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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Three Musketeers Team - "Just 40...it was an off day..."



"There are things in this world worth fighting and dying for...

We're Warriors, its who We are...

We are surrounded by enemies...
War will engulf the entire ecosystem...
Only We can prevent the coming Apocalypse...

You want to be a Leopard?
Your chance is coming..."

Team Building -

Forty, four hundred or four, a team within a team, small, agile, aware flexible, effective.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Lyra Sees the MpS Ecosystem Through the OEM/Enterprise Kaleidoscope


It's like
we share a brain, except DOTC doesn't have a staff and was on this page 12 months ago...Yeah, I know, I have self-esteem issues.

An article posted on The Imaging Channel caught my eye, "Managed Print Services: OEM Strategies". The headline piqued but the source engaged - Lyra.

Of all the research groups I know, only two command my attention. One is Lyra. I trust their opinion, to be honest. Sometimes, I may not agree with their observations but that is okay.

If you are an MpS'r from way back, say 24 months(!), what the Big 3 say is of no surprise; if you are a steady reader of DOTC, again, no surprise.

Lyra spoke with Xerox, HP, and Ricoh during the first half of 2011. The article is a reflection of all three.

The caveat is these discussions orbit around enterprise-level MPS engagements - not that there is no value - it's just that when interviewing at this level, the information is more proactive than responsive - the OEMs projecting their view of MPS, not necessarily reflecting the real MpS.

Regardless, it is the Future.

John Adams



Happy Fourth! Enjoy The Moment...





Sunday, July 3, 2011

Saturday, July 2, 2011

"We will eliminate the position of President and CEO, Ricoh U.S..."

Ricoh US vs. Ricoh Americas: Integration or Consolidation?

Last year, Convergence 2010- April, 2010.

"...Togashi then addressed what was most likely the number one concern of the dealers in the room – the recent appointment of several senior IKON executives to high-level positions at Ricoh. Citing the need to expedite the Ricoh-IKON integration process, Togashi outlined some of the appointments. These included Matt Espe, the new chairman and CEO of Ricoh Americas Corporation (responsible for operations in North, Central and South America, including IKON); Martin Brodigan, the new executive vice president and CFO of Ricoh Americas Corporation; and, Jeffrey Hickling, the new president and CEO of Ricoh U.S..."

Most Recently:

Dear Ricoh Family Group Dealers,

Over the past two years, we have been working to integrate and align Ricoh Americas Corporation (RAC) to further strengthen Ricoh's position as an industry leader and best meet our customers̢۪ needs. This has included a focus on both our Direct distribution and Dealer channels, as well as improved collaboration between the two channels.

After careful review, I have decided to further align the RAC organization with Ricoh U.S. to leverage our synergies and the strength of the U.S. organization. With this decision, we will eliminate the position of President and CEO, Ricoh U.S. and align the U.S. sales and operational leadership under RAC through my direction. And as a result of this decision Jeff Hickling will be leaving the organization. Jeff will continue in his role through July 15 to facilitate a smooth transition of U.S. sales and operations functions.

I want to thank Jeff for his leadership with both the IKON and Ricoh organizations over the past six years. Since Ricoh̢۪s acquisition of IKON, Jeff has been instrumental in building an effective integrated leadership team in the U.S. and has had a positive impact with our Dealer community by building stronger collaborative relationships and increasing market share across all channels. We will continue to build upon these successes as we move into the next phases of our integration. I want to reassure you that we will continue our commitment to the Dealer channel as we work to strengthen the collaboration across channels.
Please join me in thanking Jeff for his many contributions to IKON, Ricoh and RFG dealers which will benefit us as we move forward, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Thank you,


Kevin Togashi
Chairman and CEO
Ricoh Americas Corporation


A good view of Convergence 2011.


Friday, July 1, 2011

Thursday, June 30, 2011

MpS Moving Away from Clicks, More Power to the Machines


When you were standing in the wake of devastation
when you were waiting on the edge of the unknown
with the cataclysm raining down, insides crying save me now

Do you feel cold and lost in desperation
you build up hope, but failure's all you've known
remember all the sadness and frustration
and let it go, let it go.

And in the burst of light that blinded every angel
as if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
you felt the gravity of temper grace falling into empty space
no one there to catch you in their arms...

let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go


6/30/2011

The evolution of MpS is thick. Everybody scurrying around, grabbing all the clicks/prints/toner sales possible; Finally.

We're making a living now in MpS - even those of us settling into Stage 1 and Stage 2.  The Big Guys have taken up their purchased positions, Xerox, HP, Ricoh, have or are committing to an MpS Channel program.  Others, Konica, Kyocera, Lexmark, Dell, Okidata, Muratec, etc. stubbed their toe and are taking a second swing at Mps.

And then there is Samsung.  Mysteriously lurking just over the horizon.  Literally. Heck, it isn't MpS, but even MemJet appears to be getting off the ground!

