999inks.co.uk News: HP To Roll Out Web-Connected Printers in Spring 2010
A new range of printers from Hewlett Packard enable printing from the internet without the need for a PC.
Some might query the value of a printer that lets you print straight from the internet without using a computer. What’s wrong with right-clicking from the desktop to receive your desired image? Yet at Hewlett Packard, Vice President of Marketing for the Imaging & Printing Group Ralph McNeil is certain this is the future of printing. In Spring 2010, he intends to begin global distribution of a new range of printers that enable users to produce documents straight off the internet, without the need for a PC.
In an interview with Marketnews.ca, Mr McNeil outlined his vision for the new printers. He said that the internet printers operate using a large touchscreen, eliminating the need for a computer. The details of the interface have yet to be finalised though, and this is something Mr Macneil recognises is crucial: "The easier it is, the more I'm going to use it," he told Gordon Brockhouse, in an article dated 11th December 2009. Regarding the value of the new printers he is more certain. He asserts that the expanding internet does not detract from the printed image, but increases the number of potential documents to be produced. "Where does it [the HP web printer] take you? To a repository of value on the Internet."
In 2009 HP greatly expanded their range of web applications, with programs that enabled users to print from their iPhones. A similar app for the Blackberry is expected soon. Mr Macneil anticipates that the HP web printers will mark another new platform for printing, making 2010 “a very exciting year” for the printing brand.
Thursday 31 December 2009
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Government Subsidies for Publishing Industry?
Print News: Government Subsidies for Publishing Industry?
Publishers around the world are facing the notion that the survival of their industry may depend on government support.
The future of the printed word may depend on government subsidies, according to several stories circulating at the moment. Not only in Canada, where government support for ‘literary arts already totals tens of millions, but in the United States, where attitudes to state intervention are more hostile, the idea of supporting the ailing publishing industry with financial subsidies is gaining traction. This possibility – first raised by writers at the Washington Post in November - has emerged owing to a terrible year for publishing. Publishers have struggled to make the shift to online media profitable, and redundancies have followed.
In an 8 December post by David Kaplan at PaidContent.org, he writes that the quantity of magazine publishers appearing at the USB Media Week Conference will shrink by almost 5%. This is but the latest in a series of bracing reports to challenge not only publishers but the print industry. For example, it was found recently that almost 87,000 in the US print industry this year have been made unemployed.
Yet the deluge of bad news seems to have awoken people to the fact that the publishing industry is worth saving – by whatever means. Tom Clavin at 27east.com has proposed that ‘printing on demand’ may save the printed text from total collapse. His suggestion though reduces print to a niche industry: an aesthetic novelty subordinate to the digital colossus. Yet some writers would prefer that publishing be saved wholesale. In an 8 December article entitled ‘Keep Print Alive,’ Rachel Mendleson of Macleans.ca writes of the possibility of larger subsidies by the Canadian government for the publishing industry. In 2007 $80 million was contributed.
Elsewhere, in a 30 November post by David Westphal at Ojr.org, he notes that subsidising the publishing industry is a longstanding institution of the US Government. This is in spite of widely held right-wing perceptions to the contrary. Beginning with the Postal Act 1792, the cost of mailing magazines and newspapers has been subsidised. Even today ‘Federal and state governments forego about $890 million a year on income and sales tax breaks to the newspaper industry.’ It is only during the last few years – as publishers have come under threat from digital media, no less – that state legislatures have queried this arrangement.
The dire condition of the publishing industry may lead officials of the US Government to change direction once more. In India, the government has sought to bolster newspaper revenues by paying more for their printed advertisements. In France, 18-24 year olds are now offered a free 3 year newspaper subscription to increase readership rates. These are not permanent measures, but means of assistance for an industry that has suffered particularly badly in the global recession.
Moreover, from the perspectives of the elected officials, the packages are not designed to ‘save’ publishing but ensure a plurality of communication methods. Magazines Canada CEO Mark Jamison told Macleans.ca that ‘The government’s role is about ensuring that Canadian voices can be heard through a variety of means.’ Though the publishing industry may welcome government subsidies, in short, this doesn’t enable newspapers to put aside the challenges faced from the digital market.
To continue printing and save on costs, shop at http://www.999inks.co.uk/
Publishers around the world are facing the notion that the survival of their industry may depend on government support.
The future of the printed word may depend on government subsidies, according to several stories circulating at the moment. Not only in Canada, where government support for ‘literary arts already totals tens of millions, but in the United States, where attitudes to state intervention are more hostile, the idea of supporting the ailing publishing industry with financial subsidies is gaining traction. This possibility – first raised by writers at the Washington Post in November - has emerged owing to a terrible year for publishing. Publishers have struggled to make the shift to online media profitable, and redundancies have followed.
In an 8 December post by David Kaplan at PaidContent.org, he writes that the quantity of magazine publishers appearing at the USB Media Week Conference will shrink by almost 5%. This is but the latest in a series of bracing reports to challenge not only publishers but the print industry. For example, it was found recently that almost 87,000 in the US print industry this year have been made unemployed.
