2012

Following are the big and small news items from this month. BTA Southeast to Host Fall Colors Retreat Oct. 26-27 in Waynesville, N.C. Sept. 26, 2012 – On Oct. 26-27, 2012, the Business Technology Association’s (BTA; www.bta.org) Southeast district will host its annual Fall Read More

You probably don’t need me to tell you that mobile printing is piping hot right now, if not in practice in conversation. Most printer and MFP manufacturers seem to be addressing mobility in one way or another and mobile printing capability is rapidly approaching must-have, Read More

Here’s a new column where I present interesting comments that were made to me off the record. I think it’s a great way to share what’s going on in people’s minds when they can speak freely and not have to worry about me naming names. The following is from an independent office Read More

I hadn’t heard that rumor. The one about Lexmark exiting the inkjet business until I saw the news reports on August 29. I could swear I’d heard speculation from some of my analyst friends about the company, but no one ever alluded to Lexmark getting out of the inkjet business, at Read More

Back in April BTA announced the launch of a new office technology industry dealer peer collaboration group focused on bringing non-competing dealers together to share best practices and strengthen the revenue performance of each member dealership. PRO Dealer Group currently has Read More

There have been numerous commentators providing opinions as to Sharp’s future in the copier business. An article by Nikkei suggested that Kyocera was in discussions to buy Sharp’s copier business. Sharp US has stated that the article is not accurate and that Sharp is not Read More

For those of us that have been selling copiers for 20-30-plus years (yes, there’s still a few of us around) the month-to-month and then quarter-to-quarter grinding quota cycles can take their toll on your mental toughness. Yes, there was once a time even for me when I hesitated Read More

This week we touch base once again with Russ Jacketti, vice president of sales, with WJS Enterprises in Metairie, LA, to find out what products, solutions, and services are currently hot and what’s not in his market. What’s hot? Jacketti: Right now the 50-65-ppm Canon color Read More

Last week we presented comments from dealers on what they expect from their manufacturers. This week we’re turning the tables and asking manufacturers what they expect from their dealers. As with last week’s comments I think you’ll find the following responses predictable albeit Read More

Can you believe Adele’s album 21 is still in the Top 10? I may have a reputation as a music snob, but I recognize greatness when I hear it. I even bought it on vinyl. It’s the Tapestry of the 21st century with so many great songs, including “Rumor Has It”. But I digress, sort of. Read More

In case you missed it earlier this week Ricoh Company, Ltd. announced that they had made a significant investment in PTI Marketing Technologies, a provider of Web-to-print and marketing personalization solutions for enterprise users and print service providers. According to the Read More

This week Bill Fraser, president of Fraser Advanced Information Systems in Reading, PA, shares what’s hot and what’s not in his marketplace. What’s hot? Fraser: What’s hot is your high-end color where you can get more volume and more clicks and more revenue. When you’re selling a Read More

Last week was a bonanza of e-mails from new reps. This latest thread came from a newbie member of the Print4Pay Hotel forums. Art, I am new to P4PHotel. I am curious, I saw you make 150 calls (with contact to DM I am assuming) a week. I want to improve my effectiveness. I am Read More

I’ve been speaking to a number of dealers over the last couple of weeks and have been asked a number of questions regarding the financial stability of Sharp, as if I would know the answer to that question. Apparently, there’s been a lot of talk circulating, rumors mostly, about Read More

It’s been approximately seven years since I’ve written about what dealers expect from their manufacturers. Even when many of those expectations are expected it’s still good to have someone else validate what you already know. It only reaffirms what’s important and what continues Read More