This Week in Copiers Ten Years Ago

Last Week of January 2014

Real Copier Sales

Check These Great Copier Threads from Ten Years Ago This Week

-=Good Selling=-

This Week in the Copier Industry 5 Years Ago

Listing Features on your proposals

Take a peek below at some recent copier features that salespeople have used in proposals.

1. 96-Page Per Minute Dual Scanning
2. 80 Sheet Dual Scan Document Feeder
3. 2-Paper Trays + Copy Desk With Bypass
4. (35 Pages Per Minute Color A4 System)

Here’s how I would write these bullet points

1. Scan two sided documents at up to 96 images per minute which can double your current scan speed.
2. Our 80-page document will scan both sides of the document in a single pass. This means that our scanner will scan the top and the bottom of the page in a single pass. Increases reliability!
3. Dual paper trays that hold 1,100 sheets of paper (550 sheets in each tray). Plus, a bypass tray that will hold 100 sheets of paper (used for letterhead, envelopes, statement size paper). Saves time when loading paper and dedicated source tray for each size of paper.
4. Prints/copy/scan letter & legal (none of our clients understand what A4 is) size color pages at 35 pages per minute or 2,100 pages per hour.

BE Different BE Bold

Hacked!

see attached zip file

Gig Workers: Transforming IT Departments Today

As the gig economy burgeons, it profoundly remodels the landscape of labor, notably within IT departments. A sweeping 36% of U.S. workers now contribute to this burgeoning section of the job market. This changing workforce has granted IT departments a dual-edged sword—unprecedented opportunities intertwined with formidable challenges. Departments must adeptly balance the scales, harnessing the benefits of a flexible workforce while navigating the complexities that accompany such significant structural changes to traditional work paradigms.

This influx of gig workers confers upon executives the power to enlist specialized expertise precisely when it’s needed. They now have the ability to dynamically scale their operations for projects that require particular, sometimes highly specialized, skill sets. There’s no longer a need to bear the enduring costs associated with full-time positions, especially when the need for certain skills is transitory. Such strategic shifts in hiring practices are redefining how IT departments address their staffing requirements, promising them increased dynamism and resilience.

Integrating Flexibility: The Gig Economy’s Impact on IT

The gig economy has ushered in an unparalleled level of agility within IT departments. With a prevailing 36% of U.S. workers taking part in gig-related endeavors, either as their primary or secondary form of employment, IT departments are presented with a unique set of opportunities and challenges. This environment allows these departments to respond enthusiastically to shifting project demands and technological advancements, adapting their workforce composition as needed without the constraints of traditional employment models.

This new paradigm empowers executives to hire specialist expertise for short-term projects, without incurring the ongoing costs associated with full-time hires. This can be particularly advantageous in executing high-skill, niche projects that require sophisticated expertise for a definitive period. For instance, bringing on a cybersecurity expert to spearhead a critical system overhaul can be done swiftly and without the long-term expense or commitment that a full-time position entails.

The shift toward a gig-centric workforce is not just a reaction to the economic landscape; it is an innovative strategy that enables IT departments to become more dynamic and resilient. The capacity to rapidly engage and disengage resources means that IT departments can remain nimble, testing new technologies and undertaking a diverse array of projects that push the envelope of current capabilities without the traditional risks of workforce expansion.

Streamlining Costs, Maximizing Resources

Cost efficiency stands out as one of the gig economy’s chief advantages for IT departments. Avoiding perennial employment contracts affords businesses the agility to optimize their fiscal landscape, focusing their resource allocation on pivotal, project-specific ventures and groundbreaking innovation with greater flexibility. According to findings by Statista, nearly half of the businesses surveyed turn to freelancers to curtail expenses and scale down operational costs. This approach supports IT departments in crafting a strategy that aligns financial investment directly with project outcomes and technological evolution.

With this newfound flexibility, IT departments are discovering the means to embark on varied projects with cost structures that adapt to their immediate needs in real time. The strategic use of freelancers allows departments to allocate funds where they’re most needed—whether that’s in researching new technologies, pursuing ambitious development projects, or acquiring specialized talent for a complex system integration. By leveraging the gig economy, IT executives no longer face the daunting prospect of securing considerable investment for long-term staff before validating the success and viability of innovative tech projects.

Tapping into a Global Talent Pool

The gig economy eradicates geographical barriers that once limited the hiring reach of IT departments, providing access to a vast global marketplace of skilled professionals. This expansive network enables department heads to engage with experts in specific technologies or methodologies that might be scarce or unavailable in their immediate locale. With freelancers, specialty skills are brought in from various corners of the world, each bringing unique perspectives that can often lead to innovative solutions and enhanced creativity in problem-solving.

