Print in the Channel - Issue #17

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Issue #17

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COMMENT

A brighter tomorrow Recent gatherings of people in the print industry have underlined the feeling of optimism in the sector currently and, with innovation to the fore, there is plenty to look forward to too.

There is a distinct feeling of optimism in the print industry right now. I’ve mentioned it before in this column, but it bears repeating, especially after the turmoil of recent years.

While cloud print adoption is growing, there is still some resistance to it among certain businesses, and security concerns are one of the biggest barriers. While the cyberthreats out there are many and varied, so are the solutions that can guard against a breach – and this is something that resellers have a vital role in selling to customers – give them the advice they need to adopt the right solution. Read more on p45. Likewise, there are many threats to print networks, so security is paramount for businesses of all sizes, especially those with hybrid working arrangements, which can be a weak point in the chain. Again, there are a variety of solutions available, and resellers must help customers to navigate the market to find the right solution for their needs. Read more on p34. Elsewhere, there are growing opportunities for resellers in the healthcare sector. Labelling plays a crucial role in the sector, and badly printed labels can cause major problems. But printer label manufacturers have reacted and are providing a range of solutions to ensure labels are consistent and readable throughout their life – something that will only become more important. Read more on p29. These features show how different aspects of the print industry are evolving – and at pace in some cases – and the variety of opportunities out there for resellers to capitalise on. These opportunities are set to grow in the coming years, which means that sense of optimism in the industry is well placed to be realised in sales. As always, I hope you enjoy the issue. If there are any topics that you would like to see covered in a future issue – or you have an opinion piece you would like to submit or a press release – please get in touch with me at dan@newsinthechannel.com.

Dan Parton

It is a feeling around Europe too. At the first drupa trade show in eight years, held recently in Dusseldorf, the growth in the industry was much talked about, as were the innovations currently being seen. Things like automation and artificial intelligence were to the fore at the event, with demonstrations of how it is already influencing the sector and will do so in the future. There were also numerous product launches at drupa from a range of leading manufacturers, containing a variety of innovations. Read more on p14. Elsewhere, PaperCut recently held its annual Partner Summit and, again, there was much positivity shared at the virtual event. While the company unveils its new subscription model to attendees, as well as other things, it also highlighted some of the positive trends in the sector, such as the gathering move to cloud print solutions. Read more on p18.

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CONTENTS

News You should know p6 drupa Review Super drupa p14 PaperCut Summit Virtual 2024 Partner Summit p18 Product Launch TSC Auto ID MB241/ML241P Series p21 Product Launch Canon Plotwave and Colorwave p24 Product Launch New AccurioPress C84hc p27 Product Launch Brother Label Printers p28 Labelling in Healthcare Read the Label p29 Secure Print Networks Keep if Safe p34 Eagle Eye – BI Paper Shredders p40 EKM Global Print in Focus p42 NHS Integration Xerox puts Patients First p44 Cloud Print Security Allaying Fears p45 People News Who's on the move p50

Labelling in Healthcare – p29

Labelling plays a crucial role in the healthcare sector, and badly printed labels can cause major problems. But printer label manufacturers have reacted and are providing a range of solutions to ensure labels are consistent and readable throughout their life.

drupa Review – p14

The international print sector descended on Germany recently for the drupa trade fair, where more than 100,000 people saw a range of new and innovative products from leading players from across the globe.

PaperCut Summit – p18

PaperCut held its virtual 2024 Partner Summit

recently, where the company unveiled its new subscription licencing model and other options designed to bring benefits to customers.

Product Launch: Brother – p28

Secure Print Networks – p34

With cyberattacks increasing, secure print networks are paramount for businesses of all sizes, especially in businesses with hybrid working arrangements, which can be a weak point in the chain.

With demand for linerless labels increasing as sustainability concerns continue to ascend the corporate agenda, Brother UK has launched two new professional desktop label printers that are compatible with linerless labels.

CONTENTS

NHS Integration – p44

Xerox and Induction Healthcare have partnered to integrate digital and physical

mail capabilities. The collaboration supports NHS England’s Digital First initiative and aims to improve efficiency, security and sustainability in

Editorial Dan Parton 07941 979 845 dan@ printinthechannel.com Head of Sales Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552 116 martin@ printinthechannel.com Publishing Director Justin Penn 07816 573 186 justin@ printinthechannel.com

Cloud Print Security – p45

Cloud print adoption continues to grow, but some businesses are still concerned over its security – and this is where resellers have an important role to help allay customers’ fears and support them to pick the right solution.

patient communications, while reducing missed appointments and paper usage.

Eagle Eye – Business Intelligence – p40

This month we focus on paper shredders – the highest searched category in the office printing electronics sector.

