Xerox CEO in trouble?
– A new lawsuit from Darwin Deason and Carl Icahn, who together hold about 15% of Xerox shares, claims that Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson pursued a $6.1B deal with Fujifilm of Japan, even after the board advised him to halt negotiations, according to article in the Wall Street Journal
– goal is to prevent Fujifilm from taking over Xerox, get rid of current CEO, replace members of the board of directors, and have Xerox acquired by another partner
– Fujifilm is still looking to close a deal where it will take over Xerox for $6.1 billion (even though Xerox’s market capitalization was $7.4 billion)
– Supposedly the Chairman of the Board of Xerox. Robert Keegan, told Jacobson that he could be fired due to weak financial performance.
o Keegan allegedly banned the Director negotiate further with Fuji
o considering hiring a former IBM and HP executive, John Vistentin, to replace Jacobson
o Jacobsen made a “Hail Mary” deal with Fujifilm, so it could take over Xerox and he would keep his CEO position post acquisition
– Fuji now has permanent control of intellectual property, as well as the licensing, manufacturing and selling of its products in the Far East and Pacific Rim markets.
– Carl Icahn sent letter to the SEC demanding right to inspect books and records
– Xerox shareholders are scheduled to vote on approving the proposed merger sometime next month.
– Even if shareholders approve the merger, the Deason lawsuits will remain, unless he decides to drop them
Xerox to be acquired by HPI?
– According to The Street magazine, HP Inc. had been “sniffing around Xerox”
– activist investor Carl Icahn and fellow Xerox shareholder Darwin Deason, both of whom own a combined 15% of Xerox shares, could ultimately push for a Xerox-HP Inc. combination
– Deason claims that the president of “another company” (now known to be HP) made an inquiry about “combining” with Xerox
– Carl Icahn hired former HP executive, John Visentin, as a consultant, suggesting what his ultimate goal may be
Xerox wins university contracts
– Award from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC
– Included installs of the following MFP models:
o WorkCentre 5890APT
o WorkCentre 7970
o AltaLink C8055
o WorkCentre 7535
o VersaLink C405
o B405DN
– Award from University of Oregon in Eugene
o Installed Xerox Color 1000i production color laser system in the CRD
o Included a university-wide copier management program
o Included WorkCentre 7835i MFP models as part of the 400 device fleet
o Also manages 1700 desktop printers
Xerox gets on public coop contract
– Announced that its MFPs are now on the National IPA Purchasing Network contract
– Serves government agencies and educational institutions in U.S.
– Includes products from desktop printers to production print
– Also includes managed print services, solutions, and workflow automation
– Lease, purchase or rental options
– Contract expires on 2/2021
Dell to exit printer business
– Dell announced it is exiting the printer business and will no longer sell Dell-branded printers, but will sell other-brand printers
– “The printing industry has been through a continued decline and we see a consolidation of key players. We have made the decision to transition our customers from Dell-branded laser printers and accessories to a partner-led imaging portfolio. With this diverse new partner-led portfolio of imaging products, we feel we will be able to meet our customers’ imaging needs better.”
