We have arrived at the end of another year and with it our final group of highlights. Not everyone I asked to share a highlight with ENX and The Week in Imaging responded to my request. After all, it was the end of the year, and lot’s to do before the holidays, particularly those folks taking a holiday break.
We appreciate those contributions that we did receive this year, and if you scroll through the highlights from the past few weeks you’ll find they truly do offer a snapshot of what went down in the document imaging industry in 2014.
Without anymore fanfare, we present our final group of highlights.
“In 2014, DLL launched two programs that demonstrate our commitment to provide the best tools and people in the industry. We began piloting our mobile application—Express Finance—a unique technology tool that simplifies the sales process, providing our customers with increased speed and flexibility of doing business with DLL. Additionally we welcomed the first group of Generation Next, a new recruiting program developed in direct alignment with the Office Technology business strategy that gives high potential, young professionals an accelerated and comprehensive start to their careers in sales. We look forward to advancing these programs even further in 2015.” Bob Hunter, SVP, US Sales, DLL
“PrintFleet recognizes the importance of data in the industrialization of MPS. In this regard, the emergence of the ‘Internet of Printers’ reflects the relevance of our ‘Get Connected’ positioning and its contribution to automation and data-driven solution readiness which will define competiveness and profitability for all of our business partners. Our LINK and Vision solutions supported by a PrintFleet Technology Group which doubled in size during the last 6 months of 2014, make the industrialization of our industry possible. With data that is reliable and properly conditioned via PrintFleet proprietary algorithms, inventory reduction and other machine to machine processing efficiencies will dramatically improve supply chain management, user satisfaction and client profitability.” Chris McFarlane, President & CEO PrintFleet
“In 2014 ESP SurgeX launched a suite of intelligent diagnostic solutions to help service providers safeguard equipment from avoidable power related downtime and optimize the profitability of mission critical equipment. Our enVision Power Conditioning System was launched in the spring. enVision protects equipment from common power disturbances that can cause malfunctions and component degradation. Engineered with top of the line diagnostics and line and scope meter technology, enVision also enables technicians to identify preexisting power conditions and prove to customers that electrical anomalies are causing machine malfunctions. It’s the most advanced electrical troubleshooting tool in the industry and eliminates the need to deploy expensive line meter and multi-meter equipment. In addition, ESP also launched a Remote Portal power management tool in 2014. Featuring IP and cloud power management capabilities, the remote portal empowers technicians to troubleshoot equipment at anytime, from any location.” Tanya Flores, Director of Marketing, ESP SurgeX
“Our ColorControl Replacement Imaging Systems. ColorControl allows our customers to build a cartridge that will satisfy the most demanding consumers, even those that maybe have experienced some challenges with color in the past. We’ve had a fair amount of customers take away some OEM business by using our systems. It gives them confidence in what they sell, remanufacturers and distributors are now offering that product to the dealer channel with great success.” Bryan Bonacum, Static Control Components
“The introduction of Kyocera CentraQ Pro and CentraQ. Both offer a variety of job release features that allow users to print documents more securely. In addition to secure job release, CentraQ Pro has additional monitoring and reporting capabilities that IT administrators can use to track print, copy, scan and fax usage by individual, device, or job code, which is ideal for cost recovery. Both apps protect sensitive information with a Secure Job Release feature that requires user authentication at the Kyocera MFP or printer — thus minimizing the risk of unauthorized access to documents. The apps also minimize ‘bottlenecks’ by freeing users to output files from any networked, CentraQ enabled Kyocera device. CentraQ empowers users by letting them print and release their documents with confidence. CentraQ Pro provides administrators with valuable device data to help them optimize their printing environment, which includes cutting waste and costs.” Danielle Wolowitz, Senior Director, Product Planning and Product Marketing, KYOCERA Document Solutions America.
“While some years it is difficult to point to a single highlight, in 2014 we launched our Value Line of aftermarket toner cartridges through our Global Partnership Alliance. The addition of this line of fully qualified and certified cartridges has brought incredible unit, revenue and new account growth.” Brad Roderick, InkCycle
“Copier Careers ® highlight of 2014 was watching the copier channel grow and expand; and, our organization being a part of helping our clients make the transition from traditional copier dealerships to new modern service providers through the copier channel. Our rapid growth during this last year is a direct reflection of the growth of the channel, and our clients, as they strive to provide their clients with a wide array of solutions. Without a doubt this has been the most exciting year in our 28 yr history and we look forward to a repeat in 2015. During the past year we have seen our internal staff grow by over 30% allowing us to keep up with the increased demand for trained professionals in all aspects (tech, sales, management) of the copier channel.” Paul Schwartz, President, Copier Careers
“Since January 2014, the highlight for this year has been the continued expansion of the economy. After a dip of about 2 percent in the first quarter, the US Department of Commerce says GDP grew at 4.6 percent in the second quarter and 3.9 percent in the third quarter. Since January, the unemployment rate has dropped from 6.6 percent to 5.8 percent. This is great news because people aren’t printing if they’re not working!” Charlie Brewer, President, Actionable Intelligence
“In 2014 Dealer Marketing began formulating a strategy to help our clients discover the new, evolved buying process of their prospects and existing customers. As these prospects turn to online sources in their buying decision making process, we realized that the dealerships needed insight on how to engage with, and ultimate sell to these buyers. We built an entire training program wrapped around ‘Buyer 2.0’ and included a methodology the dealerships could adopt to help their sales teams reach these prospects and more effectively close them. Our first workshop is January 14-15 in Plato, TX. More workshops will be planned throughout 2015 based upon demand.” Darrell Amy, Dealer Marketing Systems
“Turbon Group global sales growth increased by more than 40 percent in 2014. We also successfully introduced an MPS in a Box program that provides the Turbon dealer a bundled CPP for supplies and service. Charlie Antell, Managing Director, Tubon USA, Inc.
