MFP Copier Blog

How to Print #9 Envelopes on Ricoh C842dn

I also have video instructions for print A1 envelopes.  Of course the Ricoh specs say you can't do it, but we figured it out.

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This week's article is a counterpoint to an article published in the recent ENX Magazine. An article that discusses many points I would challenge. The article is in interview form the newly appointed COO of Konica, Sam Errigo.

The Link would not share however, It is titled "Bullet Proof: All Covered, Packaged Approach Position Konica Minolta for 2021 Success." You will find the article in latest ENX edition.

Also Last week, I highlighted some of this interview's contents in an episode of The End Of The Day With Ray! Here's a link to that episode.

Here are more details on my thinking:

The Future of Print Equipment OEMs selling through direct operations will not relate to their current A3 Market share.

The vast majority of A3MFPs will soon be A4MFPs. Of, course some OEMs are not positioned at all to rapidly go where the customers are going. Therefore, these OEMs will continue distracting themselves and their partners by arguing it's not about A3 or A4.

This argument reminds me of all statements made to keep things as they are based on the arguer's unreadiness. Or, worse, the insecurities the OEM may have of their place in the future. 

Konica expressed a somewhat lack of concern regarding the future of business print as in the first paragraph they stated with enthusiasm their 17% market share. The problem, that market share is based on A3; I think everyone reading this would admit, Konica's A4 market share would be one of the lowest in the industry, would it not? 

The industry's actors who understand the transition to Managed IT services would also admit that an OEM print market share is irrelevant to selling IT services or other service-based diversified deliverables.

If there were a collation, All Covered would have a massive percentage of its print customers as IT services customers after ten years of Konica ownership. Would they not? If they do, they should proudly share those statistics.

Does It seem like the industry continues selling itself on an outdated relevance over selling end-users a continuous relevance?

My friends, I don't like to be vague in my arguments, especially during our industry's most significant disruption in its history.

I will continue saying, "If the industry cannot discuss the ways of its defeat, the industry will fall victim to those innovators who are focused on defeating them."

My biggest concern is that dealers are being distracted by unprepared OEMs. If the reality is that nearly 90% of all business A3MFP devices could easily be A4MFP devices and the OEMs response is that end-users don't know the difference between A3 and A4. I say, wow!!

Surely, I am not alone in understanding the absolute dysfunction in building business models based on keeping end-users in the dark about what could greatly benefit them. Am I?

I have said repeatedly that the most significant disruptions to the old way are when the new way discovers things the old way is doing against the best interest of the customers they serve.

Once these disruptive innovators discover these dysfunctions, they set out on the path to educating the old way's customer on the better way. This better way or better experience will cause the old way's great relationships to leave that relationship and start a new one.

All those who are reading this from the print equipment and services industry. Know precisely the difference between A3 and A4. They also know the implications to nearly all the business processes of the A3 OEMs, their direct operations, and the dealers who sell, service, and supply A3 equipment.

So, pretending or hoping that end-users stay ignorant to alternative possibilities based on unreadiness is actually what every innovative disruptor bets on.

All the industry's dealers and its OEMs must stop the delusion that it's not about A4 or A3. Instead, seek to completely understand what would happen to your business when current A3 customers are presented A4 MFP equipment sub $3,000.00 and when nearly all business print volumes fall below 3,000 pages per month? That is why it's about A4 and A3.

Now I want to address the silliness regarding how many people will return to the office to determine returning print volumes. This insanity is completely distracting to the realities that all businesses are on a path to eliminate non digital business processes.

In today's business, the most significant interruption to business workflow is to print or scan a document. This disruption will now increase as workers return to the office, causing business leaders to ask, "what their staff did when they were remote?" My friends, the answer to that question is extremely threatening to the business model of over-selling and over-spec'ing A3.

So, the outcome of the greatest migration to remote work in history. Nearly every business customer of the print equipment and services industry is now focused like never before. To ensure that more and more workflow processes remain behind glass, eliminating the need to print as much as possible.

Now let's discuss the greatest distraction of all, The zero output or the paperless world argument. Those who translate the arguments of digitalization as a paperless argument are disingenuous.

Everyone reading this who follows me will conclude that print will be around; my arguments have never been about Zero print or paperless; people say this because they know it's completely illogical, and they hope no one will respond to correct what they don't believe or what they deem is impossible. Thereby distracting those from the conversations of the real threats of the coming massive declines in office printing.

The Print equipment and services industry will not be immune from the pain as its end-users seek better experiences. I strongly suggest that the legacy players stop distracting themselves and face the pain associated with change. I suggest the legacy players bring their great relationships that better experience before the new innovators do.

"Status Quo is the killer of all that will be invented." 

Ray Stasieczko

There are two IT FREE leads including in this weeks notes!

