Print in the Channel - issue #13

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Issue #13

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COMMENT

Looking forward with optimism

For the first issue of 2024, it is a good time to look ahead to what might be in store in the next 12 months in the print sector – and there are some real causes for optimism this year, economically and technologically.

Dan Parton

With Christmas now just a fading memory (even if the added inch on the waistline isn’t) everyone is firmly focused on getting out into the market and selling. For the first time in a few years, there is some genuine optimism in the print sector. As business and the wider economy has

combatted and much more. There are also technological developments that are creating excitement in the print sector. For instance, one of the standout technologies of 2023 was artificial intelligence (AI) and it is certain that its influence will continue to grow in 2024. While AI is still a rapidly developing technology its applications for businesses are becoming increasingly clear – and this includes in print. This is covered in-depth in our feature on p14 where some print leaders discuss its influence across the sector. Elsewhere in the issue, we look at confidential document scanning. Hybrid working has increased the demand for document signature software and scanning equipment in recent years, but it is also important that this is kept safe – the effects of a security breach for confidential documents can be severe. But there are plenty of solutions available and resellers can help to ensure that customers get the right solution for their needs for now and in the future. Read more on p30. As we have been looking ahead, is there anything that you would like to see covered in Print in the Channel this year? If there is a particular topic you think we should be covering, let me know at dan@newsinthechannel.com. Likewise, if you want to get involved in editorial, send news stories or op-eds, please drop me a line.

returned to something like normal – even if growth in the economy has

been slim to non-existent for some time – and people have begun to the return to the

Every quarter we make an award for the best campaign run in the magazine. This quarter Canon has been chosen as the winner. See page 51 for more on the award.

office in greater numbers, there are more selling opportunities for resellers. Many businesses are now looking to renew their fleets or, in some cases, looking at how they can increase efficiency with them and improve their bottom line – business is still difficult for many across the industrial spectrum. Whatever the reason for looking into their printer fleet, it is providing opportunities for resellers to work with customers to find solutions – and this is likely to continue throughout the year. This optimism in the sector is reflected in our 2024 preview feature, which starts on p41. We have asked a range of thought leaders throughout the print sector to give their opinions on how 2024 might pan out for them and the wider sector. This includes the rising impact of the sustainability agenda on the print sector, an anticipated economic recovery, the growing number of cybersecurity threats and how they will be

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CONTENTS

News You should know p6 Ai in Print The hot topic and hype of 2023 p14 Cloud-Enabled Print Technology Key to evolving workplaces p20 Product Review Sharp Pro Series p24 People Moves New roles p28 Confidential Scanning Hybrid security p30 Product Launch Star Micronics p32 Production Print Direct Celebrating a decade in business p34 Product Review Canon imageFORMULA DR-M160II p38 Preview 2024 The thoughts of industry leaders p41 Mobile Label Printing Linerless mobile printers p49

Ai in Print – p14

Production Print Direct – p34

Production Print Direct has recently celebrated a decade in business and is going from strength to strength as the company stays at the cutting edge of a changing commercial print sector.

AI was the hot topic of 2023, as the hype about it started to convert into real-world applications. How is AI influencing the print sector now and what applications does it have for businesses – and how will it affect how print works going forward?

Cloud-enabled Print Technology – p20

Andy Johnson, business development manager at Brother UK, explains how cloud-enabled print technology will help businesses to reevaluate their IT infrastructure.

Product Review: Sharp – p24

Confidental Scanning – p30

Sharp has launched two new Pro Series MFPs, designed to meet the evolving needs of ondemand light production printing. The new models, BP-90C80 and BP-90C70, offer an entry level solution for printing at a reduced cost

The rise of hybrid working has made the need for digital security, particularly around sensitive documents such as those requiring a signature, more important than ever.

CONTENTS

Preview of 2024 – p41

Editorial Dan Parton 07941 979 845 dan@ printinthechannel.com Elliot Mulley- Goodbarne 07910 441 024 elliot@ printinthechannel.com Head of Sales Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552 116 martin@ printinthechannel.com Publishing Director Justin Penn 07816 573 186 justin@ printinthechannel.com Written permission from the publisher is required before any part of Print in the Channel can be reproduced. © 2024 In the Channel Media Ltd.

As we head into 2024, there is optimism in the print sector for what the next 12 months holds, but a sense of realism that economic conditions mean that it won't necessarily be easy. A range of thought leaders from across the print sector give their opinions on what 2024 holds.