So what is next?  Stage 3, that's what is next.  But how to go about jumping from the hardware as a service into software as a service realm.

Stage 3 incorporates software. Though S1/S2 engagements utilize some sort of software package, most of us aren't yet comfortable with the whole "EDM/Managed Services" thing.

If only there were a 'bridge' from S2 to S3, an 'on-ramp'. A platform that doesn't require a staff of specialists, installers, engineers, and training staff, yet provides actionable information.

Wouldn't that be nifty?

Let not your heart be troubled, I see that bridge. It's been in front of us all along and its mantra is "...manage the behavior, not the print..."

How intriguing...

Monday, June 27, 2011

The Greg_Walters, DOTC, Top 27 Posts of 2011 - 2012

From 201-

Christmas in June.

Whenever writers find themselves getting a little behind, unable to get the flow of creativity, they rehash old subject matter and content.

Enjoy:
  1. Managed Print Services Engagements vs. Copier Service Agreements - Tell me Again, why we don't comp copier Reps on Service contracts?
  2. Managed Print Services Another DOTC Leopard - ReDux - Jennifer Shutwell. How to Steal MPS Clients
  3. Managed print Services Tunnel Vision - Are You Focusing On One Thing
  4. Managed Print Services - Practice What You Preach
  5. Managed Print Services, the Copier and the Traditional Copier Dealer : End of Days
  6. CIO's: What to Look for In A Managed Print Services Company. The Perfect 10.
  7. Achieve Managed Print Services Immortality "...Simply By Doing One...Great...Thing..." - Keep Walking
  8. Repeat After Me: "Managed Print Services is Business Process Management, MPS is BPM, MPS is BPM"" - FireWork
  9. "If You Don't Stand for Something, You'll Fall for Anything..."
  10. Managed Print Services Practices Managers: Are You Selling MPS Internally ? - Over and Over again.
  11. CNET Needs Managed Print Services - So Says Molly Wood
  12. Skylar, Dr. Dre, Em, and Ri - On and Off Stage, an Orchestra, Lights, Video - Lot's of Moving Parts. Just Like Managed Print Services
  13. Managed Services: Let's Have a Cold Call Blitz!!
  14. You're Not In Managed Print Services If -
  15. The Separation Begins: Managed Print Services True Believers Leaving the Pack
  16. Who is Everything Channel and Why Are They Important to You?
  17. The Future of Managed Print Services: Look Back to IBM and See Your Future
  18. HP to Purchase Xerox. Joins CISCO, IBM & MicroSoft in move offshore. Upside Down World.
  19. History - Study It, or be Doomed to Repeat It...
  20. Managed Print Services, Stage IV: What the Hell is Managed Network Services(MNS)? You're Kidding, right?
  21. Ricoh Announces Purchase of White Castle - Strengthen Channel with "Bags of Sliders"
  22. I use to think Managed Print Services would be a sub-set of MSP, but maybe it will end up the other way around.
  23. Samsung Snags World's Largest ElectroWetting Company. What about the Silver Nanoparticles?
  24. Managed Print Services Stuck in Stage 1&2 - And I Know Why...
  25. "The Things We Think And Do Not Say. The Future of Our Business...", Managed Optimization Services
  26. Does Your MpS World Reside in Toner & Service? Your Scale is small, Depth Shallow, and Vision Stunted. Buh Bye.
  27. Another DOTC Leopard: 2011 MPSA MPS Leadership Award Winner, Kevin DeYoung, QualPath

Click to email me.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Paige Says, "Greg Walters Leaves a Trail of His Own Ignorance"




2011

This Unprovoked Attack on Me, is an Attack on You.

From my friends at CRN - Computer Reseller News, no less.

I have no idea how I even popped up on their radar, but apparently, I ruffled some back room feathers. I am an easy target, my name is all over my blog, unlike the fictitious "Paige Coverage"; an obvious Xerox marketing creation, and yes, I actually have real pictures of me.


Thank goodness I didn't post pics of my children, for they would have been thrown under the bus with me.

What befuddles me, beyond comprehension, is what nerve have I struck?

Perhaps the Xerox folks I have been working with for the last year, evaluating PagePack and ColorCube as possible offerings here at SIGMAnet, will be able to answer that question.

Perhaps the members from TeamXerox, who I met with last week during a Synnex event, can help me understand why I would consider moving forward, or even recommend anything from Xerox to my executives, prospects, clients, members of the MPSA, or the thousands of  DOTC readers.

Really?

I have cut and pasted the entire post below.  But please, check it out for yourself.

Read and tread lightly for this isn't just an attack on me.  No, this goes deeper.  Much.

What Paige/Xerox has done is shown its colors - they don't like, they don't want, dissension.

THEY FEAR CHANGE, THEY FEAR YOU, THEY FEAR US.

Paige is a creation, like the Monkeys and a shill for Xerox.  Paige represents the will and vision of the Big X.  For all we know, Paige Coverage is Ursala Burns. In the end, Paige is Ursala.