Product Launch: Canon – p24

Product Launch: TSC – p21

Businesses using industrial printers prize productivity, operational efficiency, space and easy access to replace or repair and all these have been considered by TSC Auto ID in its new MB241 and ML241P Series industrial printers.

Published by: In the Channel Media Ltd Company registration number: 14363401 Registered office address 14-18 Heddon Street, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom, W1B 4DA In conjunction with:

Canon has launched a new range of large format printers aimed that those that produce technical documents such as architects and engineers that combines innovation with reliability.

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NEWS

Art Systems integrates into Westcoast

Art Systems has continued its integration into Westcoast by moving onto the latter’s own systems. Art Systems has been a part of the Westcoast Group for eight years. As a distributor and service provider of large format printers, 3D printers and cutters/finishers Art Systems has supported a wide range of resellers from print specialists to IT VARS. Over time, the two businesses have become ever more closely integrated, with Westcoast providing warehousing capacity, space for specialist stock and spares and most recently by combining office space with Westcoast’s own print sales team in a newly combined Nottingham office. The latest step in this integration is a move onto Westcoast’s own systems. This is designed to give both companies market efficiencies, expand the customer base for Art Systems’ own vendor partners (e.g. Summa’s cutters and Hahnemuehle’s fine art papers) and will make more of

Westcoast’s huge product range more readily available to Art Systems customers. All Art Systems employees transfer to Westcoast and customers will retain their existing relationships. Art Systems’ leading field services team will also be available to all Westcoast customers along with their specialist knowledge. “We have taken time to ensure there is nothing but a positive impact on our business for ourselves and our partners in this latest integration,” said Mark Lambert, Art Systems technical director. “We will still have the most focused specialist sales force and engineering support for resellers to use – but can further leverage all that is strong about our parent company Westcoast.” Alex Tatham, Westcoast’s executive director, agreed: “Combining our two companies ever more closely will provide Art Systems with the UK’s best distributor’s systems and inventory available to all Art’s customer base,” he said.

Alex Tatham executive director

westcoast.co.uk

Brother UK named as leader in sustainability programs in new report

Brother UK has been named as a ‘leader’ in sustainability programs and services in the most recent IDC Sustainability MarketScape assessment. The company has been recognised for initiatives such as its ‘Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050’ commitment and remanufacturing capabilities in the report, which assesses the sustainability programs and services of print vendors using the IDC MarketScape model. The IDC report evaluates print vendors based on key sustainability metrics in corporate strategies, business operations, products and business models, and governance, risk and compliance measures. Brother was highly rated on its efforts to minimise the environmental impact of its business activities based on the ‘Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050’, which includes ambitious, Science Based Targets Initiative certified, goals to reduce emissions by 65% on 2015 levels by 2030. The business was also praised for its considerations of environmental performance at every stage of a product's life cycle, from

design, development and manufacturing to customer usage, disposal and recycling. It follows the business recently becoming the first print brand to be awarded the Blue Angel certification for a remanufactured toner cartridge. Users are encouraged to return used toner cartridges to be remanufactured at the business’ carbon neutral Recycling Technology Centres, including one in in Ruabon, North Wales. Brother’s remanufacturing scheme guarantees that zero waste is sent to landfill, with 86% of the toners it remanufactures turned into ‘as new’ cartridges and the remaining 14% recycled. Using this process produces 33% less CO2 than creating toner cartridges from virgin material. Brother also promotes the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and recently celebrated its 15-year partnership with rainforest conservation charity Cool Earth. Since the partnership began in 2009, the business has supported seven communities across the Amazon and New Guinea forest, protecting 32 million trees

Brother Group Environmental Vision 2050

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NEWS

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across 78,000 hectares, which store over 50 million tonnes of carbon and are crucial in combatting climate change. The Worldwide Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2023 Assessment by IDC MarketScape said: “Brother is a strong contender for those SMBs looking for printing devices that can deliver on a full range of key sustainability attributes. Brother’s products can help customers to reduce their environmental impact through a broad range of ecofriendly product features. Brother should also be on the shortlist of vendors when looking for a supplier that is investing to drive sustainability throughout its own operations.”

Louise Marshall, director of ESG and organisational development at Brother UK said: “Partnering with sustainable suppliers is a top priority for businesses. Being recognised as a leader in sustainability programs and services will help to give our customers greater confidence that they’re partnering with the right print vendor, while representing a reflection of our genuine commitment to ESG across our operation and product services. “We’re proud to be working towards a clear, long-term global vision for a sustainable society, focused on improving resource circulation, the reduction of CO2 emissions and supporting biodiversity conservation.”

