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10 Years in the Cloud

June 2021

Great Question to Ask Your Sales Reps

This could be and probably will be one of the shortest blogs I've ever written.  When I used to have a lot of newbies reps around I would always ask them "what type of day is it today?".

Kinda makes you think right?  I could also see the puzzled look on their faces and thinking there's got to be more than this to the weather right?  Yes, most if not all of the answers to my question was weather related. Raining, sunny, cold, hot, humid and not a one gave me the answer I was looking for.

The answer is simple and should be easy to figure out when you're in the business of selling. Ah, that key word of "selling", for those that are new they don't understand the art of selling.  Their early entry to the sales world is more about being an order taker because most don't know how or when to ask for the order.

Are we really teaching the art of sales anymore or are we just teaching reps about prospecting and finding opportunities?

Back in eighties when I learned it was all about asking for the order and we all understood that if we don't ask we don't get.  Those who didn't get the order by asking for it and still got the order were the "order takers".  Who the frak wants to be an "order taker?"

Those that listened to their clients and heard those key words; warranty, maintenance, availability, and support knew that these were buying signals and the next question of course would be the trial close.  Of course it took many orders lost for us to understand what the client was trying to tell us.  However over time we learned from listening and asked more questions that would lead to a yes.

Is there a moral to this?  Well yes and no, times have changed from those days when you had to sell a client hard and on the spot. We've learned to be a bit more patient and be more consultative in our approach.  That's a great thing, but from time to time we still need to ask those closing questions that move the order into the win column. If you don't ask you don't get.

Ah yes, the answer to the question is.  It's a Great Day to Sell Something!

-=Good Selling=-

MSP, MSSP and IT Notes Industry June 28th, 2021

Sponsored by

June 14th, 2021

Arcoa Group

Why partnering with ARCOA makes sense
Electronics Recycling is an important and profitable part of the IT asset lifecycle, but it can be overwhelming with all you already do, varying state regulations, and the limited resources at hand. That’s where ARCOA comes in. When you partner with ARCOA, you get all the benefits of a big company without any of the capital investment. We’ve been doing this since 1989 and have the expertise, certifications, and nationwide resources to get the most for all your clients’ retired IT assets. Plus, positioning your clients as environmental stewards not only elevates their appeal to consumers, it meets government requirements and avoids fines.

What partnering with ARCOA looks like
Our role is to make it easy for you to bring more value to your clients. We work with you to help stretch your clients’ IT budget by reducing the total cost of ownership of their electronics. We’re experts at identifying and implementing the solutions your clients need for the end-of-use remarketing, recovery, and recycling of their technology assets. The sooner you involve ARCOA, the sooner you and your clients will see better results.

Evergreen Services Group to Enter MSSP Market With Agreement to Acquire VirtualArmour

  • announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the operating assets of VirtualArmour
  • Transaction is expected to close later in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2021
  • Company will continue to operate independently under its existing leadership team led by CEO Russ Armbrust

ECS Demonstrates Seven Years of Excellence as AWS Managed Service Provider

  • Named an AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) Partner for the seventh year in a row
  • ECS supports enterprises throughout the full cloud adoption lifecycle, from plan and design through migration, build, and optimization
  • “This successful audit demonstrates ECS’ expertise at delivering cloud solutions using AWS technology,” said Michael Scrivener, ECS director of cloud architecture

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. Announces Acquisition of ExactlyIT, Inc.

  • announce it has completed the acquisition of international managed IT services provider, ExactlyIT
  • Headquartered in North Carolina, with operational offices in Mexico, ExactlyIT is a managed IT services provider
  • ExactlyIT marks the twentieth acquisitions completed by Converge since October 2017

Stratosphere Networks Named Among the Best Managed IT Service Providers in Chicago by ...

  • com, has named Stratosphere Networks among the best managed IT services in Chicago for 2021
  • Stratosphere Networks provides managed services – including managed cybersecurity, managed IT, co-managed IT, and co-managed cybersecurity services
  • com reviews and compares the best products, services, and software for running or growing a small business website or online shop

CrushBank Builds Automation Into ConnectWise Manage To Deliver Instant, Curated Answers To ...

  • Announced that its Resolve module has eliminated one of the cornerstones of the help desk – searching for relevant information
  • CrushBank’s Resolve, powered by IBM Watson allows every support engineer to begin with a set of qualified answers created automatically from the trouble ticket
  • CrushBank’s Resolve operates inside ConnectWise Manage to present the vetted and ranked answers from a rapid search of PSA/ ITSMs, document management systems, configuration management databases, SharePoint pages and publicly available information from Microsoft and Stack Exchange
  • CrushBank is the first IT Help-Desk application built on Watson, the breakthrough cognitive technology developed by IBM

CGS Recognized for Excellence among Managed Service Providers

  • Announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named CGS to its 2021 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the MSP Elite 150 category
  • CGS was recognized among the MSP Elite 150, which recognizes large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on-premises and off-premises services
  • The MSP 500 list is featured on the CRN site at: CRN.com/msp500

CommTech Joins Best in Class Managed Service Provider, New Charter Technologies

  • New Charter Technologies, Palo Alto-based private equity firm Oval Partners, announced the partnership of CommTech
  • Oval Partners and New Charter Technologies business model is focused on building a caliber of business that the IT industry hasn't yet seen
  • According to John Knoll, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oval, "CommTech represents the 10th high quality MSP to join the New Charter platform. Darryl and the team have a legacy of success and expertise that will strengthen the New Charter partnership and create greater opportunity to grow the business and serve our customers across the country

nDivision Wins $2 Million in Government Managed Services Contracts Through its Fortune 50 ...

  • nDivision Inc., announced that it has been awarded two separate government IT Managed Services contracts as part of its strategic partnership with a $90B Fortune 50 Global Solutions company
  • contracts are expected to generate $2 million of revenue for nDivision over the next five years
  • two separate government awards include a 5-year contract with a federal government entity with over 10,000 employees as well as a 3-year contract with a large county government entity with over 100,000 employees
  • contracts are expected to go live in the third quarter of 2021

PEI Named Top Managed Services Provider in the United States

  • PEI, announced today that it had been selected as a Top Managed Service Providers in the United States for 2021 by Cloudtango
  • Cloudtango, an independent Managed Service Provider directory
  • Cloudtango editors evaluated over 6,000 MSPs, 223 different types of certifications, 95 vendor relationships, and 22 different IT services before making their final selections

Unisys Achieves Amazon Web Services Managed Service Provider Status for Fourth Consecutive ...

Managed IT firm lights the way with prestigious contract win

  • Reported on businessdesk.com
  • Octavian IT has won the £30,000 contract with fellow Nottingham-based company Lighthouse Display
  • Five-figure contract will see Octavian IT replace all of Lighthouse Display’s servers, storage, disaster recovery, cyber security, licensing and remote access technology

SAP MSP Channel Consolidation: Syntax Acquires Illumiti

  • Reported on CRN.com
  • Syntax Tuesday unveiled its acquisition of Illumiti, a major SAP systems integration and management consultant
  • Fifth acquisition for Montreal-based Syntax, which partners with SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and others to bring private, public and hybrid cloud solutions, services and managed services to clients

Report on shipping container issues

  • Report published by Actionable Intelligence magazine
  • When pandemic started, global sea trade dropped by 9% in 2/2020, an another 12% in 4/2020
  • Up to 90% of global trade volume moves by sea in containers on ships
    • Hauling up to 190,000 tons at a time
    • 80% of containers are made in China
    • Global freight index has risen from $1459 per container to $5165
  • Air freight costs went from $4 per kilogram to as high as $18 per kilogram
  • Non-store retail ec-ommerce transactions jumped 40% during lockdowns, causing increase in need for shipping consumer products in containers on ships
  • Auto sales jumped 29%
  • Home furniture sales went up 20.4%
  • Containers that carried millions of masks to countries in Africa and South America at beginning of pandemic remain there, empty and uncollected
    • Same occurred in Australia and New Zealand
  • Bloomberg estimates that 3,000 containers fell off ships into the ocean in 2020, and another 1,000 so far this year
  • Due to lockdowns, at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, CA, ships drift for days in so-called “drift boxes” zones as they wait for workers to unload ships

etherFAX partners with ActFax

  • etherFAX markets cloud-based fax server technology
  • - claims to have 6 million connected endpoints
  • - ActFax also provides fax server solutions, and will now use etherFAX’s secure exchange network

