Print.IT Reseller - issue76

BULLETIN Commercial partnership extended Warwickshire County Cricket Club has renewed its long standing partnership with Apogee, confirming the managed print and outsourcing services provider as the Official Print Services partner for a further five years. Apogee will continue to support operations at Edgbaston until at least 2024 providing the latest print, scan and document technology. The service provided also includes the live monitoring of device usage, further printing efficiencies and to support the club’s wider sustainability objectives. Ben Seifas, Commercial Partnerships Manager at Warwickshire CCC, said: “It’s fantastic to secure another long-term partnership extension and these additional five years, will ensure that our relationship with Apogee will run for at least 12 years. The Apogee team have been fantastic during the lockdown process in identifying trends in our printing usage and in creating a long-term plan about our office requirements. Given this support, we were thrilled to be able to extend terms.” www.apogeecorp.com Midwich launches hardware as a service Midwich has announced a new hardware as a service programme, designed specifically so that new and existing channel partners can offer the latest UC technology to their customers, without the requirement for substantial upfront outlay. The new offering coincides with the announcement of a worldwide distribution partnership with Plantronics Inc. (Poly) and is initially designed to meet the demand for the Zoom video communications platform. Jeff Smith, Head of Zoom Rooms, Zoom Video Communications, said: “Hardware as a service is an important tool to help customers deploy video communications equipment more quickly in these challenging times. We're pleased to work with Midwich Group to enable channel resellers to offer Zoom appliances as a service to our joint customers.” www.midwich.com It’s time to #PUNCHBACKPRINT The IPIA and BAPC launched a free online conference, #PUNCHBACKPRINT which took place last month. The virtual event featured 20 individual seminars and workshops supported by 37 speakers and panellists. The conference’s goal was to help the UK print industry strengthen its adaptability and resilience in the face of a challenging business environment. https://ipia.org.uk Softcat included on cyber security framework Softcat has been included on a new two year cyber security framework, which is designed to simplify cyber security procurement for the UK public sector. The national framework was created by NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) and comprises a three- lot agreement, to provide public sector authorities with access to support and services for cyber security. The new framework, which is now live and worth an estimated £250 million, will provide NHS trusts, local and central government departments, education, police forces, charities and housing associations with simplified access to approved cyber security service options. www.softcat.com Added value for MSPs SYNAXON UK has launched an updated framework for its SynMSP membership with the aim of encouraging more managed services providers to join its ranks. The revamped value proposition will give new members access to an extended series of community events, tools and learning resources, which they can use to develop their competence and capabilities. As a SynMSP member, they will also have direct access to vendor programmes and compelling benefits and opportunities to create new revenue streams, including highly-competitive pricing and purchasing support through the group. Members will be able exchange knowledge and benefit from the advice of peers and industry experts through a series of webinars and workshops. They will also receive full and active account management and support from SYNAXON UK. In addition, for the first 12 months, new SynMSP members will pay only 50% of the usual monthly fee of £149 – a saving of £900 over the year. www.synaxon.co.uk Integra announces new conference date Integra has rescheduled its 2020 National Conference. Due to the impact and uncertainty of COVID 19 continuing throughout 2020, the event will now take place on November 18 2021 at a new venue. Delegates will be invited to join Integra at one of the Hilton group’s flagship hotels set in the grounds of St George’s Park, home to the FA and the England National Football teams. The itinerary will include an industry leading supplier exhibition together with business sessions focused on critical issues, the ‘new’ landscape and opportunities within the industry. Integra’s CEO, Aidan McDonough, said: “After careful consideration I have taken the decision to postpone our event until next year. The move to 2021 gives us plenty of time to re-assess the situation within the industry and to ensure the itinerary meets the needs of our members and key strategic partners. The focus will be on providing relevant business advice and expertise. We want our 2021 National Conference to be a chance to consolidate and celebrate the independent dealer channel.” www.integra-business.co.uk 01732 759725 6 11 February 2021