Louise Marshall director of ESG and organisational development

brother.co.uk

Konica Minolta 20km walk raises thousands for charities emotional, practical, and financial support, as well as bringing hope, by investing in vital research to improve treatment and save lives. The Dynamic centre for children and young people with disabilities provides help and support to children (ages 8-25) and families

A 41-strong team of employees from Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd crossed the finish line together in Trafalgar Square, London, to complete a 20 kilometre walk across the capital to raise more than £4,000 for three charities – Candlelighters, Dynamic and Trust Links. The inaugural Konica Minolta 20km London Landmarks Walk took place on 19 June, with the team starting at Nelson’s Column, heading to the River Thames and walking along the South Bank, before crossing Tower Bridge, passing the Tower of London and heading back to Trafalgar Square along the Embankment. “Walking is great exercise for the body and mind and 20km meant we all got our daily steps done and then some!” said Gemma Lee, chief people officer at Konica Minolta. “It was a fantastic day with lots of time to catch up with colleagues from different areas of the business, as well as sharing the reasons why we support the three charities." Candlelighters supports families facing children's cancer in Yorkshire, providing

with disabilities in and around Wrexham, including after-school and holiday groups. Trust Links helps to improve mental health, wellbeing and the environment in Essex, supporting more than 4,000 people through its therapeutic gardening, social activities, peer support, recovery classes, employment support and more. “When we gave our employees the chance to choose Konica Minolta’s three charity partners for the year ahead, we wanted to create as many opportunities for them to get involved as possible,” said Gillian Anderson, environmental, social and governance partner, Konica Minolta. “I am immensely proud of how everyone has embraced these, not only through fundraising but also volunteering and spending time with people the charities work tirelessly to help.”

Gemma Lee chief people officer

konicaminolta.co.uk

NEWS

Kyocera Annodata sponsors athlete support programme

Leisure and cultural charitable social enterprise GLL has welcomed Kyocera Annodata as one of its sponsors of the GLL Sport Foundation Awards 2024/25. The UK’s largest independent athlete support programme, now in its 16th year, has provided an essential boost by providing 28,000 young athletes awards as recipients train and compete in national and international competition – including the Olympics, Paralympics and Commonwealth Games. Since 2008, £15 million of support – covering 117 different sports – has been given, including cash awards, use of gym facilities and access to professional services including physiotherapy, alongside athlete wellbeing support provided by Switch the Play Foundation. In 2024/25, more than £1 million will be awarded to 2,200 athletes across 50 UK partnerships operated by GLL, some competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. GLL’s research shows that many talented athletes struggle to realise their dreams of sporting glory due to rising costs of equipment, training, physiotherapy, travel and nutrition. For them, a GSF Award can be the lifeline to staying in training and meeting their potential. The majority of GSF athletes are under 21 and 87% receive no other form of funding. “Our GLL Sport Foundation is a key part of our remit to widen and deepen our social

impact by offering unique opportunities to talented young athletes and build a legacy through sport,” said GSF chair and GLL CEO Peter Bundey. “All of this is only possible with the close relationships with our partners, clients and suppliers, and I want to take this opportunity to thank Kyocera Annodata for their valued contribution as a sponsor in the 2024/25 Awards. “We look forward to sharing the success of our talented athletes with them in the year ahead.” Rod Tonna-Barthet, CEO at Kyocera Annodata, said: “We are very proud of our association with GLL and our mutual interest in grass roots sports. We began our sponsorship with the GLL Sports Foundation back in 2015 and are delighted to have renewed for another year. “One thing that has remained a constant since we started sponsoring is our shared vision for committing to grassroots investment and ensuring the needs of local athletes and communities are always met. As a result, the programme has grown considerably in the last few years, helping athletes who have struggled to chase their sporting dreams due to lack of funding. “I would like to extend our best wishes to the young athletes who are part of the GSF Awards Programme this year and wish them the very best of luck with their training and in their future competitions.”

gllsportfoundation.org

Rod Tonna-Barthet CEO

kyoceradocument solutions.co.uk

Ricoh ranked number one for market share in high-speed continuous feed inkjet

Ricoh has captured the number one market share position for high-speed continuous feed inkjet systems globally for 2023 in the IDC Quarterly Hardcopy Peripherals Tracker (Calendar 2023). “Ricoh's inkjet technology is based on more than 50 years of continuous research and innovation,” said Gavin Jordan-Smith, senior vice president and general manager, head of Global Sales Strategy Division & Ricoh Graphic Communications North America Sales, Ricoh Graphic Communications. “We continue to invest in developing comprehensive turnkey solutions that comprise our industry leading inkjet technology, software and services,

enabling our customers to seamlessly bridge the gap from offset to digital.” The inkjet market has grown rapidly in recent years and is estimated to reach $125.9 billion by 2029, as more companies seek to address a shortage of qualified labour, rising material costs, shorter run lengths and a greater focus on sustainability. Named ‘Company to Watch Out For’ at this year’s Inkjet Summit, Ricoh recently launched its flagship Pro™ VC80000, offering significant advances in print speed, quality control, and colour management, as well as increased production, and AI-driven analytics, automation, and predictive maintenance.

