At the time of writing, the government has just reduced the UK’s COVID-19 alert level from four to three. News I for one am taking with caution, as although progress has been made, I believe that the pandemic is far from over. We have seen businesses and shops slowly re-opening in the past few weeks and many people accustomed to home working, now returning to a new normal. Brother UK’s Managing Director Phil Jones spoke to me about what a return to work actually means, how the workplace has changed beyond all recognition, and the importance of ensuring offices are COVID-secure and that employees are safe (page 38). Throughout the lockdown we have seen the print channel – vendors, distributors and resellers – at its best, coping with a huge surge in demand for technology at the beginning of lockdown, managing severe supply chain disruption and of course, stepping up to deliver solutions and services to front line emergency services. In the midst of all of this, many took the time out to enter the inaugural PrintIT Awards. We have been thrilled with the volume and calibre of entries which our judging panel are currently working their way through. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and we all look forward to seeing you in October. In this issue, Alpesh Unalkat, CEO at Aura, picks the work tools he uses every day and couldn’t do his job without (page 18). This month’s Q&A is with Michael Field, Managing Director, Work-Flo Solutions and PITR spent 60 seconds with Rod Tonna-Barthet, CEO, Kyocera Document Solutions. 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 us at:
[email protected] Michelle Ryder , Editor PRINT.IT Reseller is published by Kingswood Media Ltd., 10 Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT • Tel: 01732 759725 Email:
[email protected] www.printitreseller.uk No part of PRINT.IT Reseller can be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. © 2020 Kingswood Media Ltd. Design: Sandtiger Media www.sandtiger.co.uk 04 Bulletin What’s new in printers and printing 16 People A round-up of new hires 18 I couldn’t do my job without... Alpesh Unalkat picks his favourite work tools 20 PrintIT Awards Entries are in and the judging has begun 23 Gold Sponsor: VOW Nikki Todd spoke to Michelle Ryder about the value of wholesale 24 Digital Transformation Documents, there’s no escaping them 29 One-to-one Tech Data’s James Reed provides a business update 32 Focus on: what’s new A round-up of recent product launches 36 Opinion Maintaining a competitive edge through automation 38 Interview Phil Jones outlines how Brother UK is adapting to the new normal 42 VOX POP How will COVID-19 shape the future office printing landscape? 48 View from the Channel Michael Field, Managing Director, Work-Flo Solutions 50 60 seconds with... Rod Tonna-Barthet, CEO, Kyocera Document Solutions ISSUE 74 · 2020 printitreseller.uk 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 If you no longer wish to receive PrintIT Reseller magazine please email your details to
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