Product Launch – p32

Star Micronics has launched its mC-Label3 and TSP143IVSK compact label printers in response to demand for labelling applications from a range of sectors.

For hybrid and home workers that need to scan a lot of documents quickly, efficiency and accurately, an established and popular option is Canon’s imageFORMULA DR-M160II desktop scanner – and for good reason.

Mobile Label Printing – p49

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:

Jay Kim, managing director at BIXOLON Europe GmbH, explains how using linerless mobile printers to print labels can help to organise warehouse operations, support with last mile delivery and communicate with consumers.

Product Review: Canon – p38

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NEWS

Ricoh named as one of the 2024 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations

Ricoh has been recognised as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. This marks the 12th selection for Ricoh, which was selected for 10 consecutive years from 2005 to 2014, and in 2023. The Global 100 is an annual ranking of the world’s most sustainable corporations published by Canada-based Corporate Knights. The assessment is executed across 25 key indicators that cover resource management, employee management, financial management, sustainable revenue and sustainable investment and supplier performance. The assessment results are announced each year during the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The 20th annual ranking, the 2024 Global 100, assessed 6,733 publicly traded companies with more than $1 billion in revenue. “This recognition is a testament to Ricoh’s continuous and accelerated commitment to sustainability that stems from our strategic policy to align ESG with business growth,” said

Mikako Suzuki, corporate officer in charge of ESG and Risk Management, Ricoh Company, Ltd. “We are honoured to be recognised again and excited to continue our contribution in solving social issues and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through its business activities.” Ricoh’s approach to sustainability is to pursue a sustainable society through a Three Ps Balance—Prosperity (economic), People (society) and Planet (environment). To realise this desired society, Ricoh has identified seven material issues in two areas, ‘Resolving social issues through business’ and ‘Robust management infrastructure,’ and set 16 ESG targets in linkage with the material to work toward solving these issues. In 2020, ESG initiatives were positioned as future financial targets, one of the dual companywide management targets along with regular financial goals, and since then ESG indicators have been incorporated into Ricoh’s executive compensation.

Mikako Suzuki

ricoh.co.uk

UK & Irish employees dissatisfied by outdated workplace technology

Implementing the latest technology, such as workplace experience platforms, AV solutions and enterprise content management enables employees to focus less on admin and more on value added activities. “What we’re noticing in the market is that more and more organisations are looking to re-imagine their workplaces to bridge the gap between employee expectations and the available technology,” said Dennis Scannell, director of Digital Service Consultancy at Ricoh UK. Without addressing these discrepancies, employers risk losing workers, who may seek alternate employment where their needs are better met. Indeed, 30% of workers cited working conditions and their employee experience as a reason they would look for another job, while just 18% of employees noted the quality of technology software and technological devices as a leading contributor to them seeking alternate employment. “We work with many UK businesses to transform their physical and digital workspace to be more collaborative and productive,” added Dennis.

New research from Ricoh Europe has revealed that there is a significant gap between employee expectations of technology in the workplace and what is currently provided by employers. The poll of 1,000 workers across the UK and Ireland, conducted by Opinium, found that 46% of UK and Irish employees believe that their employer lags behind when it comes to adopting technology that would benefit them in the workplace. More than a quarter (28%) report that their remote work set up hinders their productivity, and 58% said they are bogged down by high administrative burdens. What’s more, only 68% of employees believe their employers provide the necessary technology to do their jobs well – highlighting a significant missed opportunity. Businesses should look to process automation and workplace experience tools to improve collaboration and streamline repetitive workflows and tasks, ensuring workers are equipped to do their best work.

CONTINUED

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NEWS

CONTINUED

“Employee experience should be at the centre of any workplace transformation project.” With 65% of employees believing they would deliver more value to their company if they had the right tools and technologies in place, the benefits of getting this right extend beyond talent attraction and retention. “Looking ahead, it is imperative that businesses align their technology offerings with employee needs, particularly around

process automation and workplace experience, which can help employees be more productive and focus on tasks where they can add more value,” said Nicola Downing, CEO, Ricoh Europe. “As our research has revealed, any business which overlooks employee experience around workplace technology, risks losing valued team members who will simply look elsewhere for a workplace that meets their needs.”

ricoh.co.uk

Exertis takes steps in neurodiversity and disability support some individuals may need more assistance,

