tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69330681082448501712024-03-12T20:58:34.138-07:00Point of ViewPEiR Group and AEC Technologies on the Cloud and BeyondThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-91207051970502631392013-09-05T14:42:00.003-07:002013-09-05T14:42:33.261-07:00AbacusPCR Now Includes Print Retrieval - Free With Every License AbacusPCR Print retrieval is a secure printing module for clients to save paper wastage and provide secure document retrieval.The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-49553042359404733192013-05-08T10:26:00.000-07:002013-05-08T10:32:09.926-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">MetaPrint Workstation $995.00</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the power of MetaPrint Professional, now in a single user workstation edition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MetaPrint Workstation utilizes the same high quality viewer, file preparation and print functions as MetaPrint Professional in a package designed for the individual rather than the shop environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using MetaPrint Workstation, key users within an organization have the ability to print, prepare & convert documents using the power of a tool designed for the printshop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Priced competitively, MetaPrint Workstation is affordable enough to be installed for key users throughout an organization, improving productivity and quality throughout the company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Build and assemble plot jobs</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Configure disparate file formats into a single-cohesive job</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Fast, high quality conversion of most file formats (including PDF & DWF) to TIFF (multi-page), PDF (multi-page), DWF and other print ready formats.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Easy drag and drop file sorting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Allows stripping or concatenation of complicated file-system paths</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Set page sizes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Set image alignment and rotation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•WYSIWYG viewer shows how plot will print and allows for rotation, sizing, cropping, image placement or fine image adjustment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•View monochrome or color layers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Use and display any number of pre-configured pen-sets or use embedded pens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Create and save job tickets for archive and reprinting of jobs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Submit the job to on-site or off-site queues</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Open jobs and view them for modification</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Compatible with print devices from all major manufacturers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Configure logic for plot jobs - use any size, wait for exact size, use next larger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Monitor real-time status of paper sizes and quantities</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Monitor device status and work-load</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Pens &Settings Controls</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Extremely fine pen-control can be easily saved and recalled on a per-document basis</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Settings can be configured to replicate output from various devices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Settings can be standardized across an organization to improve print quality</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Stamps & Overlays</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Create and recall stamps that can include metadata from job information - Job Name, Company Name, date, time, more...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a full working free trial go to </span><a href="http://www.metaprint.net/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.metaprint.net</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or call PlanWell at 510-403-2435</span>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-64947949276849595702012-10-01T15:38:00.001-07:002012-10-01T15:38:52.489-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSwJCOSYn08/UGoa4rYZslI/AAAAAAAAAwI/icH7g8PjOC4/s1600/peir+store+banner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" kea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSwJCOSYn08/UGoa4rYZslI/AAAAAAAAAwI/icH7g8PjOC4/s320/peir+store+banner.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>PlanWell Collaborate Scan to Cloud for HP Designjet</strong><br />
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Bateman-Hall in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is a commercial general contractor and construction management company with over 30 years of experience. Their impressive client list includes Albertsons, Associated Foods, Fred Meyer, Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart. <br />
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Dillon Dance, assistant project manager at Bateman-Hall, manages project documentation trails, such as RFIs and change orders. When on the job site, he spends much of his time helping subcontractors accomplish what they need to do. He also holds meetings with the superintendent and the project manager to review what needs to be done during the week. Key projects include a new Walmart store in California and a new high school in Idaho. The high school will involve more than 35 suppliers and subcontractors over a two-year period. <br />
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As every general contractor on such a large project knows, getting all parties on the same page is a challenge. In the case of the Idaho high school, the building partners are spread out, with one local architecture firm, one in neighboring Utah, and subcontractors and suppliers in various locations around the country. <br />
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Speeding up the submittal process:<br />
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A significant scheduling challenge is the pressure of downtime due to construction changes. When owners request a change to the job bid, they usually mail or deliver the changes to the general contractor on marked-up paper plans. The contractor in turn mails or delivers the cost changes to the owner. To improve this process, Bateman-Hall agreed to test PlanWell Collaborate Scan to Cloud, an integration of PlanWell Collaborate and the HP Designjet T2300 eMFP, a technology solution designed to accelerate project schedules. <br />
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“With PlanWell Collaborate Scan to Cloud, we can scan in changes,” says Dance, “and the turnaround time is a day. Before it would take four to five business days to get the changes approved.” The impact of changes on subcontractors’ time can also add additional days to the project schedule. When a project day costs an owner thousands of dollars, every day of idle time or time spent waiting for updated plans can be expensive. <br />
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“We used to use only paper plans and mail them back and forth. I think we will always have a hard set of plans on the job site, so people can meet around the plans and mark on the same page, but there has been a reduction in printing on the job with this integrated solution. Submittals are mostly on screen now,” says Dance. “Now the electrician can look at mechanical and plumbing drawings. Before if the electrician needed drawings, they had to request them.” <br />
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Additional benefits:<br />
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Color printing can now be done in-house, creating additional savings — between $50-300 and about eight hours per trip to the reprographics house. Says Dance, “Before we had to go to the repro house about twice a week, mostly for redlines. We could only scan in black and white in-house, but now we can scan in color and we can change colors right from the HP screen.” <br />
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The ease of scanning in changes and sharing them instantaneously with a team has another tremendous benefit: preventing subcontractors from building from the wrong plans. According to Dance, “Before, subcontractors would start with bid drawings and as changes came in, sometimes they wouldn’t get updated. With PlanWell Collaborate Scan to Cloud everybody on the team is notified when changes occur.” Dance estimates the new solution has reduced incidences of working from the wrong plans by about 75%. <br />
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PlanWell Collaborate Scan to Cloud for HP Designjet also creates efficiencies in the step-by-step office workflow. “It’s improved the workflow by minutes a day, and those minutes add up,” says Dance. “Now we can scan directly into PlanWell through the T2300, and notify everyone without using PCs, saving a couple of minutes. It saves maybe a total of 30 minutes a day.” <br />
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Ultimately, the solution has made communication among everyone on the job more effective, instantaneous, and efficient — accelerating project schedules.<br />
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The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-10384425327951173902012-09-25T11:58:00.001-07:002012-09-25T12:01:34.023-07:00Join The IRgA for Free !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwr4Xo1AtS8/UGH855rpj1I/AAAAAAAAAv4/0mWO0Ex-0gQ/s1600/irga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="56" kea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iwr4Xo1AtS8/UGH855rpj1I/AAAAAAAAAv4/0mWO0Ex-0gQ/s320/irga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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IRgA MEMBERSHIP SIGN-UP ANNOUNCEMENT</div>
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Important News about IRgA Membership:</h3>
For the fiscal year beginning August 1st, 2012, IRgA membership is available – to all who are eligible for membership - at no cost!<br />
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The IRgA is encouraging you to sign up as a member of the IRgA. Please visit their "membership information” page for detailed information about membership and that will lead you to the membership sign-up procedure.<br />
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After you’ve submitted a request for membership, their site-administrator will receive your request, review it, and approve it.<br />
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IRgA memberships are "individual” memberships. IRgA encourages reprographers, printers and imagers to encourage all of their company team members to "sign up” for IRgA membership. In addition, Vendors to the reprographics industry are encouraged to sign-up for membership. Investors and financial analysts who follow the reprographics industry are also invited to sign up. <a href="http://www.irga.com/" target="_blank">Click here to sign-up</a><br />