Yet the deluge of bad news seems to have awoken people to the fact that the publishing industry is worth saving – by whatever means. Tom Clavin at 27east.com has proposed that ‘printing on demand’ may save the printed text from total collapse. His suggestion though reduces print to a niche industry: an aesthetic novelty subordinate to the digital colossus. Yet some writers would prefer that publishing be saved wholesale. In an 8 December article entitled ‘Keep Print Alive,’ Rachel Mendleson of Macleans.ca writes of the possibility of larger subsidies by the Canadian government for the publishing industry. In 2007 $80 million was contributed.
Elsewhere, in a 30 November post by David Westphal at Ojr.org, he notes that subsidising the publishing industry is a longstanding institution of the US Government. This is in spite of widely held right-wing perceptions to the contrary. Beginning with the Postal Act 1792, the cost of mailing magazines and newspapers has been subsidised. Even today ‘Federal and state governments forego about $890 million a year on income and sales tax breaks to the newspaper industry.’ It is only during the last few years – as publishers have come under threat from digital media, no less – that state legislatures have queried this arrangement.
The dire condition of the publishing industry may lead officials of the US Government to change direction once more. In India, the government has sought to bolster newspaper revenues by paying more for their printed advertisements. In France, 18-24 year olds are now offered a free 3 year newspaper subscription to increase readership rates. These are not permanent measures, but means of assistance for an industry that has suffered particularly badly in the global recession.
Moreover, from the perspectives of the elected officials, the packages are not designed to ‘save’ publishing but ensure a plurality of communication methods. Magazines Canada CEO Mark Jamison told Macleans.ca that ‘The government’s role is about ensuring that Canadian voices can be heard through a variety of means.’ Though the publishing industry may welcome government subsidies, in short, this doesn’t enable newspapers to put aside the challenges faced from the digital market.
To continue printing and save on costs, shop at http://www.999inks.co.uk/
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Ricoh ‘Green Printers’ To Swamp Ireland
Print News: Ricoh ‘Green Printers’ To Swamp Ireland
In 2010 the Irish Government’s Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government will dedicate €40 million of a €2.3 billion budget to refitting its offices with environmentally friendly equipment, according to a press release at Environ.ie. A good deal of this €40 million is set to flow into the coffers of printing brand Ricoh, owing to a contract the Government Dept. recently signed to receive ‘green printers’ from the Japanese company.
The Ricoh ‘green machines’, taken from the Eco-Line, are manufactured with recycled components and, over their lifetime, produce 40% fewer carbon emissions than ordinary printers. They will be distributed in offices of the government dept. throughout Dublin and the rest of Ireland.
According to an article by John Kennedy posted at SiliconRepublic.com on 15th December, the contract was prompted by the Department’s decision to revamp its entire printing strategy, to coincide with the relocation of its offices to a ‘Greenfield’ site in Wexford.
This decision is not isolated; the Department of Environment is making conscious strides to set the standard for environmental change in Irish government. The Department’s €2.3 billion budget is the second largest of all Departments to this end, while the €40 million set aside for environmentally friendly equipment more than doubles the amount devoted for purchases in 2008.
A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Environment told SiliconRepublic.com: “Ricoh's green technology and managed print services will not only have a positive effect on the environment but will also help us to reduce print costs across the department.”
By using Ricoh’s multi-function printers, which replace the existing stand-alone printers, copiers and scanners, the dept. stands to make substantial savings on its print processes, in addition to reducing the printing carbon footprint by 40%. To make further gains, Ricoh consultants will help the dept. introduce ‘green’ printing practices, including duplex printing as standard, default mono printing, and power saving.
The Managed Services Print Manager at Ricoh Ireland, Aine O’Shea, praised the government dept. for the contract. "The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been a trailblazer in promoting cleaner and greener business practices,” she said.
In 2010 the Irish Government’s Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government will dedicate €40 million of a €2.3 billion budget to refitting its offices with environmentally friendly equipment, according to a press release at Environ.ie. A good deal of this €40 million is set to flow into the coffers of printing brand Ricoh, owing to a contract the Government Dept. recently signed to receive ‘green printers’ from the Japanese company.
The Ricoh ‘green machines’, taken from the Eco-Line, are manufactured with recycled components and, over their lifetime, produce 40% fewer carbon emissions than ordinary printers. They will be distributed in offices of the government dept. throughout Dublin and the rest of Ireland.
According to an article by John Kennedy posted at SiliconRepublic.com on 15th December, the contract was prompted by the Department’s decision to revamp its entire printing strategy, to coincide with the relocation of its offices to a ‘Greenfield’ site in Wexford.
This decision is not isolated; the Department of Environment is making conscious strides to set the standard for environmental change in Irish government. The Department’s €2.3 billion budget is the second largest of all Departments to this end, while the €40 million set aside for environmentally friendly equipment more than doubles the amount devoted for purchases in 2008.
A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Environment told SiliconRepublic.com: “Ricoh's green technology and managed print services will not only have a positive effect on the environment but will also help us to reduce print costs across the department.”
By using Ricoh’s multi-function printers, which replace the existing stand-alone printers, copiers and scanners, the dept. stands to make substantial savings on its print processes, in addition to reducing the printing carbon footprint by 40%. To make further gains, Ricoh consultants will help the dept. introduce ‘green’ printing practices, including duplex printing as standard, default mono printing, and power saving.