Ricoh unveils Digital Services Center to drive its culture of excellence and innovation

  • announced that it has launched a Digital Services Center, a major step in its digital services transformation journey
  • will transform Ricoh's obsession with customer success into an incubation hub that aligns resources and prioritizes new solution development based on customer need
  • According to Gartner's The 2021 CIO Agenda: Seize This Opportunity for Digital Business Acceleration, 76% of CIOs report increased demand for new digital products or services during the pandemic, and 83% expect this demand to increase further in 2021

Cybersecurity Updates

  • CVS Health, headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, may have inadvertently exposed over a billion PHI, impacting an unknown number of patients.
    • Apparently left a online database on Internet without password protection exposing 204GB of medical data
  • OSF HealthCare, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI apparently has been posted on Dark Web after being hit by the Xing ransomware hacking group.
  • Coastal Family Health Center, headquartered in Mississippi, notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI apparently has been posted on Dark Web after being hit by the Xing ransomware hacking group.
  • Five Rivers Health Centers of Ohio notified 156,000 patients that their PHI was exposed after an email phishing attack
  • Sky Lakes Medical Center of Oregon notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after being hit by Ryuk ransomware hacking group.
  • Sol Oriens Corp. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a nuclear weapons subcontractor, notified an unknown number of customers that their info may have been exposed after being hit by REvil aka Sodinokibi ransomware hacking group.
  • Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma notified 8,000 patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack.
  • The Federal Communications Commission is warning hospitals about hacking groups hitting them with robocalls:
    • Robocallers use spoofed caller ID to trick hospital staff into thinking it is a real patient calling
    • Try to obtain PHI
    • Or demand ransom to stop the bombardment of calls
  • Survey conducted by Software Advice claims that 20% of the U.S. population is aware that their PHI has been exposed after a breach.
  • Ransomware report published by Cybereason:
    • 81% are highly concerned about ransomware
    • 27% do not have a specific plan in place to manage attack
    • 58% are not sure they have the right people in place
    • 32% lost some executives as result of attack
    • 53% lost brand value after attack
    • 66% suffered significant loss of revenue
    • 42% said cyber insurance did not cover all costs
    • 29% forced to lay off employees as a result
    • 80% had second attack after paying ransom
  • Trinity Health System Twin City Hospital in Ohio notified 9,500 patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • Stillwater Medical Center of Oklahoma notified an unknown number of patients that that PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • Superior Health Plan, headquartered in Austin, TX, notified 2,781 patients that their PHI that their PHI was exposed after cyberattack
  • Researchers at Ruhr University of Germany are warning of a new type of hacking attack that could exploit misconfigurations in TLS servers
  • Could redirect HTTPS traffic from a web browser to a different endpoint allowing hackers to steal info.
    • Named the attacks ALPACA, short for application layer protocol confusion
  • Northwest Congenital Heart Care of Renton, WA, notified 1,166 patients that their PHI was exposed after theft of an external hard drive
  • Chainalysis reports that ransom payments from companies to hackers increased 341% to a total of $412 million during 2020
  • Chiropractic Economics magazine reported on ransomware:
    • 2-4 chiropractors are hit by ransomware per week
    • Average cost to solve ransomware attack is $158,000
  • Southwest Airlines delayed or cancelled hundreds of flights during the past week due to “network issues”
  • Peloton is notifying uses of its exercise bikes that McAfee found that hackers can remotely access the bike’s camera and microphone and monitor users
    • Hackers can also add apps to control panel disguised at Netflix and Spotify to trick users to enter their login and password, which is then used to steal info
  • South Texas Health System notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI may have been exposed after a report was mistakenly sent via email to wrong destination
  • Lightfoot, Franklin & White Law Firm of Birmingham, Alabama notified an unknown number of clients that their info may have been exposed after ransomware attack
  • Reproductive Biology Associates of Atlanta, Georgia notified 38,538 patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • Carnival Cruises, headquartered in Miami, FL, notified an unknown number of customers that their info may have been exposed after data breach
  • St. Joseph’s/Candler Health of Savannah, Georgia notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • San Juan Regional Medical Center of New Mexico notified 68,792 patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • First American Financial Corp., headquartered in Santa Ana, CA,was leaking more than 800 million documents — many containing sensitive financial data — related to real estate transactions dating back 16 years.
  • This week, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission settled its investigation into the matter after the Fortune 500 company agreed to pay a paltry penalty of less than $500,000
  • Judson Independent School District of Live Oak, Texas, notified an unknown number of students that their info was exposed after ransomware attack
  • Coastal Medical Group of Old Bridge, new Jersey has notified an unknown number of patients that their PHI was exposed after ransomware attack
  • Jones Family Dental of Ashland, Oregon is notifying an unknown number of patients that their PHI may have been exposed after cyber attack

Is The Green Missing - In HP Inc. Subscriptions?

Is HP Inc. such a force in the Print Equipment, supplies, and services industry that very few will even ask HP elementary questions to help one understand the realities behind their end-user marketing messages and the messaging to shareholders?

Some would say I am pretty critical of HP Inc., and I would reply that some are right. However, it's not my vengeful ambition to continuously bring awareness to what the industry's analysts refuse to discuss.

Why does HP continue getting a free pass eliminating much-needed conversations regarding many of their claims?

In today's article, I want to discuss the massive marketing campaigns we see regarding HP Inc and its sustainability efforts to help the world's environment.

I think it is evident that all manufacturers are moving to a green approach throughout their manufacturing processes. Manufacturing with a green first approach is standard practice throughout the world.

However, I believe that it's equally important to ensure that being Green continues through the entire life cycle of your products and your business processes. One must question how HP Inc. is genuinely focused on the environment while also building a global subscription toner and ink business model.

Currently, HP Inc tells its shareholders they have sold 10 million subscriptions, subscriptions which include HP supplies. Of, course they still don't emphasis how many subscriptions sold are still active.

I don't think anyone reading this article believes that HP Inc aims to sign up millions of subscription-based billings where ink and toner are included in the subscription price. Then allow those subscribers to use remanufactured toner and ink in those printers on subscription.

So, as HP Inc continues to promote its green initiatives, should we not ask, "how replacing a product where the overwhelming majority of that product is perfectly fine should be thrown in a landfill or shredded to prevent that cartridge from being remanufactured?

Recently HP Inc announced they endorse remanufactured cartridges, although it seems that was only an endorsement of the cartridges they would remanufacture. In one of my The End Of The Day With Ray! Episodes I discussed that - here's a link to that episode. https://youtu.be/CPvlY25jPI8



HP Inc has for decades fought the remanufacturing industry like a shark attacking a bleeding limb. So, It is questionable that now they endorse remanufacturing. This proclamation should be disclosed entirely as to exactly what the intentions are of HP Inc. regarding an endorsement of remanufactured cartridges.    

The other counterpoint to being a green first company is the continuous manufacturing of new printer models to keep the remanufactures from taking their market share of the supply business. Let me explain:

Years ago, HP only had a few models, and these printers would last decades. Today, it is still easy to find HP printers well over ten years old widely in the marketplace.

However, as printers age, the availability of used cartridges becomes plentiful, and that fact is not suitable for HP's business model of selling their end-users only OEM supplies.

When HP brings to market a replacement to a perfect current model, they also change the cartridges and apply a ridiculous number of patients in efforts to stall the remanufacturing community from delivering these end-users environmentally friendly remanufactured alternatives.

Now let's discuss firmware updates!

Another counterintuitive to protecting our environment is the number of updates HP Inc. pushes out through firmware, where the update locks out end-users who genuinely care for the environment from using remanufactured cartridges or ink supplies.

Times of environmental concerns and the awareness of people with great intentions in protecting the environment should not be hijacked by the rhetoric of global organizations, which have for decades built a business model to fight against all attempts of a sustainable reuse model.

In closing: A few questions for HP Inc.