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NEWS

Mottram Financial Services chooses Woodbank for print management solutions

Mottram Financial Services Ltd, chartered financial planners based in Manchester, has chosen Stockport’s Woodbank Office Solutions Ltd as their new print management provider. When reviewing their existing print solution, Peter Rogan, chartered financial planner at Mottram Financial Services, searched for a supplier close to home. Before reaching out directly to Woodbank, Peter contacted a customer of Woodbank’s, Chafes Hague Lambert Solicitors, which were very complimentary of the support they receive. “It’s very important for us to support local businesses, so it’s natural for us to find a local supplier whenever there’s an opportunity,” said Peter. “After speaking to Chafes, I knew I had to give Woodbank a call. Woodbank have now helped us get the right machines for our requirements and the installation was like

lightning. Our account manager, Josh Kinder, came in, took the time to understand what we needed, was personable and knew his stuff. From our experience it’s been very efficient and professional and we’re all happy.” Woodbank have upgraded Mottram’s Konica Minolta printer to fit with their existing system and will now be their one-stop shop for office print equipment. As part of the service, Mottram will get direct, local support from Josh, and Woodbank’s experienced in-house customer service and technical support team. “I’m thrilled that we can support Mottram Financial Services,” said Josh. “Peter is a pleasure to work with. We like to keep things simple at Woodbank: Discuss their needs and find the right solution for those needs. Personally, I love helping local businesses, and it’s nice that they want to support us. I think it’s great for Stockport and Manchester in general.”

Peter Rogan chartered financial planner

mottram-fs.co.uk

Wavenet widens portfolio to include print services For Wavenet, success is growth in its

Wavenet, a managed services provider offering businesses cybersecurity, communications and connectivity, has onboarded a range of multifunctional printers (MFPs) as part of its next phase of growth as a Canon partner. By widening its portfolio, the business will be able to expand its customer base and build new revenue streams. Wavenet provides businesses with technology solutions to ensure they are fit for the future. Currently the power behind Canon’s IT Services proposition, this two-way partnership and the synergy between the companies has grown stronger, with both working together to identify opportunities that’ll maximise growth. There has been a natural progression for Wavenet to move into the print space and this next phase will see the business as a Canon partner. By integrating print into Wavenet’s value proposition, it closes the loop and provide its customers – from SMBs to large enterprises – with a complete end-to-end service. This holistic offering will give Wavenet a competitive advantage to stay ahead in the fast-paced technology market.

customer base and an increase in revenue. As part of the consultative approach to the partnership, Canon will be on hand to offer expert counsel and advice while the business develops its own in-house specialist sales team to achieve its long-term goals. “We are at a pivotal stage in the market, whereby IT vendors are starting to include print in their offering,” said Antony Black, director of wholesale, Wavenet. “We can’t wait to strengthen our strategic alliance with Canon to widen our portfolio, meet customer needs and accelerate business growth.” Stuart Miller, director, Channel Partners, Canon UK & Ireland, added: “At Canon, our partners are at the centre of our business, and we are delighted to be taking our long-standing relationship with Wavenet to the next level as a trusted partner while reaffirming our position also as a Wavenet IT partner. We’re working closely with the team to support them throughout this learning process, so that they can expand their capabilities for existing and new customers.”

wavenet.co.uk

Stuart Miller, partner channel director

canon.co.uk

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DRUPA REVIEW

Super drupa The international print sector descended on Germany recently for the drupa trade fair, where more than 100,000 people saw a range of new and innovative products from leading players from across the globe.

For the first time in eight years, leaders in the international print industry met at drupa – one of the world’s biggest trade fairs for the sector. drupa was held in Dusseldorf over 11 days, from May 28 to June 7 featuring 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations, demonstrating a range of the latest innovations in the sector. There were more than 170,000 attendees over the duration of the fair coming from 174 countries – a record figure, according to drupa. After Europe, Asia was the most strongly represented region with 22%, followed by America with 12%. Asia as well as Latin America and the MENA region are markets with great growth potential, which was reflected in the significant increase in exhibitors' presence and order books. Many key players in the sector such as Bobst, Canon, Fujifilm, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, HP, Horizon, Koenig & Bauer, Komori Konica Minolta, Kurz and Landa were present and reported having signed contracts that significantly exceeded expectations. This demonstrates how the print sector is thriving internationally after some difficult years during COVID. Major trends At drupa, automation took centre stage, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and smart workflows, including software solutions, but the fair also showed that digital and analogue technologies complement and benefit from each other. Traditional industry leaders presented a range of digital solutions, while digital pioneers integrated conventional components into their offerings. In addition, Robotics played an important role in the exhibition halls and illustrated the path towards the smart factory. “AI was a significant topic of discussion at drupa this year, and it will play a crucial role in the future of the industry,” says Denis Slavin, national business development sales director, partner channel, Ricoh UK. “We are already

