Hewlett-Packard plans to split into two companies

Hewlett-Packard plans to split into two companies: Report

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Hewlett-Packard plans to break in two, separating its computer and printer businesses from its corporate hardware and services operations, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

The company plans to announce the move as early as Monday, the Journal said in a report on its web site that cited people familiar with the matter. The division would be made through a tax-free distribution of shares to stockholders next year, according to the report.
A company spokeswoman declined to comment on the report.


HP and some of its investors have long considered such a move, the newspaper noted. As one of the older big computer companies, for several years HP directors have discussed ways to restructure to keep up with technology upstarts.
 
Company split-ups in which shares of new divisions were spun off to stockholders in the past have resulted in higher stock market returns for investors.
Many investors and analysts have called for a break-up of the company, or a sale of the personal computer business, so that HP could focus on the more profitable operations of providing computer servers, networking and data storage to businesses.


Company executives have said in the past that personal computers underpin and support the company as a whole.
 
The PC business has shown signs of life in recent quarters, growing broadly geographically as businesses replace aging machines.

Print-Rite Settles with Canon

Arnald Ho, Chairman and CEO of Print-Rite, has told Recycling Times that his group of companies has settled with Canon on the recent coupling gears lawsuits in New York’s Southern District Court and the United States International Trade Commission (USITC).

According to the company’s official statement, “The Print-Rite group, including Print-Rite N.A. Inc., Union Technology International (Macao Commercial Offshore) Company Limited, Print-Rite Unicorn Image Products Company Limited, Innotex Precision Limited, and Print-Rite Holdings Limited (collectively, “Print-Rite”), has reached settlement agreement with Canon. It resolves both the ITC investigation and the district court case accusing Print-Rite of patents infringement.”

Print-Rite said it’s finalizing its plans for introduction of redesigned cartridges that avoid Canon’s patents, and it will inform customers as soon as the new cartridges are available for sale.

Print-Rite has been awarded numerous patents for its innovations and has over 2,200 patents and pending applications worldwide and remains committed to continued investments to benefit and protect its customers.

Recycling Times reported on January 29, 2014, Canon USA filed lawsuits in New York’s Southern District Court against 18 toner cartridge remanufacturers and other aftermarket suppliers. As was revealed by Canon, five Print-Rite related companies became defendants in this case, including Print-Rite Holdings Ltd, Print-Rite N.A., Inc., Print-Rite Unicorn Image Products Co., Ltd, Union Technology Int’l (M.C.O.) Co., Ltd and Innotex Precision Ltd. The OEM asserted the companies infringed patents related to its OPC drum gears of toner cartridges used in more than 50 models of Canon and Hewlett-Packard laser beam printers. Thus, Canon sought damages and injunctive relief. According to Canon, those companies have infringed its U.S. Patent Nos. 8,135,304; 8,280,278; 8,369,744; 8,433,219; 8,437,669; 8,494,411; 8,532,533; 8,565,640; and 8,630,564.

At the beginning of May, Canon filed a complaint with the USITC against 33 manufacturers, distributors and sellers of toner cartridges for infringement of nine patents. Print-Rite’s five related companies were listed again. Canon claimed the companies had infringed nine of its patents (Nos. 8,135,304; 8,280,278; 8,369,744; 8,565,640; 8,630,564; 8,676,085; 8,676,090; 8,682,215; and 8,688,008); the patents related to a “dongle type rotating arm on the OPC drum used in more than 50 models of Canon and Hewlett-Packard laser beam printers”. Canon requested the Commission to issue a general exclusion order, or, at the very least, a limited exclusion order, forbidding entry into the United States of all toner cartridges and components that infringe the asserted patents.

Samsung Brings Increased Productivity and Personalization with New ProXpress Printers and MFP’s

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RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ – September 2, 2014 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. announced the C2620DW, C2670FW, M4583FX, and M4580FX, a new line of ProXpress single and multi-function printers (MFPs) designed for desktop use, but with the functionality to run an office. These powerful devices are built for small and medium-sized businesses and comfortable in the enterprise. Businesses can customize applications to meet a variety of needs with XOA while the M4583FX and M4580FX feature the new Samsung Smart User Interface (UI) powered by Android™, the first time MFPs have come equipped with an Android operating system.