I will ask HP Inc. to disclose the impact to the global environment of wasted manufacturing to replace models prematurely for the sole purpose of limiting aftermarket supplies. Or manufacturing products knowing they are basically irreparable and disposable.

I will ask HP Inc. to disclose the impact to the global environment of the current count of 10 million subscriptions only using OEM supplies.

I will ask HP Inc. how a reseller agreement called Amplify which offers resellers discounts on HP OEM supplies is good for the environment?

I will ask HP to disclose If the valid reason for updating the firmware is to keep out non-OEM supplies. If so, should they not immediately stop this practice to help the environment?

If they claim the firmware updates are for security reasons, they should then answer, when these so-called security updates occur, will non-OEM remanufactured supplies be prevented from being used?

The last question for HP is this.

How many lawsuits against remanufactured cartridge producers are currently active? A follow-up to that question, would it not be better for the environment to dismiss all lawsuits aimed at stopping the remanufacturing of cartridges? After all, HP recently told the world that remanufactured cartridges are great for the environment.

My friends' businesses want to control as much of the market share as possible. However, when we hear the talk of green and environmentally friendly, we must clearly determine the rhetoric of any organization's - Green-Washing over - what is Really A Greenway of life for the organization.

"Status quo is the killer of all that will be invented."

Ray Stasieczko

This Week in the Copier Industry 15 Years Ago

This Week in the Copier Industry 15 Years Ago

4th Week of June 2006

Nothing new to report, the last six months of 2021 starts tomorrow.

Enjoy these awesome copier threads from 15 year ago this week!

Konica Minolta's bizhub 500 and Bizhub 420

Art Post (Guest) ·
Konica Minolta's bizhub 500 and Bizhub 420 Output at 50 ppm and 43ppm. Both models are designed for mid-to high volume office that require monochrome MFP with netwrok capabilities and distribution functionality. Each models scans upto 70 pages per minute and has a three way tilting control panel with large function keys and a sinple touch screen command interface. Maximum paper capcity is 5,650 sheets, with 11x17 and 110# index. Suggested retail for the 500 is $12,300 and the bizhub 420 is
Topic

The e-studio 352/452 series from Toshiba

Art Post (Guest) ·
The e-studio 352/452 series from Toshiba offers a modular built to design, enabling customers to create a custom device ranging from a standalone copier to a fully integrated copier, printer, scanner and fax. The 352/452 series features document output speeds of 35pp and 45ppm. Other standard features include 2400 x 600 dpi resolution, trayless duplexing, two large 550 sheet paper drawers, and an additional 100 sheet stack fed by-pass to accomdate special and heavier stocks. The 352.452 has a
Topic

CPC Poll for New C2500/C3000 from Ricoh

Art Post (Guest) ·
Topic

Numara Software Introduces New Bar Code

Art Post (Guest) ·
human error resulting from manual data collection occurs every 300 keystrokes. By leveraging the Numara Track-It! 7 Bar Code extension, companies can increase their accuracy rate from about 80% to 100% accuracy with automated scanning processes. -- Improved Visibility of All Types of Assets - Tracked assets are no longer limited to the PC. Companies can track any company assets such as copiers and fax machines, furniture and appliances; switches, routers and printers; or PDAs and telephones
Topic

Fax option for 55/65/75. Eventually.

·
Got this just today.... All, Please note that the fax option which will be released at the end of this year for the 55/65/75 series b/w MFPs (still on target for July 14 launch; see model names below) will only be compatible with devices released after the specification change (November mainframe production). The MFPs from the initial production will not be able to be configured with fax because of the extensive hardware modification that would be necessary. This will be for the 55/65/75 page
Topic

New Gel Jet MFP from Ricoh

Art Post (Guest) ·
Well, here we go! Will this be the system that changes the industry from laser to ink? Ricoh is set to launch a new Gel Jet MFP. Download the specs and tell me what you think. Me thinks almost all consumables will be lost, no more drum, no more developer, no more cleaning blades, fusers, etc. This document has been archived, please send me an email if you are interested in purchasing and elite membership that will unlock all documents. art@p4photel.com 20060622100714743.pdf
Reply

Re: New Gel Jet MFP from Ricoh

·
You can see pics of it on the Ricoh japan site. Its called the MP1500c. I'm not sure where the price point will be but the range that was initially discussed was around 3K to 4K cost. That was a while ago so it may have changed. FWIW the 3 systems we have had out for a few months have run well with no real service calls except for minor issues with cleaning the print heads.
Topic

Plotbase PM

·
Was anyone / everyone aware that Plotbase Pm was now available?
Topic

New from Samsung SCX-6320F

Art Post (Guest) ·
Copy and print at 22 cpm/ppm. Scan color at up to 4800 x 4800 dpi (enhanced). Fast-moving offices move even faster. Copy at 22 cpm and 1200-sheet capacity (with optional 550- sheet cassette). Print 1200 dpi laser prints, save with One-Touch TonerSave. Scan color images at up to 4800 x 4800 dpi (enhanced). Share with the optional network. And fax with the SCX-6320F fast 33.6 Kbps modem.
Topic

4018d & scan router

mikefio22 (Guest) ·
I recently hooked up a 4018d to a network. All PC's on network can print and LAN-fax, but scan router is not working. I did all the correct exceptions on the firewall, and tcp/ip settings. I did notice that when I plugged the CAT5e cable into the 4018d, the ORANGE light goes out and the GREEN light comes on. Would that affect anything? I'm just a little confused because of the fact that printing works and it can be pinged by all PC's on network. Also, all PC's on network can see each other. ANY
Reply

Re: Generic Memory!

·
We don't sell those particular two models, but we use Memory Experts for almost all our memory. We've had excellent results with Memory Experts' product and service, and I recommend them. "Generic" is misleading, though. In some cases, particularly with Konica, Memory Experts is the manufacturer that Konica buys from in the first place and then resells to you. Look and see if there is a CAN RAM sticker on the memory; if there is, it's from Memory Experts.
Reply

Re: New Gel Jet MFP from Ricoh

·
We had some customers try these units out and had primarily favorable responses. It’s going to be a real niche product so you will have to be careful where you place them. I think small accounts and small work groups that currently have inkjet printers would be a good prospect. Also segment 1 b/w systems where there is a limited need for color would be good. The speed and quality of these systems are going to be the limiting factor. It’s reasonably good quality but not near a laser. They do run
Reply

Re: Generic Memory!

·
YES, the same for Ricoh
Reply

Re: 1075 doc feed jams

copier_doc (Guest) ·
Open the DF, remove the two screws on either side of the plate where the paper enters the platen, LHS, and clean the optosensor and reflector plate.
Topic

During Prospecting Be Tenacious.

Art Post (Guest) ·
During Prospecting Be Tenacious. Keep trying new ways to get the account. Send prospects new and updated information that might assist them in making their decision. Keep sending notes, faxing, and emailing ideas of value to them. Or send the a chocolate sneaker with a card that says “Now that I got one foot in the door, I ‘d like to find ways we can help your organization with our products and services.” When the time comes to buy, it is your name – and your tenacity – they will remember.
Topic

plt files problem

·
Hi gang...I've seen this before but can't remeber the fix. Trying to print a plt and error omes up: "RTL-non bi-level images supported". That's all the info I have from a distant 240 user. thanks.
Topic

World of DWF

Art Post (Guest) ·
Follow the link, received this from Ricoh: wORLD OF dwf

This Week in the Copier Industry 10 Years Ago

Below is a email I received from a P4P Hotel member the other day.

For the last two or three years investment companies have been buying independent copier dealerships. We've been seeing this all throughout the United States and I know of others in other parts of the world.

