www.printitreseller.uk PRINT, MFP, SOFTWARE, SERVICES, DOCUMENT & CLOUD NEWS & INFORMATION FOR VARS, CONVERGED RESELLERS & MFP DEALERS ISSUE 128 · 2025 20 25 Royal Lancaster · December 2 Entries open May 6 www.printitawards.co.uk PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 Epson expands RIPS business printer range See page 32
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PRINTITRESELLER.UK 3 COMMENT How time flies, it doesn’t feel that long since we announced the winners of the 2024 PrintIT Awards and we’re now officially launching the 2025 edition! Entries open on Tuesday May 6. I know that there’s a lot of work involved in putting together a submission for an awards event and I’ve been really pleased to speak to so many of you over the past couple of months and to hear that you’re already starting to think about which categories to enter. There really is no time like the present, so to help get you started, I’ve put together some of my top tips to write a killer submission and improve your chance of winning – see page 22. Follow these tips and your submission will have a much better chance of making the shortlist and (hopefully) win an award. Good luck! Also in this issue, Perry Cox, National Sales Director at ISL, picks the work tools he uses every day and couldn’t do his job without (page 18). This month’s Q&A is with Gareth Brown, Sales Director, Netbox Digital Ltd & Netbox Managed IT Ltd, and PITR spent 60 seconds with Kai Smith, Business Development Executive, Selectec. If you’ve got any news about your business to share, would like to be included on our monthly VOX POP panel, have a compelling business success story or simply wish to comment on any industry issues, please get in touch with me at: [email protected] Michelle Ryder, Editor Editor’s Comment Register online To receive your regular FREE printed copy of PrintIT Reseller Magazine simply fill in our online registration form at www.printitreseller.uk/register Read PrintIT Reseller online at: www.printitreseller.uk Join us : Follow us @print-it-reseller-magazine PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 PrintIT Reseller is published by Kingswood Media Ltd., 7 Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT • Tel: 01732 759725 Email: [email protected] www.printitreseller.uk No part of PrintIT Reseller can be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. ©2025 Kingswood Media Ltd. 04 Bulletin Where do you take yours? 06 Bulletin News from the channel 13 People A round-up of new hires 18 I couldn’t do my job without... Perry Cox picks his favourite work tools 20 A decade in print Nigel Eaton shares his print experiences over the past decade 22 PrintIT Awards Entries open May 6, check out our top tips to write a winning entry 26 Focus on: What’s New A round-up of recent product launches 28 News Feature Carbon Group expands operations 29 Dealer Profile Managed Print Solutions geared for growth 32 Cover Story Epson expands WorkForce Pro RIPS business printer range 34 Opinion The growing scope of IT 36 Conference News from HP’s annual Amplify Conference 39 VOX POP Transitioning to a circular economy – part one 46 Industry Insight Ben McKean, Sales Director, Selectec 48 View from the Channel Gareth Brown, Sales Director, Netbox Digital Ltd & Netbox Managed IT Ltd 50 60 seconds with… Kai Smith, Business Development Executive, Selectec 2025 ISSUE 128 printitreseller.uk If you no longer wish to receive PrintIT Reseller magazine please email your details to [email protected] Group Editor: James Goulding 07803 087228 · [email protected] Editor: Michelle Ryder 01732 759725 · [email protected] Publishing Director, Social Media and Web Editor: Neil Trim 01732 759725 · [email protected] Advertising Director: Ethan White 01732 759725 · [email protected] Account Manager: Jeff Root 07976 950285 · [email protected] Designer: Brian Cloke 07484 288189 · [email protected] Issue 128 ISSN 2055-3110 (Print) ISSN 2055-3129 (Online)
01732 759725 4 BULLETIN BULLETIN Where do you take yours? We’re all about championing print at PrintIT Reseller, so don’t forget to get your camera out and send me a pix of yourself reading our magazine in the most unusual, far-flung spot you can find, and you could be featured in our next issue! PrintIT Reseller attended the HP Amplify Conference which took place March 17–19 in Nashville and naturally, the magazine was a must-read for some of the attendees, including one of the Dutch channel press! Peter Reyneveld, Dutch IT Channel The Kingswood Media team met up with FUTERA Marketing Manager Rob Webb and CEO Lee Manning, both of whom were excited to check out the latest in print and printing. We want to see where you take your issue – whether it's atop a mountain, on a deserted beach, or even in the heart of a bustling city – we want to see where our magazine travels with YOU! Please send your pix to me at [email protected] Steve Inch, Senior Principal Cybersecurity Strategy & Product Management for HP Print Division Steve Daniels, Global Program Manager, HP Inc Jo Smith, Global Communications Director, HP
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01732 759725 6 BULLETIN UTL Document Solutions acquires Xpert UTL Document Solutions has acquired Xpert Digital Solutions. The strategic move is its first major milestone since the takeover of UTL Document Solutions in October 2024. In a statement the company said by welcoming Xpert Digital Solutions into the fold, UTL Document Solutions has gained a powerhouse with 26 years of proven expertise and a reputation for excellence. “This strengthens our ability to provide cutting-edge technology and exceptional service to businesses across the UK. Our team is already hard at work, blending Xpert’s strengths with UTL’s vision to create something bigger and better for our customers. And trust us, this is just the beginning. UTL is on a mission to redefine the industry, and we’ve got thrilling plans up our sleeve that will take us to new heights. “Bigger, bolder moves are right around the corner, and we’re poised to shake up the document solutions world like never