Managed Print Services Association: See Your Future, Be Your Future

Evolution is a wonderful thing, even if it is inevitable. As those of us take pleasure in bantering about the "definition and re-definition of MPS" it becomes more evident that a single, unifying force, other than gravity, is called for.

Visionaries see this, critics - criticize, yet men(and women) of destiny, take action.

And so it is with the Managed Print Services Association forming with the help of the Photizo Group.

A bold endeavor to be sure, but we don't run from history, we make it.

Ed felt as though he was going out on a limb with his announcement of such a group. Indeed, in the first round of attention given to the association, on the MSP Mentor forums, arm-chair challenges and the veiled snobbery of the "intelligentsia" greeted the news.


Ed's post, Why Now Is The Right Time for a Managed Print Services Association is here.

Here is one passage I like:

"...One question that may be asked is why doesn’t another group (such as the Business Technology Association or COMPTIA) form an MPS Association. While this could be possible, I believe most of these groups have an existing constituency with their own set of pre-existing motivations, member preferences, and requirements. The MPS industry is unique in that it draws from a very broad base across the technology, reseller, and end user community. As such, I believe it would benefit from the formation of a new organization which does not have an existing charter or direction..."


...Only time will tell...

Managed Print Services to Double: Dude, Let's go to Asia.

Managed print services to double in Asia Pacific

In an article released by CIO Asia, the Asian market for MPS is predicted to be $825 million in 2011.

This according to a recent study conducted by Springboard - the study titled, "Dude, Where's My Printer - Asia Pacific Managed Print Services Market and Forecast".

Who says MPS researchers don't have a sense of humor.

The article is here.

Some excerpts:


"...In the MPS competitive landscape, HP is the clear leader with a dominant market presence in the region, followed by Fuji-Xerox, which has "leveraged its robust set of MPS offerings and a strong partner ecosystem to strengthen its regional presence," says Springboard's report.

Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) will remain as the largest MPS market in the region, cornering over 25 per cent of the market and expanding at a CAGR of 19.3 per cent to 2012. Springboard says that, while India is behind China and ASEAN in overall market size, India is forecast to be the fastest growing market a compound annual growth rate of 22.6 per cent.

"These robust growth figures indicate not just a vibrant MPS marketplace, but they also reflect the emergence of MPS as the best growth bet for the print hardware vendors in the region, who have seen a decline of hardware sales amidst the economic slowdown," said Sanchit Vir Gogia, senior research analyst for services at Springboard Research.

"Enterprises in the region are eager to test and adopt the 'next level' of printing environment, presenting the MPS vendors with a growth opportunity in a difficult economic situation," said Mr. Gogia...

"The MPS model is still in its infancy in Asia Pacific and enterprises in the region need to be educated that this is much more than an alternative print hardware purchase model," said Phil Hassey, vice president for services at Springboard Research. "The challenge for providers is to ensure they manage MPS offerings prices and offer solutions as a long-term strategy, providing immediate and successful results for enterprises."
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OKI Data Americas Showcases BTA-Exclusive Color MFPs and Managed Print Service Product Line/Program Offerings at ITEX 2009

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, will unveil new BTA-exclusive color MFPs and a complete portfolio of Managed Print Service (MPS) Ready products and services to BTA dealers at 2009 Information Technology, Education and Exposition (ITEX) in Las Vegas (March 18-19).

Press Release follows. Large.

As an eight-year partner-level sponsor and charter member of the show, OKI Printing Solutions will showcase its expanded line of BTA-exclusive color MFP products, headlined by the award-winning CX3641 MFP, and educate dealers on the newly-announced MPS Ready products and services. These solutions provide an entry point for dealers considering a managed print program, or help take those already engaged to the next level, to increase profitability and develop recurring revenue streams.

In addition, OKI Printing Solutions will incorporate the company’s philanthropic program, Color Me OKI, at ITEX booth #609. This year, the booth will feature the 1950s Automotive Classic, 1959 Pink Cadillac Series 62 Convertible as part of Color Me OKI’s drive to survive breast cancer.

