BUSINESS PRINTING
photocopy was analogue, somebody would type a memo, photocopy it and then distribute it out. Invoices would come in, photocopies would be taken of them and they would then be put into different files within the organisation. Then the fax machine came along, and employees would print something off, put it on the fax machine and distribute the information. As an industry, we’ve always been a hub of distributing information within organisations. When we talk about scanning workflow, archiving process automation, for me it’s just an extension. That’s what we’ve always done, we’ve always been key to the smooth running of businesses in terms of storing and distributing information.” Andy adds that businesses in the print sector are well placed to be a resource for customers. “Our customers want our advice because we’ve got more experience with that than they have with print technology. We’re more about process, understanding the business and then utilising the technology to maximum effect, rather than taking a technology-first approach and then working out why businesses need it.” Sustainability Andy notes that Key Digital changed its route to market towards the end of the pandemic. “We sell nationally and remotely rather than face to-face and that’s helped us grow the business to higher than we were pre-COVID. The Epson product is key to us being able to do that as a business because it has fewer moving parts, therefore it’s more reliable
and needs less servicing, so we need less service infrastructure. The two complement each other. Obviously, there’s environmental benefits too.” Indeed, Epson’s report mentions that sustainability is now a major priority for customers, and Andy adds that the demand to reduce energy use and waste plays a large part in buying decisions, often more important than price. “There are a lot more decisions being made on the sustainable credentials of solutions and suppliers and devices,” he says. “In some cases that is being driven by the customer but there’s a regular situation where customers don’t think about it until you point it out to them and then it becomes of interest and affects the final decision.” Again, technological advances can help with making devices more sustainable. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) can make an impact on the printing out of documents. “I can see it prompting users a lot better,” Andy says. “If you think about things like rules- based printing, that’s very logical currently, but I can see a time where AI starts prompting users based on their previous habits.” Trends Andy believes that the three key areas for businesses identified by the Epson report of cost, productivity and the environment are likely to continue to be the main priorities for businesses when purchasing printers going forward.
We’re more about process, understanding the business and then utilising the technology to maximum effect, rather than taking a technology-first approach and then working out why businesses need it. “
”
CONTINUED
printinthechannel.co.uk
39
Powered by FlippingBook