before.” https://utlds.co.uk/ Workflo Solutions invests in future talent Workflo Solutions’ Managing Director Michael Field believes the most important investment his company has made could transform one schoolgirl’s life and inspire countless others. She may be just 15 years old, but Kara Young from Broxburn, Scotland is already taking the boxing world by storm. The two-times Scottish Champion, British Champion and William Wallace Box Cup winner became Scotland’s first ever winner at the 2024 EUBC European Schools Championships in Bosnia last year, and now she has her sights set on an international title – something she is one step closer to clinching thanks to the generous support of Workflo Solutions. Having just returned from competing in the world’s largest female boxing tournament – the Golden Girl Championship in Sweden – Young received the news that Workflo Solutions would fund her travel expenses and training equipment. Commenting on what a positive impact this sponsorship will have on her sporting career, she said: “This sponsorship gives me the opportunity to travel to international tournaments with my club that I wouldn’t be able to attend without this support. It’ll also help me access additional support such as physio, nutritionists and allow me to have the best equipment.” Field believes Young has got what it takes to compete and win at an international level. A keen boxer himself, he said: “Here at Workflo Solutions, we’re known for transforming businesses, but our company ethos is to go beyond our services to make a positive difference to individuals and local communities, one purposeful connection at a time. We have been so impressed by Kara’s talent and dedication to her sport and we’re proud to lend her our support to help her reach her international goals.” This sports sponsorship deal is just the latest in a series of social impact projects actively supported by Workflo Solutions. From local community initiatives to national charity campaigns, the managed service provider is proud to contribute to causes that align with its core company values of openness, inclusivity, fairness and justice. www.workflo-solutions.co.uk PBS Group partners with Fujifilm PBS Group has partnered with Fujifilm to supply and maintain the company’s entire range of Apeos multifunction printers. The company said the partnership combines PBS Group’s trusted expertise in print management solutions with Fujifilm’s cutting-edge technology and sustainabilityfocused innovation. “Our customers can now enjoy an even broader selection of high quality, efficient, and eco-friendly printing solutions, backed by PBS Group’s renowned service and support. “We are excited about the opportunities this partnership brings, allowing us to better serve our customers with exceptional print solutions tailored to their business needs.” www.pbsgroup.co Blue Sky Digital changes name Since its acquisition by Aurora in December 2023, Blue Sky Digital has continued to operate under the Blue Sky Digital name whilst company processes and procedures were integrated into those of Aurora. Aurora has now announced that the integration is now complete and the business has now rebranded to Aurora. The acquisition gave Aurora a greater presence in Wales through a well‑established business that delivered local service to local customers. As Aurora Wales, Blue Sky Digital is now the Cardiff-based hub of a much larger workplace technology provider and customers can take advantage of all the additional services and technical expertise available to them as part of Aurora. In a statement the company said that whilst their name has changed, their commitment to the quality of customers’ experience, support and service will remain unchanged and as high as it has always been. www.aurora.co.uk Workflo Solutions Sales Director Jonathan Weir and Kara Young
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 7 Flotek Group strengthens expansion plans Flotek Group has strengthened its IT support capabilities with the acquisition of Simpology UK Ltd, enhancing services for SMEs and multisite companies in London, Cambridge, and surrounding areas. Simpology was established in 2003 by Lee Frankham, Managing Director, and Mark Balaam, Technical Director, driven by a passion for emerging technologies and extensive experience with large SMEs and Microsoft Azure. The company shares several key partners with Flotek, including Microsoft, N-able Cove and ZEN Internet. Frankham and Balaam will remain with Simpology to ensure a successful integration of the businesses. This period will focus on aligning services across cyber security and communications services, and ensuring there is a seamless customer experience, as well as expanding Flotek’s regional presence in London and surrounding areas. The acquisition brings over 50 new managed support customers, plus more than 50 customers under the IT4Hair retail focussed sub-brand, as well as an additional £1 million in revenue, taking its total to 120 employees and £17 million in revenue. Flotek has also appointed Wayne Jones as Group Sales Director, following the acquisition of the remaining equity in Office Equipment Systems Limited (OES), which will rebrand as Flotek Group later this year. As part of this transaction, Jones has invested in Flotek Group to become a shareholder and joined the board. Since the initial investment, OES has significantly increased its recurring revenue, mainly from managed IT support growth and introducing telecoms to its existing customers, while also growing larger accounts in the area. Flotek plans to roll out managed print into its base of UK customers, further enhancing its service offerings. Flotek Group CEO Jay Ball said: “Acquiring the remaining equity of OES means we can really expand into the North with such a great team of individuals already in place. Wayne becoming Group Sales Director allows me to step back from the sales team and focus on future acquisitions while Wayne focuses solely on delivering our ambitious growth plans to achieve £20m revenue by the end of 2025.” Jones added: “We’ve adapted the Flotek model