The Managed Services Print Manager at Ricoh Ireland, Aine O’Shea, praised the government dept. for the contract. "The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been a trailblazer in promoting cleaner and greener business practices,” she said.
Thursday 24 December 2009
HP Printers Proved Best in Lab Study
999inks.co.uk News: HP Printers Proved Best in Lab Study
Two HP printers have been demonstrated to be superior to comparable machines from rival brands, in an independent study conducted by print consultancy and testing firm SpencerLab. In two separate tests for inkjet and laser printers, the HP printers were shown to produce higher quality printing on almost every tested criterion. These included: default print quality on standard paper, colour print quality on glossy paper, and draft print quality on plain paper. The HP printers tested were the (toner based) HP Officejet Pro 8500 All-in-One and the (inkjet based) HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One. The results for both US and EMEA markets are available at Spencerlab.com.
For the inkjet tests, the HP 6500 was compared with the Brother MFC-5490CN, the Epson Stylus Office BX600FW, and the Canon Pixma MX860. Of a total of 9 tested criterion, the HP Officejet performed best on 8, losing out to the Brother 5490CN regarding black-and-white printing on default copy setting. For other printing settings, the outputted prints of the HP machine were described as ‘vibrant and smooth’ or ‘with good saturation.’ For the laser test, the HP 8500 performed comparably, beating its competitors in all 5 criteria, and was described as ‘overall superior.’ The HP laser printer was tested against the Brother MFC 9440CN and the Samsung CLX-3175FN.
The SpencerLab tests were designed to replicate printer use in typical office conditions, with the choices of ink cartridge and paper type intended to reflect this. In the laboratory firm’s press release, it was stated that SpencerLab scientists were “particularly interested” to see how the latest HP printers performed, given that HP was one of the earliest manufacturers of ink-based technology. In short, they were “not disappointed.” The Vice President of Operations and Director of Spencer Lab, Catherine Fiasconaro, said: “HP is maintaining its solid reputation with the OfficeJet series [providing] a versatile product.”
Two HP printers have been demonstrated to be superior to comparable machines from rival brands, in an independent study conducted by print consultancy and testing firm SpencerLab. In two separate tests for inkjet and laser printers, the HP printers were shown to produce higher quality printing on almost every tested criterion. These included: default print quality on standard paper, colour print quality on glossy paper, and draft print quality on plain paper. The HP printers tested were the (toner based) HP Officejet Pro 8500 All-in-One and the (inkjet based) HP Officejet 6500 All-in-One. The results for both US and EMEA markets are available at Spencerlab.com.
For the inkjet tests, the HP 6500 was compared with the Brother MFC-5490CN, the Epson Stylus Office BX600FW, and the Canon Pixma MX860. Of a total of 9 tested criterion, the HP Officejet performed best on 8, losing out to the Brother 5490CN regarding black-and-white printing on default copy setting. For other printing settings, the outputted prints of the HP machine were described as ‘vibrant and smooth’ or ‘with good saturation.’ For the laser test, the HP 8500 performed comparably, beating its competitors in all 5 criteria, and was described as ‘overall superior.’ The HP laser printer was tested against the Brother MFC 9440CN and the Samsung CLX-3175FN.
The SpencerLab tests were designed to replicate printer use in typical office conditions, with the choices of ink cartridge and paper type intended to reflect this. In the laboratory firm’s press release, it was stated that SpencerLab scientists were “particularly interested” to see how the latest HP printers performed, given that HP was one of the earliest manufacturers of ink-based technology. In short, they were “not disappointed.” The Vice President of Operations and Director of Spencer Lab, Catherine Fiasconaro, said: “HP is maintaining its solid reputation with the OfficeJet series [providing] a versatile product.”
Wednesday 23 December 2009
HP Targets Youth with ‘Listen 2U’ Social Media Campaign
Print News: HP Targets Youth with ‘Listen 2U’ Social Media Campaign
Hewlett Packard has announced a major extension of their social media strategy, with a campaign aimed at getting in touch with creative youth. ‘Listen 2U’ is a dedicated website where young people can develop their talent, posting and directing their own movies for the chance to win HP products. With news posts ‘broadcast’ from university student unions, and subjects including the NME and Mighty Boosh, the site has a credible chance of resonating with creative young people. Moreover, HP has integrated a page dedicated to its products into the website, enabling the printing brand to combine marketing with social media interaction.
This ‘savvy’ campaign is but the latest from a printing brand that takes social media very seriously. The ‘Innovation’ area of the HP site includes a webpage extolling the worth of social media – for no more reason than a belief in its potential. As of August 2008, there were sixty ‘Employee Business Blogs’ at HP’s website which, moreover, included links to the personal web pages of their employees. Hewlett Packard evidently puts aside legal risks and trusts its employees ‘not to act like idiots,’ as Karen Snyder of ‘The Social Media front’ argues.