The conversation with an industry professional that is smarter than me he suggested that this is a Wall Street ploy being architected by the investment community. The goal is to purchase several different companies and package them together to sell to a major player like Xerox or HP. Imagine an investment company that is purchased 250 million or $500 million worth of independent dealers and then sold them to Xerox. It's not unlike one IKON was sold to Ricoh. It would be a gigantic shift in the market place.., more here



UPDATE 1-Konica Minolta's April-June profit to plunge - Nikkei

Art Post (Guest) ·
June 28 | Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:48pm EDT June 28 (Reuters) - Konica Minolta may see April-June operating profit falling almost a quarter to 7.5 billion yen ($93.2 million), hurt by sluggish demand for components of personal computers and digital appliances, the Nikkei business daily reported. Sales are expected to drop 8 percent to about 180 billion yen on falling revenue in the electronic materials business -- Demand for glass substrates, used in hard disk drives, is sliding with the increased
Topic

Savin 4022 fax problem

·
We sold a customer a used Savin 4022spf (ricoh 2022). We replaced a standalone copier, and HP LJ4 and a canon faxphone L75. We can't get the Savin to recieve faxes. The faxphone worked fine but the Savin answers and then the call is disconnected. Phone line is shared with alarm system. We have tried a different fax option in the Savin and also turned ECM off. I know the best solution is a dedicated line but it is hard to explain to the customer that their old cheapy canon works in this
Topic

Konica Minolta Expands Deals with Global Major Accounts:bizhub Supply Agreements Sign

Art Post (Guest) ·
, consisting of high-quality products and services and support services such as output/document management and print environment optimization. Going forward, Konica Minolta will make further efforts to meet diverse demands of clients and strengthen Global Major Account sales to add global enterprise customers whose operations run around the world.
Topic

Kyocera shines a green light on managed print services

Art Post (Guest) ·
many devices there are in an organisation and what is being printed where and by whom. MPS addresses these needs in three main stages – the assessment, optimisation and ongoing management of the print environment. Most of the MPS measures to reduce printing costs also have an environmental benefit. Device consolidation brings order to the printer chaos that characterises a typical unmanaged print environment. Replacing single function outdated inefficient devices with modern energy efficient
Topic

Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C6000 Receives European Digital Press Association ...

Art Post (Guest) ·
print resolution and overall small footprint. "Earning the EDP’s Printer of the Year 2011 award for the bizhub PRESS C6000 is a unique accolade given the association consists of some of the most prominent digital printing publications in Europe," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "The bizhub PRESS line of cutting-edge digital presses is intended to be customer-driven and this recognition reinforces Konica Minolta’s commitment to
Topic

Memphis School board rejects proposal to consolidate printer contracts

Art Post (Guest) ·
price or savings. Cash wanted board members to approve a cost-per-copy proposal with IKON/Ricoh, the winning bidder, based on a "free" assessment of equipment the district already owns or leases. Cash sought to move to centralized purchasing instead of principals ordering copiers as they see fit. Vendors say the practice has resulted in over-purchasing copiers and print supplies. Sybille Noble, head of procurement, estimated savings at 20 to 30 percent under the new contract. "So right now, we
Topic

Ricoh Launches 100 Per Cent Sustainable 'Eco-Board' in London

Art Post (Guest) ·
to the market. These combined copier and fax functions or printer and scanner functions, reducing the need for multiple single-function devices. This resulted in significant reductions in costs and energy consumption. In 2005 Ricoh was the first company in the industry to introduce biomass plastic into the manufacture of products. These plastics are recyclable and do not contribute to global warming to such an extent as their petroleum based counterparts In 2005, Ricoh launched a multi-function
Topic

Kyocera shines a green light on managed print services

Art Post (Guest) ·
Kyocera shines a green light on managed print services By: Louella Fernandes, Principal Analyst Quocirca Published: 27th June 2011 Copyright Quocirca © 2011 Many organisations are reducing the complexity, cost and risk of operating an unmanaged print environment by adopting a managed print service (MPS). However, while cost reduction has long been the primary objective for MPS, sustainability is also working its way up the agenda. At Kyocera's recent European analyst briefing, sustainability
Topic

Office Equipment Distributor, Lucas Distribution, Launches New Website for Flat Pack

Art Post (Guest) ·
Office Equipment Distributor, Lucas Distribution, Launches New Website for Flat Pack Cabinets Loganville, GA (PRWEB) June 29, 2011 Lucas Distribution, LLC, an Atlanta-based worldwide distributor of office products and equipment, launched a new website promoting their copier/printer flat pack cabinets along with their other established office products. “We provide our customers with flat pack copier cabinets for Ricoh, Canon and Toshiba copiers at a lower cost than OEM products," said Managing
Topic

Crowley, Zeutschel Introduce Overhead Book Copier To The U.S. At The American Library

Art Post (Guest) ·
Vogler, conference attendee and managing director of Zeutschel GmbH, notes that the planetary book scanner / copier, created specifically for library and office environments, has a definite practical edge over conventional copiers. "The book lies on its back and is scanned from above through interaction with a small touchscreen to the right of the unit. This saves time for the user and costs for the book owner." Cost savings include: lessened stress to book spines because they don't have to be
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Océ Japan to become wholly owned subsidiary of Canon Marketing Japan

Art Post (Guest) ·
, particularly in the wide format and production printing segments. The combined sales organizations will make both companies' products and services available to a broader customer base, serving to reinforce the Canon-Océ market position in Japan. Moreover, employees will have greater opportunities as a result of the strengthened combined business. Procedural aspects Since this combination comprises a related party transaction, it is being executed at arm's length. The transaction is fully in line
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New Xerox DocuMate® 4440 Scans More Than Just Paper

Art Post (Guest) ·
technology, services, software and genuine Xerox supplies for graphic communication and office printing environments of any size. Through ACS, A Xerox Company, which Xerox acquired in February 2010, Xerox also offers extensive business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing services, including data processing, HR benefits management, finance support, and customer relationship management services for commercial and government organizations worldwide. The 134,000 people of Xerox serve clients in more
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canon dealership

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I am full line Savin dealer and Canon rep is calling on me. I'm open to listening but I'm not sure I want to dilute my buying power with 2 dealerships + training for two lines. I'm curious to hear from any dual line dealers - what does Canon offer that I don't already have from Ricoh?
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Xerox and Medco Launch Communication Delivery Platform to Get Patients Information Th

Art Post (Guest) ·
, http://twitter.com/xeroxcorp, http://twitter.com/xeroxoffice, http://twitter.com/xeroxproduction, http://twitter.com/servicesatxerox, http://twitter.com/xeroxevents, http://www.xerox.com/blogs, http://www.xerox.com/podcasts . XEROX®, XEROX and Design® are trademarks of Xerox Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Prices, features, specifications, capabilities, appearance and availability of Xerox products and services are subject to change without notice. Contacts Media
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Re: Q. How does your company handle networking charges?

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1st 90 days, all inclusive, with no time limit on hours required to get the customer to say they are happy. Thereafter, billable at $95.00 per hour onsite. Dealer, Canada
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3-D printers launch small businesses

Art Post (Guest) ·
. Paving the way for designers Others are using 3-D printing to rapidly prototype new products. Manufacturers have been doing this since the advent of the technology. But now anyone can do it more quickly, cheaply and accessibly with a 3-D printer. Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt famously raised more than $130,000 on funding site Kickstarter to create and sell their iPhone tripod mount, the Glif. They used Shapeways to print and test their first designs. After a few tweaks, they took their
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ABBYY Expands Canadian Operations

Art Post (Guest) ·
those of Australian Taxation Office, Lithuanian Tax Inspectorate, Ministry of Education of Russia, Ministry of Education of Ukraine, and Montgomery County Government of the USA. Companies that license ABBYY technologies include BancTec, Canon, EMC/Captiva, Hewlett-Packard, KnowledgeLake, Microsoft, NewSoft, Notable Solutions, Samsung Electronics and more. ABBYY OCR applications are shipped with equipment from the world's top manufacturers such as Epson, Fujitsu, Fuji Xerox, Microtek, Panasonic
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Largo is renewing its copier lease with

Art Post (Guest) ·
•Largo is renewing its copier lease with Xerox for 36 months. A total of 29 new copiers will be spread in various city buildings for $136,000. http://largo.patch.com/article...up-june-21st-meeting
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Sharp Announces That Its Workgroup Line of MFPs Are Now Cerner Certified

Art Post (Guest) ·
and Information Company of America, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J. 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit Sharp’s Web site at sharpusa.com or sharp-pc.com. Find Sharp on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and watch Sharp on YouTube.
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1,000 Ways to Increase MFP Sales

Art Post (Guest) ·
Really, did I say 1,000 Ways to Increase MFP Sales. Yup indeed I did. Over at the Print4Pay Hotel forums there are over 100,000 threads related to MFP's from the top sales people in the world. The Print4Pay Hotel forum was founded back in 2002 and to date we have over 2,300 registered members from around the world! Now, I didn't say that I had them categorized in a list, however if I did, I'd be getting BIG BUCKS for them. The idea of the forums is for sales people to share information that
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MFP Scan to Xerox Docushare

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Is it possible to share to Docushare from a non Xerox brand copier? The customer already owns Docushare.
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Canon announces customer win and "cloud" service for ImageRunner series

Art Post (Guest) ·
, and we are looking forward to moving into the new premises and putting the 9065 into action." Paul Thompson, general manager for production printing systems Canon Australia, said it was part of an ongoing partnership between the two organisations. "We will continue to work closely with the print service to ensure it gets the most out of our products and the Imagerunner Advance Pro 9065 delivers a fast return on investment," he said. Meanwhile, Canon has put cloud connectivity onto the agenda with
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Dealer reseting meters??? USED as NEW!