since the investment and seen huge growth levels and service improvements by investing in our team and technology stack. This has focused us on working with customers who see real value in a partnership. I’m looking forward to launching managed print into the wider business to allow us to really support customers with all their technology needs.” Flotek plans to drive growth in the North via its key office in St Asaph, with its business development team driving new business and account management to grow its existing customer base. This will allow its technical support and other teams to become fully integrated, enhancing the overall service offering by introducing its customer experience team and wider group of field engineers to provide a truly national service. https://flotek.io Community support For the second year running, Burke Systems and Solutions Managing Director Michael Burke, was part of the Tom Beare Bursary panel which was held at Ormeau Business Park in Belfast in April. Every year the panel meets and listens to presentations from a group of upper sixth pupils from St. Joseph’s School and Wellington College. The pupils presented their case to be awarded a grant from the bursary, to help them in their studies at university. www.burkesystems.co.uk Exclusive partner status Konica Minolta has recognised Isle of Manbased managed print solutions specialist, Typhoon House, as an Exclusive Partner. Typhoon House, launched in 1993, has a long-standing association with Konica Minolta, formally becoming a partner in 2017 and soon achieving Premium Partner status. This close cooperation has been key in gaining market share in a unique location where logistical support is critical. Geoff McCann, Managing Director of Typhoon House, said: “Having worked with Konica Minolta’s print solutions for many years, we know the well-deserved reputation for innovation, reliability, quality, and service are vital for our customers. Customer demand for Konica Minolta products makes this the perfect time for Typhoon House to become an Exclusive Partner, benefiting us and our customers in terms of technical support, training, device and consumables availability, and pricing.” Cameron Mitchell, Business Leader for Indirect Channel at Konica Minolta added: “We are proud to award Typhoon House Exclusive Partner status. Their dedication to customers is reflected in an impressive near 100% customer retention rate, and our close partnership means Typhoon House is very much an extension of our brand and values.” www.konicaminolta.co.uk Wayne Jones and Jay Ball (l-r) Cameron Mitchell; Debs Gwinnell and Geoff McCann, Typhoon House; Paul Logan, Konica Minolta BULLETIN
01732 759725 8 BULLETIN TD SYNNEX appointed distributor for Civo TD SYNNEX has been appointed as a distributor for Civo. Civo’s cloud-native services enable organisations to host applications, increase productivity, accelerate development and reduce costs. Customers can securely and flexibly manage cloud workloads, and as Civo uses UK-based datacentres, partners can reassure customers on regulatory and data sovereignty requirements. With the addition of Civo, TD SYNNEX is extending the choice of cloud services options it makes available to partners. With the knowledge, expertise and experience of its cloud team, extensive professional services and consultancy resources, and aggregation platform, the company is strategically focused to support partners in meeting all their customer needs for cloud and hybrid infrastructures. Simon Bennett, Managing Director – Advanced Solutions, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX, said: “We are adding Civo to our comprehensive portfolio of cloud options at a time when a lot of customers are re-evaluating their strategies and looking for options that will enable them to operate and grow cost-efficiently. Civo’s value proposition, combined with the exceptional cloud expertise, services and support of the TD SYNNEX hybrid cloud team, will resonate strongly, both with partners and their end-user customers.” https://uk.tdsynnex.com SYNAXON event raises £555 for Sponsored Breaks At its recent partner event, held at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, SYNAXON UK took the opportunity to raise money for local charity Sponsored Breaks, which provides campervan holidays for families from the armed forces and emergency services. Mike Barron, Managing Director of SYNAXON UK said: “Thank you to everyone who donated a prize or purchased a ticket for the raffle held at the Molineux event. We managed to raise a fantastic £555 which is enough to send a deserving family on a nice weekend break in the campervan and will certainly help and encourage Simon and his team to keep up their fantastic work.” https://synaxon-services.com Exertis IT acquires Group 8 Exertis IT has acquired Group 8, an Apple Service Provider (ASP), as well as the leasing of a bigger facility; both of which will enable the expansion of its circular economy offering. Group 8 provides support and repair services for Apple products. Established for over 20 years, its specialisms include Apple product support and repair (to all Apple products, such as MacBooks, iMacs, iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watches); a collect & return repair service (where devices are collected from any UK postcode with bespoke packaging and includes insurance); and support contracts (access to Apple experts via secure remote sessions, telephone, and onsite support. These agreements cover maintenance of macOS/iOS, server infrastructure, day-today administration, and common application software support.) Group 8 business owners Terry Fannin, Veronica Child and David Meehan, who have been significant in the sale of Group 8, will continue working in the business. Exertis IT currently offers circular economy services via MTR Group, its subsidiary company which specialises in the refurbishment and resale of mobile devices, and offers high quality, Samsung-accredited refurbished handsets. Rod McCarthy, Group Managing Director, said: “The acquisition of Group 8 is a fantastic