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Remember to visit the forum section of the IRgA website. Post a question, Make a statement!</h3>
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<br />The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-24269370352510742332012-09-25T09:57:00.003-07:002012-09-25T11:39:21.595-07:00<h3 style="text-align: center;">
PEiR Group Members Receive Discounts on all PlanWell Technology Products</h3>
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As a member of the PEiR Group you receive 40% discounts on all PlanWell Technology product.</div>
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This includes MetaPrint, AbacusPCR, PlanWell Collaborate just to name a few.</div>
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This give you a great opportunity to be a reseller of PlanWell Technologies. </div>
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Call The PEiR Group today for details 510-403-2435 or email John Bidwell at <a href="mailto:johnb@planwell.com">johnb@planwell.com</a></div>
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The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-69292853867560532502012-09-25T09:13:00.001-07:002012-09-25T09:14:04.949-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Visit PEiR Group Vendor Xpedx at the Graphic Expo in Chicago and SGIA in Las Vegas</strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2elT6rCHcFo/UGHX2R8RLZI/AAAAAAAAAvo/RXCvT7tp01Y/s1600/xpedx+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" kea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2elT6rCHcFo/UGHX2R8RLZI/AAAAAAAAAvo/RXCvT7tp01Y/s320/xpedx+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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October 7-10, 2012<br />
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McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL<br />
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Booth #1646<br />
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SGIA Expo<br />
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October 18-20, 2012<br />
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Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV<br />
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Booth #2481<br />
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xpedx plays a key role in helping you with emerging trends and technology that<br />
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represent opportunities for growth in the print industry. Embracing this change<br />
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can reveal exciting new opportunities. We integrate products and deliver full<br />
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service to meet your current and future demand, streamline workflow, improve<br />
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productivity, and enhance the impact of digital, offset, and wide format offerings.<br />
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equipment <br />
consumables <br />
media & substrates<br />
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to support<br />
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production digital <br />
offset <br />
wide format <br />
flexographic</div>
The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-21896499661537019612012-09-19T10:30:00.000-07:002012-09-19T10:31:53.842-07:00<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPuXEHpkbZw/UFoAaX7a08I/AAAAAAAAAvI/wi07bf85MQQ/s1600/pwc+file+cabnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="107" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPuXEHpkbZw/UFoAaX7a08I/AAAAAAAAAvI/wi07bf85MQQ/s320/pwc+file+cabnet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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PlanWell Collaborate Success Story</h2>
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Brown Studio Architects is an architectural design firm located in Montgomery, Alabama. With over 45 years of experience, they provide clients with award-winning architecture, interior design, and project management services. <br />
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Recently Brown Studio partnered with two local architectural firms and six not-so-local engineering firms from across the country to complete a large football stadium for a state university.<br />
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The architects in Alabama needed to store and organize files and drawings and make them easily accessible to consultants in different time zones. Sound familiar? It seems virtual teams are more the rule than the exception today.<br />
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Virtual teams need virtual file cabinets. For example, massive document packages must be released to bidders spread across the map. The bidders then need to share these documents with their potential sub-contractors.<br />
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Every project team faces the challenge of how to coordinate, share knowledge, and maintain and update project schedules and technical documents without breaking the budget. And do it without having to send the entire team to a week long training for a complex, expensive collaboration application.<br />
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Project managers face less than ideal choices when it comes to collaboration: they can use the traditional route of paper plans and scans, and couriers, or use slow but reliable FTP and email, converting plans to digital as needed. Another choice is to use a complex, ultimately ignored application that becomes a project on its own.<br />
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Brown Studio and its partners needed to share documents and efficiently update the remote project team. They also needed to archive documents as the project progressed. And do these things without spending the first week of the project setting up websites, FTP, creating address books and contact lists, and learning new software would be a plus.<br />
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After a little research, the tool selected for the job was PlanWell Collaborate.<br />
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PlanWell Collaborate is an intuitive, cost-effective cloud project collaboration application designed to make life easier for project managers.<br />
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According to Brown Project Manager Paul Zanglin, “Planwell Collaborate has been a way to easily organize our project files so they can be shared with consultants anywhere in the country and to deliver submittals to the owner, the bidders, and the general contractors in a timely manner while reducing printing costs for the owner and the firms involved.”<br />
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Doing more with less is a requirement on any project these days. Zanglin says that PlanWell Collaborate made the team more efficient, and “one person in the office can manage the files without involving the whole team and without tying up the office’s network to store and document all of the project information.”<br />
<br />The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-45958249381179885212012-09-18T12:45:00.000-07:002012-09-19T12:47:37.626-07:00PEIR Group HP Big Deal Now Included Inks<h2 style="text-align: center;">
PEiR Group HP Deal Now Includes Inks and Media</h2>
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<strong>Pricing is listed on the PEiR Group Website under SYNNEX, Wynit and Azerty</strong></div>
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The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-40053925120800040162011-08-09T10:19:00.000-07:002011-08-09T10:19:11.825-07:00PEIR Group Member Recognized by North Carolina Governor<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">PEiR Group Member LSG Recognized by North Carolina Governor</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQWttpjIkTU/TkFrUxMFmTI/AAAAAAAAAvE/KR90izwUD-A/s1600/aec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQWttpjIkTU/TkFrUxMFmTI/AAAAAAAAAvE/KR90izwUD-A/s320/aec.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="left">In the governor’s address she mentions how she is supporting small businesses and how PEiR Group member, Wayne Branch (LSG) , has transformed his business from simply a printer to a full service digitally enabled service company! </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USooBRpVZsY">Watch the video:</a></div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-59920618873836650362011-04-21T16:59:00.000-07:002011-04-21T17:10:56.500-07:00Manage Your Social Media Efforts with Ease<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfz9Mqzjc/TbDFpzw9MAI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5Q19aa-dsKo/s1600/social+network.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfz9Mqzjc/TbDFpzw9MAI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5Q19aa-dsKo/s1600/social+network.jpg" /></a></div>Social Media is a great way for small businesses to improve their brand awareness and at the same time improve their level of customer service. Today, more than any time in the past, it is imperative to stay close to your customers and to monitor their feelings about your products and services. Also, it is important to stay in touch with what your customers are thinking about and doing!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Using social sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter can help but, how do you use and manage them? These social networks are very powerful, low cost and extremely effective at keeping you in touch with the needs and interests of your customers and industry. However, many of you fail to understand or to take advantage of these technology initiatives. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Why you may ask? It is probably because you don’t know how to use these tools efficiently. For many it seems to be so confusing and for others they cannot see spending the time to stay informed on what is going on in the social network world and at the same time contribute and share tweets, photos, videos and links.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some great tools that can help and outlined below are a few I would suggest you consider:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A couple of ones I would suggest checking out are: <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/">TweekDeck</a> and <a href="http://seesmic.com/">Seesmic</a>. These are fantastic applications that allow small businesses to use Personal Computers, Smartphone’s and PADs to search and seek out what people are saying about their businesses and to join in on the conversations. Both of these products are so easy to use and are available for free. The idea, behind these tools, is to make it easy for a business or person to connect and share relevant content across all the major social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Google Buzz and others; all within one application eliminating the time consuming efforts involved with posting to each social network site separately!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So if you think you would like to use social media more effectively and efficiently to communicate with your customers and prospects consider using one of these tools mentioned above. <strong>And, if you don’t have a Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook account for your business, you absolutely must!</strong><br />
