Mike's Perspective On 2012

Managed Print Services Connect (Jan 6 2012) Blogs , Finance , Workflow

1. 

   Hello Bob,
   
   Happy New Year!   
   
   As I leave 2011 behind I believe the industry will continue to face many of the same challenges of last year.   Certainly the impact on the OEM’s due to the tsunami catastrophe will continue to provide significant impediments to the supply chain and this will of course trigger other scenarios the OEM’s will have to respond to in the new year.   This is not a less than significant issue and while it will require major busienss model changes and there will be a “new normal” for all of us to manage.   
   
   That being said,  I am optimistic about what I see developing in 2012 with the advent of greater migration from the conventional hardware/supply/service model to a more compelling “services”business model.  The channel is embracing these changes with greater enthusiasm and of course the end user client is already far more willing to utilize solutions that will address  improvements in energy,  business efficiency,  inventory management, headcount optimization  and related operational benefits.  
   
   I am optimistic because I can clearly see the convergence of function and form.   Meaning supplies, services,  hardware are now “modules” of a more robust enterprise that will become more and more visible throughout this new year.   The “cloud” will become the norm for the consumer, the channel and the developers and this will drive the “form” or said another way the “distribution” methods.    In my view of the world I see IT/VAR’s,  dealers,  MPS providers,  facility management companies and e-commerce as a convergence of opportunity.   I have heard  people define this migration as “encroachment”  and I would debate that thought process with vigor.    Historically every distribution channel evolves as a part of the process and 2012 that process will be very active and opportunistic for those who have prepared for the generational change.    Yes, less print, less paper, few machines and lower overall usage is the down side but the upside is great services business, superior data/content management,  increased security requirements,  significant “green” benefits and of course the need for dramatic improvements in network and overall security.   
   
   Yes I am optimistic and my only reservation is that the copier channel has historically been slow to adopt new technology and this must not be the case going forward.   That being said,  I am confident MWAi and the industry will be a much better year for all!   
   
   Thanks Bob,
   Mike

   
   I'd like to thank Mike Stramaglio of MWAi for taking the time to share his thoughts on 2012 with us and the global MPS community.  Mike is a thought leader in the MPS community and a valued friend.  Thanks Mike.

   Bob Meyer
   

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