PRINT, MFP, SOFTWARE, SERVICES, DOCUMENT & CLOUD NEWS & INFORMATION FOR VARS, CONVERGED RESELLERS & MFP DEALERS www.printitreseller.uk ISSUE 137 · 2026 PRINT IT RESELLER MAGAZINE IN PRINT & ONLINE SINCE 2011 Mandy Lewis picks her favourite work tools WORKPLACE PAGE 18 ONE-TO-ONE PAGE 36 Andy Muskett, Director of Channel at Xerox Shop the Brother Tank Benefit range now Save up to 20%* on the DCP-T580DW ink tank printer *Ts&Cs apply EVENTS PAGE 24 Sharp Inspire Expo 2026
independently validated by leading industry award bodies From market-leading A3 hardware to secure cloud print management, Canon delivers award-winning solutions designed to accelerate reseller success. Scan to discover Canon’s award-winning portfolio Trusted. _Recognised. __Awarded. A3 MFP Vendor of the Year 2025 uniFLOW Online 2025 Canon Europe Ltd. 2026 A3 Line of the Year Award Canon i-SENSYS X C1538iF II Canon imageFORCE C1333 Series A3 MFP Line of the Year – imageFORCE Cloud Print Management Solution of the Year – uniFLOW Online
Our awards team are busy planning and preparing to launch this year’s edition of the PrintIT Awards. We will be introducing a few changes this year, including some new categories and updated entry criteria, but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for the big reveal of the 2026 categories. The judging process for the PrintIT Awards is intentionally rigorous, designed to ensure fairness, credibility and genuine industry recognition. All entries are evaluated by an independent panel of specialists, handpicked by us based on their knowledge and experience of the marketplace. Before we officially open this year’s awards, I thought it would be useful to explain how the judging process works – see page 22. AI is driving change across the print and IT channel, enabling smarter workflows, predictive maintenance, data-driven intelligence, and more. In this month’s VOX POP feature, we hear directly from leading industry players on how AI is being applied today and where it’s headed next – page 40. Also in this issue, Mandy Lewis, Head of Marketing at Xenith Group, picks the work tools she uses every day and couldn’t do her job without (page 18). This month’s Q&A is with Phil Johnson, Managing Director, Archway Business Solutions, and PITR spent 60 seconds with Alex Rollo, Technical Customer Success Manager, PaperCut Software. 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 04 Bulletin News from the channel 12 Bulletin Where do you take yours? 16 People A round-up of new hires 18 I couldn’t do my job without... Mandy Lewis picks her favourite work tools 20 My life in print Nik Modi shares details of his life in print 22 PrintIT Awards The judging process explained 24 Events Michelle Ryder reports from Sharp Inspire Expo 2026 26 Focus on: What’s New A round-up of recent product launches 29 News feature HP brings Copilot to print and expands WXP capabilities 30 News feature CO3 Technologies and Vektor Software announce UK partnership 32 MPS Partner Programme Become a Brother UK Trusted Partner and grow your MPS business in a way that works for you 34 Sustainability Print vendors accelerate sustainability efforts 36 One-to-one Andy Muskett, Director of Channel at Xerox 39 AI SMEs accelerate AI adoption 40 VOX POP Industry leaders on AI – part one 46 Industry Insight Russell Cole, COO, FUTERA 48 View from the channel Phil Johnson, Managing Director, Archway Business Solutions 50 60 seconds with… Alex Rollo, Technical Customer Success Manager, PaperCut Software COMMENT 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. 2026 ISSUE 137 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 137 ISSN 2055-3110 (Print) ISSN 2055-3129 (Online) PRINTITRESELLER.UK 3
01732 759725 4 BULLETIN Compliance key driver behind cloud repatriation New research from digital infrastructure provider Pulsant suggests that compliance pressures linked to the rise of AI will become the leading force behind cloud repatriation projects over the next two years. The independent study, conducted by Vanson Bourne, shows that 97% of organisations are confident their current data strategies will remain fit for purpose. 90% predict an increase in their technology investment over the same period. This follows 78% reporting that they have increased investment over the past two years. Digital infrastructure is the top priority for this investment, with 37% of businesses prioritising the area. 78% of respondents ranked AI among the top three factors influencing data strategy. Data sovereignty and residency concerns follow closely, cited by 55% of respondents. Nearly four fifths (79%) say sovereignty considerations are shaping their infrastructure decisions, and these organisations plan to increase investment by an average of 13% over the next two years. The research also indicates that UK businesses may have reached peak public cloud. 87% plan to partially or fully move away from public cloud services, with 54% considering private cloud, 38% exploring an increased reliance on their own datacentres, and 36% exploring co location. www.pulsant.com The £120 million office printer perk UK employees’ personal use of office printers is costing businesses an eye-watering £120 million annually, according to the latest survey by Cartridge Save. Office printers are meant to serve business needs, but a significant portion of printing is purely personal. From CVs and event tickets to forms, recipes, and even kids’ homework, staff are quietly racking up huge costs. 