Exertis has recently become a member of the Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) industry forum, has launched Sunflower Lanyards for its people, and has achieved Level 1 of the Disability Confident Employer status, cementing its dedication to DEI and supporting its people in the workplace. NiB is an industry forum to support the participation of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, recently launched at the Houses of Parliament. The organisation, led by CEO Dan Harris, draws upon the cumulative knowledge of neurodivergent experts and leading companies to share best practice and improve the employment and experience of the neurodiverse workforce. “We are delighted that Exertis has become a founding member of NiB,” said Dan. “It signals its commitment to ensuring a truly inclusive workplace and a desire to strive for the best in diversity and inclusion standards.” Exertis is making Sunflower Lanyards available across all its sites, for any of its people who have a hidden or visible disability. This will ensure that colleagues are aware that

raises awareness of unseen disabilities, and provides extra support for colleagues who need it most. Exertis has also achieved Level 1 of the Disability Confident Employer status, which provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace. The distributor’s ‘Enable’ Employee Resource Group, which provides a safe space for colleagues who are disabled, neurodivergent and carers within the business, has championed all of the recent neurodiverse developments at the company. “We recognise the need to cultivate a workforce which is both diverse and inclusive of every background, and the rich, talented skillset which this brings to our organisation,” said Tim Griffin, CEO of Exertis IT. “I’m thrilled that so many advancements have taken place recently to support this ethos, and I am grateful for the efforts of our Enable ERG and their allies to ensure that Exertis’ dedication to this area continues to deliver progress.”

Tim Griffin

exertis.co.uk

Major refresh for Brother laser printer line-up

Brother UK has overhauled its laser print line up, launching 36 new devices to offer customers faster and better-connected printing. The refreshed portfolio of laser printers introduces the quietest models available on the market, which are more compact and still retain enhanced image quality and high print speeds. Brother UK says the improvements are in response to changing demand from businesses, with more customers now working from home or in downsized offices. Brother UK’s new laser devices cover four

ranges: colour and mono models for small office and home office (SOHO) users and colour and mono machines for small and medium-sized businesses (SMB). Brother’s SOHO models devices – with print speeds up to 26ppm, an 8.8cm touchscreen and 512mb in-built memory – are designed to enhance energy efficiency, with an eco-mode introduced into all models as standard. The business says that speed, connectivity and efficiency have also been at the forefront of designs for its new SMB range, which are enabled to print, scan, copy and fax.

NEWS

Devices can print at speeds of up to 30ppm, are equipped with NFC, wireless and USB connectivity, and are supplied with in-box toners that yield up to 2,600 pages in mono and 1,400 in colour. All the new SMB models will be available on managed print service (MPS) contracts. The range refresh follows Brother UK’s overhaul of its MPS offering in August 2023, launching three new offerings: MPS Essential, MPS Professional and MPS Enterprise. The new solutions are tailored for businesses of different sizes, from single-office operations to muti-site corporations, helping resellers better meet the needs of a variety of customers. “Customers’ needs are changing and we want to arm resellers with the solutions to meet them,” said Terry Caulfield, chief commercial officer at Brother UK. “We know from speaking to users that they want a faster and better-connected print set-up, that’s also

quieter and more compact. “Regularly refreshing our products is also a vital part of remaining at the forefront of users’ minds when they select a printer. They expect tech that doesn’t compromise on performance capabilities and are built to deliver reliability and energy efficiency. Our new line-up ensures resellers are equipped to offer businesses the tools they need to achieve these goals. “What’s also changing is how customers want to procure these devices. Subscriptions are becoming more common in many aspects of our lives, and that includes tech for the office. Demand for MPS is surging among small businesses in particular, and we’ve created our Essential offering to help print partners cater specifically for them. Our whole portfolio is geared towards making sure that resellers and businesses have everything at their disposal to push the possibilities of productivity.”

Terry Caufield

brother.co.uk

Epson introduces its first small-footprint UV flatbed printer for promotional goods industry

Epson has introduced its first small-footprint UV flatbed printer for the promotional goods industry. The SC-V1000 A4 flatbed UV printer offers small businesses a compact and affordable way to produce high-quality images on a wide range of substrates. Epson’s entry-level A4 UV flatbed printer specifically to meet the needs of small businesses in the promotional goods industry. Compact and affordable, the SureColor V1000 can print on almost any hard surface, making it ideal for creating promotional and personalised items. The SC-V1000 will be of interest to a range of businesses from photo-retailers and small goods manufacturers to e-commerce printers and visitor attractions, such as theme parks. Built around Epson’s award-winning SureColor technology, the SC-V1000 can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood and stone. Featuring an integrated ink pack system with 6 colours (CMYK plus white and varnish), the SC-V1000 produces extremely precise and detailed images, which can be easily customised. With a highly compact