Art Post (Guest) ·
upstairs and I noticed another copier, however it was being used as a fax (Ricoh 201SPF with Savin label), so I asked why the separate machine for the fax, why couldn't they just put the fax option in the new color system? I was then told that they had called and the machine couldn't be configured with a fax option and they would have to add this other system. Alright I thought, you really got taken. So, here's my beef, if the systems were suppose to be used then why would the dealer reset the meters
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Cloud solution UDOCX supports Microsoft Office365, Exchange and SharePoint

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there is no need for separate software or hardware, no maintenance, and no additional administrative workload. Currently UDOCX supports MFP’s from Xerox and Ricoh. “With UDOCX we integrate Xerox MFP’s with Office 365 without the need of extra hard or software. From the MFP our clients can use the solution to securely scan documents, store them into SharePoint, send them (fax and email) and print them” says Gerard Kruijt, Business Manager Xerox Netherlands. In conjunction with the launch of Office
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Ricoh Europe on May 12 announced availability of a handy free

Art Post (Guest) ·
Ricoh Europe on May 12 announced availability of a handy free software download called Print Driver Editor. Although not formally announced outside the US, the software is also available and supported by Ricoh in the US and other markets. As the name implies, Print Driver Editor is a software tool that allows an IT manager to customize Ricoh’s PCL or PostScript Universal Print Drivers for use with a wide variety of recent and current Ricoh MFPs and printers. The tool can be used to change
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Re: Q. How does your company handle networking charges?

Art Post (Guest) ·
Dealer network install for scan, print, fax upto four workstations included in the sale, sales person is charged back in the deal for it. After the sale, customer can buy block time for network services or be charged $150 per hour. Pretty much is a user goes to win7 and needs new drivers it's 100% billable or they can buy block time.
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Re: canon dealership

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never know how Ricoh will react. They may get scared that you'll start selling more Canon than Ricoh & keep your pricing structure as-is, or they may give you the finger. It would probably be a a good topic to discuss with other dealer principals if you're part of a best-practices group like the SDG. As far as what you get that you don't have with Ricoh, you get high-end color production, color wide format, single-pass duplex feeders on the entire line, and a manufacturer that has a fantastic
Member

Reply

Re: Savin 4022 fax problem

Art Post (Guest) ·
I'm thinking it's a ring issue, like how many rings the fax is set to pick up on. Does the outbound work? Will the system receive a fax if you do it manually, meaning when you hear the tweedel press the start button. If the answer is yes to both of these I'm still thinking it's a ring program issue. You know what I just re-read the thread and I'd have then call the phone company and give the line a clean bill of health, if there is too much static (interference) the Ricoh?Savin will disconnect
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Ricoh vs. the Wide Format Competition Video

Art Post (Guest) ·
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Toshiba Regional Service Manager - Atlantic Canada

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Toshiba Canada Ltd. requires a Regional Service Manager based in either Halifax or Moncton http://www.workopolis.com/EN/job/13193018?uc=E0
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RK Dixon Launches 6th annual Make My Non-Profit Run Better Contest

Art Post (Guest) ·
ROCKFORD (RKD) -- RK Dixon, a leading provider of copiers, printers, networks, managed print services and pure drinking water systems, is inviting non-profits in eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin to enter its 6th annual Make My Non-Profit Run Better contest. RK Dixon is partnering with WIFR-TV for this year’s Make My Non-Profit Run Better contest. For the first time since its inception, the contest is being offered to non-profits in all RK Dixon locations simultaneously
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InnerWorkings Signs Global Print Management Agreement with MoneyGram International

Art Post (Guest) ·
. InnerWorkings, Inc. /quotes/zigman/101040/quotes/nls/inwk INWK -1.60% is a leading global provider of managed print and promotional solutions to corporate clients across a wide range of industries. With proprietary technology, an extensive supplier network and deep domain expertise, the Company procures, manages and delivers printed materials and promotional products as part of a comprehensive outsourced enterprise solution. The Company also owns and operates the online business printing site
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Re: Ricoh Launches New Aficio MFPs With App2Me Solution

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Long ago when digital was getting started and we didn't have a policy, we installed a machine similar to a 171 at a medium office. It was their first machine that could network fax, so they wanted us to install the fax driver on each workstation. I don't remember the exact number but it was around 40-50ish. As far as installing drivers on the server vs. the workstation, that's something the customer decides. If they decide they don't want the driver on the server (or perhaps their server if
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Re: MFP Scan to Xerox Docushare

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You need to create an embedded application supported by a non-Xerox brand copier. Ususally, each vendor provides Opern Platform for embedded application creation. Either WebDEV or DocuShare API (provided by Xerox) can be used for DocuShare file listing and transferring.
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Re: canon dealership

Art Post (Guest) ·
Plus have to be experts in two different lines and everything that goes along with it and let's face it, today there is much more than the box that you have learn to be the expert. I think Ricoh has a broad line now with the addition of the Print Production Units and I believe these systems will only get better from Ricoh. They have to becuase the only growth in pages is at the very low end and the very high end. The middle has been losing clicks for years due to scan2email, scan2folder
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Re: Dealer reseting meters??? USED as NEW!

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I have seen this before with a dealer selling used systems as new and reseting the meter. On a lot of Ricoh systems there is still a mechanical meter, which in the cases I saw, the dealer did not reset both. So they were off.
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Re: Ricoh WSCA Contracts - Supplies Included in CPC?

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Sounds crazy. I would get in touch with your Major Account Sales Manager from Ricoh. If you do not know who it is ping me a message and I will tell you.
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Re: Ricoh vs. the Wide Format Competition Video

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Someone should let Ricoh Marketing know that the model of KIP they are comparing themselves to, is an obsolete model. I am all for showing competition,however, it is much more effective when you show your advantages against current models.
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Re: Cloud Poll

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Evernote has a pitiful share of mind of business professionals, no pro IT manager is likely to advise transition of share of mind to this "upstart" provider. Microsoft and Google are forever the "big dog" players, so concentrate on them and their associate players like UDOCx. The big players are,however, weak in the mobile space, so place attention to Cortado and its partners. There is going to be a lot of demand for iPad, Android and Blackberry wireless printing capabilities in 2011, right now
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Re: Cloud Poll

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Evernote is another example of an appealing consumer presence but will DM's ever buy their service in the developing Corporate business space regardless of price structure. Not that EverNote/ Box.net/ Udocx prvides great levels of service, they are just not familiar and how long will they be in business before someone else bigger buys them? The above players, based in the internet do not have the street boots on the ground to make the original B2B (Belly Button 2 Belly Button) sales solution
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Re: JOINT STATEMENT BY SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND EDWARD MCLAUGHLIN

Art Post (Guest) ·
braxtoq: Please I'd love tolearn more about the Sharps!
Member

Member

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Re: Autostore

Art Post (Guest) ·
We're using it and selling it. However I have yet to sell one..Sorry I can't help more, how about anyone that can help js?
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Info Request: eStudio 3540c and eStudio 4540c

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Hey Guys, Can anyone provide pricing details on the Toshiba eStudio 3540c and eStudio 4540c? I'm working on a project and need: - Dealer cost - Price for the base model (no options) to end user - CPC offered to end user I know this is a big request, but it would be an even bigger help. Best regards, Jake
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Q. How does your company handle networking charges?