Enhanced diversity is a natural outcome of this broadened recruitment horizon. IT projects stand to benefit immensely from the myriad cultural perspectives and varied professional experiences that a global workforce contributes. Beyond the infusion of diverse thinking, this also sets a fertile ground for cross-pollination of ideas, where different approaches are considered, and the best practices from around the world can be integrated into the workflow.

The shift to a globally distributed team demands a mastery of robust, practical communication tools and workflows. IT departments, therefore, evolve to adopt more agile practices, enhancing their resilience and preparedness for a future that is increasingly digital and interconnected. Such adaptability is a crucial aspect of staying competitive in the tech industry, where the fast-paced nature of change is the only constant.

Bridging Skill Gaps with Precise Expertise

The prevalence of skill gaps presents an acute challenge for IT departments globally. Reports from McKinsey & Company highlight that a staggering 87% of organizations are either currently grappling with these gaps or anticipate them shortly. The gig economy offers a tactical approach to this issue, equipping IT departments with the ability to swiftly engage with professionals who possess the exact skill sets required for specific projects. This flexible staffing model negates the need for extensive training of permanent staff, immediately filling the void with ready-to-deploy expertise.

The entry of gig workers into project rosters is less about stopgap measures and more about strategic talent management. By sourcing talent on an as-needed basis, IT departments can maintain a lean team composition while ensuring that individuals with the ideal qualifications and experience manage each project. This approach not only hastens project timelines but also enhances the quality of the output, as each task is handled by a specialist attuned to the nuances of that particular domain.

Managing the Gig Economy Transformation

Navigating the gig economy’s influence on IT departments necessitates a robust infrastructure for onboarding and integrating freelance talent. This effort extends beyond simple orientation; it’s about developing processes that quickly assimilate gig workers into the company’s culture, ensuring they align with ongoing projects’ core values and immediate objectives. A meticulous approach to this ensures that all team members, whether temporary or permanent, work cohesively towards common goals.

Challenges, such as logistical and legal complexities, are part and parcel of employing a gig-based workforce. This is especially true for IT departments that must uphold stringent data security standards and intellectual property rights. IT executives, therefore, are tasked with creating clear, concise freelance agreements and building an infrastructure that supports secure, remote collaboration. Establishing these frameworks is vital to harnessing gig workers’ full potential while maintaining the integrity of IT operations.

Securing Gig-Based IT Operations: A Balancing Act

Cultivating a secure IT ecosystem remains imperative in a gig economy structure. IT departments must enforce rigorous standards to ensure data – the lifeblood of any modern enterprise – is uncompromised. Meticulous attention is required to teach freelancers with a firm understanding of security policies, ensuring their compliance is as stringent as that expected from full-time staff. This is a delicate endeavor, as it involves imparting comprehensive training while managing the transient nature of gig workers.

Notwithstanding the flexibility that gig workers bring to the table, securing operations demands an increase in vigilant cybersecurity measures. IT departments must craft definitive processes that address secure remote access, precise data handling, and streamlined project management. The successful integration of gig workers hinges on their seamless adherence to such protocols, guaranteeing that even with a rotating roster, the organization’s digital security posture is never compromised.

Navigating Potential Setbacks in the Gig Economy

Incorporating gig workers into IT frameworks isn’t without its drawbacks. The transient nature of such employment can lead to a lack of long-term commitment, potentially affecting the consistency and continuity of projects. Project knowledge and operational intricacies may be lost with the departure of short-term workers, posing a risk to ongoing maintenance and scaling efforts.

Additionally, while gig workers can bring specialized skills to a team, they may not always be in sync with the established company culture or processes. This misalignment can result in friction among team members and disruption to the workflow, requiring careful management and integration strategies from department leads.

The Gig-Powered IT Revolution

The gig economy has proven itself to be a formidable force within the IT sector, offering a blend of versatility and innovative problem-solving. As businesses continue to harness the gig model’s strengths, they are discovering not only cost savings but also progressive ways to execute their strategies. IT departments are adopting a harmonious blend of permanency and fluidity in their staffing, taking firm strides into a future where agility is paramount.

Clearly, the gig economy does not merely challenge traditional norms, but rather, augments the capabilities of IT departments. This harmonization of flexibility and security is what will propel IT departments forward, allowing them to tackle future technological challenges with confidence and exceptional expertise. The gig economy isn’t just shaping the present; it’s paving the way for a resilient and dynamic future in IT.

