2009 predictions from the leading lights
Published January 29, 2009 at 2:05 pm · Filed under Printer / Copier
PrintIT asked leading lights in the printer industry what they thought would be the big things in offi ce printing in 2009
2009: the year ahead
Steve Hewson, Marketing Director, Toshiba
“2009 will see the continued adoption
of colour in the office. Trends from
recent years will continue through into
2009 as colour MFPs not only get
quicker but offer even better image
quality. As machines get quicker and
colour quality improves, these MFPs will
become more attractive to end users
and more and more offi ces will connect
to colour. Maybe not in the immediate future but defi nitely over the
next few years black and white only machines will cease to exist within
the offi ce environment as customers demand quality, affordable colour.”
Chas Moloney, Marketing Director, Ricoh UK
“2009 will be all about how vendors can help their customers
overcome the challenges they face. We will be
looking at the simple things that will help our customers
the most in diffi cult times. We will work with them to
identify areas where they can reduce costs and make
suggestions about how to get their print infrastructure
right, which can bring real fi nancial benefi ts. For example,
we can help them ensure their invoices are
paid on time, since research shows that invoices
printed in colour are paid more quickly than those
printed in black and white, and help them speed
up processes with workfl ow solutions. The key
in 2009 will be keeping it simple and delivering
real value for customers when times are tough.”
Paul Callow, UK Marketing Director, Lexmark
“With the economic crisis looking set to
continue for the foreseeable future we
expect 2009 to be similar to 2008 in
that customers will try to extend the
life of their devices and contractual
agreements. Many of our customers
are proactively seeking advice and
support to reduce their printing
costs but they are delaying the
roll-out of such strategies until they
have almost no other choice.
“One area in which we have helped customers is in the education
of their staff and users on how to use their current fl eet of devices more effi ciently.
We are proud to be able to offer a lot of value to customers by showing them
how users are often simply unaware of some basic things they could be doing to
cut costs, save time and reduce carbon consumption. Simple steps like ensuring
devices are on automatic standby mode and making use of technologies such
as scan-to-email and 2-sided printing can drastically reduce print waste and
consequently the impact on the IT budget.
“In 2009 Lexmark will be working harder than ever with both our existing
Customers and new ones to help them Print Less and Save More. ‘Print Less,
Save More’ has now become our slogan and there are fi fteen core principles which
support it. Every one of the devices we make will support some or all of
these principles so whether you’re a student printing at home or a FTSE
500 Company we can help you with our technology and solutions.”
John Howard, Head of UK Marketing, Konica Minolta
Business Solutions
“The big issue for print output in 2009 has to be cost
control. Yet research we conducted last
year showed that 62% of IT managers
questioned admitted to having no idea
what printing and copying cost their
organisation! This is a shocking statistic
when one considers savings from effi cient
print cost management can amount to
thousands of pounds a year.
“To ensure effective cost control
customers can either devote resources to
print management, or work with a supplier
that can offer managed print services, such
as Konica Minolta’s Information Management
Services division. Konica Minolta’s IMS division
can manage all aspects of print provision for customers including managing
the contracts of any legacy equipment, as well as providing new state of the art
bizhub multifunctionals and printers. Charges for the service are fl exible based
on customer needs. The IMS service is viable for machine fl eets from as few as
ten devices.”
Stewart Carroll, General Manager, Muratec Europe (UK)
“With the recent media focus on data security breaches by government agencies
this has to be a big issue for all businesses in 2009. That is why Muratec
multifunctionals incorporate a host of data security features to prevent unauthorised
access to valuable information.
“Muratec’s secure print facility means documents are not printed until the
user enters their password to activate output at the device. Muratec multifunctionals
will also receive fax documents into memory with printing only possible
with the authorised user’s password entered via the touch screen.
“As scan to fax, e-mail or PDF is becoming widely used by customers, two
recently introduced Muratec multifunctionals feature password protection for
PDF fi les. Customers load documents and then enter the desired security code.
The code can be sent by separate e-mail or by phone so the PDF document
is secure and can only be opened by entering the same security code at the
receiving end.
“The other big issue for customers in an economic downturn is value for
money. Ensuring that a print device offers a low total cost of ownership and not
just an attractive initial price point, is imperative.”
Duncan Vass, Product Manager, TallyGenicom
“We at TallyGenicom think that the ‘big thing’ for 2009 is
going to be services and solutions rather than an individual
product or product family. With organisations reluctant to
undertake an expensive technology overhaul, many will
look to the services being provided by vendors that will
enable them to maintain their legacy systems.
“For us, 2009 will be the year for TG Forms, a
solution that will remove the need for pre-printed
stationery in the offi ce. Not only will the solution
save the environment from wasted paper, it will
also save organisations thousands in capital
outlay during the economic downturn.
NIGEL ALLEN, head of project management, Kyocera
“Due to the economic downturn, next
year will be a tough one for all, with
the only growth coming from the
continued expansion of colour in the
offi ce. Companies will be looking
at cost saving measures, such as
consolidation of print fl eets, using
more managed print services to
control costs and a higher focus
on the solution product available that can
help all businesses monitor, control and improve costs.
KYOprint Packs are a new way to buy your copying and printing facilities that
enables resellers to provide a fully managed print service. This wraps everything up
in a single, simple support guarantee: the equipment, the on-site cover and the
consumables.”
JAMES HOPKINS, marketing executive Document Solutions, Panasonic
“2008 Gartner fi gures showed in the fi rst six months of the year, A4 MFP
sales increased by 25% in EMEA compared to an increase of just 4% for
A3 MFPs. Over the same period sales of single function inkjet printers and
standalone copiers fell by 22% and 19% respectively. This market trend has
been refl ected in the sales of Panasonic’s new KX-MC6000 series colour A4
MFPs. Panasonic expects continuing growth in demand for A4 MFPs during
2009 meaning the premise of providing affordable A4 printing solutions will
continue. During 2009 Panasonic will be introducing two new A4 mono MFPs
to meet the needs of this growing market. A4 machines satisfy 90% of offi ce
printing needs and form part of a total print solution which complements the A3
market.”
PHIL JONES, sales and marketing director, Brother UK
“Without dwelling on the current
economic situation too much,
it’s logical that the downturn will
dominate attitudes to offi ce printing
in 2009. Consequently, businesses
will be looking to get smarter
when considering their printing
requirements and will do this
primarily through simple costcutting
measures. Introducing
machines capable of printing
duplex is an easy way to halve
paper consumption and is something we’ve recognised and acted
upon - incorporating duplex as standard into our latest range of laser products.
Another polemic issue is whether or not the colour bubble will burst. As
companies look to use colour less to reduce costs, a resurgence in the uptake
of mono printers is a likely consequence.”
TOM PRIMETT, group product marketing manager, Sharp
“The Next Big Thing will be a little thing! Customers are demanding the
productivity and cost effi ciencies that they have enjoyed from A3 MFPs over the
last few years in a more compact format. Whilst A3 is still demanded, A4 MFP
sales will grow at the medium and higher speed range allowing customers to
mix deploy devices to maximise cost savings. Customers are now well aware of
the benefi ts of workgroup MFPs over personal MFP/Print devices. A quick print
audit will almost always show cost benefi ts in moving the personal devices to
centralised workgroup products.”
