PREVIEW 2026
insight-led optimisation supported by diagnostics, data and remote services. Sustainability will also stay high on the agenda. Customers are demanding more visibility into their environmental impact, pushing partners to prove the measurable value of sustainable solutions. From optimising device usage to reducing waste through predictive servicing, AI can help align environmental performance with operational efficiency. The biggest challenge for businesses in the print channel will be navigating digital transformation at pace while continuing to deliver simplicity and trust for customers. As print increasingly intersects with software, automation, security and data-driven services, partners will need to help customers modernise without adding unnecessary complexity. This is especially critical as organisations juggle cost pressures, compliance requirements and sustainability goals alongside digital
ambitions. The partners that succeed will be those that can translate technology into clear, relevant outcomes. Offering personalised expertise and tailored advice will be essential, ensuring customers receive solutions that genuinely fit their needs rather than generic offerings. Transparency and authenticity throughout the buying journey will remain vital to maintaining trust as solutions become more sophisticated. At the same time, continued investment in IT, data and AI capabilities will be non- negotiable. Partners must attract and develop talent that can bridge traditional print knowledge with digital skills such as automation, analytics and software integration. Those who fail to invest in people and capabilities risk falling behind as digital transformation becomes a baseline expectation rather than a differentiator. n
Marcin Pichur , regional vice president sales, DocuWare This year, I’m optimistic about the prospects for our business and those who operate in the broader print channel.
and regulatory barriers that keep paper central to business operations. This is where intelligent document processing (IDP) will play an increasingly pivotal role in 2026. IDP bridges the gap between entrenched paper workflows and the need for structured, searchable and actionable data. For the print channel, this means every printed or scanned document becomes part of a real time, data rich ecosystem rather than a static record. Security will also rise sharply on the agenda. As print fleets become more connected and data rich, organisations are demanding stronger controls, automated compliance and real time visibility. IDP strengthens this by ensuring that information captured through print and scan workflows is accurate, auditable and standardised – all critical foundations for any modern security posture. The biggest challenge for the channel
Despite years of predicted decline, print remains deeply embedded in organisational workflows, particularly in sectors where compliance, auditability and operational certainty are non negotiable. We’re now seeing a real shift in how organisations expect print to function. More integrated, intelligent and connected to the data that drives operations. That creates a significant opportunity for those operating at the intersection of print and digital transformation. Many of the trends that shaped 2025 will continue, especially the reliance on paper-based processes in environments where digital maturity was expected to be further along. The challenge isn’t the absence of digital tools, but the cultural
Marcin Pichur
start.docuware.com
CONTINUED
printinthechannel.co.uk
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