Kyocera holds its national dealer meeting
– Was held in Orlando, Florida on April 9 – 11
– Theme of event was “Innovate” and 1,100 people attended
– Keynote speech by ESPN’s Hannah Storm with theme of team work
– President and CEO of Kyocera. Nori Ina gave presentation:
o reported record worldwide sales for FY18
§ A3 and A4 color MFPs, which were up 14% globally
§ has now sold over 2,000,000 units worldwide (printers and MFPs)
§
Sales in the U.S. were flat, with no growth
The U.S. only generated 14% of its sales
o building a completely automated scanner production line in Hirakata, Japan
§ will be doubling manufacturing productivity in other areas
§ opened an automated toner containment production plant in Tamaki, Japan
§ building new organic photoconductor plant in China
§ A4 printers and MFPs now built in Vietnam, instead of China
o 29 new products that will be released in FY19
§ including the new TASKalfa 9600, 11100 and 13600, which are relabeled Ricoh Pro 8200 series of b/w PPS units
§ (Ricoh will continue to relabel Kyocera-made A4 b/w MFPs)
§ Announced it had hired Fred Morrone to be in charge of its production print products
He spent last 21 years in charge of Ricoh’s Production Color Systems
o Launched two new connectors for fax servers:
§ XMedius Connector
§ RightFax Connector
o TDS 2.0. (total document solutions) and includes assessments that tie into workflow
§ integration with Hyland OnBase software
o plans to focus on growing business in education and legal vertical markets
Kyocera offers more details on inkjet PPS
– The production color inkjet system will apparently have relay units that are 24” wide
o Relay units will have MSRP of $2000 each
– Depending on the configuration the total system can take as much as 14.5’ and up to 26’
– Top speed of 146ppm on letter size paper, and 88ppm on ledger size paper
– Handles up to 13” x 19.2” sheet size
– Supports up to 360gsm in auto duplex
– Document feeder scans up to 110opm, and scans both sides of original at same time for 220ipm top speed
– With options, can support up to 14,310 sheets of paper
– Dealers will be allowed to sell and service
– Optional EFI Fiery print server
– Optional lower cost option with Kyocera made print server
Kyocera to hold 2 open houses
– First event will be held on:
o 6/21 in Irvine, CA
o 7/17 in Tempe, AZ
– Will be named Summer Tech Show
– Will feature:
o Managed Network Services
o UC/VOIP Phone Systems
o Disaster Recovery
o Cloud Services
o Workflow Management
o Wide Format Printing
o Interactive Displays
o High-Speed Inkjet
o Date and Time
Ricoh to continue sponsorship
– Ricoh had booth at recent Xploration 18, the Customer Communications Conference, which focuses on production print in CRD environments
o renewed its Elite Sponsorship with Xplor International
o will highlight its Web Enablement Solutions Suite, which securely transforms print-centric data streams into web-ready documents
o event was held on April 17-19 in Orlando, FL
o also demonstrated Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) to Augmented Reality (AR) solutions
– also announced that its next national dealer conference, Ricoh Convergence, will be held on 6/25/18 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Advice for managed print growth
– Published by Virtulytix Inc. (which acquired Photizo Group)
– global MPS market was worth $26.72 billion in 2016 and will reach $49.7 billion by 2025
– Managed print services dealer leaders achieve median gross margins of 28% and the highest performers get up to 56%
– “Some resellers have a very complete model for delivery—they’ve got service, sales, logistics, and they’re efficient and operate well”
o “Others who often do just as well or better, however, focus on what they’re good at and outsource the rest”
o “There’s not one answer for everybody”
– Operational Efficiency tips:
o utilizing tools like predictive analytics to anticipate when a device will need to be serviced and to optimize service call routing
o first-call resolution rate should be 90 percent or better.
o using high-yield/jumbo-yield ink cartridges and tracking their consumption to be sure the customer isn’t replacing them too soon
o taking a rip-and-replace approach to client printers and copiers
§ rather than take over “a hodgepodge of devices” and vendor relationships when onboarding a new customer, installs equipment to standardized on
§ some customers balk at tearing out all their existing assets, so dealers should offer to customers that if equipment is they will buy it and give it away
§ Standardization can also increase your devices managed per technician
median figure for providers in general is 340
while high performers can near 900
Epson launches new color inkjet MFP
– launched the WorkForce Pro ET-8700 EcoTank color-inkjet All-in-One
– base MSRP of $999.99
– features replaceable ink bag
– Epson claims that the units comes with “up to two years of ink”
o Advertised as enough ink to print up to 16,000 black pages (based on average monthly print volumes of about 450 pages) and 11,000 color pages
§ Based on pages with 5% coverage per color
– Top speed of 24 ppm in both black and color
– Top scan speed of 24opem
– Fax board included
– Comes standard with 250-sheet paper capacity, plus 80-sheet rear tray
o Optional 500-sheet tray.
– Automatic two-sided printing
– 4.3″ color LCD touchscreen.
– Ethernet connectivity plus the wireless capabilities — print from Apple iPads and iPhones, and from Android tablets and smartphones; includes Wi-Fi Direct, and NFC (Near Field Communication)
– Two-year warranty.
Large dealer makes acquisition
– SumnerOne, headquartered in St. Louis, MO has acquired Drake Systems in Tulsa, OK.