21% of respondents admitted to printing resumes during office hours; 17% use office printers for concert or travel bookings; 14% print government forms, mortgage applications, and similar documents; 9% have used work printers for children’s assignments; and 6% printed horoscopes, memes, or dating profiles. Ian Cowley, Managing Director of Cartridge Save said: “The hidden cost of personal printing is bigger than most businesses realise. Simple interventions, like implementing print quotas, tracking usage, or offering small allowances for personal printing, can drastically reduce costs without alienating staff. It’s about balancing responsible use with employee goodwill.” www.cartridgesave.co.uk Uncertainty is holding back SMB digital and AI adoption Digital solutions provider team.blue has published a new report examining the digital maturity of more than 8,000 small businesses across 30 European countries, revealing that while appetite for digital and AI tools is strong, many SMEs remain unsure how to begin. According to the findings, 30% of small businesses do not know which digital tools they should be using, and more than 1 in 4 say they lack the skills or knowledge to get started. The challenge is particularly acute among older, more established firms, where reluctance to adopt AI rises above 60%. Claudio Corbetta, Group CEO of team.blue, said: “Technology, especially AI, has outpaced the capacity of many small businesses to keep up. Small businesses understand that AI has the potential be transformative, but the current ecosystem too often assumes a level of digital fluency that simply isn’t there yet. “When we simplify the path and make tools genuinely usable, AI stops being intimidating and starts becoming a catalyst for creativity, efficiency and growth. The opportunity isn’t just to help small businesses adopt AI, but to empower them to shape what’s possible with it.” The report shows that small businesses are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of digital choices and unclear pathways. Many report that digital technology feels complex and timeconsuming, with one in five citing a lack of time or resources as a barrier to adoption. What’s more, on average, small businesses rate their confidence in choosing and using digital tools at just 6 out of 10. AI adoption is growing, with nearly 20% of businesses using it extensively and a further third experimenting. However, trust remains a sticking point, almost half of respondents trust AI less than human-led work, raising concerns about data security, accuracy and brand voice. More than 22% say they still don’t know enough about AI to move forward. The strongest demand from SMEs is for clearer guidance rather than more technology. Half of respondents say step by step support would help them progress, while 42% want advice on which tools to use and 38% value training and workshops. https://team.blue Ian Cowley BULLETIN New research Loftware has released its 2026 Top 5 Trends Report, revealing that global businesses are accelerating supply chain modernisation amid rising disruption, regulatory pressure, and geopolitical uncertainty. Based on insights from more than 400 professionals across 55 countries, the report highlights rapid adoption of connected supplier networks, cloud-based labelling, smart packaging, and AI‑driven automation. Loftware President and CEO Jim Bureau said agility and intelligence will define the future of supply chains. Loftware’s report shows that autonomous supply chain technologies are gaining traction. Powered by SaaS-based labelling platforms, AI analytics, and integrated data, these systems help detect disruptions earlier, optimise logistics in real-time, and automate error-prone processes. www.loftware.com
TRADE IN THE PAST. PRINT THE FUTURE. Call your account manager for further information or email [email protected] for details of your local dealer specialist. For a limited time, you can upgrade your existing wide-format printer and move to the next generation of print technology with the Mutoh HydrAton 1642, Mutoh’s advanced water-based UV printer. Trade in your current solvent or latex printer (over 46”) and receive a €3,000 trade-in allowance when you upgrade to a new HydrAton 1642.
01732 759725 6 BULLETIN Apogee supports Rudolph Fun Run In December, Apogee once again joined forces with RBVE to make the annual Rudolph Fun Run a huge success. RBVE is committed to improving the lives of veterans and their families, and the Rudolph Fun Run plays a key role in fostering community spirit and creating positive change for those who have served. Held at Leybourne Lakes in Kent, the event featured two routes, a 2.5km family-friendly course and a 5km chip-timed challenge, encouraging participants of all ages to get involved. The run generated essential income to sustain RBVE’s life-changing work, raising an estimated £20,000 for the charity. Marion Brooks, Apogee’s Chief People Officer said: “We’re proud to sponsor RBVE’s Rudolph Fun Run as it’s a fantastic way to get involved in community events near our Maidstone head office.” This sponsorship reflects Apogee’s ongoing commitment to supporting local initiatives in Kent and beyond, making a positive impact on communities across the UK and other jurisdictions. www.apogeecorp.com 50 Years of technology innovation Avoira is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking a major milestone for the technology solutions provider as it reflects on half a century of supporting organisations across the UK. Founded in 1976 as Pennine Communications, the business has grown from a specialist in two way radio systems into a fully integrated provider of audio visual solutions, unified communications, managed IT, cyber security, critical communications, connectivity and AI-driven analytics. Over the decades, the company has expanded through the acquisition and integration of companies including Videonations, Co Channel, Rocom and Yellowbus. These brands were unified under the Avoira name in 2019. Today, Avoira employs around 150 people and delivers mission critical, end-to-end technology solutions for public and private sector customers. Its ‘One Avoira’ approach brings together specialist teams to provide a seamless service across projects. To mark its golden anniversary, Avoira will donate 50 Amazon Alexa devices to Age Concern, helping older people who may feel isolated or disconnected from the digital world. This initiative complements the company’s ongoing community work, which includes providing free Wi-Fi, temporary network links and radio equipment for charities and local events. The anniversary also marks two years since Managing Director Dr Andrew Roberts took full ownership of the business. www.avoira.com SCC ultra athlete wins Namib Desert race SCC’s