Print.IT Reseller - issue 47

PRINT IT RESELLER.UK 3 PITR attended Toshiba TEC’s 2017 dealer conference in Madrid where the firm celebrated some significant success in its channel’s performance. Despite the overall market decline, Toshiba MFP sales are up by over 70 per cent overall. Its UK channel is up by 24 per cent and in Ireland by a massive 48 per cent – the highest market position since 2013. At the event, the company urged its MFP dealers to look to the barcode and label printing sector to secure a new revenue stream. Toshiba enjoyed a 32 per cent increase in sales vs. last year and a 76 per cent increase in the mobile market. Global carbon management company co2balance which has been working with Toshiba TEC since 2009, was also at the conference. PITR spoke to Managing Director Mark Simpson to find out more about the company and its work with LDCs (Least Developed Countries), businesses and NGOs (page 14). Acquisitions are a key part of Sharp’s European overall growth strategy. On page 43, Jason Cort, Director of Product Planning and Marketing at Sharp Europe talks about recent acquisitions, how the channel is central to Sharp’s growth strategy and why in terms of delivering on its plans for growth, Sharp is looking outside of its core business. AI, IoT, GDPR compliance and IT Security are just some of the areas this month’s panel predict will be hot topics in 2018 (page 34). Brother MD Phil Jones warns that with post-Brexit Britain still unclear, businesses will remain vigilant, cautious and careful with their decisions and this will shape many of the predicted trends for 2018. Xerox expects to see a huge surge in demand for apps within the print industry, an opportunity it is well positioned to embrace and KYOCERA’s Eddie Ginja predicts that customers will also increasingly look for integrated solutions that are truly ‘plug-and-play’. This month’s Q&A is with David Johnson, Sales Director, ABC Managed Business Solutions and PITR spent 60 seconds with Darren Bird, Head of Technology, Xeretec Group. And finally, if you’ve got any news about your business to share, would like to be included on our monthly Vox Pop panel, have a compelling business success story or simply wish to comment on any industry issues, please get in touch with us at editorial@printitreseller.co.uk James Goulding , Editor, 07803 087228 · editorial@printitreseller.co.uk PRINT.IT Reseller is published by Kingswood Media Ltd., Amherst House, 22 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 2BT • Tel: 01732 759725 Email: neil@printitreseller.uk www.printitreseller.uk No part of PRINT.IT Reseller can be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. © 2017 Kingswood Media Ltd. Design: Sandtiger Media www.sandtiger.co.uk 04 Bulletin What’s new in printers and printing 14 Exhibitions This year’s edition of The Print Show which ran from October 11 to 13 at the International Centre in Telford was hailed a success 21 Dealer Conference 85 partner businesses attended Toshiba TEC’s 2017 conference in Madrid on November 2 24 Environment co2balance has been working with Toshiba TEC since 2009 26 Printers Develop joins the Premier League of digital imaging brands 28 Q&A Xerox’s Global Channel Strategy Lead, Aqua Porter speaks about the company’s plans to increase sales amongst SMEs and the important role resellers can play 32 Dealer Profile PITR spoke to Steve Burgess, Managing Director of ABC Managed Business Solutions about the firm’s plans for growth 34 VOX POP A panel of print hardware and software vendors consider what 2018 holds for the print and IT sectors 43 Interview Jason Cort, Director of Product Planning and Marketing at Sharp Europe explains why the channel is central to Sharp’s growth strategy 46 Opinion Why PDF/A needs to be fundamental to a document archiving strategy 48 View from the Channel David Johnson, Sales Director, ABC Managed Business Solutions 50 60 seconds with... Darren Bird, Head of Technology, Xeretec Group. ISSUE 47 · 2017 print it reseller.uk Comment Register online To receive your regular FREE printed copy of PrintIT Reseller Magazine simply fill in our online registration form at www.printitreseller.uk/register Read PrintIT Reseller online, on tablets and smart phones www.printitreseller.uk Join us : Follow us @PrintITReseller Issue 47 ISSN 2055-3110 (Print) ISSN 2055-3129 (Online) Editor: James Goulding 07803 087228 · james@printitreseller.uk Advertising Director: Ethan White 01732 759725 · ethan@printitreseller.uk Publishing Director: Neil Trim 01732 759725 · neil@printitreseller.uk Group Sales Manager: Martin Jenner-Hall 07824 552116 · martin@printitreseller.uk Social Media and Web Editor: John Peters 07711 204011 · john@printitreseller.uk Art Director: Nick Pledge 07767 615983 · nick@binfo.co.uk Editorial Assistant: Tayla Ansell 01962 843434 · tayla@binfo.co.uk Advertising Executive: James Trim 01732 759725 · jamest@binfo.co.uk COMMENT