“Samsung is dedicated to producing high quality, cost efficient printers to provide business users with an unparalleled printer experience,” said Matt Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Printing Solutions for Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division. “We understand the importance of seamless connectivity and simple user interfaces. Adopting the Android operating system into our printers makes them even simpler to operate and optimize.”
M4583FX and M4580FX: Powerful Performance and Intuitive Operability
The M4583FX and M4580FX are built for performance with fast scanning and powerful paper handling powered by a 1GHZ dual core CPU. Both models feature quick, reliable and economically efficient printing at speeds of up to 47 ppm. A Dual Scan Document Feeder (DSDF) allows for double-sided scanning at up to 60 images per minute. Further, a long life drum supporting up to 100,000 pages and high yield toner supporting up to 40,000 pages* are designed to perform longer, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.
With the new Samsung Smart UI, along with an intuitive 10.1-inch LCD touchscreen display powered by Android, the MFPs can operate independently without a PC. Businesses can customize their printing experience with web search, quick print, and document preview functions. Both models also have an option to add wireless and active NFC capabilities, which provides users with the ability to effortlessly print files from an NFC-enabled smartphone using the Samsung Mobile Print App.
The M4583FX and M4580FX feature Samsung’s XOA-Embedded platform, allowing solutions developers and businesses to greatly enhance the functionality of these machines by building custom applications for a variety of business needs. From smarter workflows to enhanced security, custom XOA solutions can modernize an office and elevate businesses to new heights of efficiency.

C2620DW and C2670FW: Professional Color Quality and Ease of Use
Building on the successful line of CLP-680 series printers and CLX-6260 series MFPs, the C2620DW and C2670FW are enhanced for the modern office.Featuring Samsung’s Rendering Engine for Clean Page (ReCP) technology and polymerized toner, the printers deliver sharp vibrant prints at speeds up to 27 ppm for black & white and color.
The C2620DW and C2670FW are powered by a 4.1-inch LCD touchscreen display for intuitive and easy usage. Advanced mobility features, such as native Google Drive support and built-in NFC, allows users to print files from the cloud and from NFC-enabled smartphones via the Samsung Mobile Print App.
Additionally, the devices include the XOA-Web platform, allowing business to integrate server-based smart solutions to enhance the feature set and improve productivity. The cost per page has been reduced from previous models, resulting in a lower TCO and better value to businesses.

Samsung Business Core Printing Solutions (BCPS)
BCPS is a software suite that runs on the XOA-Embedded platform and was created to improve workplace efficiency for small to medium-sized businesses. With custom workflows, secure print release, and cloud printing, IT managers can easily implement the kind of print and document management solutions typically seen in the enterprise. By installing BCPS on a M4580FX or M4583FX, businesses can connect up to five XOA-Web enabled machines, including the new C2620DW and C2670FW, which will save on costly infrastructure and servers.

Fully Mobile
All four new models are Google Cloud Print and Apple AirPrint compatible, providing a universal user experience no matter how users choose to print. In addition, the Samsung Mobile Print App facilitates printing and scanning from any Android or iOS powered mobile device with any Samsung network shared printer and MFP without the need for a computer. The app can be easily downloaded to a smartphone or tablet from popular app stores such as Google Play. With its capability to print Microsoft Office documents as well as support for Job Accounting and Secure print, businesses can improve the efficiency of their increasingly mobile workforce. 
All Samsung printers can be found at select Samsung resellers and channel partners. Local availability can be determined by calling 1-866-SAM-4BIZ or by visiting samsung.com/business. Follow us on Twitter @SamsungBizUSA.

About Samsung Electronics America Enterprise Business Division 
As a global leader in Information Technology, Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division (EBD) is committed to introducing new business experiences across a diverse spectrum of industries from retail to healthcare, hospitality to sales.  We believe technology brings business and customers together — to better share, collaborate and discover new opportunities. With a market-oriented approach to innovation, EBD is a division of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. (SEC). For more information, please visit samsung.com/business, call 1-866-SAM-4BIZ or follow Samsung EBD via Twitter: @SamsungBizUSA. 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
*ISO Disclaimer

Xerox Is Not Just a Photocopier but Much More for An Investor

August 24, 2014 | About: XRX +0%

The Company is an expanded business methodology outsourcing organization overseeing transaction-escalated methodologies. Mass-travel ticketing frameworks, digital printing equipment, bundling printers, wide-design scanners and digital document management system are all part of Xerox's present product portfolio. Xerox still makes printers and individual printers, as well, however those products are presently a minority part of its business blend. The vast majority of Xerox's top line is currently determined by administrations. Xerox Corporation caters to small businesses and large global business to focus on their core business.

Quarterly results barely missing the estimates
Xerox (XRX) as of late reported second quarter results. It posted a consolidated revenue of $5.292 billion, sequential growth as against $5.110 billion in last quarter, but dipped by 2% year-over-year. The company reported EPS of $0.27 beating consensus estimate just by $0.1, yet net income came in at $270 million scarcely missing estimate by $20 million.
The second quarter showed advancement in execution on the company’s business technique. In the services business, revenue gains and margins are inclining great in commercial services, document outsourcing and universally. The revenue for the service business (57% of total revenues) increased 2% year over year to $2,992 million in the quarter. Service sector margins gains were partially muted by sustained weight in the government health care business including unplanned injury charges.
The Document Technology business continued to perform solid benefit through a taught and compelling methodology to operations. Revenues in the Document Technology segment dipped 6% year over year to $2,125 million (40% of total revenues) due to a fall in equipment sales and annuity revenues.

