SHARP
integration and sustainability driving its evolution. Manufacturers and partners that can deliver holistic, secure, sustainable and digitally enabled solutions are well positioned to thrive.
We couldn’t cover trends without mentioning AI, which is continuing to accelerate with AI driven platforms enabling smarter automation, predictive maintenance and enhanced workflow efficiency. The impact of AI is especially noticeable in the advancement of document management software, where intelligent technologies are increasingly being used to optimise workflows and provide meaningful, data driven recommendations. Finally, the role of the reseller is evolving, with partners expected to provide more consultative, value-added services that address the spectrum of customer needs from technology integration and support to sustainability and compliance. Collectively, these trends position technology partners, like Sharp, and resellers to deliver greater value to their customers.
How important is the reseller community in the print market?
PL: Resellers are not just sales channels; they’re trusted advisors who bring deep market knowledge, technical expertise and a nuanced understanding of their clients’ unique business challenges. The reseller community is vital to our go-to market strategy, and the investment we have recently made in partner support, including our SharpOne partner portal and Partnershop reflects this. Both allow us to help partners streamline access to marketing assets, service support and ordering.
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Sustainability is another major
trend, with businesses
placing greater emphasis on the environmental impact of their technology choices, which is reflected in the growing demand for devices made with recycled materials, energy efficient operations, and comprehensive recycling and remanufacturing programmes.
What are the main trends in the market currently?
How important is sustainability for customers, and what is
PL: There are several key trends that are shaping the market, with one of the biggest being the ongoing shift towards digital transformation and the integration of print solutions with cloud-based workflows. Speaking with our partners, they’re increasingly seeking platforms that enable seamless connectivity between devices, cloud storage and document management systems, supporting the rise of new working models. Sustainability is another major trend, with businesses placing greater emphasis on the environmental impact of their technology choices, which is reflected in the growing demand for devices made with recycled materials, energy efficient operations, and comprehensive recycling and remanufacturing programmes. Security remains a top priority. Our partners are looking for solutions with robust security protocols, real time monitoring and compliance with evolving regulations to stay ahead of these new threats.
Sharp doing to make its products more sustainable? PL: Sustainability is increasingly important for Sharp customers, and we embed environmental responsibility into product innovations, increasing recycled materials in devices – up to 50% PCR in BP MFPs – introducing energy-saving features and offering free toner recycling. Our Eco Vision 2050 strategy is also guiding our long-term sustainability efforts, including energy efficient technologies and minimising lifecycle impact.
What is Sharp doing to ensure its print devices are as secure
”
as possible? PL: We’re enhancing the security of our print devices to address the growing risks posed by cyberthreats. Our new MFPs are equipped with advanced security features such as secure print capabilities, robust device authentication and real time monitoring.
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