footprint (699mm x 699mm), the printer fits easily onto most standard workbenches and desktops and, as no space is required behind the unit, can be placed in corners or against a wall. Designed to be affordable for small businesses, the SC-V1000 is also easy to operate and maintain, with an automatic cleaning system, activated through an intuitive and simple touchscreen that eliminates the need for manual maintenance. The use of Epson’s Replaceable Ink Pack System (RIPS) makes inks easy to replace. The SC-V1000 features an integrated air filtration system and odour reducing function as standard. The SC-V1000 offers USB or Wi-Fi connectivity options, and comes with Epson Edge Print RIP software, connection to Epson PORT and a three-year warranty for peace of mind. “Epson is delighted to enter the small footprint UV flatbed signage print market with the SC-V1000,” said Tom Owers, business manager at Epson UK. “Designed with the promotional goods market in mind, it’s a compact and affordable UV LED flatbed signage printer with a range of unique Epson features, and capable of high-quality printing on a wide range of media.”

SC-V1000

epson.co.uk

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NEWS

BIXOLON growth leads to appointments, awards and new products

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON, a manufacturer of advanced receipt, label and mobile printers, reported a positive year of growth in 2023 against the backdrop of a challenging global economy. In 2023, the business launched several new products and collaborations; was awarded the world number one mobile receipt printer manufacturer from independent research company Chunichisha Co., Ltd; made strategic hires to support the business and customers; and re-launched its Unite Partner Programme. BIXOLON launched several products and collaborations throughout 2023 including the latest generation SRP-350V and SRP- 350plusV POS printers, which support Koehler Paper’s environmentally friendly Blue4est® Thermal Paper and white paper. Alongside the enhanced SRP-330III thermal POS Printer, plus the SPP-C200 and SPP-C300 latest low-cost Mobile Receipt Printers. Across the board, these printers are playing key roles across a range of industries to improve processes and communications with customers. These include retail, hospitality, restaurants, warehouse, logistics and supply chain operations. The BIXOLON Unite Partner Programme was relaunched in 2023 with additional benefits.

Exclusively tailored for the value added reseller and software integrator community across various vertical market segments in the automatic identification and data capture industry, this enhanced programme focuses on situations where desktop and tabletop label printing is required, taking BIXOLON’s partners to the next level and provides a more robust and rewarding experience. “The business landscape is changing, we have seen that the way people purchase and use our printing products continues to evolve throughout all our associated industries,” said Jay Kim, managing director, BIXOLON Europe GmbH. “We have been faced with the same challenges as all our competitors, but we have made several exciting new product launches across our complete mobile, POS and label printing solutions, which have filled many gaps within the market. “We have also resolved to nurture our sales and customer service offerings, growing our sales team on the ground across the UK and Europe, while taking on more in-country service centres for technical speciality and repairs to increase our global reach. We’re optimistic about 2024 and look forward to a stronger year of growth.”

Jay Kim managing director

bixoloneu.com

Epson transitions to 100% renewable electricity Epson has announced that, as of December 2023, all electricity used at Epson Group sites around the globe is from renewable sources. This makes Epson the first in the domestic manufacturing industry to complete the transition to renewable electricity at all its sites worldwide, including Japan. The Epson Group consumes about around the world by 2023. In November 2021, the switch was completed in Japan. The

global switch to renewable electricity was completed on schedule in December 2023. In addition Epson will promote the broader adoption of renewable energy, including by generating more of its own power and by supporting the development of new power sources through co-creation. Epson will reduce the amount of energy associated with production and products and pursue further advances in resource circulation to attain the goal of becoming carbon negative. “Now we have successfully completed the switch to 100% renewable electricity... this will not only help us to achieve our own goals but will also help to facilitate a broader adoption of renewable electricity within society by spreading awareness,” said global president Yasunori Ogawa.

876GWh of electricity per year. By sourcing renewables to cover this demand, Epson expects to reduce its annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 400,000 tonnes. Epson publicly committed to becoming carbon negative and underground resource free in its Environmental Vision 2050. The use of renewable electricity is a key means by which Epson seeks to reach its goal of achieving decarbonisation. In line with this, Epson declared, in March 2021, that it would switch to 100% renewable electricity to meet the electricity needs at all Epson Group sites

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AI IN PRINT

Intelligent design AI was the hot topic of 2023, as the hype about it started to convert into real-world applications that can make working life more efficient. But how is AI influencing the print sector now and what applications does it have for businesses – and how will it affect how print works going forward?