Manchester-based ultra-athlete Alex Welch has claimed victory in the 2025 Beyond the Ultimate Desert Ultra – a fiveday, 250km race across the ancient Namib Desert, one of the world’s most extreme endurance environments. Welch works as a Senior Cyber Security Sales Specialist at SCC, which continues to support his ultra-running journey through sponsorship, specialist kit and workplace flexibility. In addition to his extraordinary performance in Namibia where he won the race and set a new course record, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Beyond the Ultimate Arctic Ultra in 2025 and also secured a podium finish in the Mountain Ultra in Kyrgyzstan. The Ultimate Desert Ultra race saw Welch, 29, overcome punishing daytime temperatures peaking between 53-58°C and near-freezing nights. Across five stages – 50km, 50km, 42km, 22km and a brutal 92km final day – athletes were required to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all food, supplies and mandatory equipment for the full week. The field included elite female competitors and a highly ranked Italian mountain runner, making his achievement even more remarkable. He said: “Namibia was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The heat was on another level and every stage demanded absolute focus. To come away with the win – and a course record – is overwhelming. After the Arctic and Kyrgyzstan, this was the challenge I had been building towards all season. I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me, particularly my colleagues at SCC who have backed me every step of the way.” Adam Clark, Chief Revenue Officer at SCC added: “Alex continues to embrace extraordinary challenges. Following his success in the Arctic and a podium finish in Kyrgyzstan, he has now triumphed in one of the world’s most demanding environments – Namibia. His exceptional discipline, resilience and ambition exemplify the spirit of SCC, and we are incredibly proud to support him throughout this remarkable endeavour.” www.scc.com ©It’s Just Us Photography A first for Agilico Agilico has been awarded the BSI Kitemark certification under BS 8887-220:2010 for remanufacturing under its Agilico Zero programme, becoming the first independent managed print service provider in the UK to achieve this standard. Independent lifecycle analysis conducted by Anthesis has shown that the Agilico Zero process produces 97.5% less CO₂e than the manufacture of brand new devices. CEO Simon Davey said: “Achieving the BSI 8887 Kitemark is a proud milestone for Agilico. It provides independent assurance of the quality and sustainability of our Agilico Zero devices and validates the hard work by our teams across the UK. This recognition proves that remanufactured equipment can meet the highest standards of performance and reliability while delivering a measurable carbon reduction for our customers.” www.agilico.co.uk
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 7 BULLETIN New distribution deal TD SYNNEX Maverick has been appointed as a distributor for the full range of meeting room solutions from Barco in the UK and Ireland. With immediate effect, the complete range of Barco ClickShare meeting room solutions are available from TD SYNNEX Maverick, enabling partners to benefit from Maverick’s specialist knowledge and long experience in the collaboration and audio visual solutions, and to access the extensive value-added services, stock holding and financial options available from TD SYNNEX. The alliance builds on the strong and established relationships that exist between TD SYNNEX Maverick and Barco in other European countries. Mark Glasspool, Senior Director, UK and Ireland, TD SYNNEX Maverick said: “Barco is another significant strategic addition to the TD SYNNEX Maverick portfolio and one that extends our presence in the market for BYOD meeting rooms and enhances our range of collaboration solutions. “We’ll be working closely with the Barco team to reach out to the B2B community and maximise the opportunities for all partners with the full ClickShare range, and in particular working to raise awareness of the huge potential for the Clickshare Hub solution for room-based conferencing.” https://uk.tdsynnex.com/portfolios/ maverick-av-solutions Data Direct offers live demos Data Direct has announced its Bradford showroom is now fully equipped and ready for live demonstrations of the latest wide-format and specialist print technologies, including the new Mutoh HA-1642, the Mutoh XpertJet 661UF, and a range of advanced Rowe wideformat scanners. Alongside the HA-1642, which features Mutoh’s ground-breaking water-based UV technology, visitors to the Bradford office can also experience the Mutoh XpertJet 661UF, a compact yet powerful UV LED flatbed printer ideal for personalisation, promotional items, packaging prototypes, and short-run production. Its small footprint and broad media compatibility make it a highly attractive solution for both entry-level and established print businesses looking to expand their service offering. Completing the demonstration line-up is Data Direct’s range of Rowe wide-format scanners, showcasing high-speed, highaccuracy document capture for CAD, GIS, AEC, and technical reprographics environments. Together, the technologies on display provide a comprehensive view of modern wide-format print and scan workflows. “Our Bradford showroom is designed to be a practical, hands-on environment where dealers can see real output, ask real questions, and explore real opportunities,” said Caroline Savage, UK WF manager for Data Direct. “By bringing together Mutoh’s latest print innovations with Rowe’s market-leading scanning solutions, we’re giving our partners the confidence and insight they need to grow their wide-format business.” www.data-direct.co.uk Datech extends BricsCAD distribution partnership Datech, TD SYNNEX’s specialist design software division has extended the availability of BricsCAD across Europe. Under the expanded agreement, partners can access BricsCAD, a comprehensive CAD platform for 2D drafting, 3D modelling, BIM, mechanical design, and surveying workflows. Jaap Smit, Senior Vice President, Datech