In January 2009, Toprankblog.com posted an interview with HP’s Web 2.0 Head Strategist, Tac Anderson, asking after the printing brand’s attitude to the internet. Mr Anderson is more than conversant in the web: he has ‘implemented internal wiki’s, train[ed] product teams on using Google Alerts, RSS feeds and other tools… as well [lent his] expertise wherever’ possible. Mr Anderson is convinced his strategy points the way for interaction betweens firms and their customers, and on top of everything runs a blog for firms getting into new communications. Visit NewCommBiz.com for what Mr Anderson calls ‘The Future of Social Media.’
Of course, the flipside for companies with a significant web presence is the difficulty of controlling the conversation. On 19 November 2009, David Spark reported on his negative experience with HP’s customer service helpline, broadcasting to countless people from SocialMedia.biz. The post even garnered comments from an ‘HP Insider,’ reporting what he feels is the profit-driven mentality of the company. Though this individual remains anonymous – quite understandably given the collusion of work and personal life latent in social media – the existence of such comments damages a brand whose image is largely sunny.
The new campaign from Hewlett Packard will seek to banish such comments while expanding on their community base. The ‘direct a video’ competition currently running asks people to post their entries on YouTube, encouraging entrants to interact. With an HP notebook up for grabs among other prizes, there is little doubt ‘Listen 2U’ will do much for creativity amongst youth. Depending on the success of the campaign, other print companies may decide to follow in HP’s footsteps.
Hewlett Packard has announced a major extension of their social media strategy, with a campaign aimed at getting in touch with creative youth. ‘Listen 2U’ is a dedicated website where young people can develop their talent, posting and directing their own movies for the chance to win HP products. With news posts ‘broadcast’ from university student unions, and subjects including the NME and Mighty Boosh, the site has a credible chance of resonating with creative young people. Moreover, HP has integrated a page dedicated to its products into the website, enabling the printing brand to combine marketing with social media interaction.
This ‘savvy’ campaign is but the latest from a printing brand that takes social media very seriously. The ‘Innovation’ area of the HP site includes a webpage extolling the worth of social media – for no more reason than a belief in its potential. As of August 2008, there were sixty ‘Employee Business Blogs’ at HP’s website which, moreover, included links to the personal web pages of their employees. Hewlett Packard evidently puts aside legal risks and trusts its employees ‘not to act like idiots,’ as Karen Snyder of ‘The Social Media front’ argues.
In January 2009, Toprankblog.com posted an interview with HP’s Web 2.0 Head Strategist, Tac Anderson, asking after the printing brand’s attitude to the internet. Mr Anderson is more than conversant in the web: he has ‘implemented internal wiki’s, train[ed] product teams on using Google Alerts, RSS feeds and other tools… as well [lent his] expertise wherever’ possible. Mr Anderson is convinced his strategy points the way for interaction betweens firms and their customers, and on top of everything runs a blog for firms getting into new communications. Visit NewCommBiz.com for what Mr Anderson calls ‘The Future of Social Media.’
Of course, the flipside for companies with a significant web presence is the difficulty of controlling the conversation. On 19 November 2009, David Spark reported on his negative experience with HP’s customer service helpline, broadcasting to countless people from SocialMedia.biz. The post even garnered comments from an ‘HP Insider,’ reporting what he feels is the profit-driven mentality of the company. Though this individual remains anonymous – quite understandably given the collusion of work and personal life latent in social media – the existence of such comments damages a brand whose image is largely sunny.
The new campaign from Hewlett Packard will seek to banish such comments while expanding on their community base. The ‘direct a video’ competition currently running asks people to post their entries on YouTube, encouraging entrants to interact. With an HP notebook up for grabs among other prizes, there is little doubt ‘Listen 2U’ will do much for creativity amongst youth. Depending on the success of the campaign, other print companies may decide to follow in HP’s footsteps.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
90% Of UK Print Industry Facing Collapse
Print News: 90% Of UK Print Industry Facing Collapse
A report by support services firm Tenon Recovery has shown that 90% of UK printer companies face closing.
The dire state of the UK print industry has been independently confirmed, with PrintWeek.com reporting on a study by Tenon Recovery that 90% of print companies face collapse. Tenon, which gives support services to ailing companies, used numerous criteria to make its judgement, including: credit ratings, County Court Judgements and net worth. According to the report, 9742 print companies face ‘probable collapse and potential winding-up petitions.’ Another 5991 businesses ranked behind, ‘defined as being in danger because of substantial financial difficulties.’ Only one in ten firms in the UK print industry rated financially stable.
The report comes only days after the British Printing Industries Federation announced its annual conference. Centring on ‘Finance and Investment,’ the conference will address what BPIF calls the ‘New Normal,’ so helping printer companies to adapt to the financial climate. Given the desire of the BPIF to refocus on the positive, the report by Tenon Recovery could be called scare-mongering. Speaking to PrintWeek.com, Andrew Brown, BPIF’s corporate affairs director, said circumstances were ‘not as disastrous’ as Tenon was making out. ‘While the print sector is still contracting, the rate at which it is doing so is easing,’ he said.
Tenon’s report states that 419 print companies have collapsed this year alone. Included within their number is Butler and Tanner, previously the UK’s largest colour printing firm. The firm’s closure left publishers scrambling to make deadlines, and left 300 people jobless. Perhaps more importantly though, its collapse means publishers have very few options to print domestically, and must depend on European firms. Meanwhile, media agency GroupM has announced its prediction that print advertising will fall 20.4% in 2009, indicating a serious decline in demand among publishers. This will place the print industry under further pressure.