Arcoa Group

Why partnering with ARCOA makes sense
Electronics Recycling is an important and profitable part of the IT asset lifecycle, but it can be overwhelming with all you already do, varying state regulations, and the limited resources at hand. That’s where ARCOA comes in. When you partner with ARCOA, you get all the benefits of a big company without any of the capital investment. We’ve been doing this since 1989 and have the expertise, certifications, and nationwide resources to get the most for all your clients’ retired IT assets. Plus, positioning your clients as environmental stewards not only elevates their appeal to consumers, it meets government requirements and avoids fines.

What partnering with ARCOA looks like
Our role is to make it easy for you to bring more value to your clients. We work with you to help stretch your clients’ IT budget by reducing the total cost of ownership of their electronics. We’re experts at identifying and implementing the solutions your clients need for the end-of-use remarketing, recovery, and recycling of their technology assets. The sooner you involve ARCOA, the sooner you and your clients will see better results.

CrushBank Announces Strategic Alliance with ECI Software Solutions

• CrushBank, developers of an artificial intelligence (AI) solution, uses power of IBM Watson and Natural Language Processing to provide answers used in IT support
• Announcement coincides with the initiation of development of an integration between CrushBank and e-automate
• With this partnership and the subsequent integration, CrushBank will make the promise of better, more efficient customer support available to the Managed Print Services and other office equipment providers who depend on e-automate as their ERP solution

Accelalpha Inc. acquires Key Performance Ideas Inc. to create an organization with unmatched…

• Accelalpha announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Key Performance Ideas (KPI)
• Using KPI to enhance it’s Oracle Cloud Solutions
• Also strengthens Accelalpha's multi-pillar Oracle Cloud managed services business

C Spire Business named one of 2021 top solution providers by CRN

• Named one of the top 250 information technology solution (IT) providers in North America in 2021 by CRN
• C Spire Business was included in the prestigious annual Tech Elite 250 list
• C Spire Business is a division of C Spire, a privately-held diversified telecommunications and technology services provider

Dynamic Quest Acquires Integrated Solutions

• Completes acquisition of IT 4 the Planet dba Integrated Solutions
• Dynamic quest backed by Spire Capital
• Dynamic Quest an MSP offers IT & cloud services (headquarters in Greensboro, NC)
• Integrated Solutions offers managed IT, BDR and cybersecurity services (headquarters in Birmingham AL

Xeretec Ireland announces expansion into Donegal and Sligo

• Reported on Leitrim Observer
• Xeretec Ireland will expand into the North West through a €500,000 investment in Donegal and Sligo
• Established 1991, with 200 employees and offices in Dublin and Galway, Xeretec specialize in managed print services, digital transformation and remote working capabilities

Apogee to buy Direct-Tec

• Reported on insidermedia.com
• Apogee agrees to acquire Direct-Tec Group (Kent, UK)
• Direct-Tec provides print, document and IT services for businesses & public sector
• Terms not disclosed

DynTek Achieves Microsoft Gold Competency in Security

• Achieved a Microsoft Gold Competency in Security
• DynTek had to demonstrate deep expertise in designing, implementing and managing customers’ security programs
• Helps organizations identify and protect against internal and external threats to the IT infrastructure, systems, & data

Options Recognised as Managed Services Provider Partner of the Year in Trend Micro Awards

• Awards, hosted by Trend Micro, recognize outstanding partner companies
• Options Technology is the No. 1 provider of IT infrastructure to global Capital Markets firms, supporting their operations and ecosystems

Logically Announces SOC 2 Attestation

• Announced they have successfully completed a SOC 2 Type 2 Attestation
• SOC 2 Type 2 Attestation, is an auditing procedure that ensures Managed Services securely manages data to protect the interests and confidentiality of its customers
• Logically is a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) to small and midsize organizations

5 Reasons Capture Technology is Driving Digital Transformation

• Reported on idm.net.au
  • More Ways to Get Documents In
  • Extracts and Organises Data – Automatically
  • Easily Integrates with Other Systems
  • Enhances Security and Compliance
  • Enables Work from Anywhere

Fujitsu acquires data analytics management consultancy, Versor

• Reported on Channel Life
• Fujitsu Australia announced acquisition of data analytics specialist management consultancy, Versor
• First acquisition for Fujitsu Australia since 2009
• Versor provides data engineering, advanced analytics and data sciences services powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning

Konica Minolta Receives Platinum Elite, Diamond and Two Partner-of-the-year Honors from Hyland

• Recently honored by Hyland with four different awards
  • Platinum Elite
  • Diamond Support
  • Hyland Cloud Partner of the Year
  • Workview Partner of the Year

Aryaka Recognized in 2020 U.S. Carrier Managed SD-WAN LEADERBOARD by Vertical Systems Group

• Announced the company achieved a top eight position on Vertical Systems Group’s 2020 U.S. Carrier Managed SD-WAN Services LEADERBOARD
• Aryaka is one of two SD-WAN-as-a-service benchmark companies that has the ability to provide its own technology

VOX Network Solutions Named To The 2021 Elite 150 In CRN® MSP 500 List

• The Channel Company, has named VOX Network Solutions, a leading IT solutions and managed service provider, to the Elite 150 category
• CRN's 2021 MSP 500 list identifies the market's key managed services players
• The MSP 500 list is divided into three sections

• MSP Pioneer 250
• MSP Elite 150
• Managed Security 100

Lead for IT Services in California

• The City of Alhambra Police Department (“APD”) is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced consultants to provide Professional Information Technology (“IT”) and Support Services to the APD. The project scope of work requires professional support of IT services for the APD using current technological expertise, including maintenance of the APD’s computer network, planning for short-term and long-term IT goals, and the provision of excellent customer service.