and Business Applications Global at TD SYNNEX, said: “Datech is dedicated to uniting design software solutions that deliver real business outcomes. By adding BricsCAD to our portfolio, we enrich the breadth and depth of our offerings and provide customers with solid alternatives that the CAD market demands. “Our robust digital distribution platform and valueadded services, based on the LAER model (Land, Adopt, Expand, Renew), will enable resellers to drive customer success and unlock BricsCAD growth opportunities across Europe.” https://eu.tdsynnex.com/datech-solutions BLOC welcomes ACS GROUP BLOC is delighted to welcome ACS Group into its community, bringing a wealth of experience across workplace technology, IT services, print, office interiors, and sustainable solutions, enhancing the collective strengths within the group. As a member, ACS Group will gain access to an extensive portfolio of services and solutions and all the benefits derived from being part of a wider community with strong industry partnerships in place. Elizabeth Stevenson, Strategic Director of ACS Group said: “We are excited to be joining the BLOC community going into 2026. We see it as a great opportunity to collaborate with like-minded businesses and share ideas that drive innovation and growth in our industry.” www.BLOC-group.co.uk Mark Glasspool Jaap Smit
01732 759725 8 BULLETIN Ricoh launches new partner programme Ricoh UK has officially launched the Ricoh Unity Partner Programme, a strategic initiative designed to redefine partner collaboration, enhance both partner and customer experience, and accelerate digital transformation and growth for partners in the UK. The new programme is structured around four clearly defined levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum and recognises partner growth and success. The levels create a progressive pathway where each stage unlocks increasingly valuable benefits, enhanced support resources and commercial advantages. Beyond the traditional levels, Ricoh Unity introduces specialisms across the Ricoh strategic portfolio that acknowledge partners’ depth of expertise across the customer engagement lifecycle. These include Sales = Specialist: focused on revenue generation and market development, Sales + Pre-Sales = Expert: enhanced capability including solution design and consultation and Sales + Pre-Sales + Technical = Elite: comprehensive expertise spanning the entire customer journey. Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar, Director of Partner Channel, Ricoh UK, said: “We are delighted to introduce Ricoh Unity to the UK market – a programme designed to strengthen collaboration and drive growth. Unity reflects our belief that sustainable success comes through genuine partnership. By investing in our partners’ capabilities and providing the tools, training, and support they need, we continue to help them succeed and deliver exceptional value to their customers.” www.ricoh.co.uk Kyocera names UFP as distributor Kyocera Document Solutions UK has named UFP (UK) Ltd as a new Tier 1 distributor for its ECOSYS hardware and wholesale toner for all channel customers, as well as ECOSYS and TASKalfa fulfilment toner for Kyocera’s authorised Servicing Dealers. This represents a resumption of a previous partnership between the two companies, with UFP formerly being a distributor for Kyocera genuine consumables. Kyocera and UFP will work closely together as part of the new partnership, collaborating on existing and new business opportunities to ensure favourable outcomes. UFP already has strong relationships with a number of Kyocera partners, which should ensure a seamless transition for resellers, dealers and customers. Pete Lunn, Head Sales Lead at Kyocera, said: “It’s great to be working with UFP once again. We’re always looking to expand our distribution network and connect with companies that offer long-standing expertise and experience in the reseller market. UFP ticks all the boxes in this respect, so we’re looking forward to seeing the partnership develop, and bringing the benefits of ECOSYS hardware and toner to more customers.” www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk Phil Jones named among the North’s top leaders Brother UK Managing Director Phil Jones has been named as one of the most influential business leaders in the North of England. He has been included for the second year running in Business Cloud Magazine’s Northern Leaders for 2025 list, recognising his contribution to regional business growth, strategic leadership and long-term investment in the North and also been named in the first ever North West Business Insider Business Power List of the region’s 100 most trailblazing business leaders. Jones said: “We remain committed to the North, investing in people and technology that strengthen the region’s role in the UK’s tech economy. Being named among the North’s most influential leaders is a privilege – but more than that, it’s a signal of the trust people have in our reputation for sustainable business practice and our investment in our people.” www.brother.co.uk Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar Pete Lunn Phil Jones Epson Europe advances towards net zero Epson Europe has released its FY24/25 ESG/Sustainability Report, highlighting significant milestones in its sustainability journey, including external validation of its decarbonisation pathway underscoring the company’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050. This year, Epson secured official validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, committing to achieve a carbon-negative footprint by 2050. The company aims to reduce total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 90% within this timeframe. These science-based goals represent a transformative shift, focusing on eliminating reliance on underground resources and fundamentally reshaping Epson’s entire value chain for a more sustainable future. In addition to SBTi validation, Epson’s sustainability efforts have also been recognised by EcoVadis, which awarded the company a Platinum rating for its comprehensive environmental, social, and governance practices. Epson continues to lead sustainability efforts through innovation that supports circular manufacturing and resource efficiency. Following the completion of its state-of-the-art metal recycling facility in Japan, Epson Atmix, a group company, has expanded its sales presence into Europe to meet the rising demand for high-quality metal powders. The facility recycles used metals from Epson’s operations and the wider community to produce the metal powders which serve as raw materials for advanced manufacturing. www.epson.eu