Learn more about Power MPS

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Sponsored by

January 22nd, 2024

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 re-marketing, recovery, and recycling of their technology assets. The sooner you involve ARCOA, the sooner you and your client.

CrowdStrike Recognized by Global Governments for Compliance Standards

• Completed the IRAP (Australian InfoSec Registered Assessors Program) and TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) assessments
• Previously certified by the Spanish National Cryptologic Center (CCN) and received Impact Level 5 (IL5) authorization from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
• Certifications expand access to CrowdStrike's AI-native Falcon XDR Platform.
• Focus on providing leading protection to more organizations across the Australian government and the European automotive supply chain

"Navigating the IT Landscape in 2024: Key Insights from the State of IT Report"

• reported on Spiceworks
• Investment Trends:
  • 66% plan increased IT investments
  • 4% anticipate a decrease, 30% expect no change
  • Optimism prevails despite economic challenges
• Strategic Focus:
  • IT crucial for achieving organizational goals and managing risks
• Spending Categories
  • Assessed across eight categories, including hardware, software, and cloud services
• Challenges for ITDMs:
  • Decision-makers face complexity amid economic instability
  • Budget flexibility requires careful decision-making
• Technology Approaches:
  • Over 95% prefer a mix-and-match infrastructure approach
  • Less than 5% choose entirely in-house or outsourced strategies

• Impact of Cloud-Based Strategies:
• • Cloud strategies increasing but balanced with in-house importance.
  • Outsourced/in-house ratio is 40%, challenging one-size-fits-all cloud perceptions.
• Organization-Specific Decision-Making:
• • 'Right' technology decisions vary based on organization size, budget, and strategy.
  • Tailored approaches are essential

Verinext Names Matt Bynum, Senior Vice President, Managed Services

• appointed Matt Bynum as Senior Vice President, Managed Services
• is returning to Verinext after serving as a solutions architecture leader at Amazon Web Services for nearly two years
• Bynum will lead the Verinext managed services team to ensure effective delivery and accelerate customer adoption

AITech Interview with Arun Shrestha, Co-founder and CEO at BeyondID

• Over 20 years of experience building and leading enterprise software and services companies.
• Committed to partnering with customers for strategizing and deploying cutting-edge technology
• Career spanning over a decade supporting enterprise customers.
• Evolution from client/server architecture to Web 1.0, Web 2.0 (Service Oriented Architecture), and now toward Web 3.0
• Emphasis on app-to-app integration, APIs, and cloud-based services, including digital identities supported by Okta
• Adopt Zero Trust services as a fundamental principle for security planning and implementation

Aligning AI with Humanity: A Roadmap for Responsible Development

• AI is expected to enhance our lives in areas such as safe mobility and time-saving tasks, possibly reaching human-level performance
• crucial for business leaders to ensure AI aligns with human intent and product promises
• Clear rules for AI learning are crucial, and failure to express them may lead to disappointment in AI potential
• Recognizing the fast-changing world, shaping data with evolving expectations in mind informs AI products

Konica Minolta Delivers Layered Security Approach and Solutions for MFP Clients

• overview of Konica Minolta's dedication to ensuring the security of MFPs
• Emphasis on the importance of a layered security approach in the context of multifunction printers
• Explanation of secure printing features to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive documents
• Document management solutions to control and monitor the flow of information within organizations

Fulcrum IT Partners Outlines Expansion Strategy for 2024

• making significant investments, forming partnerships, and alliances in 2024
• plan aims to enhance business outcomes and value for Fulcrum customers by providing flexible, expansive, and secure managed IT services, particularly focusing on Microsoft solutions
• Acquisition of PayiQ to deliver data-driven insights to retail customers, focusing on understanding customer behavior, cryptocurrencies, and touchless payments
• Acquisition of Razor, a private AI-as-a-service provider specializing in data and AI for Retail, Healthcare, and Manufacturing, leveraging Microsoft and DataQI Generative AI

WidePoint Awarded More than $70.3 Million in IT and Security Services Contracts During Q4 2023

• Wins include $64.9 million in new business, $1.3 million in commercial contracts, and $69 million in government contracts
• Federal contracts involve key agencies such as DHS, Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Courts, FEMA, and HHS.
• signed contracts in Telecom Expense Management and MMS with a major airline, and multi-year MPS contracts with healthcare and bottling enterprises