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I am hoping you guys can give me some honest feedback on how your companies handle networking charges. Not just installing an MFD on the customer's network, but what happens a year later when they upgrade to Windows 7 and want your SEs to reload all their print drivers and re-setup their scan to folders? I don't want to know the name of your company but it would be helpful if you could indicate if you are a Direct Branch, or an Independent Dealer, as well as the region of the country you are in

Heartfelt Professionals Build Meaningful Client Communities, Are You?

"Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing."
Rollo May

All your clients have at least one thing in common, and it is you. Conversely, many have other things in common as well, such as job title, corporate challenges, hobbies, and possibly even life experiences.

What would it be like if you became the connector, the relational bridge builder and figured out a way to connect all of them, that in turn; brings real value to them?

"Communities can increase brand loyalty, which can lead to increased customer happiness, retention, and lifetime value."
Nicole Saunders, Senior Manager of Communities at Zendesk

Regarding community in a sales context, let's use the following definition from the Oxford dictionary:

A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Here lies question for many of you in sales...

  • Are you creating fellowship with your clients?
  • What common interests and goals do you have with your clients?

I believe in order to build real community with your clients, not only do you need to care about community, but you also need to care about and respect each other.

You need to be loyal to one another and build healthy relationships.

  • How many in sales have built community with their clients?
  • How can you build community with your clients and out in your marketplace?

Creating a community around you and what you do takes work, however; the road taken to grow one will have lasting benefits for a long time to come.

Why Heartfelt Sales Professionals Build Community?

Dean Ornish nails it by saying,

"The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water and food."

In the crazy, challenging and competitive world of sales... how do you stand out from all the other salespeople who do the exact same thing as you?

Heartfelt professional's future proof their business and reputation through the communities they build with their clients.

Insights

Knowing what your clients really think of you, what you do and how you have helped them is what dreams are made of.

Building communities with your clients bridges relational gaps.

Gather your clients together and listen to feedback, listen to what they are working one, listen to their challenges and foster an environment to openly share ideas.

Client communities can also help you to see your product, business, or industry from the perspective of the very people you’re selling into.

Trust

Continually communicating in a transparent and personal way with your clients, you’ll improve trust, belief and faith in you.

In a post trust sales world, building client communities bridges the relational divide.

Stephanie Buscemi, the former CMO of Salesforce, explains...

“Specific to tech, there is a trust crisis. That’s why it’s so important right now to have a community who are speaking authentically on their own experience and doing it in their own words. It’s no longer enough to have a great product or service. You have to build a deep relationship with your customers. No more pitching or preaching. It’s about having a conversation.”

Imagine for a moment.... Could an unfiltered communication channel with your clients help to strengthen relationships?

Your clients will start to feel heard, recognized and rewarded, and from there, trust will grow exponentially.

Networking

For heartfelt professionals, developing client communities helps them to cultivate connections and comradery between like-minded individuals.

As an example, consider developing a financial community, a technology community, a human resource community and a leadership community. Now, think about about harnessing the collective knowledge of these communities to foster learning environments.

By providing these communities, it creates an environment to share their thoughts, wants, and feedback.

Through community this brings your clients together to meet like-minded peers, to further their knowledge and to feel more positively about you... and a place with no added noise, no ads, and no social algorithms.

Everyone Benefits

Imagine for a moment... a client community who share things in common, care deeply about each other and work closely together for betterment or a purpose... imagine what kind of harmony you could create.

Ultimately, developing community with your clients creates a greater sense of belonging. It powers innovation and ideas along with the ability to deliver new insights for you, new prospecting ideas and sales growth opportunities.

Close communities are based upon care, compassion and connection. Are you creating this for your clients?

Are you creating a space for your clients to connect and collaborate?

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I understand, I get where you all are coming from. Every day, I walk in your shoes. I am fully committed to helping your sales team integrate social aspects and heartfelt strategies into your current sales process to grow new business. I want you to get results. This is why I am passionate about doing this the right way, the genuine way, the authentic way! It's about understanding value before visibility.

Selling From the Heart is making a difference! I poured my heart into every page of this book and I think you're going to love it. You can find it on Amazon in paperback, kindle and in audio. You can click on the book image below and this will take you to Amazon.

No alt text provided for this image

In a world full of empty suits, I'm passionate about helping sales reps succeed by getting valuable before they get visible. I help sales teams understand the true value they bring to the market.

I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my stories. Integrating the use of social and sharing my story on LinkedIn was my “game-changer” in the highly competitive office technology world. With great pride I transform, challenge, coach and inspire sales teams to grow new business by helping them share their story and how they communicate it out by integrating the use of social inside the sales process. You can follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and on my podcast by clicking on Selling from the Heart.

This Week in the Copier Industry 5 Years Ago

This Week in the Copier Industry 5 Years Ago

Fourth Week of June 2016

June is now in the books for me.  For me it was a June swoon with many opportunities moving to July and August.  At this time I'm not sure what the summer will bring. I feel that many DM's are putting off decisions until the fall because so many are in need of some time off from the pandemic.  I hope that's no the case for July and August.

Enjoy these awesome copiers threads from 5 years ago this week

Konica Minolta South Africa's new bizhub C308 perfectly suits today's mobile working lifestyle

Art Post ·
their daily print, scan and copy tasks. At the same time, IT administrators benefit from using these machines, as they are straightforward and allow for network integration. Konica Minolta's PageScope mobile app offers another chance to increase the overall mobility of office staff. Taking advantage of this mobile device app, which is available free-of-charge, users can smoothly connect their smartphones and tablets to the bizhub C308 or C368 and enjoy convenient and hassle-free printing and
Blog Post

The Day After The Last Selling Day of the Quarter for Copier Reps

Art Post ·
-charge for the next the quarter. Believe it or not one of those days can consist of going to work!! Imagine that, going to work and using a day to re-charge. What an awesome concept! Just today, I used my time to re-organize, clean up some action items(we all have those non prospecting chores) and time to comprehend my funnel for the new month and quarter. One Hundred Forty Four Quarters Since I've been selling copiers for at least 144 quarters, there's been many days that have included fishing
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Need Ricoh/Savin/Gestetner dealer in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Art Post ·
Is there anyone who can help? Please reply
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Print Drivers for MP W6700

Art Post ·
Seems Ricoh does not have the driver page for the MP W6700 ready yet. Does anyone know or have a link as to where I can download those print drivers?
Blog Post

Attention Sales Reps...Your LinkedIn Profile Is Your Storefront - Are The Windows Broken?

Larry Levine ·
levels of practice professional athletes go through. Whether it is baseball, basketball or football; today’s athletes must practice to perfect their craft or fear being replaced and or traded. Learn how to crush sales quotas by modifying your current sales style to take advantage of the latest social selling trends All of this reminds me of my first podcast I did last year The Funnel – A sales and marketing podcast with my dear friends Lindsay Kelley of Prospect Builder and John Shea of The
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Kyocera named a top VAR by leading ECM company Laserfiche

Art Post ·
customers the benefit of enterprise content management, business process management and document management system solutions," concludes Lourens. KYOCERA Document Solutions KYOCERA Document Solutions headquartered in Osaka, Japan is a leading manufacturer of document imaging solutions and document management systems, including colour and monochrome multifunctional products and printers and wide format devices. KYOCERA's products are renowned for their unique long-life imaging components that provide
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Canon Expands Holistic Business Solutions Portfolio With Therefore 2016

Art Post ·
premier electronic signature providers and Microsoft Power BI and PDF/A-3 advancements, Therefore 2016 helps companies work smarter by connecting people and processes to information in a simple, more secure and productive manner. “Canon understands the importance of managing information – whether printed on paper, digitally stored, or even as metadata,” said Toyo Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Today’s organizations are
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Ricoh face fraud allegations and “watershed” year