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Shaun</div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-87437643376340422072011-04-11T13:17:00.000-07:002011-04-11T13:46:05.373-07:00Cloud Computing has Started a Revolution<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ly0TWxm56Ss/TaNjcYJwNgI/AAAAAAAAAts/0yB2Hwi1Oag/s1600/emccloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ly0TWxm56Ss/TaNjcYJwNgI/AAAAAAAAAts/0yB2Hwi1Oag/s320/emccloud.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Over the last few months I have made mention of the Cloud and how it will become a major talk track among businesses in 2011. As a follow up to my previous articles (outlined in the list below) I would like to share some interesting marketing points that EMC has been using in their advertising about their Cloud Strategy!</div><ul><li><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2011/01/reprographics-on-cloud.html">"Cloud Printing Services" Reprographics on the Cloud </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-is-year-to-emphasize-your-managed.html">2011 the Year to Emphasize your Managed Services </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/12/planwell-collaborate-abacuspcr-awarded.html">PlanWell Collaborate & AbacusPCR Awarded BERTL's BEST </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/10/hp-and-canon-announce-game-changing.html">HP and Canon Announce Game Changing Wide Format Technical MFP Devices.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-road-again-part-1.html">On the Road with Fellow Reprographers (Part 1) BIM</a> </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">EMC has been advertising almost every week in Bloomberg’s BusinessWeek throughout 2011. Not only has EMC been evangelizing about the Cloud but many of the other leading technology players like Microsoft, IBM, HP, Oracle, Google, Amazon, Dell and Apple are too! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But this one advertising article I read, in the March 28- April 3, 2011 edition of BusinessWeek really summed up what the Cloud means for businesses and why it will be the next big shift in technology for the masses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">EMC begins their article by reminding the reader that all of us are using the Cloud today whether we realize it or not. The ad states “You probably did some cloud computing this week. The last time you posted a photo to Facebook, sent an email with Google account or bought something on Amazon.com, you put a finger in the cloud.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The article goes on to describe what Cloud computing is and sights the key advantages of Cloud Computing and why it is such an exciting platform and that is should not be overlook by anyone especially businesses. Some of the advantages of Cloud Computing is highlighted below.</div><br />
<div></div><strong>Key Benefits of the Cloud:</strong><br />
<ul><li>Pay as You Go </li>
<li>Leaner and Greener </li>
<li>Cloud is Power to the People</li>
</ul><strong> Terms you will want to get become familiar with:</strong><br />
<ul><li>SaaS (Software as a Service or Software on Demand) </li>
<li>Paas (Platform as a Service) </li>
<li>IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)</li>
</ul>If you want to read the full article/advertisement please <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/adsections/2011/pdf/110328_CloudComputing.pdf">click the link here</a> or read the March 28th edition of BusinessWeek or, better yet, subscribe to the Cloud based version of BusinessWeek by using the application called <a href="http://www.zinio.com/">Zinio</a>. Zinio is my preferred app to use with my iPad, iPhone and PC as it is one of the best ways to read your favorite magazines (electronically) and have them available anytime and anyplace.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So do not overlook the opportunities to position your business on the cloud and be prepared to talk to your customers intelligently about your ability to offer solutions that involve the cloud in some way or another. If you don’t someone else will.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div></div>Sincerely …..Shaun Meany<br />
<br />
<div></div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-81069535550340704122011-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:002011-05-23T15:50:20.963-07:00PEiR and PlanWell to Share Social Media Marketing Experiences<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Social Media Update</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxFK7wJ0Vsc/TdrkE_GlYnI/AAAAAAAAAvA/5J0cSHmsgY4/s1600/social+media+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxFK7wJ0Vsc/TdrkE_GlYnI/AAAAAAAAAvA/5J0cSHmsgY4/s1600/social+media+05.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />
To help our members become more aware of the features, advantages and benefits of social media and social networking, the PEiR Group team will be implementing a variety of social networking initiatives to demonstrate that all sized reprographic businesses need to embrace this revolutionary "technology approach" to marketing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First it is important to get a good understanding of what social media actually is! According to wikipedia "<a class="mw-redirect" href="http://www.blogger.com/wiki/Web-based_technologies" title="Web-based technologies"><span style="color: #0645ad;">social media is web-based technologies</span></a> that turn communication into interactive dialogues".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What web-based technologies you may ask? Maybe you shouldn't? There are literally thousands of providers of these technologies but for our purposes we have narrowed them down to just the following few:</div><br />
<ol><li>PEiR Group's Web Site <a href="http://www.peirgroup.com/">http://www.peirgroup.com/</a></li>
<li>PEiR's Point of View Blog <a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/">http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/</a></li>
<li>Facebook <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/arctechnology"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/arctechnology">http://www.facebook.com/arctechnology</a></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span>Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/arctechtweets">http://twitter.com/#!/arctechtweets</a> </li>
<li>Twitter <span style="color: #777777;"><a href="http://twitter.com/thepeirgroup">http://twitter.com/thepeirgroup</a></span> </li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">All of these social media sites offer the capability for us (or you) to communicate an appropriate message about product and services information to folks who want want to be informed but do not want to read emails or ordinary mailings because they are; too busy, out of date or not specific to their particular needs or interests. Social media allows us to reach our unique audience of customers in real time 24/7/360 anywhere in the world; by using both the web and mobile computing devices like iPhone, Blackberry's, iPads and Laptops that are connected to the Internet wirelessly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Social Media is not about posting propaganda and advertising about your products and services on web sites but rather; Social Media is about<strong><em> how you can be of service to your customers and prospects</em></strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the most important components in successful social media marketing implementation is building "social authority". Social authority is developed when an individual or organization establishes themselves as an "expert" in their given field or area, thereby becoming an " <a class="external text" href="http://wiki.smac.org/social-consumers/influencer" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #3366bb;">influencer</span></a>" in that field or area. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As an industry influencer , the PEiR Group is well positioned to help share information on the trends, best practices, business strategies and technologies that reprographers are evaluating and adopting in their businesses for the future. How do we get that message to our target audience? <em><strong>Social Media</strong>!</em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong>I have posted the links to our social media sites above, please take a few moments to note and visit them, follow, and comment on what you think. I will also be updating the Point of View Blog on our next social media effort! </strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong> How can we help you??</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><em> </em>Best regards,<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Shaun Meany</strong></em>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-43271241831776605832011-03-29T11:32:00.000-07:002011-03-29T11:51:12.660-07:00A Major New Release of AbacusPCR "Print Cost Recovery and Print Tracking Software" is Announced<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HW3iRj62dJU/TZInyxrHCVI/AAAAAAAAAtk/V4wYZLXJnm8/s1600/abacus+3_5+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HW3iRj62dJU/TZInyxrHCVI/AAAAAAAAAtk/V4wYZLXJnm8/s320/abacus+3_5+image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
Today PlanWell Technologies is pleased to announce a major upgrade to its Abacus PCR print cost recovery software. Used for keeping track of printing costs and reimbursable print jobs in both an office or professional print production environment, the Company highlighted the software’s new features and functionality while maintaining the easy-to-use interface that has been a hallmark of the application since its general release in 2008.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Once users see how much money they can recover by tracking reimbursable print costs, demand for expanded tracking capabilities spikes quickly,” said Jonathan Styrlund, product manager for Abacus PCR. “While simplicity is the key to Abacus’s popularity, once users see the potential for greater profitability, they want to capture more and different kinds of data and greater interactivity with other systems. Our new functions go a long way toward addressing those needs.”</div><br />
<div></div><strong>New features in the latest release include:</strong><br />
<ul><li>Print Retrieval – allows administrators to hold print jobs in a printer’s queue until the recipient is physically at the printer to retrieve them in order to avoid forgotten or wasted printing, and to increase security for confidential documents.</li>
<li>Rules-Based Printing – sets permissions and parameters for jobs to be printed on higher-cost devices.</li>
<li>Color Recognition – detects color print jobs even when sent to [multi-function] printing equipment. </li>
