Kyocera to intro new mfp's

This is super interesting Art! Did your contact mention whether these will be office MFPs or new production models?  It would certainly be odd if they were office, but could be a good way to save $$ on extra inventory and manufacturing costs.

I was told they were office models and your points are right on tract with inventory reduction & manufacturing costs.  Just wish they would have developed a renewable variable speed license

cool, thanks. Can you clarify what a "renewable variable speed license" is??

Far as I know a "variable speed license" does not exist.  It's my idea that a client could upgrade their copiers speed by buying a "speed license".  Thus clients could start with a 20PPM device and upgrade all the way to 70PPM.  They could choose any speed in between and they would pay an annual fee for the "speed license".

Got it, so variable would be portfolio-wide versus a limited "family or series license" that would restrict upgrades within a certain speed band? Thanks!

If I were King, I would have have a base model, that same base model can be upgraded to fixed speeds for scan an print. For example you start with the base model because you're not sure of volume, new in business or your business model may change,  Next year things do change , you need more speed for scanning and printing, the solution would be to buy an annual speed license that would increase your print and scan speed. Each year the license can will renew, Or you can go for the max and get a the variable speed license. Slow the system down or speed it up whenever you like. That may be more of the sizzle but the general idea is that clients would not out grown their copier within a five year lease if volume increased, employee usage increases and then the ability to add additional licensing features.

Our current model is too complicated, broken and tired.  We need something new and innovate.  

Your ideas are valid and would likely save MFRs and dealers a TON of money. Sounds like the future to me!

maybe I need to start a new US based copier manufacturing 

Or get hired as a consultant? I know you have lots of good ideas from experience.