Yet some print industry insiders are painting the news as positive. Speaking to PrintWeek.com, Phil Payter, the Managing Director at PPG, argued that ‘The recession will change print for the better. [The] less crowded marketplace will mean unscrupulous print brokers and management companies will lose their grip in the industry and disappear.’ Malcolm Carter, the Managing Director of First Class Post, said that: ‘the only option is to operate more efficiently, trimming costs as much as possible.’ In other words, the depth of the recession means only the sturdiest firms survive: the crisis marks a chance to further define a firm’s strengths.
However, whether it is accurate to describe the 90% of print companies under threat, according to Tenon, as ‘unscrupulous print brokers’ is not certain. Doubtless the recession will reduce an overcrowded print market, but many legitimate – and valuable – businesses are sacrificed at the same time. Tenon’s report meanwhile, should be taken with a pinch of salt. Though giving a gloomy forecast for the print industry, the firm’s report does not compare it against other industries. For example, according to GroupM, spending in television advertising will fall 11.2% in 2009, while spending next year will increase by merely 0.1%. The printing market may take (grim) comfort knowing its collapse is not isolated.
To print yourself, find affordable printer inks at http://www.999inks.co.uk/
A report by support services firm Tenon Recovery has shown that 90% of UK printer companies face closing.
The dire state of the UK print industry has been independently confirmed, with PrintWeek.com reporting on a study by Tenon Recovery that 90% of print companies face collapse. Tenon, which gives support services to ailing companies, used numerous criteria to make its judgement, including: credit ratings, County Court Judgements and net worth. According to the report, 9742 print companies face ‘probable collapse and potential winding-up petitions.’ Another 5991 businesses ranked behind, ‘defined as being in danger because of substantial financial difficulties.’ Only one in ten firms in the UK print industry rated financially stable.
The report comes only days after the British Printing Industries Federation announced its annual conference. Centring on ‘Finance and Investment,’ the conference will address what BPIF calls the ‘New Normal,’ so helping printer companies to adapt to the financial climate. Given the desire of the BPIF to refocus on the positive, the report by Tenon Recovery could be called scare-mongering. Speaking to PrintWeek.com, Andrew Brown, BPIF’s corporate affairs director, said circumstances were ‘not as disastrous’ as Tenon was making out. ‘While the print sector is still contracting, the rate at which it is doing so is easing,’ he said.
Tenon’s report states that 419 print companies have collapsed this year alone. Included within their number is Butler and Tanner, previously the UK’s largest colour printing firm. The firm’s closure left publishers scrambling to make deadlines, and left 300 people jobless. Perhaps more importantly though, its collapse means publishers have very few options to print domestically, and must depend on European firms. Meanwhile, media agency GroupM has announced its prediction that print advertising will fall 20.4% in 2009, indicating a serious decline in demand among publishers. This will place the print industry under further pressure.
Yet some print industry insiders are painting the news as positive. Speaking to PrintWeek.com, Phil Payter, the Managing Director at PPG, argued that ‘The recession will change print for the better. [The] less crowded marketplace will mean unscrupulous print brokers and management companies will lose their grip in the industry and disappear.’ Malcolm Carter, the Managing Director of First Class Post, said that: ‘the only option is to operate more efficiently, trimming costs as much as possible.’ In other words, the depth of the recession means only the sturdiest firms survive: the crisis marks a chance to further define a firm’s strengths.
However, whether it is accurate to describe the 90% of print companies under threat, according to Tenon, as ‘unscrupulous print brokers’ is not certain. Doubtless the recession will reduce an overcrowded print market, but many legitimate – and valuable – businesses are sacrificed at the same time. Tenon’s report meanwhile, should be taken with a pinch of salt. Though giving a gloomy forecast for the print industry, the firm’s report does not compare it against other industries. For example, according to GroupM, spending in television advertising will fall 11.2% in 2009, while spending next year will increase by merely 0.1%. The printing market may take (grim) comfort knowing its collapse is not isolated.
To print yourself, find affordable printer inks at http://www.999inks.co.uk/
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Ricoh Slams UK Document Management Systems
Print News: Ricoh Slams UK Document Management Systems
The research dept. of Japanese printer company Ricoh has released a report examining ‘document management systems’ across Europe. It finds that of seven developed European nations, offices in the UK & Ireland are most negligent in dealing with printed documents. The wasted potential for document management solutions amounts to a 5% waste in turnover, and has significant environmental implications. However, none of the nations examined by Ricoh for their printer practices scored above 43.5% - by France – suggesting room for improvement is widespread.
The Ricoh Document Governance Index, which is independently compiled by Coleman Parkes Research on the printer company’s behalf, uses a number of criteria to determine ‘best practices’ among office managers. It measures such factors as a company’s awareness of the benefits of document management systems, and how thoroughly they have been implemented. It also surveys how independent nations compare. For example, the report states that 32% of UK firms have ‘no idea of average monthly cost per printer to the business,’ compared with the European leader, France, where only 24% of firms are lost in the dark about document management.