Cybersecurity Notes

• Refuah Health Center of New York agreed to pay a $450,000 fine and spend $1.2 million on cybersecurity solutions to settle allegations of negligence after a ransomware attack.
• Capital Health of Trenton, NJ is reporting that the LockBit ransomware gang claims to have stolen 7 terabytes worth of PHI, which it could resell for as much as $250,000.
• The Folek Centers of Virginia notified 6,965 dental patients that their PHI was exposed after email phishing attacks.
• Mountain Dermatology Specialists of Colorado notified 2,705 patients that their PHI was exposed after email phishing attacks.
• Lone Peak Physical Therapy of Montana notified 5,809 patients that their PHI was exposed after paper medical records and laptop computers.
• First Choice Dental locations in Wisconsin notified 1,000 patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health of Missouri notified 502,438 patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Salem Community Hospital/Regional Medical Center of Salem, Ohio notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Northwell Health of New York has notified 3,891,565 patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Mercy Medical Center of Iowa notified 97,132 patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Cook County Health of Illinois notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Crouse Health of Syracuse, NY notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• ProSmile Holdings of New Jersey notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack.
• Bosch Corp. notified customers in automotive industry of its Roxroth pneumatic torque wrenches that the devices could be exploited by hackers.
• LoanDepot, headquartered in Irvine, CA, notified an unknown number of customers that their info may have been exposed after ransomware attack.
• Mark Kevin Robinson, former VP of Commonwealth Health of Kentucky was sentenced to 2 years probation and $140,000 fine for illegally sharing PHI with a software vendor.
• Novant Health of Winston-Salem, North Carolina agreed to pay $6.6 million to settle allegations of negligence after HIPAA breach.
• The Erie VA Medical Center notified 2,380 patients that their PHI was exposed after mailing error.
• HMG Healthcare, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI after cyber attack.
• Family Healthcare of North Dakota notified 53,000 patients that their PHI was exposed after cyber attack

Lock in on Cyber Security with ARCOA

• IT Asset Disposition (ITAD): Manages the secure disposition of end-of-life IT equipment
• Data Destruction: Ensures sensitive data is completely erased from devices before disposal
• Asset Remarketing: Resells refurbished IT assets to maximize value recovery
• Recycling Services: Provides environmentally responsible recycling of electronics
• Compliance & Reporting: Offers documentation and reporting to meet regulatory standards
• Secure Logistics: Handles the safe transport of IT assets throughout the disposal proces

Digitech Systems Recognized as Outstanding Cloud Information Management System

• Digitech Systems' ImageSilo received Buyers Lab (BLI) 2024 Pick Award as Outstanding Cloud Information Management System
• praised for easy implementation, lower costs, simple setup, superb cybersecurity, and powerful workflow engine that doesn't require coding
• ImageSilo, launched in 1999 as the world's first cloud-based enterprise content management service, continues to uphold traditions of information security, process automation, and safe document collaboration

Ricoh on ‘lack of technology adoption'

• reported on print monthly.co.uk
• Chancellor Jeremy Hunt emphasizes the need for combining the UK's startup culture with the productivity of Germany and the US to enhance overall performance
• 15% productivity gap with Germany, attributing it to Germany's higher investment in plant and machinery per worker
• findings reveal that 85% of UK businesses were not utilizing AI in December 2023, and 83% had no immediate plans to adopt AI in the near future
• Despite hosting the AI Safety Summit in November 2023 to position the UK as an AI innovation leader, the adoption gap raises doubts about the pace of integration
• Ricoh Europe research shows a misalignment between employee expectations of workplace technology and the actual technological provisions by employer
• In the printing industry, 77% express the desire to automate for efficiency, but 52% still operate on legacy or manual systems, highlighting a significant automation gap

HP sued for preventing non-OEM supplies

• Lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois
• Seeks an injunction against HP requiring the company to disable its printer firmware updates from preventing the use of non-HP branded supplies
• Also seeks monetary damages greater than $5 million

AI Adoption to Drive Revenue: 88% of Business Leaders Set to Prioritize

• 56% of global business leaders express confidence in future growth, up from 42% a year ago
• Focus on customer experience, innovation, talent, sustainability, and supply chains for increased investment
• 88% of leaders plan to invest in AI and generative AI for innovation and revenue growth
• AI expected to play a significant role in critical decision-making in the next five years
• Life sciences lead in AI adoption, with nearly half of critical decision-making supported by AI in five years
• 61% of leaders consider cybersecurity threats a risk to business growth, up from 39% in 2023