– Drake is a Kyocera and Sharp dealer in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has been in business since 1982
Dealers merge and take new name
– Three dealers in Tucson, Arizona, ProCopy Office Solutions, Action Imaging and Laser Options, announced that they will combine and take name Action Imaging Group
– owned by Oval Partners, under its Flex Technology Group
Ninestar to build new laser engine plant
– Reuters reports that Ninestar (owner of Lexmark) says it plans to sign an agreement for a laser-printer engine manufacturing factory to be located in Zhuhai, China
– plans to invest about $1.43 billion in the project
– hopes to achieve an annual output of “approximately 4 million units,” with an annual output value of approximately $3.1 billion
– new initiative is said to be in response to the Chinese’s government’s “Made in China’s” policy
Ninestar to launch new b/w A4 MFPs
– Ninestar’s Lexmark division announced it is now offering the MS and MX 320, 420, 520, and 620 Series devices
– MSRPs range from $399 to $1799
– built-in print controller features:
o up to 2GB RAM
o 10/100/1000BaseT and Wi-Fi standard
o Optional serial, parallel and fiber interfaces.
o Optional OCR software with classify and route
o Data security features standard
o support for Google Cloud Print, Mopria Print Service, Apple AirPrint, and Microsoft Windows Mobile
– MX320 Series offers:
o 38 ppm top speed
o 2.4″ color LCD display
o maximum monthly duty cycle of 50,000 pages
o 250 sheet and 100-sheet paper input trays
o semi-automatic document feeder (SADF)
– MX420 Series offers:
o 42 ppm top speed
o 4.3″ color LCD touchscreen display
o maximum monthly duty cycle of 100,000 pages
o 250 sheet and 100-sheet paper input trays
o toner yield up to 20,000 pages
o reversing automatic document feeder (RADF)
– MX521 series offers:
o 46 ppm top speed
o 4.3″ color LCD touchscreen
o maximum monthly duty cycle of 120,000 pages
o 250 sheet and 100 sheet paper input trays
o toner yield up to 25,000 pages
o RADF
– MX522 series offers:
o 46 ppm top speed
o 4.3” color LCD touchscreen
o Able to integrate optional apps
o maximum monthly duty cycle of 120,000 pages
o 250 sheet and 100 sheet paper input trays
o toner yield up to 25,000 pages
o duplexing automatic document feeder
§ Scan speeds up to 100 ipm
§ Scans both sides of original at same time
§ Holds up to 100 originals
§ Black page removal
– MX622 series offers:
o Top speed of 50 ppm
o 7″ color LCD touchscreen
o Able to integrate optional apps
o maximum monthly duty cycle of 175,000 pages
o 550 sheet 100 sheet paper input trays
o toner yield up to 25,000 pages
o DADF
– Other options include:
o 250- and 550-sheet paper trays
o 550-sheet lockable paper tray
o inline stapler finisher
o 500-GB hard drive
HP offers new MFP security options
– now offering integrations for its printers and MFPs with popular IT security monitoring tools, such as SIEM (security information and event management)
– can now integrated with McAfee’s SIEM, Splunk, ArcSight and SIEMonster
– also integrations with endpoint protection and management platforms including Microsoft SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager)
– claims that it is the “only manufacturer to offer integration of printer security compliance and event data with these management and monitoring tools”
– is also going to launch endpoint security sales and technical certification training for its dealers on 5/1/18
HP claims to offer exclusive security
– published new brochure claiming “The world’s most secure printers”
– Claims that it is only manufacturer to offering the following features in its MFPs:
o BIOS protection with self-healing
o Run time intrusion detection
o Security policy deployment and remediation
– Claims it is only one who offers the following optional services:
o Print security compliance assessment
o Print security compliance management
HP wins production print contract
– award from Lasertryk, a commercial printer in The Netherlands
– installed two Indigo 12000 production color systems
– reason given for choosing include:
o increased flexibility and ability to handle urgent orders swiftly
o exceptional quality
HP holds webinar for reporters
– on 4/18/18, held online webinar for industry analysts
– conducted by David Lange, VP of A3 and Contractual Future Product Marketing for HP
– expanding the A3 channel by adding more HP dealers and converting former Samsung MFP dealers
– currently has 600 dealers worldwide, with goal of 1,000 by end of 2018
– Even though it has been one year since launch of A3 MFPs (made in former Samsung plant), and goal is to achieve 12% marketshare by 2020, they are behind in the U.S.
o “are a little behind…what we expected”
– slow response in U.S. for the PageWide inkjet MFPs
o “as for the BTA (U.S. dealer) channel, our success has been mixed”
– Launched the “Accessibility Assistant”, which is a hand held black plastic remote control
o Allows users to use their voice to initiate copy jobs
§ Example is “make 3 copies, duplex, and in color”
Xante’ launches new color system
– announced that its new En/Press received Pantone certification
– The spot color matching of the En/Press is powered by Xante’s own iQueue workflow software and RightON technology.