However, though drawing attention to the missed chances of UK & Ireland firms, Ricoh’s report is critical of Europe as a whole. More than half of Europe’s businesses are “not implementing a strategy at present [and] many leave their departments to decide their own approach.” This is in spite of the fact of “widespread recognition of the importance of document governance policies.” In short, the document reveals that Europe’s ‘senior decision makers,’ who were surveyed, are widely dragging their feet in making their print practices more efficient.
The biggest missteps among businesses were the lack of a centralised strategy, leaving firms open to duplicate documents and increase ink and toner usage unnecessarily. Though 81% of managers recognised the benefits to revenue of document management solutions, few realised they result in increased worker productivity and improved security. Moreover, those firms that have implemented printing solutions often fail to regulate them, leaving businesses unable to measure the benefits. Only 43% of firms monitored document costs on a regular basis. On other criteria such as recycling and auditing ratios, the UK ranks bottom.
Tim Taylor, the Environment and Compliance Manager at Ricoh UK, said of the release: “there remains a lack of awareness of the role that document governance can play in driving both environmental AND business efficiencies. Businesses need to act now by taking some simple steps to improve the way they are managing and controlling their document workflows.” Ricoh’s website meanwhile details its ‘Sustainable Document Governance’ service, helping UK firms to optimise their printing solutions.
The research dept. of Japanese printer company Ricoh has released a report examining ‘document management systems’ across Europe. It finds that of seven developed European nations, offices in the UK & Ireland are most negligent in dealing with printed documents. The wasted potential for document management solutions amounts to a 5% waste in turnover, and has significant environmental implications. However, none of the nations examined by Ricoh for their printer practices scored above 43.5% - by France – suggesting room for improvement is widespread.
The Ricoh Document Governance Index, which is independently compiled by Coleman Parkes Research on the printer company’s behalf, uses a number of criteria to determine ‘best practices’ among office managers. It measures such factors as a company’s awareness of the benefits of document management systems, and how thoroughly they have been implemented. It also surveys how independent nations compare. For example, the report states that 32% of UK firms have ‘no idea of average monthly cost per printer to the business,’ compared with the European leader, France, where only 24% of firms are lost in the dark about document management.
However, though drawing attention to the missed chances of UK & Ireland firms, Ricoh’s report is critical of Europe as a whole. More than half of Europe’s businesses are “not implementing a strategy at present [and] many leave their departments to decide their own approach.” This is in spite of the fact of “widespread recognition of the importance of document governance policies.” In short, the document reveals that Europe’s ‘senior decision makers,’ who were surveyed, are widely dragging their feet in making their print practices more efficient.
The biggest missteps among businesses were the lack of a centralised strategy, leaving firms open to duplicate documents and increase ink and toner usage unnecessarily. Though 81% of managers recognised the benefits to revenue of document management solutions, few realised they result in increased worker productivity and improved security. Moreover, those firms that have implemented printing solutions often fail to regulate them, leaving businesses unable to measure the benefits. Only 43% of firms monitored document costs on a regular basis. On other criteria such as recycling and auditing ratios, the UK ranks bottom.
Tim Taylor, the Environment and Compliance Manager at Ricoh UK, said of the release: “there remains a lack of awareness of the role that document governance can play in driving both environmental AND business efficiencies. Businesses need to act now by taking some simple steps to improve the way they are managing and controlling their document workflows.” Ricoh’s website meanwhile details its ‘Sustainable Document Governance’ service, helping UK firms to optimise their printing solutions.
Digital Media Continues to Reduce Revenues of Newspaper Industry
Print News: Digital Media Continues to Reduce Revenues of Newspaper Industry
The opening of the World Newspaper Conference in Hyderabad has brought ambivalent tidings for the newspaper industry, with reports that, while global revenues continue to grow, circulation in Europe and the US faces a long-term decline. Timothy Balding, the co-chief executive officer of the World Newspapers Association, delivered his newspaper report to a packed conference of 900+ publishers, at a time when the industry is desperate to make digital outlets profitable. Mr. Balding reported that, though publishers have expanded their audiences with online hubs, web revenues cannot replace those lost from print newspapers.
Using data prepared by World Press Trends and World Digital Media Trends, Mr Balding commented that, in a press advertising industry worth $182 billion, $6 billion was accrued through digital media. Further, PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts that by 2013 online revenues will not exceed $8.4 billion. “At no time soon will digital advertising revenues come close to achieving the sort of revenues required, by many, to compensate for falling print revenue," Mr. Balding said. "If newspaper companies wish to maintain their strong content leadership, someone is going to have to pay. It looks like we have to solve the digital payment issue – and soon.”
Yet the news from Hyderabad, India was not all bad. Mr. Balding was at pains to emphasise that newspaper printing was “not facing an apocalypse.” Thanks to increasing circulation rates in developing markets such as Africa and Latin America, where circulation increased by 1.3% last year, newspaper printing is buoyant. Over five years, the circulation increase totals almost 9%. Mr Balding noted: "You might say that this growth is taking place in the developing markets and masks a continued downward trend in the developed world. And to a degree this is true.’ Yet he showed that Europe has only seen a 3% drop in the last half decade.