addition to Exertis IT’s group service strategy. With circular economy regulations on the horizon, Group 8 joining our business is an integral part of our strategy to progress our business, and those of our customers’, into the second life market.” www.exertis.co.uk Automated AI-driven security capabilities TD SYNNEX has expanded its alliance with Exabeam, a global player in intelligence and automation that powers security operations. Previously available only through TD SYNNEX in Germany, the alliance is now being extended to the UK with other EMEA countries due to follow later this year. It enables UK partners to provide faster, more accurate threat detection, investigation, and response with AI-driven and automated solutions. “The TD SYNNEX security practice provides all the solutions and services that enable partners to stay on top of developments and provide the protection that customers need,” said Scott Rogers, Senior Business Unit Director – Security, UK, TD SYNNEX. “By adding Exabeam to our portfolio we are giving them an additional and highly flexible threat detection and response option that can be used to enhance the existing security posture of customers. We’ll be providing enablement and business development support on Exabeam to ensure that our partners can make the most of this new opportunity.” The TD SYNNEX security practice can provide full enablement support for partners on the entire portfolio of Exabeam offerings, including the self-hosted LogRhythm SIEM Platform and cloud-native New-Scale Security Operations Platform, which combines security information and event management (SIEM) with machine learning, dynamic risk scoring, and behavioural analysis through New-Scale Analytics. https://uk.tdsynnex.com Simon Bennett (l-r) Simon Love, Sponsored Breaks and Mike Barron, SYNAXON UK outside Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton Scott Rogers Rod McCarthy
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01732 759725 10 BULLETIN evo secures refinancing package evo has been refinanced with increased funding facilities through its existing lending syndicate of Leumi ABL and Close Invoice Finance Limited. The facilities provided are an £80m invoice finance facility and £13m in term loans. This is a substantial facility, and the initial term is four years. The funding has enabled the company’s CEO Andrew Gale to lead a management buyout, which facilitates a successful exit for funds managed by Endless LLP, evo’s long-standing PE shareholder. Endless acquired Vasanta in 2009, and has supported the acquisitions of Office2Office in 2014, Premier Vanguard in 2019, and Complete Business Solutions in 2023. The group also acquired the Staples.co.uk license and Staples corporate book of business in 2020 and the 5Star brand in 2024 to further diversify both its product offering and routes to market. Gale will continue as Chief Executive supported by Jon Maxted, evo CFO and the evo trading board and team. Gale said: “From day one as Chief Executive the goal was to materially transform the trading results of evo and to enable an exit for Endless. The evo business has made major strides over the last couple of years and we are excited about the opportunities in front of us. This refinancing and transaction unlock the opportunity for evo to take on fresh investment to support our ambitions in terms of product and geographical expansion, all within a balanced multisales channel model.” www.evo-group.co.uk Softcat acquires Oakland In a significant move to enhance its capabilities in the data and AI space, Softcat has announced the acquisition of Leeds-based Oakland, a specialist data and AI consultancy. The acquisition will see Softcat and Oakland operate a phased plan to bring the two businesses closer together over the next few years. This approach will ensure both companies can maintain their unique strengths while providing comprehensive data solutions to their customers. Softcat CEO Graham Charlton said: “Data is one of the biggest opportunities ahead of us as the innovation in technology continues to shift rapidly towards a more automated and AI-driven world. Our customers need the right expertise to navigate this, so combining our market presence and broad portfolio with Oakland’s specialist capabilities will allow us to support them at every stage. Joining forces with Oakland is a great fit with our strategy and, most importantly, our culture.” www.softcat.com Zyxel recognised for sustainable practices Zyxel Group has once again made its mark by being included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025. Standing out among over 7,690 companies globally, Zyxel Group earned a spot in the top 5% of the communications equipment industry, showcasing its strong commitment to sustainable practices. www.zyxel.com Focus Group strengthens market position Focus Group has acquired Matrix247, a specialist in managed IT and communications services, a move that strengthens its market position and reflects its commitment to expanding service offerings for key market sectors. The news marks a further step in Focus Group’s progressive drive towards offering customercentric solutions to businesses across the UK, whilst delivering an unparalleled level of service, support and value to customers from an integrated network of regional hubs. For Matrix247, the acquisition provides significant opportunities for growth and enhanced service delivery. Stephen Pritchard, CEO of Matrix247 said: “Joining forces with Focus Group is an exciting step forward for Matrix247. It’s clear we share a like-minded vision, and this partnership enables us to leverage the combined strengths of Matrix 247’s and Focus Group’s proficiency in comms, IT and cyber security. Their scale, expertise, and investment will enable us to build upon the fantastic work our team has already achieved, further enhancing our solutions for our customers while maintaining the exceptional service we are known for.” https://focusgroup.co.uk TD SYNNEX adds to print and supplies portfolio TD SYNNEX has extended its distribution agreement with Canon in the UK and