seeing it integrating into several new products, for example Ricoh’s new ProTM vc80000 digital colour high-speed inkjet webfed press, uses innovative AI capabilities.” drupa also highlighted other major trends in the market. “One notable development is the introduction of inkjet technology to the cut sheet market, representing a significant shift

in the industry's direction,” says Denis. “While toner-based printing retains its relevance, particularly due to ongoing challenges inkjet faces with substrate

compatibility and lower-end market pricing, the exceptional image quality achievable with some inkjet technologies is undeniable. However, integrating this level of quality into compact printing devices remains a distant goal. “Another critical trend is the emphasis on automation. Reducing manual touchpoints and minimising the potential for human error are becoming increasingly crucial. Despite the apprehension among many print providers, automation remains essential for long-term survival in the industry.” Sustainability and the circular economy was also a focus for many at drupa, and technology is often the key to achieving sustainability goals. Exhibitors at drupa illustrated this with numerous practice-orientated developments and concrete solutions. In addition, Touchpoint Sustainability from the VDMA, the German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, showcased current state of the art innovations, presented best-practice use cases and gave an outlook into the future of a sustainable printing industry. Product launches There were also many product launches at drupa. For instance, Kyocera Document Solutions revealed its vision for inkjet commercial printing alongside its leading TASKalfa Pro 15000c with the launch of the new TASKalfa Pro 55000c and with a sneak peek at the future through the FOREARTH

Denis Slavin national business development sales director

ricoh.co.uk

Jon Hiscock head of production and industrial printing

konicaminolta.co.uk

DRUPA REVIEW

The company also introduced MYIRO colour management tools for graphics arts applications. Developed by Konica Minolta’s Sensing Business Unit, these tools include spectrophotometers for advanced colour management and high-speed auto scanning. “As a major player in digital production printing it is our mission to promote and support the shift from analogue to digital print,” says Jon Hiscock, Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd. “In doing so, we will build a world where high-value-added printed materials are created efficiently with minimal environmental impact.” Much anticipated Elsewhere, Ricoh unveiled its much-anticipated Z75 B2 cut-sheet inkjet printer and the continuous-feed VC80000. “At drupa, Ricoh placed a significant emphasis on automation and workflow optimisation,” says Denis. “While these innovations drew significant attention, Ricoh's core message centred on the efficient integration of work into these advanced print engines with minimal touchpoints. Additionally, Ricoh showcased their comprehensive range of full-colour cut- sheet printers, including the Pro C5310, Pro C7500 and Pro C9500, all operated by a suite of innovative software solutions. “Ricoh is globally renowned for its market- leading print head technology. These print heads are widely adopted by numerous other manufacturers in the industry, reflecting their exceptional quality and versatility. This innovation enables us to support a broad spectrum of inkjet hardware, placing Ricoh firmly at the forefront of the industry's future. “This widespread usage underscores the superior quality and reliability of Ricoh's print head technology. The innovations showcased in Ricoh's technology at Drupa reflect the future of graphic communications – one that is increasingly dominated by inkjet technology, offering superior performance, flexibility, and efficiency.” Power to move Canon’s theme at drupa was ‘The Power to Move’, where the company highlighted key partnerships and initiatives that demonstrate the power of collaboration to drive positive change and create experiences that enrich lives and businesses. In line with its Kyosei philosophy of living

textile printer and the Belharra Kyocera Nixka inkjet photo printer. “Based on Kyocera’s comprehensive capabilities, we continue to create new value to serve the challenges of our customers and society,” says Hironori Ando, president of Kyocera Document Solutions Inc. “I believe that this is the purpose of our company, leveraging our organisational capabilities in research and development and product to create a sustainable future.” This was the first time that Kyocera had been present at drupa in person. The company decided to attend as it continues to build upon its success in the space of production print. “For customers, inkjet technology is revolutionising the production print market by delivering high-speed, high-quality output with greater efficiency and lower costs, enabling businesses to meet diverse demands and offer personalised, on-demand printing solutions,” says Martin Fairman, group sales and marketing director at Kyocera Document Solutions UK. “When looking to the future of inkjet technology in the production print market, it is poised for significant growth and innovation. As advancements in printhead technology, ink formulations, and substrate versatility continue, we can expect inkjet to offer higher speeds, better quality, and increased cost-efficiency. This will position Kyocera as a dominant force in various sectors, from packaging and textiles to commercial and industrial printing, ultimately redefining the standards of production print.” Premieres Meanwhile Konica Minolta unveiled 20 European premieres at drupa. This included the high-speed UV inkjet press AccurioJet 60000, which delivers industry-leading productivity, capable of 6,000 sheets per hour and duplex printing capabilities. It produces outstanding image quality and reproduction stability across a range of media, taking advantage of Konica Minolta’s inline sensors and a spectrophotometer to automatically monitor printing conditions. Visitors to Konica Minolta’s stand were also the first to see the AccurioPress C84hc, which uses high chroma toner. Free from the restrictions imposed by the colour gamut of ordinary toner, it is possible to create prints with consistently bright and vivid colours.

