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DOTC, I'm calling BULLSHIT.

Your Managed Print Services Association Needs You - You Need The MPSA

As a reader of DeathOfTheCopier, you are part of an elite crew.

Thank you for visiting.

You should be part of another crew, the MPSA, let me tell you why.

Odds are, you're an owner/principal of a copier dealership. Or you're a new copier rep, a MPS Practice Manager, toner supplier, IT VAR or Seasoned Old Dog, you could be with one of the "big guys" X, I/R, or HP.

Your office may be a cube in New York City, the front seat of your car on the streets of Jersey or anyplace on the globe. Indeed, from to Japan to London, Amsterdam to Australia, the DOTC Universe is both huge and connected, a small world indeed.

Either way, you are a Professional, a unique individual, making your way.

The collective mind of the MPSA board is comprised of the sharpest, MPS oriented individuals on the planet. What's more stunning is that ego's and personal agendas are left at the door.

From defining MPS to establishing M.I.B. standards, the board is not backing down from huge issues for our industry. And yet, we remember our humble beginnings – the “down the street” sale.

Your MPSA is here for you – and by “you” I do not mean the fortune 500 gorilla X or the blue behemoth that is HP. I mean you – the manager reprinting one of my articles for the sales team, or you, the squeaky clean, new rep researching MFPs on a Sunday night and you, the grizzled Copier Dude, enticed into reading by the Girls of DOTC.

By “you”, I mean us.

Companies don’t bleed, or know the meaning of “sweat equity”, individuals do. A corporation doesn’t close deals, get commissions or pay taxes, individuals do.

To the core, the MPSA board is working for you, the individual - this is why I am pitching the MPSA. It isn’t that I do not appreciate the girth, substance or influence of the global leaders – I do.

All I know is that if all us individuals shrugged at the same moment, the MPS Universe would shudder.

So, with this in mind, I urge you to go to the site and become a member.

Try it. This improves you as an individual. As every assesment and presentation enhances your resume, the MPSA can be a touchstone for you as you sail the stormy seas of Managed Print Services.

If you have any hesitations, drop me an email and query me directly.

Go here now -

http://www.yourmpsa.org