Mr. Balding’s report suggests a need for the newspaper industry to adapt to new challenges, especially in the developed world, where digital media is putting printed news under pressure. Yet the World Newspaper Conference is as much a celebration of the industry as a chance for developing solutions. The Hindu is hosting pictures from the jubilant inaugural ceremony of the conference, for example. Mr. Balding’s report holds some heartening figures too: globally, 1.9 billion people read a newspaper daily, with the majority opting for a printed edition. And India alone records 107 million daily sales from the newspaper industry.
The World Newspaper Conference will continue over the remainder of the week, and includes reports from many leading publishers and editors in the newspaper industry. This year marks the 62nd annual gathering of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (or WAN-IFRA), which includes members from most nations.
The opening of the World Newspaper Conference in Hyderabad has brought ambivalent tidings for the newspaper industry, with reports that, while global revenues continue to grow, circulation in Europe and the US faces a long-term decline. Timothy Balding, the co-chief executive officer of the World Newspapers Association, delivered his newspaper report to a packed conference of 900+ publishers, at a time when the industry is desperate to make digital outlets profitable. Mr. Balding reported that, though publishers have expanded their audiences with online hubs, web revenues cannot replace those lost from print newspapers.
Using data prepared by World Press Trends and World Digital Media Trends, Mr Balding commented that, in a press advertising industry worth $182 billion, $6 billion was accrued through digital media. Further, PricewaterhouseCoopers forecasts that by 2013 online revenues will not exceed $8.4 billion. “At no time soon will digital advertising revenues come close to achieving the sort of revenues required, by many, to compensate for falling print revenue," Mr. Balding said. "If newspaper companies wish to maintain their strong content leadership, someone is going to have to pay. It looks like we have to solve the digital payment issue – and soon.”
Yet the news from Hyderabad, India was not all bad. Mr. Balding was at pains to emphasise that newspaper printing was “not facing an apocalypse.” Thanks to increasing circulation rates in developing markets such as Africa and Latin America, where circulation increased by 1.3% last year, newspaper printing is buoyant. Over five years, the circulation increase totals almost 9%. Mr Balding noted: "You might say that this growth is taking place in the developing markets and masks a continued downward trend in the developed world. And to a degree this is true.’ Yet he showed that Europe has only seen a 3% drop in the last half decade.
Mr. Balding’s report suggests a need for the newspaper industry to adapt to new challenges, especially in the developed world, where digital media is putting printed news under pressure. Yet the World Newspaper Conference is as much a celebration of the industry as a chance for developing solutions. The Hindu is hosting pictures from the jubilant inaugural ceremony of the conference, for example. Mr. Balding’s report holds some heartening figures too: globally, 1.9 billion people read a newspaper daily, with the majority opting for a printed edition. And India alone records 107 million daily sales from the newspaper industry.
The World Newspaper Conference will continue over the remainder of the week, and includes reports from many leading publishers and editors in the newspaper industry. This year marks the 62nd annual gathering of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (or WAN-IFRA), which includes members from most nations.
Wednesday 9 December 2009
Adventures with Counterfeit Money
Print News: Adventures with Counterfeit Money
Recently Neil J. Petermann at the blog This Ain’t Your Father’s Office notes the story of 3 Maryland teenagers arrested for copying 10 dollar bills. So poor was the quality of the money they produced, the would-be counterfeiters were caught the first time they tried using the cash – of all things, while buying cigars underage. The teenagers employed a standard colour copier.
Once upon a time counterfeiting was the pastime of these equipped with costly printing presses, seeking to reproduce currency both for financial gain and prestige. Yet the advent of the inkjet printer has apparently devastated the quality standard of counterfeiting operations – even as it has increased their frequency. In January, the Kansas City Star featured a short interview with a Secret Service agent, complaining about the low standards of criminals printing money. Where the counterfeit dollar was once considered a ‘product’ in itself, subject to quality standards, today anyone with an Inkjet can supplement their income.
The Kansas City Star reports that in the period October 2007 – August 2008, $103 million in fake money was removed from circulation, 60% of which came from ordinary copiers. The problem is particularly bad in a recession, with people printing not only $50 but even $5 and even $1 bills. Yet the standard of counterfeit bills continues to fall, with criminals seeking the minimum to fool people.
Back in 1995, when the Kansas Secret Service found that inkjet counterfeits accounted for only 1% of fake bills, the Toledo Blade reported on the surprise quality of one counterfeiting operation. A pair in Michigan had succeeded in exchanging $50,000 in fake bills through an Austrian bank, produced using an expensive copier. Police at the time had believed the bills to be professional quality, and were surprised to discover them the work of two men in their mid-twenties. This only goes to show the importance of high-quality equipment in counterfeiting – aside from being ‘a bit glossy,’ the bills produced by the Michigan pair looked authentic, and had succeeded in fooling a number of bank tellers.