The service business is the segment where investors ought to be centered, as this section will counterbalance the decrease in document technology. Xerox's extreme arrangement is to move far from being document based organization to one that is a high-margin outsourcing organization.
As the company steps into the second half of the fiscal, its stays focused around enhancing the advancement and exploiting new opening that will shape to achieve higher growth plan.
Xerox has altogether pre dominated the market since the start of 2013, with an increase of 92%, but, it still has a lot of room to climb. The company still has great assessment metrics and strong profit prospects; its cost price to free cash flow ration of 8.32 is the most minimal of all S&P 500 tech stocks. Furthermore, the organization is persistent on returning large chunk of money to its shareholder through repurchase programs and dividends.

Money for investors from strong cash flow
Xerox has been stringent on its share repurchase programs, this enables it to attain a higher confidence among its investors. The company has been paying regular dividends, forward annual dividend yield is at 1.91% and the payout ratio is only 25%. The annual rate of dividend growth over the past three years was at 8.1%, and over the past five years was at 4.8%. The dividend yield has now fallen below 2%, but I would not be surprised to see the company raise its dividend some point.
The organization produced $325 million in cash flow from operations amid the second quarter and $611 million for the first half of fiscal 2014. In the second quarter, Xerox repurchased $204 million in stock and $479 million in the first half of the year. Xerox bought $696 million of its shares in 2013, in the wake of repurchasing $1.05 billion of its stock in 2012.

Journey ahead
Moving ahead, Xerox hopes to realign its plan of action to better adjust to the evolving market scenarios by stretching out indirect distribution channel and streamlining its supply chain and rich product portfolio. Xerox additionally plans to center all the more on vertical markets like healthcare. Furthermore, it is consolidating its Managed Print Services (MPS) with business process and IT outsourcing capacities and proceeding with its pushed for authority in Document Technology.
For the next quarter, Xerox anticipates GAAP earnings to be in range of $0.21 to $0.23 per share, while adjusted earnings are expected to be within $0.25 to $0.27. It further has allocated budget of $500 million for new acquisitions with prime focus on services, this in turn will always leverage the top line in future.

CONCLUSION
Since Xerox produces heaps of money and the payout proportion is low, there is a decent possibility that it will keep on raising its dividend. The company continued to deliver large sums of cash back to shareholders, during the first half of 2014. Given current valuation and profitability, I won’t be wrong to anticipate a high rate of returns in the year to come which make me conclude that Xerox can be a high yield stocks in a longer run.

New Multi-Function Devices from Xerox Simplify Office Productivity, Offer Cost Effective and Secure Printing

MENAFN Press - 20/08/2014

(MENAFN Press) New multi-function printers (MFPs) from Xerox (NYSE: XRX) offer increased productivity, flexibility, and reliability to simplify how work gets done for any workplace.

The new Xerox WorkCentre 5945/5955 is designed with true 1200 x 1200 dpi that delivers superior image quality and print speeds up to 45/55 pages per minute. With output as fast as seven seconds and a 4,700 sheet paper capacity “ the device helps businesses get more work done, faster.

The Xerox devices allow users to scan, share or print documents, with increased flexibility. The devices have single pass duplex scanning, at up to 200 images per minute, and the customizable single touch scan feature makes it easy to quickly send scans to email, PC or the cloud “ with just a touch of a button.

Equipped with Xerox ConnectKey technology, users can print from the device of their choice, making printing quicker and easier too. Xerox Mobile Print and Apple AirPrint allow users to print securely, from almost any mobile device, to any MFP, regardless of brand.

In addition, the WorkCentre's uses the latest Xerox Emulation Aggregation (EA) Toner, which can be replaced by any user, providing less user intervention and more uptime “ so businesses can focus on the work that really matters.

To help businesses stay ahead of data breaches and other security threats, the WorkCentre 5945/5955 is integrated with McAfee technology “ ensuring that only authorized users have access to the device.

About Xerox
Since the invention of Xerography more than 75 years ago, the people of Xerox (NYSE: XRX) have helped businesses simplify the way work gets done. Today, we are the global leader in business process and document management, helping organizations of any size be more efficient so they can focus on their real business. Headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, we have more than 140,000 Xerox employees and do business in more than 180 countries, providing business services, printing equipment and software for commercial and government organizations. Learn more at www.xerox.com.