Hironori Ando president

Martin Fairman group sales and marketing director

kyoceradocument solutions.co.uk

“

When looking to the future of inkjet technology in the production print market, it is poised for significant

growth and innovation.

”

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DRUPA REVIEW

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and working together for the common good, Canon partnered with several businesses and charities and donated 20,000 books produced during drupa to a variety of causes. At the Printworks area was the Publishing 2030 Accelerator, which was focused on bringing about meaningful global progress on sustainability in publishing. Visitors learnt more about Canon’s collaboration with this publishing industry initiative, born out of Canon’s Future Book Forum community, and how Canon is playing an active role in scoping out the conditions for success for a Distributed Printing Network, which could propel the whole industry forward and slash the carbon footprint of every book sold. “Images, literature and music enrich lives and we believe that these experiences should be accessible to everyone,” says Jennifer Kolloczek, senior director, marketing & innovation, production printing, Canon EMEA. “Canon supports a range of initiatives aimed at fulfilling this ambition and we’re proud to showcase and raise awareness of these causes.” Label printing Also at drupa, Epson revealed its latest industrial colour inkjet label printer. Designed for in-house, on-demand colour label printing, the ColorWorks C8000e produces exceptional quality labels at high-speed, while significantly reducing the costs and waste associated with traditional analogue label production processes. The ColorWorks C8000e builds on its predecessor, the ColorWorks C7500, to meet the high-volume label production needs of businesses in sectors ranging from food, beverages, chemicals and healthcare, to horticulture, pharmaceuticals, warehousing and logistics. Designed to help eliminate costs associated with pre-printing, such as label waste and excessive inventory, the ColorWorks C8000e incorporates Epson’s unique PrecisionCore printhead technology to deliver detailed, consistent high-quality and accurate colour labels. The ColorWorks C8000e achieves an image resolution of 1200 x 600dpi, enabling accurate reproduction of barcodes and small fonts, while its print speed of 300 mm/sec minimises run times for on-demand jobs. To further enhance image accuracy and reliability, the C8000e features Epson’s Nozzle Verification Technology to prevent misprints, as well as spot colour matching and ICC profiling

for easy and precise colour management. Supporting a wider variety of media types, including matt and gloss paper, film and synthetic; the C8000e is capable of printing label widths from one to four inches, while an adjustable platen gap (up to 0.6mm) enables the use of thicker media for applications such as for price tags or floral labels. With no loss of quality on BS 5069-certified media, the printer is also ideal to produce labels for use in harsh and demanding environments such as when exposed to salt water or chemicals. Bright future drupa showed that the print channel has great potential for the future, even against the backdrop of many challenges, and that the prospects are promising. In the last financial year, the global printing industry achieved a turnover of about €840 billion, according to Smithers, and continues to develop at varying pace worldwide. “The print sector is currently experiencing a notable resurgence,” says Denis. “Advancements in in-line embellishment options have significantly reduced production times, enabling the creation of high-value products in minutes rather than days. This shift allows for production of fewer, yet more valuable, items that effectively engage target audiences through the use of variable data and creative, tactile media types. “The focus is now on minimising waste by producing only what is necessary. By adopting these innovative approaches, print providers can create more impactful and visually appealing products, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness in reaching their intended audiences. Overall, there is a renewed sense of optimism within the industry, driven by these technological advancements and strategic changes.” Sabine Geldermann, director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies, adds: “At drupa 2024, we experienced first-hand just how relevant and resilient this industry is. The community is determined to set the course for the future together. Exchanging ideas with people from all continents and from all areas of the industry was extremely enriching and inspiring. We were able to welcome around 50 large delegations from various nations, and numerous globally active associations and organisations chose drupa as the ideal setting for their conferences and board meetings.” The next drupa will be held in Dusseldorf in 2028.