The Summer of 2011 DOTC vs. X - un-fuking believable. Oh the fun we are going to have...

And yes, I know this is all a sham to get more hits on their small, pathetic site - God, I love this country.

Read on...

Greg Walters Leaves a Trail of His Own Ignorance
Posted by Paige Coverage on Jun 21, 2011 11:27:02 AM

When he's not parading past you his music library or posting You Tube videos on his site, Greg Walters hacks out a confounding and scattershot blog called "The Death of The Copier is the Death of MPS."

Presently he's mourning the sad and premature death of E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons, but he'll soon be back to getting his facts wrong, and contradicting himself with his bizarre attempts to frighten you out of a business he himself claims to be successful in: Managed Print Services (MPS).


Like spotting someone you've placed a restraining order on, I was reminded of Greg when a colleague forwarded me this rusting blog of his from December.

In it, Walters rekindles his addiction to managed print defamation by claiming that:

“Just as everyone figures out how to spell MPS, industry pundits kill it. Photizo called heavy growth rates in MPS Engagements through 2015 - of course this was back in the "olden days" - 2009! Last year at Lyra, consultants and statisticians explained that we will never return to the same levels of units (copier) sold, pre-2009.”

Same level of copier units sold? This is not an argument for the death of managed print services.

And Walters – who describes himself as “an MPS Practice Manager at medium-sized west coast VAR/MSP (whose) GP is consistently at 48% - fleet is doubling year to year, my goal is to quadruple in 2011” – should know this.

Managed print services is not about pushing boxes, anymore than managed IT services are about selling more PCs, or virtualization is about selling more servers, or cloud computing is about selling more storage hardware. A managed service is about optimizing existing resources. Sure it’s nice to sell some hardware, and everyone does. But service dollars outdistance hardware and software sales by a country mile, and have so increasingly for years.

Walters’ blog post goes on to feature quotes from those either too unsure of themselves to enter the managed print market, or are under the misconception that “it will make us millions on printer revenue.”

Walters’ opinions are just plain nonsense sprinkled with rock music lyrics, and no reputable technology reseller of any kind would allow this child to speak in front of their employees or customers.

It’s a shame that just as everyone figures out that certain blogs and social media sites can be of benefit to helping the channel drive more revenue through services, irresponsible self-promoters like Greg Walters come along to contaminate the well.

At least - by his own admission - no one is foolish enough to pay Greg Walters to write.

Below: Greg Walters sitting on a motorcycle.

It is not a motorcycle, its a Harley...


See how the story ends, with apologies, here.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Greg Walters, Everything Channel, Paige Coverage, Xerox and You - A Teachable Moment

June 2011

Controversy and Fire.

Dignity and Water.

DOTC has grown into a personality of its own; bigger than imagined, larger than MpS.  Although I rarely claim to be anything more than a 'thought leader', I am often referred to as rebellious, contrarian, and controversial.

So Be It.

The views expressed here are my own; the content for MY pleasure.

Life often sends us golden nuggets, wrapped in discomfort. Some call these moments, 'teachable'.

My recent run-in with a fellow blogger is just such a nugget and two great organizations rise above the fray.

I have received apologies from Xerox and Everything Channel - by email and phone.

I have accepted both and present them here for You.

Thank you to everyone who called me, emailed, offered, and posted words of support.  I am humbled and grateful.

Submitted for your review:

Xerox - 

Greg,

I want to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest apologies for the Paige Coverage post made on biztransformcenter.com regarding you. The views in the post were made by an employee of Everything Channel and not by an MBA in a cube @ Xerox. While Xerox does sponsor the BizTransformCenter, Xerox does not review or control any posts made to this blog. Hmm…we shall review that strategy.

We clearly don’t support these comments and posts by Paige and I’ll call you personally to clarify this unfortunate series of events.

Sincerely, 

Tom Gall

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

Everything Channel

Dear Greg,


Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday. I am writing to extend my deepest apologies for the June 21, 2011 blog post by Paige Coverage on the Managed Print Services Community site, which is part of the CRN Community platform. The blog entitled, “Greg Walters Leaves a Trail of His Own Ignorance,” included several negative comments about you and your blog “The Death of The Copier is The Death of MpS.”


The post was a badly misjudged attempt to stir community participation and debate. Instead, it focused on personal criticisms of you and your blog site, and was done in very poor taste.


While the opinions represented by Paige Coverage are by no means the opinion of Xerox, United Business Media, Everything Channel, or CRN, such a disclaimer does not excuse the content of the June 21 blog, which overstepped the boundaries of professional communication.


We deeply regret the over-zealousness, poor judgment, and lack of taste of the June 21 blog.


We apologize for its appearance, and any negative repercussions it may have caused you.


Sincerely,


Adelaide J. Reilly
Vice President, Integrated Solutions Management
Everything Channel

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


'nuf said...




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Contact Me

Greg Walters, Incorporated
greg@grwalters.com
262.370.4193