InfoTrends Expands Ultimate Guide, Adds Wide Format Printing

(Weymouth, MA) June 24, 2013...InfoTrends has expanded its Ultimate Guide Online platform to include wide format printing (WFP). This guide details product specifications for over 300 products from a total of 40 vendors. The Ultimate Guide Online is a series of databases utilized by savvy print and marketing service providers to compare hardware and software before making their investments.

Wide format digital printing is one of the fastest growing segments within the printing industry. Wide format digital print is a dynamic market, with a steady stream of new products and technologies being introduced to market. However, according to Tim Greene, Director of InfoTrends’ Wide Format Printing Consulting Service, “Our research shows that companies that are interested in getting into wide format typically struggle with all of the various technology choices they have, which is why we have extended the Ultimate Guide platform to include the wide format digital printer market.”

The Ultimate Guide Online enables side-by-side comparisons of WFP printers from a wide range of vendors based in all regions. Like other versions of Ultimate Guide Online the WFP guide also offers unbiased, third-party analysis from InfoTrends’ analysts of each printer’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. InfoTrends’ analysts will update their guide to WFP printers as the market evolves. Using this tool can increase perspective and cut research time when evaluating equipment purchases.

Ultimate Guide users can choose from basic or premium access. Basic access is free and offers fundamental product information, limited side-by-side product comparisons, and more. Premium access extends the value offered by the Ultimate Guide Online, with in-depth product information, unlimited comparisons, print and export tools for saving and sharing comparisons, access to InfoTrends analysis reports, and much more.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Ultimate Guide to Wide Format Printing can sign-up for free trial access.

Ultimate Guides are currently available for Roll-Fed Devices, Cut-Sheet Devices, Enterprise TransPromo, Multi-Channel Communications, Variable Data Publishing, Web-to-Print solutions, Print MIS, CDLP presses, and now Wide Format Printing. For more information on these guides or to sign up for free access today visit www.ultimateguide.infotrends.com.

Companies interested in enterprise-wide access to the new Ultimate Guide can contact Keith LaVangie at +1 781 616 2132 or keith.lavangie@infotrends.com.  

InfoTrends, a Questex company, is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com.

For media inquiries contact Donna O'Malley at +1 781 616 2116 or email donna.omalley@infotrends.com.   

Worldwide Hardcopy Peripherals Market Sees Year-Over-Year Decline in Both Units and Shipment Value in the First Quarter of 2013, According to IDC

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 15, 2013 – The worldwide hardcopy peripherals market decreased 9.7% year over year with 25.8 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2013 (1Q13), according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker. Shipment value experienced a decline of 5.7% year over year to $14.3 billion. This is the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline in worldwide shipment value.

"Markets are changing and this is bringing about changes in strategy and product portfolios. The key areas of focus for many vendors are mobility, the cloud, and how users access material for printing. With many workers either working from home or working remotely several times per week, they must be able to access their company information and, in many cases, print this information from a variety devices and locations. The key for manufacturers will be the ability to offer this in a format that makes it simple and easy for the business and its users," said Phuong Hang, Program Manager, Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker.
Once again the color laser multi-function printer (MFP) market had the greatest year-over-year growth, increasing 3.2% in 1Q13, followed by monochrome laser MFPs, which grew by 0.9%. But color inkjet MFPs continue to make up the majority of the hardcopy peripherals market with 50% unit share in 1Q13.

Technology Highlights

• The inkjet market, and more specifically the color inkjet MFP market, is still the technology that holds the majority share of the hardcopy peripherals market, with over 15 million units shipped worldwide, 13 million of which were color inkjet MFP units.
• In 1Q13 monochrome laser devices continued to rank second in units shipped (7.8 million units) and first in shipment value ($5.5 billion). Monochrome laser units have a 30% share of the hardcopy peripherals market in terms of unit shipments, but 39% share in terms of shipment value.
• Color laser devices represent a 42% share of the hardcopy market shipment value in 1Q13, while only taking up a 7% share of unit shipments.