Artificial intelligence (AI) was the emerging technology of 2023. Kick-started by the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, AI was seemingly on everyone’s lips. As the technology developed rapidly, so did the applications for businesses in all sectors, including print, to help increase efficiency productivity and – most importantly – profitability. AI is now having an increasing impact on the print sector, for manufacturers, resellers and end users alike. “AI already is having a positive impact on the print industry in unique and diverse ways,” says Arjan Paulussen, managing director, Lexmark UK, Western Europe and English-speaking Africa. “For example, Lexmark’s managed print services uses AI to predict tech support on printers sitting at customer sites. We can anticipate and prevent a vast majority of printing disruptions before they occur and resolve 70% of issues remotely before it becomes a problem. The same goes for printing supplies: AI predicts when a Lexmark customer will be low on toner and can automatically ship them new cartridges to ensure no gaps in their supplies.” Arjan adds that AI is directly touching the print job itself. “Lexmark has developed an AI- imbued Translations Assistant that automatically translates any content in more than 100

languages right on our printers,” he says. “It helps break down language barriers that have traditionally hampered customer interactions in the health and government sectors. “AI is also having an impact on Lexmark’s own operations. For example, on our manufacturing line, we’ve married AI with IoT to create AI-enabled smart cameras that automate the visual inspection of assembled printers. The heavy data processing required to do this occurs where the camera sits, all made possible by AI. We’ve produced a 40% improvement in inspection speed, a 99% reduction in errors and a return on investment – all within three months.” Potential realised Arjan adds that customers are also becoming increasingly aware of the potential that AI has to help how their businesses run. “AI is the key tech in the public spotlight, so Lexmark customers are inquiring about how it can help their print infrastructure,” he says. “Their baseline priorities boil down to: one – can it streamline my operations? Two – can it reduce my costs? Lexmark is creating practical and real-world applications for AI. “Going back to our managed print services, we are seeing a 25% increase in profitability due to better utilisation of devices in the field. AI is extending the life of those devices. They

Arjan Paulussen, managing director,

UK, Western Europe & English-Speaking Africa

lexmark.com

“

We’ve married

AI with IoT to create AI-enabled smart cameras that automate the visual inspection of assembled printers.

”

AI IN PRINT

AI is still an emerging “

technology – and the market for it is too – there are still many customers that will need to be guided in what AI can bring to the print side of their business.

”

are lasting 40% longer than other competitive models out on the market.” Arjan adds that there is a learning curve to AI. “This is why Lexmark has been open and transparent in sharing our knowledge with the rest of the industry,” he says. “We’ve commercialised our AI and IoT learnings into Optra Edge, a packaged solution that provides an easy on-ramp for companies looking to embrace the two technologies, but don’t know how. The wonderful thing about Optra Edge is that it’s not limited to print. It can be applied to any business operation – back end or front end – that the customer is running.” Production print Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar, director, partner channel at Ricoh UK, adds that AI has the power to transform the professional print sector too, especially when it comes to workflow automation, design and smoother production processes. “One area where AI is already being used within the sector is in the form of intelligent dashboards,” he says. “Intelligent dashboards enable users to efficiently manage data, users and processes. This use of accurate and timely data can help business manage widgets, choose from a range of visualisation options, and share reports in seconds. “There is no doubt that AI will continue to revolutionise business processes across every industry. To keep pace with these technological changes, commercial print businesses must be willing to invest in innovative technologies, otherwise they risk losing their relevance in the continuously shifting digital landscape.” Rowan adds that research from Ricoh’s Automation Gap report revealed 77% of

businesses want to automate, yet 55% are sceptical about the time and investment required to implement automation. “In reality, implementing automation and AI can streamline print processes, optimise print workflows, and monitor for maintenance needs and errors, boosting workplace productivity and growth,” he says. “For commercial printers, particularly of large-scale image generation, AI can enable marketing campaigns to be created in a matter of hours rather than weeks, reducing productions costs and as a result increasing revenue.” Reseller conversations But as AI is still an emerging technology – and the market for it is too – there are still many customers that will need to be guided in what AI can bring to the print side of their business. This is where resellers have a crucial role. “Resellers need to act as trusted partners, offering customers valuable consultancy on AI, its uses and limitations,” says Rowan. “Trusted partners like Ricoh can provide guidance and expertise to implement AI tools that add value and mitigate risk. “The rapid and widespread use of AI across multiple industries has brought with it some understandable fear and scepticism, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity risks and the authenticity of online data. While it is important to remain vigilant of cybersecurity threats, the benefits of AI for print businesses outweigh the potential risks – this is where resellers can play a key role with sound advice and reassurance. “Businesses within the sector that are slow to implement automation and embrace AI risk damaging future growth, employee retention and their competitive edge.”