OKI Printing Solutions Highlights at ITEX 2009:

* View demonstrations of the newest BTA-exclusive color MFP products, including the CX2640, CX1145, CX2033 and CX2633 MFPs

* Learn how OKI Printing Solutions’ full-line of Managed Print Service Ready color and monochrome single function printers will help partners expand their MPS program offerings and increase overall hardware and consumables sales

* Attend “Capture and Workflow Solutions – Moving from Print to Scan, Owning the Electronic Document,” a presentation on Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00am with OKI Data Americas’ Steve Feldstein, Senior Product Planning Manager for color MFPs and Matthew Lonergan, Collaboration Specialist - Business Productivity, State and Local Government for Microsoft®

* View an exclusive presentation featuring rare Elvis footage few have ever seen, and meet Joe Esposito, long time friend and road manager to Elvis Presley

* Have your photo taken with 1950s Automotive Classic, 1959 Pink Cadillac Series 62 Convertible and join the Color Me OKI program’s drive to survive breast cancer

* Win the opportunity to have $1,000 donated on your behalf to the charity of your choice

“ITEX is an opportunity for OKI Printing Solutions to interact directly with our BTA dealer partners and demonstrate industry-leading solutions that will further strengthen their profit opportunities, particularly in today’s economy,” said Jackie Paralis, Senior Marketing Manager, Channel Development at OKI Data Americas.

“Further solidifying our commitment to the BTA channel and responding to what we are hearing from our dealers, we have expanded our portfolio of products and solutions to include significant new MPS offerings, giving BTA dealers even more unique ways to differentiate themselves and ensure continued business growth.”

New color MFPs being unveiled at the show include the CX2640, CX1145 and CX2033 MFPs, innovative new A3 and A4 workgroup products that further build on OKI Printing Solutions’ full line of color MFPs offered exclusively through the BTA channel. Featured alongside the CX3641 and CX2633 MFPs, these new products expand the portfolio of color MFPs for OKI Printing Solutions to offer new opportunities and applications for dealers and end users.

Attendees can take part in the many product- and solution-focused demonstrations from OKI Printing Solutions executives featured at ITEX booth #609. Further, the show’s Power Hour, entitled “Capture and Workflow Solutions – Moving from Print to Scan, Owning the Electronic Document,” will take place on Wednesday, March 18 in room N257 from 11:00am-12:15pm. Steve Feldstein, Senior Product Planning Manager for color MFPs at OKI Data Americas and Matthew Lonergan, Collaboration Specialist - Business Productivity, State and Local Government for Microsoft® will provide valuable insight to dealers regarding SMB capture solutions, with an open forum for Q&A following the session.

At ITEX booth #609, OKI Printing Solutions will also feature live music and entertainment from the Corvelles, and an exclusive presentation from Joe Esposito, long time friend and road manager to Elvis Presley. “Memories of Elvis” will feature rare footage from Elvis’ personal and professional life.

After the presentation, attendees are invited to pose with Joe Esposito in front of the 1950’s Automotive Classic, 1959 Pink Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, which is part of a fleet of vintage vehicles provided by the Color Me OKI philanthropic program, and receive a complimentary photo printed on OKI Printing Solutions’ HD color printers. For every photo taken at ITEX, OKI Data Americas will make a five dollar donation to the American Cancer Society. The vintage vehicle, owned by Stewart and Bonnie Krentzman, represents the rebuilding process women must go through when restoring their mind, body and souls after battling breast cancer.

All OKI Printing Solutions products are built on parent company OKI Data Corporation’s history of leadership and innovation in color printing. It is based on printing technologies advanced by OKI Data Corporation, such as digital LED technology and Single Pass Color™. This technology allows OKI Data Americas to manufacture products that require fewer moving parts for increased reliability.

OKI Printing Solutions products are backed by comprehensive support from authorized OKI Printing Solutions dealers. In addition, the company provides live, toll-free1 technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with agents based in North America.

OKI Data Americas is dedicated to being environmentally-conscious and supporting our customers' increasing focus on the environment. In support of those efforts, we offer customized printing solutions and multifunctional products that help our customers reduce their impact on the environment and increase operational efficiency.

Editor’s Note: For more information, please visit OKI Data Americas’ pressroom.

About Joe Esposito

Joe Esposito is universally recognized as the most credible source on Elvis Presley’s life and career. Esposito met Presley while serving in the Army in 1959. The two became fast friends and soon after Esposito became Presley’s road manager. As the publisher of the bestselling book, “Remember Elvis,” along with five other published works that chronicle Presley’s career, Esposito is an inextricable link to the memory of Elvis.

Whether recognized as an incredible public speaker, author, road manager or loyal friend, Joe Esposito is still in high demand for his talents and one-of-a-kind accounts of a man the nation has always referred to as “The King.” Esposito also managed shows for legendary greats such as Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, The Carpenters and John Denver. Currently he resides in Las Vegas with his wife Martha and son Anthony.

OKI, Reg. OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd. ENERGY STAR Reg. T.M. U.S. EPA, Single Pass Color T.M. and design Reg. T.M. OKI Data Corp., Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.