Moreover, the internet is a virtual hub for people looking into counterfeiting money. Websites like HowStuffWorks.com supply a detailed ‘How To’ for printing money in the guise of describing the process, aside articles about health and safety. In other words, computers have supplied not only the means but the knowledge for people ‘who want to get something for nothing.’ And while most amateur counterfeiters are immediately caught – as with the teenagers in Maryland – the appeal of counterfeiting money means the problem is unlikely to disappear.
Recently Neil J. Petermann at the blog This Ain’t Your Father’s Office notes the story of 3 Maryland teenagers arrested for copying 10 dollar bills. So poor was the quality of the money they produced, the would-be counterfeiters were caught the first time they tried using the cash – of all things, while buying cigars underage. The teenagers employed a standard colour copier.
Once upon a time counterfeiting was the pastime of these equipped with costly printing presses, seeking to reproduce currency both for financial gain and prestige. Yet the advent of the inkjet printer has apparently devastated the quality standard of counterfeiting operations – even as it has increased their frequency. In January, the Kansas City Star featured a short interview with a Secret Service agent, complaining about the low standards of criminals printing money. Where the counterfeit dollar was once considered a ‘product’ in itself, subject to quality standards, today anyone with an Inkjet can supplement their income.
The Kansas City Star reports that in the period October 2007 – August 2008, $103 million in fake money was removed from circulation, 60% of which came from ordinary copiers. The problem is particularly bad in a recession, with people printing not only $50 but even $5 and even $1 bills. Yet the standard of counterfeit bills continues to fall, with criminals seeking the minimum to fool people.
Back in 1995, when the Kansas Secret Service found that inkjet counterfeits accounted for only 1% of fake bills, the Toledo Blade reported on the surprise quality of one counterfeiting operation. A pair in Michigan had succeeded in exchanging $50,000 in fake bills through an Austrian bank, produced using an expensive copier. Police at the time had believed the bills to be professional quality, and were surprised to discover them the work of two men in their mid-twenties. This only goes to show the importance of high-quality equipment in counterfeiting – aside from being ‘a bit glossy,’ the bills produced by the Michigan pair looked authentic, and had succeeded in fooling a number of bank tellers.
Moreover, the internet is a virtual hub for people looking into counterfeiting money. Websites like HowStuffWorks.com supply a detailed ‘How To’ for printing money in the guise of describing the process, aside articles about health and safety. In other words, computers have supplied not only the means but the knowledge for people ‘who want to get something for nothing.’ And while most amateur counterfeiters are immediately caught – as with the teenagers in Maryland – the appeal of counterfeiting money means the problem is unlikely to disappear.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Kodak Working towards a Paperless Office
Print News: Kodak Working with D&H for Paperless Office
Yesterday Kodak announced an agreement with US firm D&H Distribution to help businesses reduce paper waste, through the distribution of Kodak’s line of scanners. D&H – which has connections with retailers including Amazon.com – plans to employ its relations with small-to-medium companies to encourage document scanning. The agreement will target businesses ‘looking to reduce their paper workflows and increase digital capabilities,’ and will, if successful, have significant environmental boons on top of increasing paper efficiency.
Kodak – an important player in the printer manufacturing industry – is one of several firms this year to encourage the so-called ‘paperless office’. In May, Calum Russell of Abobe.com.au posted that the average office worker uses ten thousands sheets of paper a year, at a cost of 1.6 million tonnes in writing materials. Meanwhile, in June IBM.com announced an initiative to consult with businesses in reducing paper waste. They aim to ‘reduce costs’ by digitising documents.
However, unlike Kodak, not everyone in the printing industry is seeking paper’s redundancy. On 30th April 2008, Datamation.com reported on Xerox’s invention of ‘reusable paper.’ This is not recycled paper, but in fact a sheet that makes document scanning redundant, because after 24 hours the words on the sheet disappear. The invention is still being tested at Xerox’s Palto Alco Research Center but, if successful, could reconcile the ‘tree-friendly office’ to the advantages of paper. It also holds the promise a whole new industry in ink cartridges.
Yesterday Kodak announced an agreement with US firm D&H Distribution to help businesses reduce paper waste, through the distribution of Kodak’s line of scanners. D&H – which has connections with retailers including Amazon.com – plans to employ its relations with small-to-medium companies to encourage document scanning. The agreement will target businesses ‘looking to reduce their paper workflows and increase digital capabilities,’ and will, if successful, have significant environmental boons on top of increasing paper efficiency.
Kodak – an important player in the printer manufacturing industry – is one of several firms this year to encourage the so-called ‘paperless office’. In May, Calum Russell of Abobe.com.au posted that the average office worker uses ten thousands sheets of paper a year, at a cost of 1.6 million tonnes in writing materials. Meanwhile, in June IBM.com announced an initiative to consult with businesses in reducing paper waste. They aim to ‘reduce costs’ by digitising documents.
However, unlike Kodak, not everyone in the printing industry is seeking paper’s redundancy. On 30th April 2008, Datamation.com reported on Xerox’s invention of ‘reusable paper.’ This is not recycled paper, but in fact a sheet that makes document scanning redundant, because after 24 hours the words on the sheet disappear. The invention is still being tested at Xerox’s Palto Alco Research Center but, if successful, could reconcile the ‘tree-friendly office’ to the advantages of paper. It also holds the promise a whole new industry in ink cartridges.
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