The rapid and widespread use of AI across multiple industries has brought with it some understandable fear and scepticism, particularly when it comes to cybersecurity risks and the authenticity of online data. “

”

CONTINUED

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AI IN PRINT

CONTINUED Communication

“AI will evolve as we train it with larger, richer data sets,” says Arjan. “It will be able to process more info with more accurate insights. Things like printer maintenance, waste management and supply fulfilment – which are already using AI – will be far more comprehensive and automated. We will see nuanced, bespoke applications for print as well. “It also empowers the customer to do more with print like layouts and designs, colour corrections as well as hyper-targeted print jobs. An AI-powered chat-bot could act as an interface processing simple instructions to do complex printing tasks.” Rowan adds that as AI technology continues to evolve and become more widely used, it represents a great opportunity for the print industry to increase the efficiencies of manual processes – but warns that it could be missed if businesses don’t receive proper guidance. “To ensure the continued growth of the industry, print businesses need to ensure their employees are equipped with the right tools and skills to make the most of AI tools at their disposal,” he says. “Research conducted by Ricoh revealed that 33% of employees in the UK and Ireland use AI tools, such as Chat GPT, yet only 12% of companies have offered training on how to utilise AI tools. Without proper guidance on how to harness the technology, print businesses could miss out on productivity and business benefits.”

Arjan adds that resellers are an important communication pipeline into customers. “Resellers help us understand what customers like to see with an AI-embused print infrastructure that can feed back into new devices hitting the market,” he says. “Resellers can also shape the conversation with customers, ensuring they can fully utilise AI. Those talks should encompass GenAI applications for chatbots, ways to organise data to ensure the AI is correctly trained and security considerations. “But most importantly, resellers should ask how AI can achieve business outcomes. Doing AI for the sake of AI will only lead to failure. You need to attach a clear and attainable business goal to AI. Resellers can play a vital role in setting up AI expectations for success.” Arjan adds that Lexmark is seeking to set resellers up for success with AI. “We have MPS Express, which enables resellers and system integrators to offer sophisticated Managed Print Services powered by AI through our platform,” he says. Future As we have seen over the past year, AI is a rapidly evolving technology, and will only provide more benefits to business as it develops in the coming months and years and becomes increasingly effective.

Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar director partner channel

ricoh.co.uk

Resellers help us understand what customers like to see with an AI-embused print infrastructure that can feed back into new devices hitting the market. “

An AI-powered chat- bot could act as an interface processing simple instructions to do complex printing tasks. “

”

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CLOUD-ENABLED PRINT TECHNOLOGY

Why cloud solutions will be key to evolving workplaces in 2024 Andy Johnson, business development manager at Brother UK, explains how cloud-enabled print technology will help businesses to reevaluate their IT infrastructure to meet changing office requirements.

Businesses are shaking-up their footprints when leases expire so they can take on the perfect space for their hybrid working set-up. Some businesses are also looking to upgrade to Grade-A office space to encourage employees back to the office and seek more energy-efficient and sustainable premises. An office move is always a good opportunity for businesses to consult IT partners on the suitability of their infrastructure and on how they can upgrade to enhance their operations. And it’s great to see partners proactively offering their expertise to IT leads in businesses looking to move. The cloud will be central to any of these conversations having shaped so much technology investment over the last few years, and print will continue to be a key part of any needs-based assessment. Partners can help businesses to look beyond what they know, what works and what could work better. And to look beyond the hardware they’d expect from a vendor like Brother, up into the cloud. There, they’ll discover a digital approach to documentation that creates a more productive, cost effective and revolutionary way of working. Collaboration and compliance While businesses have switched to more decentralised ways of working, it’s vital that teams can still collaborate easily and work effectively no matter where they are. Document automation can help teams to scan, store and share documents from wherever they’re based quickly and accurately. Automation can help teams to work more productively by removing manual document storage processes, while enabling businesses to ensure sensitive or data is stored consistently and compliantly between dispersed teams. Printing securely from anywhere Employees also expect the same amenities in any office they visit. The cloud print management solutions that we provide with