Jennifer Kolloczek senior director, marketing & innovation, production printing

canon.co.uk

At drupa 2024, we experienced first-hand just how relevant and resilient this industry is. “ ”

Sabine Geldermann director drupa, Portfolio Print Technologies

drupa.com

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PAPERCUT PARTNER SUMMIT

View from the summit PaperCut held its virtual 2024 Partner Summit recently, where the company unveiled its new subscription licencing model and other options designed to bring benefits to customers, as well as reflecting the positivity in the sector currently.

PaperCut’s annual Partner Summit is a highlight in the calendar for the company and its partners alike, and the 2024 edition was no exception. One of the main headlines of the 2024 Partner Summit, hosted virtually on 4 June, was the introduction of PaperCut’s new subscription licencing model. This will be offered alongside its existing perpetual licensing options for PaperCut MF, its powerful, all-in-one print management solution for printers and multifunction devices. The introduction of the subscription pricing model unifies subscription pricing with PaperCut Hive and enables PaperCut’s channel partners to offer customers more choice with respect to the pricing model best suited to their current and future print needs. Event highlights PaperCut’s new subscription model aims to bring multiple benefits to customers, according to Stuart Brookes, PaperCut's EMEA head of sales and channel. “IT is in a constant state of evolution, that’s what makes this industry so exciting,” he says. “Most recently, digital transformation has, among other things, driven significant changes in how and where we house compute, server and storage resources. This has fundamentally changed the way organisations manage their IT infrastructure, and cloud-hosted Software as a Service applications are now commonplace; and they need to be, given the rise in hybrid working and the requirement for business to be more agile and resilientt in the face of market

challenges. “It was inevitable that print would follow suit; but migrating print to the cloud means that ISVs need to re-think established pricing models, because customers now expect to pay for print in the same way they pay for other cloud-based services, hence PaperCut introducing a subscription pricing model.” Stuart adds that the Partner Summit enabled PaperCut to outline how the expansion of its licencing model offerings will benefit partners by helping them to build even better long-term, value-add, relationships with their customers, while also boosting the margin they make on PaperCut solutions. It was also an opportunity to reassure them that, while the SaaS norm is to move to a subscription model, PaperCut believes that customers’ needs’ and flexibility should be at the heart of the licencing agreement; they should have the option to choose the pricing model that’s best for them,” he adds. “Nor do we think that customers should be penalised for their preferred licence choice, which is why PaperCut customers will pay the same subscription fee regardless of choice between self-hosted, private cloud or public cloud hosted. “In the meantime, customers with a preference for perpetual and maintenance still have that choice. That option enables our channel partners to offer their customers more choice with respect to the pricing model best suited to their current and future print needs. And, judging by the feedback we had during the Partner Summit, our channel partners agree.” The subscription model also ties in with PaperCut Hive. “PaperCut Hive is popular with end users because it brings the power, control, security and savings of print management traditionally enjoyed by large businesses to organisations of any size, even the smallest around the world, while still helping IT infrastructure consolidation and removal,” says Stuart. “Our subscription option adds to its appeal

Stuart Brookes head of sales and channel, EMEA

papercut.com

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PaperCut believes that customers’ needs’ and

flexibility should be at the heart of the licencing agreement; they should have the option to choose the pricing model that’s best for them.

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PAPERCUT PARTNER SUMMIT

by simplifying mid-term migrations to Hive. If customers choose to switch from a perpetual to subscription model, they no longer must place an order, redo finance agreements or request refunds on pre-paid maintenance and so on. We will enable customers to port their ‘existing’ subscriptions from either on-prem or private cloud to public cloud – it allows us to provide a solutions platform regardless of the customer’s stage in their journey to cloud.” Stuart adds there were also several surprise announcements at the Partner Summit. “While the major announcement centred on the subscription pricing, we also shared updates with them on our PaperCut MF and PaperCut Hive roadmap,” he says. “For MF, this will include Modern Authentication & Identity, Print Platform & Print Stack and Capture & Document Processing among other improvements. For Hive, we outlined new admin controls for print paths, SSO and MFA to improve onboarding and the user experience, as well as quotas and balance functionality.” Annual highlight The above is just some of what was included in the Partner Summit, and it is something the company places great significance on. “We invest a lot of resources into ensuring it really packs a punch for our partners,” says Stuart. “Not only do they get a chance to hear about our latest print solutions and how we simplify the move to cloud-based print, it’s also a great platform for them to ask our team questions in real-time. “Additionally, the Partner Summit is a showcase for recent PaperCut customer success stories that illustrate the benefits our solutions deliver to end users. This year’s event