<li>Cisco Call Manager Integration – allows the ability to track job-related phone calls and other non-printing functions such as laser cutters [and other finishing equipment].</li>
<li>Third-Party Integration – includes the ability to assign project information from applications such as Newforma and PlanWell EWO to reduce redundant data entry and enhance the level of detail assigned to a print job. Printing equipment from Konica/Minolta and Sharp have also been added to the equipment Abacus can track.</li>
</ul><br />
<div>For a complete list of the features and capabilities of Abacus PCR, visit <a href="http://www.abacuspcr.com/">http://www.abacuspcr.com/</a>. <br />
<br />
If you would like to join us for a webinar that hightlights the newest features of AbacusPCR 3.5 <a href="http://www.planwell.com/demos.php">please sign-up by visting the following link</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks.....Shaun</div><br />
<div></div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-55911805443527295332011-03-21T10:07:00.001-07:002011-03-21T19:26:46.143-07:00Offer "Self Managed" Project Workspace Solutions to Your AEC Clients<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FggaWkltW74/TYeJKOPPXDI/AAAAAAAAAtg/iMRGlVO51xk/s1600/planwell+collaborate+pov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FggaWkltW74/TYeJKOPPXDI/AAAAAAAAAtg/iMRGlVO51xk/s320/planwell+collaborate+pov.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The document management needs of the AEC marketplace are changing and reprographers who fail to acknowledge these changes will be challenged to survive in the years ahead. <br />
<br />
<div></div>Over the last several years we have seen more and more AEC end-users starting to adopt low-cost file sharing tools that are diminishing the needs and value of traditional reprographic offerings, even On-line Plan Rooms. <br />
<br />
<div></div>Owners, GC’s, Sub’s and Design Professionals are aggressively moving towards using self managed solutions for distributing critical project information to project stake holders. Many are choosing to use CD’s, E-mail, FTP and web-based technologies like: BaseCamp, iSqft, SmartBidNet, Yousendit, BoxNet, DropBox, FileGenius, and a slew of others products to share and exchange project documents digitally.<br />
<br />
<div></div><strong>Questions that you need to ask :</strong><br />
<br />
<div></div><ol><li><strong>If you are experiencing these workflow changes with your key clients, what are you doing to stay relevant? </strong></li>
<li><strong>Does your existing plan room offering meet the needs of your clients today? </strong></li>
<li><strong>Are you having a difficult time getting your customers to pay for your plan room services? </strong></li>
</ol>Many plan rooms offered by reprographers today are mostly Repro-Centric (developed by reprographers for managing files at the repro-shop along with a web component for end-users to view and order prints and digital files). Although plan rooms are still a valuable offering from reprographers, I hear almost every day that posting and organizing documents into plan rooms is being done at a loss or with the hope of future print or download orders. This is a very risky business model for reprographers!<br />
<br />
<div></div>AEC end-users who were once comfortable using plan rooms and paying for digital services are now resisting paying for these tools and services and are now requesting the use of these services for free (due mainly to some repro companies who have not charged for digital services or subscriptions to their plan rooms). Others are just not interested in using plan rooms at all and are looking at using inexpensive managed file transfer (MFT) solutions mentioned above; by-passing the reprographer all together. <br />
<br />
<div></div>If you are struggling to overcome these challenges you might want to take a look at what PlanWell's Development Team has been working on to respond to these new paradigms.<br />
<br />
<div></div>The reality is, many AEC end-users want the ability to manage and distribute project information themselves. More and more, Project Managers are asking for tools that simplify the process of notifying and distributing documents to select team members.<br />
<br />
<div></div>Reprographers who respond by offering these capabilities will have an opportunity to remain valuable to their AEC customers. Reprographers who fail to introduce these capabilities will be overlooked by the AEC community because the services they offer are not relevant to the workflow needs of today!<br />
<br />
<div></div>To learn more about The “New PlanWell Solution” <a href="https://www.planwellcollaborate.com/product.html">click here</a>:<br />
<br />
<div></div>Sincerely<br />
<br />
<div></div>Shaun MeanyThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-55870831290385540542011-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:002011-03-17T16:53:13.809-07:00Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Should be a Wake-Up Call for Disaster Preparedness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RS3DMwoGcqI/TYKS6whQrlI/AAAAAAAAAtc/0lk9L2PJ4mo/s1600/Earthquake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RS3DMwoGcqI/TYKS6whQrlI/AAAAAAAAAtc/0lk9L2PJ4mo/s400/Earthquake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is always after a catastrophic event that one begins to think about disaster preparedness and what should be done to mitigate costs and losses when and if it should ever happen. Last week’s earthquake, tsunami, nuclear power plant explosions and radiation leaks certainly woke up the citizens of Japan, and it too, should be a reminder to all of us that we need to have a disaster preparedness plan for our businesses as well as for our personal lives.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It’s hard to imagine what the true cost of this disaster will equate to in dollars, lives and the environment. Insurers and reinsurers estimate losses somewhere between $12 billion to $25 billion; some other experts think the costs will be in the neighborhood of several trillion dollars. Most of these estimated losses come from damages to property and human lives but what are the costs associated to other things like businesses that were totally wiped off the face of the earth, radiation contamination to the environment, and jobs and future incomes of the disabled and injured? What about tourism and food exports? The list of lost revenues is endless.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Natural disasters are difficult and almost always impossible to prevent. But one thing we can all be assured of; disasters seem to strike at the most inopportune times. In the case of the Japan earthquake and tsunami, science might have been able to give the people in the impact area (Sendai) better warning and strategies to evacuate in a timely and orderly manner. However, from what I have read, tsunami waves began to hit the coast of northern Japan in as little as 30 minutes after the first earthquake. Not much time for anyone to evacuate from the area. Estimates are as high as 15,000 dead or missing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what can we learn from this disaster? Communities, individuals, businesses need to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether it is a fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, tornado, monsoon, or nuclear explosion we all need to have contingencies for responding to the unexpected.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Communities need to prepare their citizens with up to date evacuation routes, secure shelters with access to fresh water, toilets and rations for up to 72 hours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://photos.state.gov/libraries/japan/39181/pdfs/wwwfeart.pdf&pli=1">Individuals need to be prepared </a>by keeping an emergency kit up to date. Have non-perishable food, water, warm clothes and bedding to last three days or longer? Supplies need to be in a place where you can get at them easily?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Businesses need to have their businesses prepared to operate virtually. This means the records, data and information that are required to continue the business needs to be backed-up, secured and available within 72 hours. Businesses who fail to prepare for data and record recovery will most probably cease to exist.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, with disaster come opportunities. Yes, I said opportunities. As reprographers we have an opportunity to help your clients, as trusted advisors, develop prudent disaster preparedness strategies for their firm’s continued operations. Start a conversation with your clients about strategies for helping them develop a disaster preparedness plan; offer to convert paper records to digital records, store documents off-site at secure (redundant) data centers that are backed up with UPS and diesel generators—these are are just a few example where you can start.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So in closing, don’t wait until you experience your own disaster to start developing a strategy for disaster preparedness; take some action today, while it is still fresh in your mind, make a plan for you, your family, your business and your customer to be prepared for the unexpected. You will be glad you did!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also please join me in saying a prayer for all those who perished or lost love ones in the disaster in Japan. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sincerely,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shaun Meany</div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-74484283052847537562011-02-17T15:58:00.000-08:002011-02-17T21:35:50.031-08:00PEiR Group Member LSG is Recognized as Progressive Small Business by Governor of North CarolinaPlease take a few moments to watch the short video clip of a section of the State of the State Address by North Carolina's 73rd Governor, Beverly Eaves Perdue. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRLWBDt-ul0/TV25TXvZr3I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/KxyKbnkPoLE/s1600/govenor%2Bnc%2Blsg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nRLWBDt-ul0/TV25TXvZr3I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/KxyKbnkPoLE/s400/govenor%2Bnc%2Blsg.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">North Carolina's Governor Perdue</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lsgnc.com/">Click Here to View the Video on LSG's Web Site</a></div><br />
In the governor’s address she mentions how she is supporting small businesses and how PEiR Group member, Wayne Branch, has transformed his business from simply a printer to a full service digitally enabled service company!<br />
<br />
Congratulations Wayne and the rest of the team at LSG!<br />
<br />
ShaunThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-90239816008339749412011-02-08T09:19:00.000-08:002011-02-08T12:42:53.659-08:00A Successful Sales Story “Selling Software as a Service” PlanWell Collaborate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TVF8hE_pavI/AAAAAAAAAtA/-gw2F2NQDCA/s1600/planwell+collaborate+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TVF8hE_pavI/AAAAAAAAAtA/-gw2F2NQDCA/s320/planwell+collaborate+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the fastest growing and most successful, privately owned, minority Class ‘A’ general contractors in the US Mid-Atlantic region, has made the commitment to invest in PlanWell. This progressive GC has the proven abilities and track record to take on some of the most challenging of construction projects in the area. They are committed to meeting their clients’ goals by making investments in education, technology and their employees, so they are able to avoid costly delays, keep projects in budget and deliver high-quality work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Solution Selling Process:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This GC was interested in online construction technology. When they were initially contacted, PlanWell and BidCaster were discussed. However, after doing a thorough and complete needs assessment of their company and total document workflow, the sales consultant found a further opportunity to also introduce PlanWell Collaborate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The client was quick to realize that many of the current administrative processes that they were engaging in on a daily basis were antiquated and needed to be overhauled. This administrative workflow was taking focus away from their core focus, which was delivering high quality projects within budget.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The client immediately saw how PlanWell Collaborate (PWC) could help in their project and document workflow. Prior to the actual product Solution presentation, the client obviously researched the application in some detail. During the initial presentation of PWC, the client actually stepped through each of the main points of PWC and explained how it would be used and what benefit he would receive from it. In fact, the client more or less presented the application to the PlanWell Reseller instead of the other way around. It was a most interesting (yet refreshing) demo!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides using PWC, the client still intends on using both PlanWell and BidCaster throughout each project for most current set tracking, addenda and bulletin tracking as well as bid solicitation functionality.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Sales Objections and Solutions: </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sales consultant demonstrated Planwell Collaborate and Planwell / BidCaster to show them all the attributes each application had to offer their company. There were so many things the GC’s employees could utilize from PlanWell that they did not know where to begin. For example, should they phase in their network system? Do they get Collaborate in first? Would bringing in printing equipment at this stage be premature to their work flow needs, to mention just a few. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Eventually it was agreed that the GC needed PlanWell Collaborate right away because of all their immediate needs to order prints and to move/organize files. When the sales team discussed them using Bidcaster and staffing opportunities (staffed FM) for their bid packages they loved the idea of us putting a person (staffed FM) in their office to help with administrative process of PW/PWC we thought they were going to flip out. They said “can we start on Monday”!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> So the solution for them after the initial PWC phase was implemented was a manned FM with new network system, new computers, small format printers and a Color Wave 600 to run all their design build packages. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The great thing about establishing a partnership with your customers is that once they see your product, they realized the potential in convincing their clients to use your solution. In fact, this GC was so positive about the workflow and the benefits that they brought one of their clients in to sit in on Planwell Collaborate presentation. They too were blown away by the product, so much so, that they are trying out the product and if all goes well, they too will be purchasing 15 seats.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Learnings:</strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">PlanWell Collaborate has tremendous versatility as it can be used in all phases on a projects life-cycle, in this case the GC found great benefit in using PWC in helping them to manage the following processes:</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;">Project E-mail storage and archive</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Daily project logs and project specific calendars</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Virtual storage location for meeting minutes, owner and architect information, prime contractor information, payment records, RFI, ASI, etc.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Storage location for all project documentation with integrated file viewer</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> Opportunities with Account:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PlanWell Collaborate was just the beginning with this account. As noted above, this account has turned into a staffed FM, which will include PlanWell Collaborate, PlanWell / BidCaster, and printing services as well. In addition, the reprographer will be providing both large format and small format printing equipment as well as a complete network structure (including servers, backup devices, etc). Furthermore, the GC has already gotten the PlanWell Reseller in front of other clients to present PlanWell Collaborate and those clients have initially committed to a trial working.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today many reprographers are finding out that talking to customers about workflow and technology solutions, that solve real business problems, can provide significant opportunities to grow market share and revenues, are you ?</div><br />
Sincerely<br />
<br />
Shaun Meany<br />
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<div></div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div></div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-80839177456781908732011-01-14T16:18:00.000-08:002011-01-14T16:53:27.324-08:00"Cloud Printing Services" Reprographics on the Cloud<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TTDo0sQirpI/AAAAAAAAAs4/NvoLj6uAOLY/s1600/cloud-computing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TTDo0sQirpI/AAAAAAAAAs4/NvoLj6uAOLY/s1600/cloud-computing.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The economy has had a major impact on the AEC industry over the last couple of years and as a result has forced many AEC firms to change the way they do business. The Great Recession has been a wake-up call for almost all firms in the Design and Construction Industry. Companies have been pressured to reevaluate their core competencies, work behaviors and workflow processes; all with the intent to keep costs down, increase productivity and stay alive. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While most AEC businesses are cutting costs many are looking for project opportunities outside of their traditional geographic areas. As your customers become more digitally savvy and begin to realize the power and efficiencies of using the Internet (Cloud) as a cost effective means of sharing and distributing project information the need for traditional local reprographic printing is going to continue to contract. Your customers will use the cloud to participate and manage projects anywhere in the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What does this mean for the future of reprographics? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to project the impact this change in behavior will have on your current and future revenues. The basic premise that many of you began your reprographics business (production equipment offering centralized production printing and distribution) is being challenged on a variety of fronts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, clients are working with application software to create digital documents and they are sending print ready files (emailing or FTPing PDF files) out for distribution-- diminishing the demand for traditional production volumes of reprographic services like scanning, copying and printing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly, printer manufacturers continue to introduce <a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/10/hp-and-canon-announce-game-changing.html">low cost MFP devices</a> (both LF and SF) with the goal of having convenience MFP’s in all firms of any size; again further eroding the demand for centralized production printing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thirdly, the advent of widely available mobile devices with interactive displays and significant computing power has redefined how people request and receive documents and marketing collateral, but has not eliminated their need for relevant printed materials (Garner). This last challenge should actually be viewed by reprographers as an opportunity.<br />
<br />
The fact that printing will still be demanded is a good thing. The problem is, it may not be printed in the volumes of the the past or in your repro shop at all but; rather at the customer’s office or maybe in some repro shop across the country or across the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, in order to address this new paradigm shift, reprographers need to think about the opportunities to provide some type of Cloud Printing Services.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cloud Printing Services (CPS) is a buzz word that you might want to start introducing to your customers. According to Gartner, Cloud Printing will grow to a multi-billion dollar industry in the US alone. If you want to ride the wave and let your customers leverage the power of the Cloud you should promote digital document distribution and cloud printing to your customers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is what Gartner is saying about Cloud Printing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Cloud printing services (CPS), driven by the commoditization of print and the growth of electronic communications, has changed how, when and where people access print. CPS's "anywhere, anytime access" will drive rapid acceptance by global 1,000 companies. Print technology providers must anticipate the reduction in print volumes as pages transition to video and voice messaging by partnering with the leading players in unified communications and collaboration (UCC) to provide users with a complete solution that includes context-enriched content.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To help our members and other reprographers position their businesses on the Cloud the PEiR Group has been busy developing Cloud Solutions for the AEC market that can be marketed by the Reprographics Industry. The solutions involve Cloud Computing Technologies (<a href="http://www.peirgroup.com/?page=Technology">PlanWell Enterprise, PlanWell Collaborate SubHub and iShipDocs</a>) education and training (best practices for sales and production personnel) and professional services (support , customization, advanced training and consulting).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you are interested in knowing more about Cloud Printing Services <a href="https://www.ishipdocs.com/ishipdocs/site/whitepaper.html">click here</a> for our whitepaper.