CO3 UK Roadshow – February 2026 THE FUTURE OF PRINT & MANAGED SERVICES IS HERE! Say goodbye to fragmented systems and welcome a smarter, fully integrated sales CRM, billing, and service management software solution. CO3 Technologies, with over 20 years of proven expertise, in partnership with Vektor Software Limited (Copy Control), is bringing the powerful Nucleus platform and Nucleus GO directly to your doorstep. Nationwide Tour – February 2026 The tour is underway, having started on February 2nd in Glasgow. If you missed the first week, there are still many great shows throughout February. Spaces are strictly limited! Secure your FREE place today and step into the next era of print! Hear real insights from industry leaders: Marius Engelbrecht, Managing Director of CO3 Technologies Daniel Gilbranch, Owner of Cargil Solutions Limited
01732 759725 10 BULLETIN Xerox named supplier on CCS framework Xerox has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) RM6190 Technology Services 4 framework, a new major public sector agreement designed to help organisations modernise digital systems and adopt technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation. Xerox is named on Lot 1: Technology and Digital Consultancy Services – technology and digital strategy, design and advisory services; Lot 3: End-user Services – end-user support, including computing and device management, delivered as managed or professional services; and Lot 4: Infrastructure Management – IT operations, datacentre support and technology estate management, delivered as managed or professional services. The agreement enables public sector buyers to access Xerox’s technology and digital services via a compliant, value-driven route to market, supporting digital transformation, operational efficiency and improved service delivery across central government, local authorities, health, education and other public sector organisations. “Xerox’s inclusion on the Technology Services 4 framework marks an important milestone for our work with the UK public sector,” said Ian Martin, General Manager, UK Public Sector, Xerox UK and Ireland. “It reflects our broader reinvention as a services-led, software-enabled business, and how we continue to evolve our capabilities to support public sector organisations as they modernise services, improve efficiency and adopt secure, scalable technologies through compliant procurement routes.” www.xerox.co.uk Konica Minolta positioned as a leader Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH has been named a leader in the 2025 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide High-Speed Digital Label Printers 2025 Vendor Assessment. The report notes: “The high-speed digital label printer market is undergoing the same type of digital transformation we have seen in other segments of the printing market, with a portion of the total label volume moving from analogue to digital production based on digital printing’s economic advantages for short-runs. The demand for digital production is based on a move to shorter runs and on-demand production to impact consumer decisions and eliminate waste. “Over that time, Konica Minolta has placed more than 1,700 of its toner-based label presses, which have found a ‘sweet spot’ in the digital label press market with its combination of quality and productivity.” Toshitaka Uemura, Head of IP Business at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe said: “Our purpose is to empower better communication and a more sustainable society through the power of digital printing. By addressing our customers’ challenges – from shorter runs and tighter deadlines to the need for skilled labour and environmental responsibility – we continue to deliver innovations like the AccurioLabel 230 and AccurioLabel 400 that redefine what’s possible in digital label production. We believe being named a Leader by the IDC MarketScape reaffirms we’re on the right track.” www.konicaminolta.co.uk Katun expands distribution partnership with MyQ Katun has expanded its strategic distribution partnership with MyQ and now offers MyQ’s print management solutions to dealer partners in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Latin America. Katun became an authorised distributor of MyQ in the US in July 2025, Latin America in October 2025, and EMEA in December 2025. “Katun’s partnership with MyQ reinforces our commitment to delivering impactful solutions that add value for our dealer partners and their customers,” said Tony Ko, Katun’s Vice President of Hardware and Business Solutions. “MyQ streamlines management, strengthens security, and enhances the user experience, and we are proud to expand its availability across key global markets.” Andrius Keblas, Chief Marketing Officer, MyQ added: “We’re excited to see our partnership with Katun continue to grow globally following a strong start in the US and Latin America. Expanding into EMEA is a natural next step and reinforces our shared commitment to delivering secure, efficient, and user-friendly print management solutions. We look forward to working with Katun and helping organisations benefit from MyQ through this partnership.” www.katun.com, www.myq-solution.com Toshitaka Uemura IDC recognises ABBYY For the second year in a row, IDC has named ABBYY a leader in its IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Intelligent Document Processing Software 2025-2026 Vendor Assessment. Amy Machado, Senior Research Manager, Content and Knowledge Discovery Strategies at IDC said: “Maximising trustworthy straight-through processing (STP) is key to intelligent document processing, driving lower costs and faster outcomes. ABBYY continues to apply advanced AI, including LLMs where they add the most value, to minimise manual effort, enhance reliability, and help organisations focus resources on higher-value tasks.” According to the IDC MarketScape report: “ABBYY uses proprietary AI models, engineered for document understanding. Rather than repurposing generic LLMs, which can lack consistency and reliability, ABBYY uses a hybrid approach that begins with document AI and then applies GenAI if and where it can add value.” www.abbyy.com