Ireland to include the company’s range of imageFORMULA document scanners, allowing the vendor’s partners to benefit from the stock-holding, logistics, financial and value-added services offered by TD SYNNEX, and making Canon document scan products accessible to more partners across the UK channel. Chris Bates, Business Unit Director – Print and Supplies, UK and Ireland said: “With the range of services we provide and our extensive enablement resources, TD SYNNEX is ready to support Canon partners business development and growth. “As digital transformation continues, there is sustained demand for reliable, efficient document scanning solutions that deliver the quality and performance for which Canon is renowned. The TD SYNNEX print and supplies team will be working with partners to help them understand and address the potential – and deliver benefits of Canon document scan solutions to their customers.” https://uk.tdsynnex.com Chris Bales
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01732 759725 12 BULLETIN Konica Minolta scores highest evaluation Konica Minolta has been selected for the Climate A List in the FY2024 survey by CDP, an international not-for-profit organisation running the world’s largest environmental disclosure system. This is the eighth time for Konica Minolta to be given the highest evaluation. The OEM remains committed to helping build a decarbonised society while achieving both business creation and growth. Its goal is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2050 compared to FY2018 across the value chain in accordance with SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard. The near-term goal is to reduce the absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by FY 2030 by 51% and by 30% in Scope 3. www.konicaminolta.co.uk ECI certified as great place to work ECI Software Solutions has been certified as a 2025 Great Place to Work in seven countries. This marks the seventh consecutive year of recognition in the US; the fourth straight year in Canada, the UK, Belgium, and Australia; the third straight year in the Netherlands; and a first-time certification in Portugal. “Achieving Great Place to Work Certification for the seventh consecutive year is a testament to the incredible culture our teams have built and sustained worldwide,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Andrew Pryor. “This recognition validates our commitment to fostering an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.” www.ECIsolutions.com EcoVadis platinum rating Ricoh has been awarded the highest - platinum rating from EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. Placing Ricoh among the top 1% of companies assessed, this is its first platinum rating, following ten consecutive years of gold ratings from 2014 to 2024. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates more than 150,000 companies worldwide across 21 sustainability criteria in four core themes: environment, labour & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Ricoh achieved an overall score of 82 out of 100 - an increase of five points from last year – with particularly strong recognition in the environment category, along with notable improvements in the labour & human rights and ethics categories. Mikako Suzuki, Corporate Officer in charge of ESG and Risk Management at Ricoh said: “We are immensely proud of this milestone which underscores our long-standing commitment to sustainability.” www.ricoh.co.uk Canon returns to FESPA Canon will showcase Arizona, Colorado and imagePROGRAF devices, elevated by partner platforms and its own PRISMA XL Suite at the FESPA Global Print Expo which takes place May 6 - 9 in Berlin. Canon’s stand will feature a concept store demonstrating the creative and commercial possibilities of conceptual and real-world brands’ wide format graphics applications, including interior décor, packaging and POS. A diverse selection of customer samples will be displayed, including soft signage, corrugated and luxury packaging, POS displays, posters and interior décor elements. Stuart Rising, Head of Graphic Arts at Canon UK & Ireland said: “At FESPA Global Print Expo, we’ll bring our innovation story to life with exciting product developments and by demonstrating specialist applications expertise and agile business models that support customers to future-proof their businesses. In a world where grabbing and keeping attention is every brand owner’s challenge, eye-popping, colourful print really has ‘The Power to Move’, stimulating the kind of emotional responses from consumers that are critical to commercial success.” www.canon.co.uk Fujifilm expands Apeos range Fujifilm is expanding its Apeos MFP range with the addition of three new series of mono A4 and A3 devices. The Apeos 5570 series features two A3 models: Apeos 5570 and Apeos 4570, able to print up to 55 and 45 A4 mono ppm respectively. Both also scan in colour at 80 A4 ppm simplex, and at 160 ppm duplex, in a single pass. The models in the series can accommodate paper weights from 52 – 300 gsm and sizes from SRA3 down to postcard size (100 x 148 mm), with a banner print option of 320 x 1,200mm. The series also features a 10.1 inch colour touch panel for easy operability. The Apeos 3560 series includes three A3 devices with print speeds up to 35, 30 and 25 A4 mono ppm and colour scan at 80 ppm, either single‑sided, or single pass duplex. They accommodate paper weights of 60 – 256 gsm and sizes from A3 to A5 and feature a 7 inch colour touch panel for optimal ease-of-use. The compact Apeos 5330 and 4830 A4 models can print up to 53 and 48 mono ppm and scan one-sided in colour at 53 and 48 ppm. When it comes to single pass duplex scanning, the devices can achieve speeds of 105 and 96 ppm respectively. Paper weights from 60 – 220 gsm and paper sizes from A4 to A6 can be accommodated. www.fujifilm.com