– The En/Press uses a Ricoh color laser engine
– 4800 dpi resolution
– Prints on media up to 18pt thick
– Supports sheet sizes from 3.5”x 3.5” up to 13”x49.6”
– Optional Enterprise high-speed feed system accommodates up to 1000 #10 envelopes
Document management market growing
– global Document Management Systems market value which registered at $3.62 Billion
– predicted to increase by the $6.85 Billion over the period of 2023
– growing CAGR of 11.22%
– published by Market.Biz
Toshiba still trying to sell chip division
– SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has confirmed that renegotiating the delayed acquisition of Toshiba’s NAND memory chip unit is not an option
– “SK is not considering renegotiating the deal,” the chairman told reporters at a conference on April 19 in Seoul. “(The issue of the delayed Toshiba deal) will soon be addressed.”
– Acquisition process has been postponed as investors have yet to win approval from the Chinese antitrust authorities, who have reportedly expressed concerns over the impact the deal could have on the global chip industry.
– Toshiba is debating what to do with its flash memory business if Chinese antitrust authorities do not approve the sale
– Toshiba had agreed to sell Toshiba Memory for 2 trillion yen ($18.5 billion)
– If approval is not forthcoming in time, Toshiba will have a choice to make.
– Bain has the right to walk away from the deal, for a 10 billion yen fee, starting in July.
– if the deal collapses, Toshiba will need another source for the hundreds of billions of yen in annual investment required to continue developing the memory business
o "we cannot handle any more big investments," a Toshiba official said.
Why people still print on paper
– survey results published by Two Sides.org
– 78% of people surveyed keep hard copies of important documents filed as they believe this is the safest and most secure way of storing important info
– 76% are increasingly concerned that their personal info held electronically is at risk
– 91% agree that since printed paper is recycled, is a sustainable way to communicate
– 56% trust news printed in newspapers versus only 35% of what is read in social media
Hon Hai Precision gives details on Sharp
– Announced financials for third quarter of its fiscal year for its Sharp division
– Net sales worldwide up 25% to $6.4 billion (includes all products; LCD displays, TVs, MFPs, etc)
– Operating profit up 57.8% to $265.2 million
– Break out by Sharp divisions:
o Smart Homes revenue up 15.5% to 148.9 billion yen
o Smart Business Solutions (includes MFPs) up 10.8% to 80.1 billion yen ($715.3 million)
§ Operating profit down 12.9% to $32.1 million
§ Did not break out the numbers for the U.S.
o IoT Electronics up 34.8% to 189.3 billion yen
o Advance Displays (LCDs) up 28.2% to 314.6 billion yen
Microsoft dumps Windows in new product?
– Announced details on new computer chips to be in future toys, household appliances, industrial machinery and other IoT devices
– Embedded in the chips will be a Linux operating system, instead of its Windows OS
– Reason given is to fend off cyberattacks
Kodak wins production print contract
– Award from J.S. McCarthy, a commercial printer in Stamford, CT
– Installed a Kodak NEXPRESS ZX3300 production color system
– “potential to help us extend the range of applications we could offer our clients,” said Carmine Furci, head of J.S. McCarthy Production
– “it has exceeded our expectations”
– “There is a marked improvement in the quality of the machine, especially with the high definition inks and with the fifth unit and the light black, the quality jumped.”
– “The press’ ability to handle large sheet sizes (max up to 14 x 39.3”) opens new digital applications like six-panel brochures, small format signage, shelf tags, packaging and much more.”
– “The press really allows us to have a different kind of conversation with our clients about what’s possible, from the versatility of the stocks to the sizes it can print. From a reliability and quality standpoint, we can run a 13”x19” sheet and up to 14”x39” sheet with extremely high-quality output.”
Canon to launch instant photo printer
– Now shipping the new Canon IVY mini photo printer
– Based on ZINK Zero Ink technology, using thermal process an special coated paper
– Uses 2” x 3” sheets
– Prints one photo in less than one minute
