Managed Print Services North American Conference: May 3-5, 2010 San Antonio, TX

The second North American MPS Conference is scheduled for May, 2010.

A good time should be had by all.

Some of the themes so far:

Managing RFPs
MPS - Financial models for MPS providers
Moving customers to stage 3, how to know when you are ready. How to identify the right customers for stage 3 engagements.


Additionally, just like in Europe, there will be a pre-conference seminar aimed at participants with less background and knowledge in the world of managed print.

Pre-conference sessions will be offered for both end users and channel partners. These sessions will concentrate on providing a solid foundation of the subject and offering practical strategies when selecting an appropriate MPS partner or provider for first-time MPS engagements.

Last year was good, the European conference better, this May should be stellar.

See you there!

Seeking Alpha: Will HP Remain the Leader in Printers and Ink?

From the Seeking Alpha site:

"We estimate that HP's (HPQ) Printers and Ink Cartridges business constitutes 24% of the company's stock price.

HP's printer business makes money primarily through the sale of ink and toner supplies for its printers.

HP's market share in printers has gone from 35% in 2005 to 40% in 2008. We expect HP's share gains to continue over the Trefis forecast period due to HP's strong relationships with large business buyers and its traction with consumers through its PC business which has also gained share in recent years."

However, HP's printing business is continuously at risk of commoditization. The company has been able to maintain share and some pricing power in this market through printing technology designed to limit the use of low cost (non-HP) ink and toner supplies, with HP printers. As low cost printers and printing supplies become increasingly capable, HP's printing market share along with its printing profit margins will be at risk.

If HP's printing market share were to decline to 2005 levels of 35%, the company could lose $6 billion of its value or about $2 per share.

Here.

HP IPG folding into PSG? Someday, HP Won't Sell Printers

Former HP CEO Fiorina targets Boxer's Senate seat

Holy Crap!

"If Fiorina decides to fund the campaign with her own personal wealth, this could be the most expensive Boxer campaign yet," said Rose Kapolczynski, a spokeswoman for Boxer's campaign. "We could be looking at a $30 million or $35 million campaign. ... She could do a lot to remake her image with that and do a lot to distort the Boxer record."

Couple this move with Meg Whitman's, former EBay exec, bid for California governor, and we've got two, ex-technology women maneuvering for a piece of political history.

Oh - and it seems each of them have more money the God.

Check out one story here.

And a contrary view here.