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 13 BULLETIN : PEOPLE MyQ announces leadership changes MyQ has announced three leadership changes aimed at bolstering its global sales operations and enhancing its market presence in northwest Europe. Grant Paczensky has joined Nigel Eaton’s newly expanded northwest Europe team as the Head of Channel Sales for the UK & Ireland. Paczensky brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in channel sales, which will be instrumental in driving growth and strengthening MyQ’s market position in these key regions. Michal Grepl has been promoted to Chief Sales Officer, where he will oversee MyQ’s rapidly expanding global sales operations. Grepl’s leadership and strategic vision have been pivotal in MyQ’s growth, and his new role will enable him to further accelerate the company’s global sales initiatives. In addition, Kristian Samler has rejoined MyQ as its Chief Operating Officer. Samler previously served as MyQ’s Chief Sales Officer and brings extensive experience and deep knowledge of the organisation. His return as COO is expected to drive operational excellence and support MyQ’s ambitious growth plans. These appointments reflect MyQ’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team and driving forward its mission to deliver innovative solutions to its customers worldwide. www.myq-solution.com Zyxel Networks appoints new president Zyxel Networks has announced the appointment of Ken Tsai as its new President. Tsai brings 19 years of experience from the Zyxel Group, having held key positions across various strategic operations and product management units, including the gateway strategic business unit, management center, corporate HR service division and business supporting center. Since its spin-off from Zyxel Communications in 2019, Zyxel Networks has focused on the small to medium-sized business networking market, successfully building a strong market position through its Nebula cloud management platform alongside network security solutions. Tsai’s leadership is expected to bring forward‑thinking strategies and market insights that will fuel the company’s growth momentum in global markets. www.zyxel.com Newly created role at Infinity Group Microsoft solutions partner Infinity Group has recruited Kevin Brown to the newly created position of Sales Director. Brown has more than 15 years’ experience in IT sales and consultancy, including senior roles at MSP Pythagoras (acquired by EY in 2021), Arrk Group and most recently HSO, where he was Sales Director. Infinity Group provides technology solutions and managed services with a strong focus on Microsoft technologies, including Dynamics 365, Power Platform, Azure and Microsoft 365. www.infinitygroup.co.uk Restore Technology expands channel team Restore Technology, the UK’s largest provider of IT lifecycle services, has added James Burkimsher to its growing channel team. As Channel Account Director for London and the South, he will help partners in the region identify opportunities to increase revenue with the company’s specialist IT lifecycle solutions. Steve Ludgate will look after channel partners in the Midlands, with Sarah Holden focusing on the North. Burkimsher, who was most recently ITAD Business Development Manager at Ingram Micro and prior to that Commercial Director at SAS Logistics, said: “I’m excited to be joining the company at a time when they are making significant investment in channel operations and can’t wait to start helping partners grow their sales with our services.” www.restore.co.uk Promotion at Parallel Parallel has promoted Steven Luff to the position of Sales Manager. Luff has been a key part of the Parallel team since March 2023 and has over 25 years of experience in the print industry. His new role as Sales Manager will see him take on even greater responsibility in expanding Parallel’s reach and continuing to develop tailored managed print service solutions for businesses across the UK. He’ll also be playing a key role in mentoring and supporting the company’s growing sales team, ensuring it maintains its customer-first approach as it grows. Parallel’s Managing Director, Gavin Auckland said: “Steven has been a fantastic asset to Parallel since the day he joined. His work on the Click. Print. Donate. initiative, his commitment to our customers, and his drive to grow the company made this promotion an easy decision. I know he’ll do a brilliant job leading our sales team, and I’m excited to see what he achieves in this next chapter of his career.” Luff added: “Parallel is such a fast-growing company, and I feel lucky to be part of a team that is forwardthinking, ambitious, and genuinely committed to doing things differently. The opportunity to help shape the future of the sales team and contribute even more to the company’s growth, is something I’m really excited about.” https://parallel-group.co.uk Steven Luff Ken Tsai Kristian Samler
35 Years +
01732 759725 16 BULLETIN : PEOPLE Exertis expands team Gary Dunstan has joined Exertis Print and Scan division as Document Solutions Product Manager. He said: “I have many years’ experience across the print and scan industry – selling managed print solutions, and more recently working as a product specialist and product manager to bring vendors such as Kyocera, Epson and Lexmark to market. I’m absolutely delighted to have been welcomed so warmly into the Exertis Print and Scan team, and look forward to supporting our customers, colleagues and vendors.” www.exertis.co.uk Two key leadership appointments Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH has announced two key leadership appointments. Kentaro Itamoto has been appointed President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, succeeding Kiyotaka Suhara. Since joining Konica Minolta Inc. in 2002, he has played a key role in shaping strategy and operations across sales and business planning in various leadership positions in the Middle East, North America and Japan. As the new President, Kentaro Itamoto will drive the company’s commitment to customer-centricity and sustainable business growth. Toshitaka Uemura will take on the role of European Head of Industrial Printing (IP) Business. Reporting directly to Kentaro Itamoto, he will be working closely with Rob Ferris, CEO of Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK), to