COMMENT
Looking back at 2024 The past 12 months have provided a range of opportunities and challenges to those in the print channel. From the return to the office to the rise of artificial intelligence, it’s been a varied year for the channel, but one where businesses have been able to be successful.
And so, another year draws to a close. Maybe its as I get older, but the years seem to go by now with alarming speed. It doesn’t seem long since I was sat at my laptop writing a column looking ahead to 2024 and here I am looking back over a busy 12 months. Busy it has been. While 2024 has not had the sort of globe-shaking event that some
earlier this year with the launch of its Apeos range. Fujifilm’s UK manager, Hiro Matsui, talks about the company’s entry into the UK market, and its plans for 2025. Read more on p19. Technology is also having an impact on the sector, especially with artificial intelligence (AI) – as it is in many aspects of business now. For instance, in workflow management solutions,
Dan Parton
recent years have had – thank goodness – it has nonetheless been one that has presented challenges for the print channel, but also opportunities. With more people returning to the office, there is hope print volumes may rise – and
AI is helping to make them increasingly automated and efficient, which means they are becoming ever-more attractive to businesses, including SMBs. Read more on that on p23. This time of year, it is also traditional to hand out awards for those that have performed well in the past 12 months. The second annual Stock in the Channel awards – better known as the Stockies – were held in late November. There were more than 50 awards given
that long put-off print fleet refreshes might now be on the agenda too. Meanwhile hybrid workers continue to seek printer and scanning equipment that gives them the opportunity to work optimally wherever they are. These are just a couple of issues from this year. In our review of 2024, plenty more are mentioned as a range of leading players in the sector give their opinion on how the year was for them, their company and the wider channel, as well as briefly looking forward to 2025. Read more on p12. One business that has had exciting year is Fujifilm. The company – well known for its printers for decades in the Asia Pacific region – made its entry into the European market
out, including numerous ones in the print channel. To find out who won – and if you are on the pictures, if you attended the event – go to page 30. This is the final issue of Print in the Channel for 2024, so I would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. Print in the Channel will be back in January 2025 – so if you want to get involved in the editorial side, whether it is news, opinions or features, please drop me a line at dan@newsinthechannel.com
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