was well attended, and we received a lot of positive feedback. Our challenge now is how to make Partner Summit 2025 even better!” Online benefits While many events have gone back to being in-person events after the COVID years, PaperCut has chosen to keep its Partner Summit an online event. But, as Stuart explains, there is sound rationale behind the decision. “Given the 24/7 pace at which the global digital economy operates, everyone is pushed for time today, especially our reseller partners,” he says. “Therefore, if we’re to secure their time, we need to make it as efficient as possible for them to engage with us. A virtual event meets that requirement, with none of the downsides of them taking half a day out of the office and incurring the time and cost of travel to get to a physical venue. “A further benefit of hosting a virtual event is that it enables us to reach partners across multiple time zones and, thanks to the translated closed captions, we can also engage effectively with partners whose first language isn’t English. “Either side of the Partner Summit, we also spend a lot of time meeting with our partners – physically and virtually – to maintain those relationships and ensure that we have our ear to the ground when it comes to understanding their business challenges and goals, as well as their customers’ print needs.” Range of options The Partner Summit also showed the range of flexible options that PaperCut has, something that the pandemic showed the importance of. “The pandemic was a stark reminder that things that can’t bend, break,” says Stuart. “We

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A benefit of hosting a virtual event is that it enables us to reach partners across multiple time zones and, thanks to the translated closed captions, we can also engage effectively with partners whose first language isn’t English.

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PAPERCUT PARTNER SUMMIT

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all saw how quickly formerly rigid ‘structures’ cracked, from supply chains to travel as well as how and where we work; all were thrown into chaos because we had become so reliant on Plan A, we never thought we’d need a Plan B. “What businesses took from that experience is that they must now have the flexibility offered by the cloud to respond swiftly to any crisis to ensure business resilience; and the crisis we’re facing today is rooted in global economic uncertainty. It is impacting forecasting and projections and has a drip down effect on budgets and how they’re spent. As such, there’s far greater financial scrutiny across all businesses, so we have to offer transparent licensing options that better meet end users’ needs in the face of sudden and unexpected change. “In addition to softening the impact of external challenges and making them easier to navigate, the subscription model option enables our channel partners to better meet the needs of customers wherever they are on their cloud migration journey. It provides new and existing end users with a flexible, easy upgrade path, while protecting users who favour a perpetual licencing model.” Optimistic outlook The Partner Summit showed that PaperCut is innovating and in good shape for the rest of the year and on into 2025, which is indicative of the quiet optimism in the wider channel currently. “Even though trading conditions have been tough, one of the great things about the tech and print industry is – as we have seen – its ability to adapt just as well to market challenges as it does to market opportunities,” says Stuart. “PaperCut is more agile than ever and in good shape to respond effectively to the rapidly-changing global market landscape. We know that many of our end users face the same challenges, and we’re excited about working with them and our channel partners to help them drive even more value from their investment in print now and in the future, to make it easier, more secure, more accountable and more sustainable.” Trends PaperCut is also well across the current and emerging trends in the channel, Stuart adds. “The move to cloud-based print is gathering pace, as organisations of all sizes work to simplify their internal IT, services and

applications,” he says. “This is positive news for ISVs offering cloud-based print solutions and services – like PaperCut – and their channel partners. “Closer to home, now the chip crisis is over, the production of printers and MFPs is starting to meet market demand. That’s great news, as some fleets are long overdue for a refresh. That, in turn, is driving demand for print solutions, so we’re seeing this uptick in the market. Security is now more sharply focused on the hybrid work model, as it requires robust security solutions, products and policies to mitigate risk as much as possible. Hence why we’re spending a lot of time talking to our partners to ensure their customers have up to date security protection on their devices.” Print management solutions are also part of the conversation, although as Stuart admits, many organisations are at different stages of their print journey. “Some recognise that unmanaged print is costly, wasteful, inefficient, complex and potentially a security risk and have taken proactive measures to make print more accountable,” he says. “Others, however, are at the start of that journey and while it’s true that print volumes are falling, we’ll always need print. As the market leader in print, our job is to continue to make it easy, secure, sustainable and convenient for all users, wherever they are no matter how much they print.” Reasons to be cheerful As reflected at the Partner Summit, there is plenty to be positive about right now in the print channel. “The industry is being driven forward by customers’ goals and ambitions, by demand for cloud, and demand for differing commercial models and not just ‘put it all on a lease’,” says Stuart. “This presents the channel with great opportunities, giving it space and time to be creative whether that’s with ‘as a service’ offerings, or through disruptive commercial models. It also opens other opportunities to engage with customers with different messaging around cloud technology and how best to implement it in a way that best aligns with customers’ IT journeys. “In the meantime, print is still here. While print continues to evolve, it can still be a challenge for some organisations, be it with the enablement of print or the management of it. As long as that remains, there are opportunities for PaperCut and the channel more broadly to play a value-add role in simplifying print.”

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The move to cloud-based print is gathering pace, as organisations of all sizes work to simplify their internal IT, services and applications... ...This is positive news for ISVs offering cloud- based print solutions and services – like PaperCut – and their channel partners.

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