Michael V. Ring resigns from his position as president of Xeikon North America

Itasca, IL, August 5, 2014 - Xeikon NV, an innovator in digital color printing technology, has announced the appointment of Patrick McCarthy and Todd Blumsack to lead its North American business operations effective immediately.According to Wim Maes, CEO of Xeikon, “Both Patrick and Todd are long-time industry veterans and have been with our company for the last several years. We are confident they will bolster Xeikon’s market position in North America and strengthen the group with their able leadership. We wish Patrick and Todd the very best for their new challenge.”

In his role as Vice President of Operations, Patrick McCarthy will lead the service and operations group in North America. In addition, he will also oversee accounting/finance, HR, IT and shipping/logistics functions of the business. Mr. McCarthy has been with Xeikon since the early 2000′s and has handled a broad array of executive roles and responsibilities during this time.

Todd Blumsack will now be the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Xeikon North America. In this role, Mr. Blumsack has been assigned the responsibility to further expand Xeikon’s brand awareness and market share of high-end digital color presses in the label & packaging segment as well as the document & commercial printing segment. A 25-year veteran of the printing industry, Mr. Blumsack has been with Xeikon since 2008. Previously, he spearheaded the marketing efforts for the retail and bulk business units as Director of Marketing for Weyerhaeuser Company and built sales and marketing programs as Director of Marketing-Commercial Printing for Eastman Kodak Company. He has extensive experience in sales management processes, marketing, lead generation campaigns, hiring/training sales organizations and building sales promotions.

Michael V. Ring, the current president of Xeikon’s North American operations, joined the company in 2007 and was instrumental in realigning and growing the operations. Mr. Ring’s next logical step was a leadership position at the company headquarters in Europe. However, after much consideration, he decided not to accept this position due to the obvious impact it will have on his personal life.
“We would like to thank Michael for his significant contributions to Xeikon and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Mr. Maes added.
While Mr. Ring will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company, he will continue to support Xeikon for the remainder of 2014 regarding some of his industry association responsibilities.

About Xeikon
Xeikon is an innovator in digital printing technology. The company designs, develops and delivers web-fed digital color presses for labels and packaging applications, document printing, as well as commercial printing. These presses utilize LED-array-based dry toner electrophotography, open workflow software and application-specific toners.
As an OEM supplier, Xeikon designs and produces platemakers for newspaper offset printing applications.
Xeikon also manufactures basysPrint computer-to-plate (CtP) solutions for the commercial printing market. These proven CtP systems combine the latest exposure techniques with cost-efficient UV plate technology, high imaging quality and flexibility.

3D Systems Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

by Brian Krassenstein · July 31, 2014

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It’s that time of year again. Another quarter, another financial report by one of the world’s largest 3D printing company, 3D Systems. Just moments ago, they released their key numbers for the quarter, which have come in slightly below analyst estimates, both on the top and bottom lines.
Analysts were expecting to see revenue for the quarter at about $161 million, while the report indicates revenue of $151.5 million. Additionally, analysts had expected non-GAAP earnings of around 18 cents per share, whereas 3D systems reported just 16 cents per share.

“We are pleased that unit sales of our design and manufacturing printers increased 126% and helped fuel a 30% increase in materials revenue,” said Avi Reichental, 3D Systems’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that the record order book that we exited the quarter with reflects the vibrancy of our business and our organic growth trajectory.”

A few of the highlights from the second quarter financial results which are evidence of the growth that 3D Systems is experiencing are as follows:

• Gross profit margin came in at 47.8%, quite a bit below last year’s second quarter numbers.
• There was an increase of 38% in service revenues, compared to last year’s second quarter.
• Revenue for the Design and Manufacturing areas of their business increased 28% over this quarter last year.
• Revenue within the healthcare space increased 46% from last year’s second quarter.
• Operating expenses were flat year over year, in spite of continued investments in R&D.

“As we advance our market leadership and scale in key verticals through our increased investments, our progress is ahead of schedule and our enterprise-wide synergies are already generating substantial cash from operations,” stated Reichental.

As for their guidance over the remainder of the year, 3D Systems estimates are in line with what analysts had expected. They estimate non-GAAP earnings per share coming in for the year at $0.73 to $0.85, with revenue of $700 million to $740 million. Traditionally a larger portion of the company’s revenues are realized in the second half of the year, a trend which should continue this year as well.
There is no doubt that the company is seeing tremendous growth, and realizes that acquisitions and continued R&D are important factors to maintaining their lead on the competition as the 3D printing space continues to expand rapidly.
3D System’s stock (DDD) is taking a hit this morning, down $7.11, or 12.6% in pre-market trading. Complete financial results, including their updated balance sheet can be found here. Let us know what you think about this quarter’s financial results in the 3D Systems Results forum thread on 3DPB.com.