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks ….Shaun</div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-30167230675468294942011-01-07T09:55:00.000-08:002011-01-07T10:16:11.049-08:002011 the Year to Emphasize your Managed Services <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TSdUvlqVXTI/AAAAAAAAAsw/9OCTcUMl5mY/s1600/managed_services.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; height: 216px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 286px;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TSdUvlqVXTI/AAAAAAAAAsw/9OCTcUMl5mY/s200/managed_services.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Managed Services</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you are looking to expand your sales in 2011 and want to increase your margins and get away from selling commoditized printing services maybe it is time to market your company as a provider of various managed services. What are managed services you might ask and why do I care? <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Wikipedia </strong>describes <strong>managed services</strong> as the practice of outsourcing day-to-day related management responsibility as a strategic method for improved effective and efficient operations. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A managed service is not really a new concept but it is being marketed and promoted in all types of industries in slightly different ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One managed service that most of you are probably familiar with and one that the PEiR Group has been talking about lately is <strong><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/08/managed-print-services.html">Managed Print Services</a></strong>. Managed Print Services (MPS) involves managing hardcopy device fleets (copiers, printers, multifunction devices, and fax machines) in a unified fashion. While this can be done internally, the term is typically associated with outsourcing the fleet to an external vendor. There are typically three stages in the customers’ adoption of outsourcing:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ol><li><div style="text-align: justify;">Control: During this phase MPS implementations are focused upon gaining control of the fleet.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Optimize: At this point, the implementation is focused upon optimizing the fleet by trying to ensure that hardcopy assets are deployed in the optimal manner.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Enhance: In the final phase, customers move beyond optimization of the fleet to actually enhancing the capabilities of the fleet by using document management and document workflow to improve basic business processes such as processing loan applications, or other paper intensive processes.</div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Another related term being promoted by IT companies is <strong>Managed Service Provider</strong> (MSP). A managed services provider is an outsourcing company that delivers and manages network-based services, offers technical knowledge and expertise, applications, and equipment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A new managed service term that is quickly being promoted by the Commercial Printer Industry is <strong>Marketing Service Providers</strong> (MSPs). Marketing Service Providers offer a range of hosted marketing services that embed marketing technology and software offerings. These offerings include proprietary marketing databases, predictive modeling, vertical marketing and data expertise, email delivery and assurance, and marketing program design and support.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Construction Document Management Services</strong> (CDMS) is a managed service that more and more reprographers are beginning to offer but, as far as I know, the industry has not coined it as a bona fide managed service, which I believe we should.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My definition of Construction Document Management Services involves providing a solution that combines managed services (i.e. cloud based technologies and services) with AEC industry specific software as a service (i.e. content management, bid management, project collaboration and construction management software) that enables project teams to securely store and file, retrieve and exchange, communicate and distribute construction related content and other project related information to project stake holders and finally professional services (installation, training and customization) all with the goal of increasing project team productivity, cost savings and on-time project delivery.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So if you don’t think that managed services are important for you and your business maybe it is time you did. I will add to this concept in future postings!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Best…..Shaun</div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-6335227654262114132011-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:002011-01-07T10:17:01.235-08:00PEiR to Power Sales with New 2011 Theme<p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div style="text-align: justify;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: olivedrab; font-family: 'Lucida Sans'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><div><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TSdYk-v10-I/AAAAAAAAAs0/cyVgQCTM4Eo/s1600/salespower_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TSdYk-v10-I/AAAAAAAAAs0/cyVgQCTM4Eo/s1600/salespower_small.jpg" /></a></div>Over the last few years The PEIR Group has used centralized themes to help our members focus and rally their businesses toward facing specific trends, challenges and practices in the reprographics industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2010 our theme was <strong><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2010/01/shauns-corner-innovate-2010_08.html">Innovate 2010</a></strong>. The idea behind this theme was to help our members and us (The PEiR Group) to review and assess how things were being done in all key functional areas of our businesses and to identify areas that could be run more efficient or ways that our customers could be better served. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Many of you were innovators on a variety of fronts: introducing new products and services to existing customers; identifying new markets and clients to serve were some of the most successful innovative approaches we observed in 2010.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2009 and 2008 our theme was <strong><a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2008/08/shauns-corner-strategic-move-is.html">Strategic Moves</a></strong>. What strategic moves were made back then you may ask? Many reprographers recognized the need to position their companies towards subcontractors and general contractors. Others realized the need to move into display graphics and make investments in flatbed printers and electronic cutters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we look back over the last 12 months, I think you will all agree, 2010 was one hell of a year for reprographic companies and their AEC customers!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
In the US, many reprographers experienced double digit declines in revenues due to the Great Recession. Some repro firms were fortunate in 2010 and had small declines or in some cases small increases in sales. In talking with those company owners who reversed the industry trends most attributed their good fortune to their unique markets and/or their diverse mix of customers and services.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throughout 2010 the recession had a major impact on all sectors of the Global Economy. In the US, the unemployment rate began the year at 10% and remained steady for most of the year. Just recently the economy is beginning to show signs of growth—however it is not coming from the AEC marketplace. <br />
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The US construction industry’s unemployment rate began 2010 at 24.7% (highest on record since 1976) and ended the year somewhere around 18% (the highest of any industry and roughly double the overall unemployment rate).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Architectural and Design community also suffered significantly in 2010. Unemployment statistics for architects indicate that approximately 13% of all architects are unemployed and in some communities, like Phoenix, 20% of the architects are unemployed. As the year progressed the AIA’s outlook for Architects was mixed; November Architect Billing Index began to climb to 46 but in December the index dropped 3 points to 43 (indicating that there are still more building jobs finishing than starting).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what is in store for reprographers in 2011? The beginning of a whole new business cycle (recovery)! The big run up in construction projects has ended and the new normal is what we can expect. This means projects will begin to be reintroduced to investors, design firms will begin doing a lot more preliminary project design, construction companies will be going anywhere they need to, to find new projects and, everyone will be in need of marketing and sales support.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In order for reprographers to be successful in 2011 and beyond, they will need to stay close to their existing customers, prospect for new customers and new projects and develop new products and services that are relevant and purposeful to the project stake holders.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reprographers must realize that technology (digital files and the internet) has disrupted the reprographics industry; new digital workflows are being implemented throughout the project life-cycle and as a result drastically reducing the need for prints. Reprographers who think that print volumes will return, as in past economic recoveries, will be in for a real shock.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what should a reprographer do? <strong>Reprographers need to have a sales culture that empowers their employees to sell other stuff besides printing. What stuff and how? We will get to this in later posts!</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think we all agree sales are the key to your company’s success. If you noticed (above) sales and marketing is key for your customer’s success also. So if we all agree sales is vital for success; how do we learn to be more effective at selling and at the same time helping our customers become more successful?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is where our theme of <strong>SalesPower2011</strong> comes into play.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The PEiR Group will be sharing strategies and offering training programs to help improve your overall sales effectiveness. However, in order to be successful in sales, it is essential to have the right products and services that your customers are looking for. So in addition to sales help, The PEiR Group will be sharing ideas and strategies for selling the right combination of products and services that will help your customers be more successful!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So let’s not dwell on the past and let’s get out and talk to our customers and prospects and find out what they are doing and identify some of the challenges that they are facing and how you are postioned to help solve them.</div><br />