Vendor Highlights

• HP – HP continued to be the number one ranked vendor in 1Q13 with worldwide market share of 38.7% despite a year-over-year decline of -13.4% on shipments of 10 million units. The U.S. was the strongest geographic region for HP in terms of unit growth, with close to 1% year-over-year gain in 1Q13.
• Canon – Canon achieved the best year-over-year shipment growth (13.7%) among the top 5 vendors with 5.3 million units shipped and maintained its position as the second ranked vendor in the overall market. This performance was driven by positive year-over-year growth in all regions except Japan.
• Epson – Despite year-over-year decline of -26.8%, Epson remained in the top 3 with 3.9 million units shipped in the worldwide hardcopy peripherals market. Similar to HP, the U.S. was Epson's best performing region. There was a significant uptick in some of Epson's main models (Workforce WF and Workforce Pro). Instant rebate programs of up to $50-$70 were ongoing during the quarter on these portfolios.
• Brother – Brother strengthened its number 4 position by posting 10.6% year-over-year growth, the second best performance among the top 5 vendors. The company gained 4 points from a year ago to 20% share in the overall market. Brother enjoyed positive year-over-year growth in all regions, except for Japan and Middle East & Africa.
• Samsung – Samsung continued in the number 5 position in 1Q13 with 1.7 million units shipped and -2.7% year-over-year growth. The vendor experienced year-over –year gains in the U.S. and Western Europe while declining in Asia/Pacific (ex. Japan) and Middle East & Africa.

IDC Worldwide Hardcopy Peripherals Shipment Value, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, First Quarter 2013 (shipment value in $M)

Vendors	1Q13 Shipment Value	1Q13 Market Share	1Q12 Shipment Value	1Q12 Market Share	1Q13/1Q12 Growth
1. Xerox	$2,425	17.0%	$2,557	16.9%	-5.2%
2. Ricoh	$2,273	15.9%	$2,234	14.7%	1.7%
3. HP	$2,030	14.2%	$2,270	15.0%	-10.6%
4. Canon	$1,867	13.1%	$1,991	13.1%	-6.2%
5. Konica Minolta	$1,291	9.0%	$1,326	8.7%	-2.6%
Others	$4,421	30.9%	$4,792	31.6%	-7.7%
Total	$14,306	100.0%	$15,170	100.0%	-5.7%

Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, May 2013
Notes:

• IDC tracks A2-A4 devices in the Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals
• Hardcopy Peripherals include single-function printers, multifunctional systems (MFPs), and single-function digital copiers (SF DC) for both office-based and production segments.
• Data for all vendors are reported for calendar periods.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker, please contact Phuong Hang (Phang@idc.com).
About IDC Trackers
IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. The IDC Tracker Charts app allows users to view data charts from the most recent IDC Tracker products on their iPhone and iPad.
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. For more than 49 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

Marketing Your Business for Growth | SCORE

Marketing Your Business for Growth | SCORE

HP Launches Partner-Owned Contract Managed Print Program

By Steven Burke
June 10, 2013    4:15 PM ET Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) Monday unveiled at its Discover conference an eagerly-anticipated managed print services program that allows the partner for the first time to own the customer contract, maintaining account control and earning precious top-line revenue.
The HP Managed Print Specialist Resell Program, which allows partners to "hold the paper," is already winning raves from solution providers who see it as a new competitive weapon to drive robust double-digit services margins, while at the same time gaining significant account advantages in a market where HP is a market leader.

The program, one of the first day highlights of HP's annual gathering for technology buyers and technical professionals running through Thursday in Las Vegas, puts partners into the driver's seat in what is a fast-growing market. The program allows partners to leverage proven HP-managed print tools and services that have won HP itself high marks in customer satisfaction for managed print services.

[Related: HP Enterprise Group SVP Seidl Set To Step Aside]

"We believe this is a game-changer," said Bill Avey, vice president, Partner Managed Services for HP, noting that the building blocks for the new program come from HP's acquisition of managed print services provider Printelligent two years ago. "There is pent-up demand for this."

Avey estimates that a whopping 80 percent of the partners already in the HP agent program will take advantage of the full-fledged HP Managed Print Reseller program, with 50 percent of those continuing to use the agent model, too, for some accounts.