Lead for IT Services in Georgia

• KIPP Metro Atlanta Collaborative, Inc. (hereinafter “KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools” or “KMAS”) intends to enter into a two (2) year contract with a qualified vendor to deliver managed information services. This initiative is known as the KMAS Managed Information Technology (IT) Services. All interested parties, potential Offerors, and those seeking to do business are hereby notified that this website will be updated periodically to include additional documentation. Interested parties, potential Offerors, and those seeking to do business should continuously check this website to make sure to receive any additional information posted regarding this solicitation. The Director of Technology, Ernie Torres, is the point of contact and he may be reached via email at etorres@kippmetroatlanta.org. Please send an email to etorres@kippmetroatlanta.org to request proposal documents.

GreenPages Technology Solutions Partners With FirstLight

• GreenPages Technology Solutions has joined FirstLight's Channel Partners program
• GreenPages is a systems integrator that helps companies migrate to and operate in hybrid cloud environments
• FirstLight, headquartered in Albany, New York, provides fiber-optic data, Internet, data center, cloud and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers

Unify Square Expands Managed Services Portfolio to Encompass the Complete Microsoft 365 ...

• Announced the extension of its existing managed services to encompass the complete Microsoft 365 application set
• Viva platform

CSI Partners with CivITas Bank Solutions to Provide Managed Services to Hundreds of Community ...

• Computer Services, Inc. a provider of end-to-end fintech and regtech solutions, has partnered with CivITas Bank Solutions, an affiliate of Bankers’ Bank of the West
• Provide CivITas community bank customers with comprehensive and managed services solutions
• Computer Services, Inc. (CSI) delivers innovative financial technology and regulatory compliance solutions to financial institutions and corporate customers across the nation

-=End=-

The Week in Copiers Five Years Ago

Second Week of April 2016

Last week I released my first video series dubbed "Better Call Art".  The plan is to produce at least one video per week that will with other industry veterans who are still in embedded in our industry.  We'll chat about the industry but more importantly have discussions that will share our collective knowledge.  In addition I plan to also bring in third party solution providers that I believe can make a difference in our every day sales efforts.

Yes, it will be a bit rocky at first because there isn't any "planned scripts", however one thing it will be is authentic as heck. The series will be included at no cost with a Premium Membership.

Enjoy These Threads from Five Years Ago this Week!

This will be a quick blog for tonight since I have to prep tonight for an on-site meeting an existing client early tomorrow.

Appointments

A decent day and that's because a virtual Managed IT meeting with an existing client went well this AM. In fact I'm meeting with them in person tomorrow to present an upgrade for their MFP.  I'm hoping the savings from the MFP can be parlayed over the Managed IT proposal to lower their overall cost.  Did I plan it that way?  Well yes I did and why not, the general theme of COVID is that most if not all companies are looking to save wherever they can.

My second virtual appointment of the day was with another existing client that has four 60 ppm MFP's.  They were in the weeds for quite some time until I had a meeting with them last week. At that meeting I was asked to go back and do some additional homework for our meeting today. This meeting went well also and as of right now it seems that this order will come to Papa (granddaughter calls me that) for this month.  We have the final meeting set for the 20th of this month. This opportunity is about $60K

The third virtual appointment of the day produced a verbal okay to send documents for signature.  Not a big order but an A3 color for about $7K.

Tomorrow

I have the one appointment early in the A3 for another existing client and that's the one that is interested in the Managed IT. It should go well and that opportunity is about $13K.  The rest of the day will be spent prospecting because with two weeks left it's what I do. 

Package in the Mail Today

I just love it when I get stuff in the mail, well it wasn't the mail but the package came from Fedex.  I've been waiting for the package for a few days and was pumped when it finally arrived.  That package was from Relyco and contained all sorts cool substrates that Production Printers can print on.  Durable Papers, envelopes & labels, pressure seal, business checks (blanks for MIRC), carbonless, ID cards and so much more! I haven't had the time to inspect the entire package yet but plan to dig into it in the next couple of days.  In addition I'll be posting up a short blog with my findings and may out a video on my YouTube channel.

Please check out my YouTube channel and please subscribe because I need to get to 100 subscribers in order get my P4P Hotel domain.

Things are finally looking up and the harder you work the luckier you get.

-=Good Selling=-

Just a side note for everyone. Great chat with Andrew from Austral Business about the current state of business and how Austral is making a difference in their market place. More to come. Would love to hear everyone's thoughts!