Happy New Year...Shaun Meany <p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1><div><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1><div><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><p$1></p$1></p$1></div>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-44598212609639648582011-01-03T15:50:00.000-08:002011-01-04T17:31:48.917-08:00PlanWell Collaborate & AbacusPCR Awarded BERTL's BEST<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmDB00pr8I/AAAAAAAAAr8/N3sFUewACHI/s1600/bertl+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmDB00pr8I/AAAAAAAAAr8/N3sFUewACHI/s320/bertl+best.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">If you are familiar with BERTL you know that it is recognized as one of the leading business equipment research and testing labs in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Manufacturers like Xerox, Oce, Canon, KIP, HP and others submit their products to BERTL for evaluation every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A BERTL’S BEST Award is a big deal to these manufactures’ as this rating helps to raise the credibility and competitive positioning of their products in certain market segments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Today we are pleased to announce that BERTL has tested and rated several of ARC’s software products and has given them BERTL BEST ratings in their respective market segments.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><strong>AbacusPCR was awarded Best Print Tracking Solution in the marketplace in 2010.</strong> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmGi89qIvI/AAAAAAAAAsU/OvmEuCehK5k/s1600/bertl+abacus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmGi89qIvI/AAAAAAAAAsU/OvmEuCehK5k/s200/bertl+abacus.png" width="160" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to BERTL, AbacusPCR:</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is a fast, comprehensive and easy to use cost recovery tool.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracks all printers and copiers by; user, project, client or custom criteria as business requires.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Has the ability to import or export any data for easy integration with any accounting system, ERP or other Business Management Tools.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Integrates with on-board technologies of devices manufactured by KIP, Océ, Canon, Ricoh/Savin and Konica Minolta.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>PlanWell Collaborate was recognized as 2010’s Best AEC Project Management and Collaboration Tool.</strong></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmGApvqdsI/AAAAAAAAAsM/px08mw_U8wA/s1600/pwc+bertl001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TPmGApvqdsI/AAAAAAAAAsM/px08mw_U8wA/s400/pwc+bertl001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to BERTL, PlanWell Collaborate’s strengths are as follows:</span></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cloud based project management application requires no hardware, software or training.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unique and Innovative Integration with Outlook allows for an efficient Project Team Communication tool.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All notifications reviews, comment distributions can be done through Outlook.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The project calendar can be cross-referenced with the team's calendars. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notices can also be sent to non-team members through this system<span id="goog_1191929536"></span>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visual updates allow all team members to actually see the progress of the project.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowledge base is accessible to all project team members on the cloud which eliminates time consuming <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">documentation.</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the complete BERTL Report on PlanWell Collaborate <a href="https://peirgroup.site-ym.com/?white2">click here</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Who is BERTL?</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Business Equipment Research and Test Laboratories Inc., (<a href="http://www.bertl.com/web/PORTAL_CONTACT_MAIN">BERTL</a>) is an independent testing laboratory whose purpose is to provide objective, independent product evaluation reports and comparative analyses on imaging devices and software workflow solutions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order for reprographers to offset the declines in traditional printing they need to introduce new and relevant services to their AEC clients. Software tools like AbacusPCR and PlanWell Collaborate are examples of best in class technologies that can go a long way in helping reprographers diversify their businesses, while at the same time, generating high margin sales.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us know your thoughts! Shaun</span>The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-66678434493293619812011-01-03T15:45:00.000-08:002011-01-07T15:47:58.620-08:00CREST Foundation Awards $145,000 to 18 Students for 2010/2011 Academic YearWith budget cuts in education and the uncertainty on the employment and economic fronts, pursuing a college education is a difficult challenge for many qualified students. <br />
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This year, the CREST Foundation provided a boost to the educational dreams of 18 highly motivated and deserving kids by contributing $145,000 toward their college expenses. We are especially thrilled to announce that many of these aspiring college students will be the first generation in their family to achieve this goal. <br />
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In the past 30 months, 49 children of reprographic industry employees have received $370,000 from the CREST Foundation to help fund their college educations. This remarkable accomplishment is due entirely to the generous donations of individuals, reprographics companies, industry vendors and financial institutions. CREST gratefully acknowledges all of our donors since the inception of the foundation, expressing sincere thanks for special contributions in 2010 from Xerox, Océ and Wachovia Securities. <br />
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This year's student scholars are: Delane Bass, Zachary Bergers, Kate Borghgraef, Jacqueline Corrigan, Antoinette de Pinto, Hannah Dean-Wood, Ericka Dutton, Emma Garza, Anna Goodrich, Mackenzie Heman, Kelcey Heman, Alexandra Iorfino, Charles Mann IV, Brittany Pham, Krystina Pingel, Evan Stalcup, Casie Sultzbaugh and Sara Taylor.<br />
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These students are children of our industry peers working at reprographics shops throughout the nation. Altogether, the parents of our CREST Foundation scholars represent a collective 410 years in the reprographics industry—an amazing testament to this business. Their tenure ranges from 6 to 30 years. <br />
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Their parents work at: A&E The Graphics Complex; Acme Blueprint Co. Inc.; BHFX, LLC; Blair Graphics; CAD Copy; City Blueprint Company; City Blue Technologies, LLC; Consolidated Reprographics; Duncan-Parnell, Inc.; Ford Graphics; HB Digital Arts & Blue Print; Imaging Technologies; Plan and Print Systems, Inc.; Print-O-Stat, Inc.; SBD Reprographics; Veenstra Reproductions and Western Blue. <br />
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The need for assistance with higher education expenses will continue to increase as funding is limited. Please join us and key industry sponsors including KIP, Canon, Xerox, Océ, and HP with your support. Encourage children of our industry employees to widen their opportunities through higher education and blossom into tomorrow's leaders. <br />
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This year's recipients were chosen by the CREST Foundation's Selection Committee, whose members for 2010 include industry veterans Mike Carter, Cathleen Cushing Duff, John Deermount, and Miguel Garcia. <br />
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For more information on CREST Foundation, please join us on the CREST Foundation web site at www.crestfoundation.org.The PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-6221838367240252952010-10-26T09:53:00.001-07:002010-10-26T22:35:39.397-07:00HP and Canon Announce Game Changing Wide Format Technical MFP DevicesThere has been some game changing announcements from the manufacturers of inkjet plotters recently. Both <strong>HP</strong> and <strong>Canon</strong> have introduced new technical inkjet devices that are giving LED technologies a run for the money. <br />
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Upon attending HP’s open house last week, I learned of (2) new technical cad printer models; the HP T2300 eMFP and the HP T7100. Both of these new printers are breakthrough products--for there price performance, speed, versatility and total cost of ownership. <br />
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The <strong>HP T2300 MFP</strong> is a T1200 (2) roll plotter (42 or 60 inches) with a fully integrated Scanner (36”) for scanning and copying color documents. Included with the hardware comes new software tools that let users scan and print to and from the Cloud! It also allows users to walk up to the device with a laptop or a USB drive and print or capture documents with a simple user friendly interface. Something like an iphone interface. <strong>Street price for the basic 42” MFP system starts around $8,500</strong>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMcNLGuNz7I/AAAAAAAAAr0/iduxVW1LD-Y/s1600/t2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMcNLGuNz7I/AAAAAAAAAr0/iduxVW1LD-Y/s200/t2300.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Video of the HP T2300 eMFP: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXkQ8u2s2Gg">click here</a><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The <strong>HP T7100</strong> is a fast, multi-roll technical printer that can print up to 4 “D” size prints a minute. Not only is the system extremely fast, but the cost to print in monochrome is less than comparable LED systems from Oce, KIP and Xerox. HP shared a TCO chart that showed that the cost to print color on the T7100 is significantly less than the cost to print on Oce’s Plot and Color Waves. The HP T7100 can be configured to meet the needs of your most demanding customers: monochrome or color, additional rolls, external hard drives, postscript, stackers and scanner/copier. <strong>The street price of the T7100 starts at $8500 (monochrome). Check the <a href="http://www.peirgroup.com/">PEiR Group's web site</a> (vendor partners/Hp) for special promotions pricing and other information on these exciting new products.</strong><br />