strengthen the European IP business strategy. This appointment comes at a crucial time as Konica Minolta continues to expand its industrial printing business, which represents a significant growth opportunity. The change in leadership will enable the company to strengthen its competitive position, drive innovation and develop new revenue streams in the coming years. Toshitaka Uemura’s extensive industry expertise and strong network within the industrial printing sector will be instrumental in accelerating market penetration, fostering strategic partnerships, and creating new business opportunities. www.konicaminolta.eu Organisational changes at DocuWare Following the announcement of Max Ertl stepping down as Co-President and the appointment of Co-President Dr Michael Berger as CEO, Dr Berger established an executive management level team that will support him in driving the company’s overall growth trajectory. The experience and vision of this team will support growth and innovation, expand the company’s global footprint, streamline operations and ensure DocuWare is always at the forefront of technological operational and market advancements. The leadership team consists of Michael Bochmann, Chief Product & Technology Officer; Benedikt Dischinger, Chief Financial Officer; Uta Dresch, Chief Operating Officer and Hermann Schäfer, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. Berger said: “I am honoured to work with this exceptional group. Their expertise and dedication to DocuWare and its people will be instrumental in leading our company to new heights. I thank Max for his dedication and valuable contribution over the last 23 years, for his great achievements as a sales and marketing leader, and for our close collaboration during our time as Co-Presidents.” https://start.docuware.com/ Graham Orr joins Aurora Aurora Managed Services has appointed Graham Orr as Group Operations Director. Orr has over 30 years senior-level experience leading nationwide customer service operations, having risen from the ranks of field service. Prior to joining Aurora, he held directorship roles at both independent and manufacturer organisations in the managed print services industry. In his spare time Orr is also an active veteran advocate, trustee and board member. With first-hand experience having served in the Royal Navy he leads and volunteers with several welfare organisations to support former members of the armed services. Aurora CEO Martin Oxley said: “Graham is a fantastic addition to the Aurora Board and business. He has built and led industry-leading managed services operations throughout his impressive career, and his incredible experience and natural instinct in service delivery will inspire our service and operations teams and help drive further development of the customer service we deliver.” www.aurora.co.uk Gary Dunstan New hire at ABC Managed Solutions David Bellshaw has joined ABC Managed Solutions as Interim Operations Director. With a wealth of experience in operations, risk, compliance, and quality standards, and a strong background in document management and managed print - he brings invaluable expertise to the team. As Interim Operations Director, Bellshaw will be focused on elevating standards across the business, ensuring alignment with the company’s vision for 2025 and beyond. He will also contribute to ABC Managed Solutions’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives as it continues to strengthen its commitment to responsible business practices. https://abcmanagedsolutions.co.uk David Bellshaw
Scan or visit arivia.katun.com to learn more. © 2024 Katun. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Katun is changing the way we do business to bring our clients simplification. With more than 45 years of industry experience, we proudly introduce Arivia™ multifunction printers. • High-performance printing • Superior image quality • Advanced security solutions • Intuitive design • Commitment to sustainability Katun Arivia Print IT Reseller Ad.indd 1 11/8/24 11:51 AM
01732 759725 18 home isn’t as quiet as you’d like and it’s very easy to get distracted. They connect to my laptop via Bluetooth and enable me to seamlessly receive incoming work calls or mobile calls, but in reality, I keep them in all the time, even if I’m not on a call! 4 Cloud storage and collaboration tools Seamless access to all your files and documents keeps you moving, no matter where you’re working. At ISL, we use Microsoft Office 365, which enables us all to access shared folders as if we were in the office. We collaborate over O365, access and share files, which saves a lot of time. Instead of emailing back-and-forth, we have a shared folder that everyone can access remotely from any device. 1 Wireless printer Commercial, fully supported printers offer everything your machine does in the office, but with a compact design. I use a Sharp MXC303 wireless printer at home. It’s ideal, with a small footprint but feature-rich with A4 print, copy and scan capabilities. Importantly it’s cloud‑capable so I can easily scan directly into O365 and retrieve documents from the cloud as well as send print jobs directly to the office, which are held in the printer for me to retrieve securely when I’m next in. 6 VoIP telephone We have Mobex at work, the software sits on the computer and there’s also an app on my phone. It enables crystal‑clear calls over the internet, so if someone in the office wants to transfer an incoming call or I want to call someone from my office number rather than my mobile, I can do that from the app. The key benefit is the ability to take my office phone home, you simply plug it into the router and it works the same way as in the office, so I don’t need to take calls on the mobile – keeping it professional while ensuring no one knows you’re working remotely (if you can keep the kids and dog quiet in the background!). www.isldigital.com estate is a lifesaver for multi-tasking. I found these clip-on laptop screens on Amazon, they’re pretty inexpensive and simply sit on the back of your existing laptop. They fold down, are lightweight, USB-powered, come complete with a carry case and, they easily fit in my laptop bag. Amazing! 