PREVIEW 2024
and MFA to get access to documents and systems, as well as how documents are transmitted and where and how they are stored; the latter will be especially important for government organisations. The now- normal hybrid work model – which requires robust security solutions, products and policies in order to mitigate risk as much as possible – will also shape security in the year ahead. During these volatile times, almost every business is hanging onto the Chancellor’s and the Bank of England’s every word. It doesn’t take much to rock the financial markets, so companies will be looking closely at the value of the US dollar, interest rates, energy prices and global events that trigger interconnected shockwaves across the economy; for instance, we entered 2024 with trouble in the key Middle Eastern trade routes leading to longer shipping times and higher freight
costs. Closer to home, one further thing to consider is the business caution usually shown in an election year. That may impact buying timeframes and purchasing decisions. Finally, there’s no doubt that AI will dominate the tech landscape in 2024. I think we’ll see the conversation evolve from the risk posed by AI to AI safety, as fuelled by the AI Safety Summit hosted in the UK last November. We’ll see more discussions about putting technical and ethical AI guardrails in place as organisations learn to deploy the technology in a way that adds value by automating routine tasks without compromising safety. Like many organisations, PaperCut is establishing the best way to embrace AI and embed it into how we drive our daily business. We’re keen to understand how it can add value in areas such as support and self-help to further optimise the customer experience.
Trevor Maloney , Product marketing manager, Kyocera In 2024, the outlook for our business and the print channel is highly optimistic. The industry is undergoing a transformative phase, with a strong focus on sustainability, security and technological advancements.
Solutions UK have already shifted to enable businesses to address the threat landscape head-on with a comprehensive suite of security solutions that include MFA, SEIM, back-up and disaster recovery, plus their flagship security service Managed Endpoint Detection and Response. The state of the economy will wield a significant impact on buying decisions. While economic stability fosters confidence encouraging an uptick in spending, an economic downturn may put capex expenditure under the microscope as businesses ensure they get the best bang for their buck. Flexibility and strategic adaptation to economic conditions will therefore be crucial for businesses in the print industry to navigate and thrive in the dynamic market of 2024. In 2024, the Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 55000c is poised to disrupt the production print market with its innovative inkjet technology. This device achieves offset-quality printing, supporting coated paper for brochures, books and direct mail. Leveraging Kyocera’s 1,200dpi inkjet heads and edge smoothing technology, it ensures smooth colour reproduction and high-definition printing. The Pro 55000c not only meets the industry’s demand for image resolution, but also reduces total cost of ownership in commercial printing. Its eco- friendly approach, utilising water-based inks, also aligns with sustainability trends.
The implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is a significant catalyst, driving a cultural shift towards environmental responsibility. We are witnessing channel partners and vendors aligning with the UK’s net zero target, marking substantial progress towards becoming carbon-neutral businesses. The major trends shaping the print sector in 2024 are likely to be centred around cybersecurity and sustainability, with products themselves becoming more eco-friendly. There’s a heightened emphasis on greener procurement and supply chains, encompassing packaging materials, shipping emissions and circularity. Vendors are supporting this shift by providing tools for environmentally conscious decision-making. As cyberattacks rise businesses will prioritise their cybersecurity spend to mitigate risk. The introduction of the Product Security Telecommunications Infrastructure on April 29 this year will drive trust in the security of connected IoT devices with businesses already looking at security credentials when specifying IoT products - and this includes A4 printer and MFPs. Providers like Kyocera Document
Trevor Maloney
kyoceradocument solutions.co.uk
printinthechannel.co.uk
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