Brother Cloud Solutions ensure users can hit print anywhere, any time on any device via an intuitive interface. Staff can easily print from whichever office they’re based in or visiting without the need to have separate access to private networks. The solution eliminates the need for an on-site server – reducing costs and complex maintenance, while allowing businesses to use space more wisely. Our solutions provide limitless scalability too, to suit the needs of companies large and small. And importantly, the ability to print from anywhere doesn’t mean businesses need to compromise on security. Transformative solutions Almost all (95%) businesses have already adopted or will be adopting a cloud print management solution. And we’ve built Brother Cloud Solutions alongside our partners while upgrading our portfolio with new solutions ready devices. For example, we’ve recently refreshed our entire colour laser printer line-up. Our 36 new devices, which are fully compatible with Brother Cloud Solutions, are more compact while being the quietest on the market. And they retain the high image quality and speed that customers expect. Our cloud offering can also be combined with our managed print services, which provide partners with off-the- shelf and bespoke packages that cater to the needs of customers. There’s plenty of impetus to encourage businesses to move offices, which in turn will create opportunities to reevaluate customer IT infrastructure. Vendor-reseller partnerships that utilise the power of cloud print solutions will be best placed to enhance businesses’ efficiency, security and productivity in their new homes. Look beyond print, to a whole world of Brother Cloud Solutions. As a channel partner, you’ll have Brother ‘at your side’ to meet the unique needs of every business. Discover the transformation we can deliver for your clients.

Andy Johnson business development manager

brother.co.uk

Look beyond… to more flexible printing. Discover Brother Cloud Solutions.

Look beyond the printer. Discover Brother Cloud Solutions. Printing anywhere, anytime, from any device.

Visit BrotherZone for more information.

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COVER STORY

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PRODUCT REVIEW SHARP PRO SERIES MFPS Seamless connectivity. Designed from the ground up for performance, reliability and ease of use. 04

Complexity made easy You’ll find with both the BP-90C80 and BP-90C70 that you can print almost anything. While both are extremely capable, they are surprisingly easy to use, with many ‘simple’ settings to take care of ordinary, everyday jobs. Advanced system architecture and a fast processor lets you print large and complex documents quickly and with excellent colour accuracy. And you get genuine Adobe PS3 to support advanced graphic applications, too. Effortless productivity. Seamless connectivity. Designed from the ground up for performance, reliability and ease of use.

Look sharp Sharp has launched two new Pro Series MFPs, designed to meet the evolving needs of on- demand light production printing. The new models, BP-90C80 and BP-90C70, offer an entry level solution for printing at a reduced cost, with higher printing capabilities, high quality precise printing and improved productivity for heavier weight media. Maximum uptime We know it counts to get it right the first time. So, we designed the BP-90C80 and BP-90C70 to enable exceptional productivity. An advanced triple-air feed system drives smooth paper handling for trouble-free print runs. A large, expandable paper supply lets you take on the largest jobs with confidence and you can replace toner cartridges and load paper drawers while the machine is running, meaning you never have to pause the print run. You can also view the machine status from a distance, with an optional status indicator. And as time goes by, you can build up a collection of customised document, job and media profiles, which can be retrieved to make repeat jobs even quicker. It all adds up to unrivalled productivity and professional output for the best possible return on investment.

tless productivity. mless connectivity. from the ground up for performance, and ease of use.

Complexity made easy You’ll find with both the BP-90C80 and B print almost anything. While both are ext are surprisingly easy to use, with many ‘s care of ordinary, everyday jobs. Advanced system architecture and a fast print large and complex documents quic colour accuracy. And you get genuine Ad advanced graphic applications, too. A seamlessly smooth operation lets you booklet-making with optional trimming; punching; page insertion, and a variety o can meet expectations every time with t GBC SmartPunch inline punching system professional booklet making unit.

A seamlessly smooth operation lets you manage 20-sheet booklet-making with optional trimming; stapling and hole- punching; page insertion, and a variety of folds. Plus, you can meet expectations every time with the industry-leading GBC SmartPunch inline punching system and the Plockmatic professional booklet making unit. Maximum uptime We know it counts to get it right the first time. So, we designed the BP-90C80 and BP-90C70 to enable exceptional productivity. An advanced triple-air feed system drives smooth paper handling for trouble-free print runs. A large, expandable paper supply lets you take on the largest jobs with confidence and you can replace toner cartridges and load paper drawers while the machine is running, meaning you never have to pause the print run. You can also view the machine status from a distance, with an optional status indicator. And as time goes by, you can build up a collection of customised document, job and media profiles, which can be retrieved to make repeat jobs even quicker. It all adds up to unrivalled productivity and professional output for the best possible return on investment. Optimised scanning The built-in 300-sheet Duplex Single Pass Feeder (DSPF) can process mixed documents simultaneously at speeds of up to 280 impressions per minute, and double-feed detection pauses operation when it detects skewed or multiple pages being fed in. It’s also possible to convert scans into editable Microsoft® Office files and searchable PDFs using Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