Kelly Ireland, founder and CEO of CB Technologies, a Westminster, Calif.-based HP enterprise and agent managed print partner, said the new full-fledged program provides more opportunity for partners like CB Technologies to drive a wide range of new HP business by taking account control.
"From my viewpoint, I feel more involved in the actual account when I am taking the deal direct rather than as an agent," said Ireland. "When we win the deal direct and hold the paper, we feel we have won the customer and have the ability to expand HP's presence in that account. I just feel like under the agent program they are doing business with HP and I am supporting HP. When we hold the paper, I feel like they are doing business with me."

That said, Ireland said she is also a big fan of the HP managed print agent program. HP's managed print prowess with outstanding tools and support have given fits to HP print competitors, she said. "When competitors walk into an HP managed print account, they turn around and walk out," she said. "They know they can't win because HP does such a phenomenal job. I just love the reputation of HP Managed Print. The customer scores are off the charts."

Ireland said she sees CB Technologies HP managed print services growing considerably over the next several years, accounting for about 5 percent of sales. "We see it as a nice, profitable business for us," she said.

John Convery, president of John Convery Consulting, a channel consulting company based in Issaquah, Wash., said the new HP program is sure to give a big market-share shot in the arm to HP's managed print business."The larger partners want to control the P and L [profit and loss] and take title to the paper," said Convery."This allows the partner to build the customer relationship and enhance their margin. Under the agent program you are dealt the hand you get whatever it is -- one point, two points, three points,..etc. By holding the paper, partners control the margin and control the price quote and customer information."
HP, for its part, stressed that the HP Managed Print Specialist Resell Offering provides partners the ability to hold the paper and drive top-line revenue without taking on the huge managed print services infrastructure costs that have pushed more than a few partners to the financial brink. Under an HP Bundled Page program, partners are provided what HP calls an "all-inclusive bundle of pricing and services for resell to the customer, with an 'all in' click [or cost per page] price for supplies, maintenance and break/fix services, as well as the associated delivery and labor with post-sales support."

The program also includes access to a cloud-based application -- HP ExpressDecision Portal -- that connects customers, partners and HP Support in a chain, providing partners with "proposal and quote generation for cost-per-page pricing, client invoicing and reporting, device monitoring, and account and contract management." HP said the portal also provides seamless access to printer supplies, services and maintenance.
PUBLISHED ON JUNE 10, 2013

Ricoh Americas awarded the national U.S. Communities contract for multifunction products and document services

MALVERN, Pa., June 4, 2013 – Ricoh Americas Corporation today announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply multifunction products (MFPs) and related services to participants in the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. Fairfax County, Virginia, served as the lead agency and awarded Ricoh the contract after carefully evaluating proposals from other manufacturers.
The exclusive contract gives more than 90,000 public sector entities such as state agencies, local governments, special districts, school districts, and public and nonprofit higher education institutions access to Ricoh’s devices and services.

This new agreement combines Ricoh’s award-winning lineup of printing technology with the strength of Ricoh’s industry-leading services. Public sector clients now have access to a publicly-solicited cooperative agreement that can provide them with new strategies to manage print fleets, improve information flows, create more sustainable printing environments and help reduce operational costs.

“Ricoh was selected in a competitive solicitation process based on their proposal, offering a compelling services-led approach to assist public entities in transforming business processes and finding areas of cost savings,” said Cathy Muse, CPPO; Director/Purchasing Agent, Department of Purchasing & Supply Management, Fairfax County, VA. “We are excited that Fairfax County is able to provide the contract vehicle for this powerful offering on a nation-wide basis.”

For more information, visit www.uscommunities.ricoh-usa.com.

About U.S. Communities

U.S. CommunitiesTM Government Purchasing Alliance is a nonprofit government purchasing cooperative that assists local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits in reducing the cost of purchased goods through pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. This is accomplished through competitively solicited contracts for quality products through lead public agencies. For more information, visit www.uscommunities.org.

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© 2013 Ricoh Americas Corporation. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
John Greco
Ricoh Americas Corporation (973) 882-2023 john.greco@ricoh-usa.com
Jan Daley-Austin
AR Advisors, Inc.
(239) 257-3040 jan@analystadvisors.com