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</div>Not to be out done, Canon has responded to the new HP announcements by introducing its own price performance technical MFP solutions. Canon has introduced a family of MFP products that combines the complete line of <strong>Canon technical iPF plotters (iPF 710, iPF 750, iPF 755, iPF810 and iPF825)</strong> with an integrated 42" scanner that allows users to scan to file and make full color copies. <strong>The street price for the basic iPf710 MFP is $7,500--Unbelievable. Check the <a href="http://www.peirgroup.com/">PEiR Group's web site</a> (vendor partners/Canon) for pricing and other information.</strong><strong></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMcML-qfaPI/AAAAAAAAArw/mFe8bGUNaz8/s1600/canon+ipf+mfp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" nx="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMcML-qfaPI/AAAAAAAAArw/mFe8bGUNaz8/s200/canon+ipf+mfp.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><strong>If you are NOT reselling HP or Canon technical printers you need to!</strong> These new products are so cost effective and offer so many capabilities your customers will have a hard time not installing one in his or her office. HP estimates that there are over 70,000 potential Designjet upgrades available in the US market alone.<br />
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The PEiR Group offers one of the best equipment vendor programs in the reprographics industry. If you want to grow revenues and make good margins on equipment, supplies and service please take advantage of our HP and Canon reseller programs. <br />
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<strong>In these challenging economic times Reprographers need to be more proactive</strong> if they are to control their markets and customer base. I suggest for those of you who do not offer printers/copiers solutions to your customers please reconsider. The PEiR Group can help you develop a sales program to make these products available to your customers; either on a FM or Purchase Program. <br />
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If you fail to realize these fundamental changes in the marketplace, you might find that one of your best customers just bought a new print/scan/copy solution from one of your local competitors and they may never be back!<br />
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ShaunThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-89526710749079782492010-10-25T15:28:00.000-07:002010-12-10T16:50:42.440-08:00On the Road with Fellow Reprographers (Part 1) BIMOver the last month and a half I have been traveling to a variety of regions in North America, visiting with reprographers and learning about their challenges and what they are doing to position their companies for the future.<br />
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In my next few articles in “Point of View” I will be sharing some of my observations and experiences from these trips along with some updates on what the PEiR Group will be doing to help our members develop strategies to grow their businesses.<br />
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In late September I went to San Diego to attend the (WRA) Western Reprographics Association annual convention. The attendance was light but the networking opportunities were great and some of educational sessions were extremely interesting.<br />
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One educational session I found most enlightening was a presentation on <a href="http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2009/12/shauns-corner-building-information.html">BIM</a> (building information modeling) from Chuck Goodman from iPda (integrated Process design associates). Chuck’s company, iPda, is a design firm that has been working with BIM for several years and has developed a BIM solution that helps owners, AEC firms and others; leverage the technologies and processes used with BIM. iPda helps project stakeholders strategize on how to implement BIM so that the benefits of BIM can be maximized in all stages of a project’s lifecycle (design, bid, build and operate). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMHbZcArdgI/AAAAAAAAArg/3UmymdG1PUk/s1600/bim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" nx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_X8p4qIlYh1A/TMHbZcArdgI/AAAAAAAAArg/3UmymdG1PUk/s400/bim.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Today many in our industry think that software tools like Revit, Bentley Microstation or Graphisoft are BIM but in reality they are just that, tools.<br />
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When implemented properly, BIM can save owners millions. BIM helps design and construction companies build a project virtually which allows project team members to do a variety of “what if’s” before a single hole is dug in the ground; eliminating change orders, reducing inventory and material costs, conducting water and electrical cost analysis, scheduling labor more accurately and a whole lot more. A few of the biggest issues that many who want to embrace BIM are struggling with are:<br />
<ul><li>Knowledgeable personnel capable of understanding and implementing BIM. </li>
<li>Multiple tools are used to develop BIM projects and there is a technological challenge of making these various tools all work in one model. i\If BIM is to become truly effective there is a necessity for the software tools to interoperate. That means that the BIM model needs to be accessed and updated by multiple disciplines regardless of the software manufacture (Autodesk, Bentley, Graphicsoft) . </li>
<li>BIM Models are huge and to be effective they need to have the abilitiy for all team members to access the model, so it can be kept up to date with all pertinent data. </li>
</ul><strong>Possible Solutions </strong><br />
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<u>BIM Knowledge Transfer and Technology Outsourcing Services </u><br />
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<div>Companies like iPda offer expertise and outsourcing of personnel to help owners, designers and contractors ramp up and implement BIM. As reprographers we need to position ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities to team with companies like iPda to market their services to our own clients; TOS <strong>(Technology Outsourcing Services).</strong></div><br />
<u>IFC</u><br />
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To address the need for multiple team members to update the BIM model with various preferred software tools, a new file format has been developed, its called IFC. The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data model is a neutral and open specification that is not controlled by a single vendor or group of vendors. It is an object oriented file format with a data model developed by <a href="http://www.buildingsmart.com/bim">buildingSMART</a> - an international alliance of built environment sector professionals, contractors, suppliers and client groups who promote the benefits of interoperability and open standards for information sharing in the building industry, and is a commonly used format for Building Information Modeling (BIM). The IFC model specification (ISO-PAS 16739) is available at <a href="http://www.iai-tech.org/">http://www.iai-tech.org/</a>.<br />
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<div><u>BIM Servers</u></div><br />
<div>BIM models are huge and multiple team members need to securely access, add, change and delete sections of the model as needed. In the not too distant future there will be a need for a provider to host and manage BIM models in the Cloud. As an industry reprographers are perfectly positioned to offer <strong>BIM Hosting Services</strong> but, it will require us to understand BIM and the technologies required to support this initiative and, how do we can charge for these services.</div><br />
<div>I will continue to add more about my travels so please check back on a regular basis.</div><br />
Sincerely, Shaun MeanyThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6933068108244850171.post-77905465649561151242010-10-25T15:20:00.000-07:002010-10-26T06:07:51.956-07:00From the Road with Fellow Reprographers (Part 2) Color in ConstructionThis is my second article related to my recent roads trips around the country. If you read my previous post you learned that I have been attending a variety of industry events along with visiting with reprographers to learn about their challenges and their strategies for success in the future. <br />
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As I promised, I am sharing some of the more valuable information I learned along the way and at the same time I want to reinforce the message that there are opportunities “still to be had” in these challenging economic times. <br />
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I recently headed to Dallas, Texas to attend the Central Reprographics Association (CRA) Conference. Overall the attitude of the attendees was fairly optimistic, a little better than those who attended the WRA in San Diego. The attendance was a bit light but there was good educational material presented and there were plenty of opportunities to network and exchange ideas. <br />
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Like I said, the educational sessions were great. There were several educational sessions that I attended but the presentation from Peter Lawrence (Océ) <strong><em>Where's the Color? Sales Opportunities in the construction project lifecycle</em></strong> was particularly insightful! <br />
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Peter is a very knowledgeable guy and has been around this industry for some time, since the days of PageMasters. It was interesting to hear his perspective on where he sees the applications and benefits of color for the construction industry. <br />
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Peter sees color being used in several areas in construction:<br />
<ol><li>Construction documents that are produced in color can be more accurate and more trustworthy; color can transform rich 3D data set into a powerful guide for the installers.</li>
<li>Color can reduce errors by 80%. Color can reduce direct costs (errors and changes) and also the associated litigation cost of errors and omissions.</li>
<li>The Document coordination process might be much easier to tackle if the construction documents were in color.</li>
<li>Scan As Built’s in color; these hard-copy records usually have color mark-ups and notes (color markers. pens or pencils) about changes that were made over time. Capturing this color data is critical for records keeping purposes.</li>
</ol>As an industry we need to help educate our customers on the benefits of using color. If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities for color in the construction industry please visit Peter’s blog at <a href="http://colorforconstruction.com/">http://colorforconstruction.com/</a>.<br />
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ShaunThe PEiR Group (www.peirgroup.com)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16265551640059152544noreply@blogger.com0