2 Wireless mouse Keep your desk (or dining table!) clutterfree while enjoying ergonomic flexibility and much easier copying and pasting! The biggest frustration for me when working on a laptop is when I need to highlight something and cut and paste it, rather than having to go through multiple steps using the touchpad on the laptop, I find it much easier to use a wireless mouse to highlight, then simply use Control C/Control V to cut and paste. Plus, it’s so small, it takes up no space at all in my laptop bag. 3 Noise-cancelling headphones I have a pair of Bose in-ear noisecancelling headphones. The main reason I wear these is to block out any background noise when I’m working from home or in a co-working space. Because often the “home” in work-from1 Clip-on laptop screens If, like me, you don’t need a dedicated home office but occasionally work remotely - and juggle multiple spreadsheets and documents at once – then having the right tools is a must! Doubling or tripling your screen real WORKPLACE Perry Cox, National Sales Director at ISL, picks the tools he uses every day and couldn’t do his job without I couldn’t do my job without… Perry Cox
The PrintIT Reseller and Technology Reseller Golf Society is open to everyone; Resellers, Dealers, VARs, System Integrators and Vendors – the maximum number of players being 72 at each event. The cost per event is £107 per player or £428 per four ball + VAT. Includes breakfast and dinner. At each event there will be a prize for Overall Highest Score for the Day, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin. Not sure about running your own golf day? No problem, bring customers along to this friendly industry relevant event. This year’s events: & The Golf Society is open to everyone no matter what your handicap is... so don’t be shy. Come and join us. 2025 2 0 2 5 First round: Blundell Hill Golf Club 8th May Second round: Hearsall Golf Club 5th June Third round: Walmley Golf Club 10th July Final round: Pavenham Park Golf Club 18th September Sponsors Merchandise Sponsor If you would like to join us at any of the events please email [email protected] or call Paul on 07887 944433 SPONSORSHIP If you would like to discuss the opportunities available, please call Paul on 07887 944433, email [email protected] www.binfo.co.uk/ golf-society.php PLAYED
01732 759725 20 INTERVIEW that you perhaps would not have immediately put into this sector. AI is a great example. Everybody is looking at how can we be more efficient and how can we use technology better? 10 years ago, the software world was fairly flat, it didn’t really change very much. It was sort of the same thing with a few patch upgrades. Now it’s highly dynamic, and we’re all challenged on a weekly basis by something new – it’s a very different world from the one I entered 10 years ago. PITR: If you could change one thing about the last decade, what would it be? NE: That’s a great question. If I’m honest, I’m not a great believer in fate. I believe that every decision you make is based on the reasons you made it at the time, and if you could go back and change it, you will fundamentally change something you’ll regret. PITR: What has been your proudest moment of the past 10 years? NE: Watching my wife do a job the past 12 months, because she wants to do it and not just for the pay packet. She used to be a training manager within the finance industry and now she works with dementia patients in their own home. She chose to do that job because she loves it. She doesn’t care what it pays. She cares what it does. PITR: Sum up the decade in three words. NE: Learn, go again. PITR: What has been the high point of the decade? NE: It is in relation to IDC’s EMEA Device and Print Management 2023 Share Snapshot. The figures show MyQ is the fastest growing software solution in the sector. So, for me the high point of the decade has been when MyQ came out of the ‘other’ category in the market analysis and actually became a player in its own right. PITR: And the low point? NE: It has to be the pandemic, doesn’t it? But that said, you’ve got to give credit where it is due, because of the way the directors run MyQ and because of their financial prudence, we were able to weather that storm and come out strong the other side of it. A lot of companies shed jobs, but we didn’t, everybody was looked after, and that speaks volumes for me. And of course, MyQ Roger was born during that time. It was a skunk works project, and even I didn’t know anything about it until the day it was launched! PITR: What (or who) has had the greatest impact in the sector in the last 10 years? NE: The pandemic. It changed everything. It changed the way people worked, and where they worked. It allowed businesses to understand where their weaknesses were better than they ever did before. And it’s led to growth in areas PrintIT Reseller (PITR): You’ve been working in the print and IT industry for more than ten years. What led you to enter the sector? Nigel Eaton (NE): It was by chance. I was developing a print model for Pitney Bowes for their secondary leasing teams, and a Norwegian company they owned called Lindbak introduced me to MyQ as one of their potential suppliers. MyQ met with me and said that they were looking for a general manager in the UK and asked me did I know anyone. A little while later they asked me if I would be interested, and the rest as they say is history. PITR: What was your first job? NE: My first job was working on my brother in law’s farm, cleaning the yard in the dairy. Everyone knows what cows standing around waiting to be milked do, so basically my first job was shovelling s**t, literally! Nigel Eaton, General Manager, Northwest Europe, MyQ shares his experiences over the past decade, what he’s learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry A decade in print Nigel Eaton Photo: pixabay.com/artellliii72 Everyone knows what cows standing around waiting to be milked do...
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