Art Post ·
Ricoh shareholders arriving at Friday’s AGM within Tokyo’s labyrinth like Shinagawa Prince Hotel may have experienced déjà vu on hearing the company’s plans. Facing what CEO Zenji Miura calls a “watershed” year, this recent entrant into the 3D printing market will invest more than $2 billion in finding a new direction. Will this strategy be successful, or will it lead to further confusion about the direction of the business? Ricoh are a multinational company operating in over 200 countries and
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HP Inc. Helps Contractual Partners Improve Business Printing Services With ECi FMAudit Integration

Art Post ·
readings and lost revenue. HP's partnership with ECi helps address this concern and brings added value to contractual partners. The combination of HP printers and FMAudit allows partners to more accurately track pages printed, copied and scanned by actual page size to ensure correct billing. Also, the integration eliminates the need for multiple tools to enable the full cost saving features of HP's family of PageWide and LaserJet devices optimized for contractual business models. With partner
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Square 9® Softworks Launches eLearning Online Education Program

Art Post ·
For Immediate Release Square 9® Softworks Launches eLearning Online Education Program Empowering Reseller Sales Professionals with the information they need for Successful Solution Sales NEW HAVEN, CONN., June 27, 2016 – Square 9® Softworks has announced the addition of an eLearning online sales class to become a Certified Square 9 Solutions Provider. This program is designed to empower Reseller Sales Professionals with the information they need to successfully source, propose, and close
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RJ Young Named South Region Dealer of the Year by Lexmark

Art Post ·
across the Southeast where satellite teams also gathered to host local celebrations of the award. About RJ Young RJ Young is one of the largest independent office equipment dealers in the country, specializing in document management solutions, managed print services, IT services, office imaging and 3D printing equipment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, RJ Young has been in business for 60 years and has over 500 employees in over 20 sales and service locations across seven states. Under the
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Re: Thoughts on new Android style ops panels.

VinceMcHugh ·
Art, I worked with Biscom to take their Android App (already Developed) and loaded the apk file on a Samsung. I was able to send receive a fax, I was the first one in the world to do this,. I then worked with the Biscom Developers to tweak this app so it understood what a Scanner Printer was and how to use them. They were able in 30 days to have a working Biscom Fax App, and another 60 days to have their SFT (Secure File Transfer). I am working on other Apps now because Apps (killer Apps) are
Reply

Re: Need Ricoh/Savin/Gestetner dealer in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Old Glory ·
I have used Standley Systems a half a dozen times and have been very satisfied. (405) 224-0819 Shauna Ross, Contracts Manager Sharlet Martin, Logistics Coordinator
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Re: Need Ricoh/Savin/Gestetner dealer in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Art Post ·
k, ty I will give them a call, thanx again!
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Epson Now Shipping Pro G7000-Series Large Venue Projectors

Art Post ·
dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. 1 Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will
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The War For The Modern Office Has Begun

Art Post ·
The War For The Modern Office HasBegun by Print Audit In 2015, Print Audit was proud to introduce you to The 7 Deadly Sinners of the Office Equipment Industry. They shared the good, the bad, and the exciting issues facing our channel. Read more of this post
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Ricoh MP 5054 Toner Cost

GIntel ·
Hey gang, Can anyone share the wholesale cost for the cost for the toner cost used MP 5054. - Jake
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Re: New Ricoh MP501SPF & MP601SPF's

GIntel ·
Did you figure out if these are replacements to the SP 5200 series and.or get any info on when they are launching? Looks like they arealready in the Nevada/WSCA contract - http://purchasing.nv.gov/uploa...Ricoh-D-04-29-16.xls
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Re: New Ricoh MP501SPF & MP601SPF's

Art Post ·
yeah, 501 replaces the 45ppm the 601 replaces the 52ppm A4, can't remember those models numbers right now. From prelim pics, seems the book is out if the 60ppm A4 device is actually a Ricoh OEM. Not sure, but the DF looks completely different from any other Ricoh DF
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Re: New Ricoh MP501SPF & MP601SPF's

GIntel ·
Has Ricoh sent out any launch materials/announcements for this line yet?
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Re: What Would You Do?

Art Post ·
I've heard of that also, leaving the term blank. What BS, that's one of the reasons many hate copier dealers, ty for the response
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Re: New Ricoh MP501SPF & MP601SPF's

fisher ·
The problem with the 5200 series was always the cost per page for the cartridges. We sold very few of them for that reason alone. That machine would have been a real winner if the consumables had let the dealer put it under a service plan at a reasonable CPP. Perfect machine for medical but just too expensive for the cartridge.
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Re: New Ricoh MP501SPF & MP601SPF's

fisher ·
Machine appears to be a completely new animal. http://support.ricoh.com/bb_v1...t/int/index_book.htm
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Re: New Ricoh MP W6700

GR81 ·
So what would you quote for service on this machine? Someone is quoting $100.00 per quarter including 2000 Sq ft and toner included. Something does not sound right.
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Re: New Ricoh MP W6700

Art Post ·
Still waiting on pricing here, however we were around $442 for 6K SQFT for an annual contract. Sounds pretty cheap to me also
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Re: What Would You Do?

Jason H ·
Good move! Do the right thing. A competitor of ours is now out of business for doing stuff like that. They would leave the line blank and then go back to the office and write 63 months. Have seen deals where they went and upgraded a lease that was a year old for a new 63 month term at 1,000.00 a month and the customer signed it and never got any new equipment and was stuck with two leases.
Member

Acepa

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BEI Services, Inc. Announces REACH Leadership Development Academy

Art Post ·
REACH Leadership Development Academy finally bridging the gap between interpersonal and technical training, both of which are crucial parts of fostering a dynamic workforce.” The REACH Leadership Development Academy will be holding its first sessions in September, 2016. For more information about attending please email sales@beiservices.com . About BEI Services BEI Services stands alone as the imaging industry’s trusted provider of equipment and service performance standards. BEI offers a
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DocuWare PaperScan for WhatsApp

Art Post ·
smartphone over a page, PaperScan will automatically detect the page and trim it to fit before scanning. The scan can then be easily uploaded to WhatsApp and sent to a single recipient or a group. Multiple pages may also be sent as a single document, since WhatsApp supports PDF as a file format. To send a chapter from a book or a newspaper article, the user drags a rectangle over the section in PaperScan before sharing it via WhatsApp. Thanks to several available printer apps, you can also print all of
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New Research Finds Document Deluge Is Impacting Business Productivity And Security

Art Post ·
re-engineering, process improvement, and strategic planning. It is dedicated to advancing the emerging roles of the Chief Innovation Officer and Innovation Strategist within today's enterprise. The BPI Network brings together global executives who are champions of change within their organizations through ongoing research, authoritative content and peer-to-peer conversations. These functional area heads (operations, IT, finance, procurement, sales, marketing, product development, etc.) and line
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Case Study - ECM Success in a Multiple-ERP Environment, Multi-Location Company

Art Post ·
savings throughout organizations. For IntelliChief information, visit http://www.intellichief.com/ . About IntelliChief, LLC IntelliChief enterprise content management (ECM) provides enterprise-class business processes document management and workflow automation solutions for any IT platform. With decades of expertise in the market and seamless integration with leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) and line of business systems, IntelliChief thoroughly automates companies' document
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Re: Opportunity Web Site

Art Post ·
So, two days after signing up and seeing many "leads", I received an email that offered the Premium Service for $5.00 per month. I signed up! I had to sort through 455 leads, many outside of my area, thus I just deleted them. I got the list down to 63 or so, most were for business intelligence, a few for electronic equipment. BTW, there is no listing for copiers. I did contact four contacts who were looking for business intelligence and IT services. Have not hear back from anyone. What I did

5 Things I Love with the New Ricoh IM 2500-6000 MFPs

I guess my number #1 like is that these new MFP's were finally released!  The pandemic pushed a lot of manufacturers launches back a few months and I believe that we'll see other manufacturers stepping up the game in the coming months with additional MFP offerings.

Now, I know this blog is about I "love" but I have to mention this launch should have been for one MFP and then let the dealers decide what speed licenses they would like to purchase. Also,  when speaking about speed licenses those licenses should have an annual subscription cost.  Then each year the client would have to renew the same speed license or a faster speed license for a few more bucks.  We're not there yet, however I do believe that will be the future with one MFP and then an offering of licenses.