colour management across a full range of jobs, guaranteeing colour consistency and management through profiling and troubleshooting for maximum accuracy. Both models feature Sharp’s largest 15.4” integrated colour touchscreen with multi-touch finger swipe control supported. An updated status screen allows for advanced job queue visibility. Fiery’s embedded controller simplifies job programming with easy-to-master colour tools. In addition, the models can be integrated into Microsoft Teams or Gmail through a native connector, meaning employees can easily print from and scan documents to their email, Teams channels and folders. A modular design allows for a range of configurations, including an option to increase paper supply up to 13,500 sheets, preparing users for uninterrupted l 15.4” integrated colour touchscreen with multi-touch finger swipe control supported. l Models can be integrated into Microsoft Teams or Gmail. At-a-glance l BP-90C70 offers printing at 70/75ppm colour/BW. l BP-90C80 operating at 80/80ppm colour/BW. l Full bleed booklets and brochures are supported with optional trimming, stapling and hole-punching, page insertion and different folds. l Coated, uncoated and textured stock supported from the input tray through to a choice of finishing systems. l Advanced colour management across a full range of jobs, guaranteeing colour consistency.

In many industries, the nature of printing has changed, and many businesses now need to print a range of jobs – often in different sizes – and this means the printer they use needs to have that flexibility to accommodate that. To this end, Sharp has launched two new MFPs to its successful Pro Series, the BP- 90C80 and BP-90C70. They bring together Sharp’s complete edge to edge full bleed printing capabilities with Fiery digital front ends and are designed to meet the needs of any business. The new models facilitate paper weights of up to 360gsm and offer increased productivity across a range of heavier paper weights, with engine speeds operating at 100% efficiency all the way up to 220gsm. The BP-90C70 offers printing at 70/75ppm colour/BW, with the BP-90C80 operating at 80/80ppm colour/BW. Additionally, full bleed booklets and brochures are supported with optional trimming, stapling and hole- punching, page insertion and different folds. A range of paper types are also accounted for, with coated, uncoated and textured stock supported from the input tray through to a choice of finishing systems. Organisations looking to bring an on-demand printing solution in-house can benefit from Sharp’s integration of the latest generation Fiery Print Servers featuring the Fiery FS600 Pro platform. The Fiery Print Servers can be embedded into the BP-90C80 and BP-90C70 or installed externally. By relying on the Fiery Server’s advanced processing and automated job preparation capabilities, the latest additions to the Sharp Pro Series offer advanced control for local and remote Mac and PC clients to edit, submit and preview jobs before printing without sacrificing speed. Sharp’s new models also offer advanced Optimised scanning The built-in 300-sheet Duplex Single Pass Feeder (DSPF) can process mixed documents simultaneously at speeds of up to 280 impressions per minute, and double-feed detection pauses operation when it detects skewed or multiple pages being fed in. It’s also possible to convert scans into editable Microsoft® Office files and searchable PDFs using Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

Complexity made easy You’ll find with both the BP-90C80 and BP-90C70 that you can print almost anything. While both are extremely capable, they are surprisingly easy to use, with many ‘simple’ settings to take care of ordinary, everyday jobs. Advanced system architecture and a fast processor lets you print large and complex documents quickly and with excellent colour accuracy. And you get genuine Adobe PS3 to support advanced graphic applications, too. A seamlessly smooth operation lets you manage 20-sheet booklet-making with optional trimming; stapling and hole- punching; page insertion, and a variety of folds. Plus, you can meet expectations every time with the industry-leading GBC SmartPunch inline punching system and the Plockmatic professional booklet making unit.

o get it right the first time. So, we designed P-90C70 to enable exceptional productivity.

air feed system drives smooth paper -free print runs. A large, expandable paper on the largest jobs with confidence and er cartridges and load paper drawers while ng, meaning you never have to pause the so view the machine status from a distance, tus indicator. you can build up a collection of ent, job and media profiles, which can be peat jobs even quicker. It all adds up to ity and professional output for the best nvestment. g et Duplex Single Pass Feeder (DSPF) can ments simultaneously at speeds of up to minute, and double-feed detection pauses etects skewed or multiple pages being fed to convert scans into editable Microsoft® chable PDFs using Optical Character

sharp.co.uk

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