01732 759725 12 BULLETIN We’re all about championing print at PrintIT Reseller, so why not join in the ‘Where do you take yours’ challenge? Simply snap a photo of yourself reading the latest issue in the most unexpected spot you can find – whether that’s atop a mountain trail, tucked into a hidden café corner, or even mid–air on your next flight. Send me your pix for a chance to see your face (and your favourite pages) featured in our next edition. Where do you take yours? At Sharp Inspire Expo in Lisbon, the latest issue of PrintIT Reseller hot off the press, proved to be a popular read. Michelle Ryder and Hannah White, Team Lewis Jacqui Hendriks, IDC Richard Hubert, Sharp UK Technical Support Manager
PRINTITRESELLER.UK 13 BULLETIN The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted an error in Issue 135 where Dave’s picture was incorrectly captioned. I’d like to say it was done on purpose to see who actually reads these pages….but it truly was a genuine mistake. As everyone knows, Dave Thompson works for Tungsten Automation, not Vasion. We want to see where you take your issue and where our magazine travels with YOU! Please send your pix to me at [email protected] Gerard Rudolph, Marketing Manager at CO3 Technologies wins the award for travelling the furthest with PrintIT Reseller magazine! Here he is in Durban Botanical Gardens, South Africa, behind him is a grove of lotus, and a colony of Sacred Ibis. Marco Van Vliet, Sharp Netherlands and Oscar Nevado Contreras, Sharp Spain Ben Lake, Sharp Europe and Luca Duro, Sharp Italy
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01732 759725 16 BULLETIN : PEOPLE Kyocera strengthens leadership team Andrew Smith has been promoted to Managing Director and General Manager at Kyocera Document Solutions UK Group. Formerly Chief Information & Strategy Officer, Smith will lead the group, including Annodata and MCL, as it continues its evolution and next phase of growth. In addition to Smith’s appointment, Steve Doust has been named Group Sales Director (Direct Sales), while Suki Purewal takes on the role of Group Service & Operations Director. These appointments follow the return of Pete Lunn as Indirect Sales Lead in November 2025, solidifying a leadership team built for Kyocera’s growth strategy for 2026 and beyond. Smith said: “It is a privilege to lead Kyocera into this next chapter. My focus is on ensuring our managed services remain rooted in genuine customer value, delivered in close collaboration with our talented team and channel partners. As we move into 2026, we will double down on our heritage of innovation, forging new value in our core print market while aggressively scaling our IT and cybersecurity capabilities. With a strengthened leadership team and renewed momentum in our channel strategy, Kyocera is uniquely positioned to serve the market.” Yuji Doura will continue to serve within Kyocera Document Solutions UK, leveraging his strong relationship with Kyocera’s headquarters in Japan to support Smith in his new role as Managing Director, while contributing from his newly defined position as Business Transformation Director. www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk Marketing and HR appointments Kubus has expanded its senior leadership team with two key appointments, Katie Hunt as Head of Marketing and Liv Duncan as Head of HR. The move supports the company’s mission to operate as a flexible, ambitious, and trusted expert partner for IT infrastructure provision globally. Hunt, who previously held roles at CAE Technology Services and Schurter Electronics, will lead Kubus’s marketing strategy, focusing on delivering high-impact moments and value-driven interactions for people, partners, and customers. She will also build a scalable, high performing marketing team. Duncan, who has been with Kubus for more than six years, will lead the company’s recruitment drive and onboarding processes, with a specific focus on maximising employee potential. www.kubus.com Andrew Smith Communicate Technology appoints new CEO Communicate Technology has appointed Paul Bryce as group CEO as the MSP reports 102% year on year growth, following the integration of Blaze Networks and investment from private equity firm Rockpool. Bryce brings more than 30 years’ MSP experience. He said: “This is an exciting time to join the Communicate team, as it looks to continue its growth journey. My focus will be on scaling with purpose, by shaping strategy, strengthening culture, and promoting an environment where our teams and customers can thrive.” During his time at Node4, Bryce helped grow the business from zero to 1,100 employees and £190m revenue, and played a key role in ten acquisitions and three rounds of private equity investment. Communicate founder and outgoing CEO Tony Snaith will remain on the board as a non executive director. https://communicate.technology Paul Bryce Liv Duncan Katie Hunt Jo Holliday steps into UKI General Manager role As its new General Manager, Jo Holliday will lead Acronis’ UKI business, focusing on accelerating regional growth, strengthening partner and customer relationships, and expanding market presence through a partner‑first approach. She brings more than 28 years of leadership experience across software sales, channel development, and go-to-market transformation and has held senior global roles spanning revenue ownership, global sales leadership, and channel strategy. “I’m excited to step into the General Manager role for UKI at Acronis,” she said. “It’s a privilege to lead such a talented