#2

So #2 has to be ACT (Always Current Technology), and the ACT talk tract was proven to be a winner with clients for the IM C color series for the last 12 months.  ACT allows clients to keep their MFPs with current technology with periodic downloads for the latest features.  It might not mean much once the client has the MFP in place but it does matter when you've got competition!

#3

Intelligent Support is my pick for #3 and this feature is also one of those talk tracks that I lead with for my clients.  Intelligent support tools like Remote Connect Support allows our Tech Support peeps to remotely connect to the MFP to make a change, adjustment or fix an issue.  I like to tell our clients it's just like IT support, you know when they remote into your PC to make a fix.  We can now do that with the MFPs, thus countless hours cab be saved if there is a non part(s) issue.

#4

Smart Integration comes in at #4 because it can help my clients with document workflow automation. Smart integration is a subscription model and allows clients to pick and choose the services that they like.  Scan2cloud, Scan/browse2cloud folders, OCR, Scan2Word, Scan2Excel are just the tip of the iceberg, however what I like most is that the Smart Integration is the gateway to for bring clients to content management solutions like DocuWare.

#5

Last but not the lease is the ability for the Ricoh devices to have auto firmware updates.  Maybe I should have put this at #1 because I lead with this for every net new and existing client.  If you don't tell the story to the client that these MFP's are end points on the network then you're making a BIG mistake.

Security is now the name of the game especially with all of the recent ransomware and malware attacks.  My explanation is simple by asking the client if they have a smart phone, of course they all do. My second questions asks them if they receive notifications for software updates, another BIG yes for this one. The last question asks them if they know what the updates are for? I'd day it's a 50% split on those that do and those that don't  Those that do get it and those that don't get the explanation that the firmware includes software patches, and security updates. Clients really do pay attention to security now.

Can anyone guess what I did not speak about?

Oy To The Vey... Yiddish Words And Sales Reps!

"The heaviest thing in the world is an empty pocket."
Yiddish Proverb

Let's translate this for all of you sales reps...

The heaviest burden a sales rep can carry is an empty pipeline.
  • Get off your Tuches (Butt) and start prospecting!
  • If you fail to prospect you will have Bupkes (zero, nothing) at the end of the month
  • Seasoned sales reps who feel they don't need to prospect any longer are Shmendriks (idiots).

To all in sales... stop the kvetching (complaining) and start taking ownership and responsibility when it comes to prospecting.

I love my heritage. From my grandparents through to my parents, a series of life-long lessons were instilled or should I say drilled into me.

INTEGRITY AND HONESTY

My father was a rocket scientist for the U.S. Air Force. The first question I was asked when he got home from work, "So, tell me son and be honest, did you complete your homework?"

Being raised with an 'Ivy League' educated father was pressure all by itself. That single question became the measuring stick throughout my early years.

Salespeople are products of the environments they were raised in

What I took into my sales career was honesty and integrity. I believe it got me to where I am today. There is no greater temptation to cut corners than in sales, where one can earn massive amount of commissions.

Sales professionals overcome this great temptation, as they rise to the occasion with high levels of character, one in which others revere. Your clients and future clients will soon covet what you have to offer.

Simple stuff... When you are honest, your business grows.

BE HUMBLE, ACCEPT AND ENCOURAGE CRITICISM

In my younger days, I ate a tremendous amount of humble pie. I had to learn how to accept and deal with criticism, as school wasn't my favorite past time.

Pride, ego and fear tend to get in our way of success. We're human and we all make mistakes. Never think you're always right. Accept and encourage criticism, feedback and help - especially from those more experienced than you.

Some of my best sales ideas over the years have come from my clients, centers of influence and my mentors. I realized there was a wealth of information sitting right in front of me.

Unfortunately, I see many sales reps who struggle with listening to their clients or even asking for help.

What a monumental mistake.

Be humble, be genuine, act on suggestions, and accept criticism, as you can greatly improve your sales career.

Sales professionals accept critique, sales reps take it personal.

SALES REPS AND YIDDISH WORDS

The Yiddish language is a fabulous source of rich expressions, especially terms of endearment, complaints and insults. Doesn't this sound like a day in the life of a sales rep?

Let's get the party started...

Far gelt bakumt men alts, nor keyn sechel nit. Translated... Money buys everything except common sense. Trust me on this one, if a sales rep could finance common sense they would, oy to they vey!

KIBBITZ - Walk into a sales bullpen from 7:45 AM to 9:00 AM on any given day and listen to all the sales reps discuss non work related chitter chatter. "Hey Bob, did you catch the football scores from the past weekend?", "Saw a great movie last night, you ought to check it out." Small talk amongst team members is healthy but get to work and stop the kibbitzing!

You just lost an hour of productive work time. Sales professionals protect their time and pay attention to what's important... growing their business and taking care of their clients.

SCHMOOZE - Listening to a sales rep schmooze a client that they haven't seen for quite some time is fascinating. You wouldn't have to schmooze if you made a conscious effort to maintain a healthy, proactive and intentional business relationship. This is what sales professionals do best!

TCHATCHKE - All the company branded USB devices, calendars, pens and notepads... stop it as your clients have enough of your Tchatchke's or crapola!

Sales professionals consistently educate, engage and excite their clients by building rock solid relationships. It is not based gifting based but what they bring to the business table which is themselves.

SCHLEP - “I had to schlep through traffic for over two hours for a meeting and it lasted only 15 minutes, OY VEY!” Suck it up sales reps as this stuff happens. A true sales professional will find a positive outcome in those precious 15 minutes.

NUDNIK - Do not allow your clients to view you as a nudnik, a pain in the ass, nagger, and nuisance! Sales reps who consistently bring zero value, take their clients for granted but expect them to continue to do business with them are nudniks.

The mark of a true sales professional is that they build a relational fortress around their clients and consistently deliver on their promises.

SPIEL - When you meet with a new prospect, they don't want to hear your spiel... Your long-winded sales presentation around how great you are, how great your company is and all the promises I know you'll break.

Make it about them! Share with them how much you know about their business, why you and how much you care about them.

ADVICE TO ALL SALESPEOPLE

My grandfather was a self-educated man. He dropped out of school to help support his family. He always stressed to me you must have "Chutzpah" in order to succeed out in the real world.

My grandfather faced a ton of fears, as do I and as do you. He would always tell me... "Each time you face your fears, you make a deposit into your chutzpah account."

The battles in life whether won or lost produce more chutzpah. Think about how this can play out for you in your sales career.

Chutzpah seasoned with charm translates as enthusiasm.

Charm strengthened by chutzpah reminds your clients and prospects you have a respectable, professional purpose.

Loaded with both, you can win and sell with confidence.

I will leave you all with a quote from Rabbi Tzvi Freeman,

"You have to recognize the world is not about you. There is some purpose, something that you and only you are going to have to get done. So chutzpah is the attitude where you say, ‘Nothing is going to stop me from making that happen.’"

Used in the appropriate way, chutzpah is “the new charisma” that has the ability to connect you in deeper ways with your clients and keeps them coming back and referring others.

I encourage you, give chutzpah a try. Chances are that your real clients and future clients will find it to be a refreshing change.

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I understand, I get where you all are coming from. Every day, I walk in your shoes. I am fully committed to helping your sales team integrate social aspects and heartfelt strategies into your current sales process to grow new business. I want you to get results. This is why I am passionate about doing this the right way, the genuine way, the authentic way! It's about understanding value before visibility.

Selling From the Heart is making a difference! I poured my heart into every page of this book and I think you're going to love it. You can find it on Amazon in paperback, kindle and in audio. You can click on the book image below and this will take you to Amazon.

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In a world full of empty suits, I'm passionate about helping sales reps succeed by getting valuable before they get visible. I help sales teams understand the true value they bring to the market.

I appreciate getting the opportunity to share my stories. Integrating the use of social and sharing my story on LinkedIn was my “game-changer” in the highly competitive office technology world. With great pride I transform, challenge, coach and inspire sales teams to grow new business by helping them share their story and how they communicate it out by integrating the use of social inside the sales process. You can follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and on my podcast by clicking on Selling from the Heart.

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