team and work alongside a partner community that plays a critical role in protecting businesses in an increasingly complex cyber landscape. I’m looking forward to deepening collaboration, helping our partners grow, and enabling customers to operate with confidence.” Holliday joined Acronis last August and was previously General Manager for the Benelux region before taking the UK and Ireland reins. She previously had exec roles at Redstor, Exclaimer, Core to Cloud, and Becrypt. www.acronis.com Jo Holliday New CFO at BCN Digital transformation and IT services provider BCN has appointed Jo Seymour as its new Chief Financial Officer. Bringing a fresh perspective to BCN, Seymour, who was previously CFO at technology-led environmental consultancy Lucion Group, has also held senior roles in the tool hire and betting and sports data markets. CEO Rob Davies said: “At BCN, we’re continuing to strengthen our executive team to support our growth and deliver exceptional service to our clients. Jo brings a wealth of experience in financial strategy, and her insight and leadership will be instrumental as we scale our services and continue to innovate in the digital transformation, data and AI space.” https://bcn.co.uk
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01732 759725 18 days a week, but over Christmas and New Year, I managed to go from 5k to training for 10k. I’ve meditated since 2012, originally daily, now two or three times a day. It helps me process the overwhelm that comes with marketing with client services, sales, partners and agencies all needing your time. It keeps me grounded and helps me find my true north star. Running brings me joy. I sprinted everywhere as a kid, and after motherhood it took time to get my body back into balance. Now I’m loving it again. My family Without being cheesy, my husband and my family are my anchor. They’re my reason for working hard and doing my best. My bicycle I cycle to work – it’s only 1.9km, but it’s perfect. In London, when it’s cold, you layer up to walk to the station, warm up on the way, and then end up packed into the Underground with hundreds of people. Cycling is fresher, calmer, and I get to ride along the Thames to Canary Wharf. It’s lovely. Digital tools I’ve been a digital native for around 30 years, pretty much my whole career. I use the web constantly, and I use Claude AI to leverage LLMs for marketing communications. My marketing tech stack is also indispensable – HubSpot, Google and LinkedIn are tools I simply couldn’t work without. Agency support When it comes to specific developer level configurations, I need support. I’m a strong business user and administrator, but I’m not a developer. I can insert code snippets, but that’s about my limit, so I rely on agency partners to help map and configure things properly. Meditation and running I’m a big meditator, and I run five days a week. I used to run just three Collaboration The people I work with are absolutely key. Marketing sits at the centre of many spokes in our business, and I can’t be the subject matter expert on every technology. I can communicate it, but I rely on and really value the experts around me. Collaboration and cooperation are essential human qualities I look for. Mandy Lewis, Head of Marketing at Xenith Group picks the tools she uses every day and couldn’t do her job without I couldn’t do my job without… WORKPLACE Mandy Lewis
01732 759725 20 INTERVIEW several manufacturers, so I get to see the constant evolution of print devices. Seeing the new portfolios and the new features does excite me. We’ve seen the print landscape change over the past few years and we’re starting to see a lot of managed print companies coming to us for things outside of print as well. So, whilst, we’re still selling lots of printers, we’ve got resellers looking to us to provide everything from laptops, servers, to mobile phones. It’s exciting to see print companies doing well and still selling print but also expanding their portfolio. PITR: What (or who) do you think has had the greatest impact in the sector in recent years? NM: I may be slightly biased here, but I’m going to have to say distribution! When I joined the print industry in 2014, whilst distribution was used, it wasn’t used as much as it is now. At Westcoast we work with several major print manufacturers, whether that’s enabling next-day delivery on toners or hardware, assisting their resellers with large rollouts, or even storage. Ultimately, our job is to make life easier for the print dealers. And our ability to deliver next-day has led more vendors to turn to distribution to help them fulfil toner and hardware orders when they would normally struggle to provide a quick turnaround. Our vendor list continues to grow and we’re seeing vendors who wouldn’t normally go through distribution coming to us. So, 2026 should be an exciting year. PITR: If you could speak directly to someone who inspired or challenged you most in your career, what would you want to say to them today? NM: One of my old bosses told me it’s important to stay resilient in any role you’re in, to stay positive, listen to your customers, keep learning and stay up to date with industry news. So, I’d like to say – you were right! but really dealing very little with print. A recruitment consultant contacted me and said I may fit the criteria for a job going at Sharp as an indirect sales account manager. Obviously Sharp is a large, wellknown organisation, and I’m a big Man United fan – they used to sponsor Man United – and I thought this is a good fit! That’s where it all began and I haven’t looked back since. PITR: What excites you most about working in print today? NM: That’s an easy question. It’s the people. There’s certainly a lot of big characters in the print industry and I’m lucky to call some of them my friends and mentors. Also, I’m a bit of a printer geek and in my current role, I get to work with PrintIT Reseller (PITR): What was your first job in print? Nik Modi (NM): When I was 17, I worked for the Crown Prosecution Service as a case worker. Part of my job as a caseworker involved me working in the print room on a Xerox production device, copying all sorts of stuff from casework statements, pictures, anything really that we needed to send to the Crown Court. But my first real job in print was in 2014, when I joined Sharp’s indirect print team, working with dealers across the UK. PITR: What led you to enter the sector? Did you choose print by design, or accident? NM: By accident! I was working at Westcoast as an account manager My life in print Nik Modi, MPS Sales Manager, Westcoast, shares details of his life in print, what he’s learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry Nik Modi
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PRINTIT AWARDS 22 01732 759725 PrintIT Awards 2026 Our awards team are busy planning and preparing to launch this year’s edition of the PrintIT Awards. We will be introducing a few changes this year, including some new categories and updated entry criteria, but you’ll have to wait a little bit longer for the big reveal of the 2026 categories The PrintIT Awards are based on merit, and as such, the majority of categories require companies to submit a written entry. The judging process for the PrintIT Awards is intentionally rigorous, designed to ensure fairness, credibility and genuine industry recognition. All entries are evaluated by an independent panel of specialists, handpicked by us based on their knowledge and experience of the marketplace, each is a seasoned business professional with many years of experience in their respective fields. While Kingswood Media hosts the awards, neither its editorial nor publishing teams have any influence over the results. The judging panel is chaired by me as Editor of PrintIT Reseller, and I oversee the process to maintain consistency and integrity, but all final decisions rest solely with the judges themselves. This structure ensures that every winner is chosen purely on merit, based on informed, impartial assessment of the information they provide. The judging process Before we officially open this year’s awards, I thought it would be useful to explain how the judging process works. After the closing date, our judges have access to all of the entries received in the categories they will be judging. As we receive an exponential number of entries, it would be an impossible feat for each KEY DATES: Tuesday May 5 Entries open Friday July 17 Entries close Friday September 18 Voting closes Tuesday Septemb Judg
PRINTIT AWARDS 23 PRINTITRESELLER.UK judge to review every single entry across all the categories. So, the panel is spilt into three groups, each of whom is allocated a set of award categories to review. These are carefully crafted to ensure we leverage the experience and expertise of each individual and also to ensure there is no potential conflict, for example where a judge has had a previous connection with a company or individual entrant. Our judges individually review and score each entry against set criteria including but not limited to how well the entry line ups against all of the award criteria; structure, presentation and clarity; and if all of the requested information including testimonials is included. The judges also provide their feedback and comments on each entry. Individual scores and comments are collated and combined by group, which serves as a reference point for judging day. Then on judging day as Chair, I host three, two-hour-long sessions during which each group of judges meets to discuss and debate their findings. These sessions are always insightful, the merits of each entry are fully discussed, and each individual judge voices their views. The decisionmaking process is thorough and transparent. In the event of a tie, the group re-reviews submissions and collectively makes decisions. At the end of each session, the judging group unanimously agree on which entries should be shortlisted, the overall winners in each category and which entries deserve to receive a highly commended. Special awards There are two highly coveted special awards – the Judges’ Special Award and the Industry Leader of the Year Award. Both of these awards fall under my purview and follow a slightly different process; I do however discuss the decision-making process with the judging panel. The Judges’ Special Award is chosen from the very best entries submitted across all categories. This award is designed to recognise organisations or individuals who may not have won in their specific category, but who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, innovation, or impact. The Industry Leader of the Year is selected based on my assessment of the market over the past year. Over the course of several months, I identify individuals who have truly made a difference and delivered standout accomplishments across the year. Extensive due diligence is undertaken, including discreet interviews and wider knowledge gathering, to ensure each decision is informed, fair, and reflective of genuine industry leadership. Recognising excellence Winning a PrintIT Award is a genuine mark of distinction, earned solely on merit through a process designed to recognise true excellence. Because every entry is judged independently and without influence from Kingswood Media, recipients can be confident that their success reflects real achievement and industry respect. Securing an award not only validates the hard work and innovation behind each submission, but it also brings significant kudos within the print and technology sector, elevating the profile and credibility of every winner. www.printitawards.co.uk Sponsorship opportunities There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities for those who want to raise their profile through association with the PrintIT Awards, on the awards evening itself and through pre- and postawards publicity and marketing activities in Kingswood Media’s magazines, websites and social media channels. To find out more, please call Ethan, Neil or Jeff on 01732 759725 to discuss opportunities. ber 8 ging Day Monday September 14 Shortlists announced Friday September 25 Voting shortlists announced Tuesday December 8 Awards Dinner
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