End of a Decade

Woo, what a wild ride the last decade gave the reprographics industry. I thought it might be fun to look back over the last ten years and highlight some of what I thought were the most memorable or maybe the most impactful events that occurred.

• Death of the Blueprint Machine
• No More Vellums
• No Large Format Cut Sheets Inventoried
• Azon who?
• 18-22 “D” PPM LED Large Format Plain Paper Plotters
• Plotting tools like ReproDesk and PLP made Plotting more of a Commodity
• Buzzsaw Collaboration and Plans & Specs were going to eliminate the need for Reprographics
• Project Control Transferred from the Architect to the Owner’s CM or General Contractor
• Océ overtakes Xerox in Engineering Systems
• HP acquires Indigo and ColorSpan
• Death of the Monochrome Inkjet Plotter
• GSA and US Army Corp of Engineers mandates Electronic Bid Sets
• American Reprographics taken Public and Traded on NYSE "ARP"
• Introduction to On-line Plan Rooms
• IRgA issues Best Practice “ Reprographers need to charge for digital services”
• Fewer Pick-ups due to Electronic Orders
• Manufacturers introduce Lower Cost Wide Format Machines
• More FM Placements
• Design moves from 2D to 3D CAD and BIM
• Flatbed Printers and Electronic Cutters Introduced
• Decline of Centralized Printing Volumes (Distribute and Print vs Print and Distribute)
• Green Sustainability and LEEDS
• Double Digital Growth of Half Size Printing
• Smaller Print Shops
• Projects Delivery Methods Moving Toward Design Build or IPD
• Océ Merges with Canon

As you start thinking about all of the significant changes that took place in the reprographics industry over the 10 years it is important to keep in mind that change will continue to occur but at a much faster pace.

I am sure I just scratched the surface on the various changes that occurred in our industry, if you would like to add to the list please make your comments below and share your thoughts about the last 10 years.

Happy New Year


Shaun

Canon/Océ Seem Upbeat About Their Deal

While the nuts and bolts of the transaction will take months to comprehend fully—for us, as well as for them! - as a group, the Océ team seems to be embracing the deal and thinking of the merger in terms of their complementary product lines.

Specifically, they told us that Canon loves their wide format BW and color product portfolio, and their sales reach, while Océ loves Canon's WF color products.

Earlier in the week, the Canon team sent us a letter officially notifying us of their plans to acquire Océ.

Canon’s EVP and General Manager of the Imaging Systems Group wrote, “We see this acquisition as a great opportunity to expand our offerings and better serve the end-users who are your customers… Through this transaction, Canon is looking to bring together our strong offerings in office MFPs with Océ’s outstanding production printing lineup, as well as match our strong LFPs for graphics with Océ’s strong printers for sign display. We believe the two companies are a good fit as both Canon and Océ have technology-driven business models and have corporate cultures that stress the importance of R&D.”

The proof is in the pudding, but it looks like mutual respect and enthusiasm are there for the moment.

PEiR Group EasyPrint Program - Support For The PlotWave 300 Now Available

We are pleased to announce the availability of PlanWell EasyPrint™ support for the Océ PlotWave 300!

You can now order the firmware upgrade for the following PlanWell EasyPrint enabled printers:

 Océ TDS450
 Océ TDS700
 Océ PlotWave 300*

*Requires a separate software/hardware kit, which can be ordered at no charge. See below for the part numbers.

FAQ’s

Q: What components are in the Océ PlotWave 300 EasyPrint kit?

A: The kit contains the following: metal post and mounting brackets to attach the touch screen monitor to the PlotWave; touch screen monitor; cables; firmware CD; and installation instructions.

Q: How much does the PlanWell EasyPrint integration cost?

A: Océ does not sell PlanWell EasyPrint software so they are not charging anything for this integration, not even the hardware interface kit required with the Océ PlotWave 300. They have simply made 3 of their printers EasyPrint compatible.

Q: How do I order PlanWell EasyPrint software/hardware kit?

A: The part numbers to order the TDS firmware upgrades and the PlotWave software/hardware kit are below. Contact your Océ sales rep who can either add this part to your new machine orders, or add the kit as a component to an existing machine in the field.

Océ PlotWave 300 Kit
9718037 – PlotWave 300 Easy Print Software/Hardware Kit

Océ TDS450 Kit
9718038 - TDS450 Easy Print Software Kit
4986354 - TDS450 Easy Print Enabler license

Océ TDS700 Kit
9718038 - TDS700 Easy Print Software Kit
4904999 – TDS700 Easy Print Enabler license

If you have any additional questions regarding these integrations, please contact your Océ sales rep.

Océ Open House

Océ and Barry Foust would like to welcome PEiR Group members interested in diversifying their business by growth into display graphics to an open house in Vancouver, Canada.

The Océ Arizona series of UV curable printers and the Oce ProCut cutting solution have already proven to be valuable additions to a reprographers business by allowing them to develop totally new business while increasing profitability. Oce feels it very important that we share with PEiR this roadmap to success.

Océ will host 6-10 company representatives based on one person per company attending. Airfare, hotel and meals would be covered by Oce and the trip would span three days; the first afternoon the select PEiR members arrive in Vancouver, Canada, check in to the hotel and join us for dinner. The second day would be the formal presentations, factory tour and demo session followed by a dinner. The following morning guests would depart for home.

Please click HERE and let me know if the week of June 15th will work for you and if so which companies would be most interested in attending. A formal invitation will then be sent with additional details.

Regards,

John Bidwell


Notice: Please be aware that US citizens flying into Canada must possess a current US Passport.

Océ Fast-Tracks Aspiring Authors

By The PEiR Group

Who hasn't harbored the fantasy of holing up in their office with a great idea, a pot of strong coffee, and a desire to see their name in print?

Getting published is tougher than ever, these days, but a bit easier for 45 middle and high school students from 15 different School District of Palm Beach County schools - thanks to Océ.

The students participated in the third annual Océ Future Authors Project summer writing workshop, where they compiled poetry, short stories and essays into a book they named, "Confessions of a Teenage Author."

Océ used their VarioStreama 8000 printers and PRISMAa workflow software to print the book.

Océ created the program in partnership with the Palm Beach County school district and with support from local backers. During the eight-day workshop, the students learned about writing, editing, and digital book publishing. Certified teachers provided instruction, with additional insight provided by Océ executives and published authors, Margaret Ahnert, James O. Born, Jonathon King, Ray Gosa, Sally Ling and Dr. Laurence Miller.

Océ executives predict that digital book printing and publishing technology will open up more opportunities for aspiring writers. "Digital printing technology for books is revolutionizing the industry and fueling trends like self-publishing, creating exciting opportunities for new talent - like these young, aspiring authors -to pursue their dreams," says Océ Vice President of Marketing Services Sheryl Pattek.

Océ Makes Its Own Waves...

No Risk, All Reward with the Océ ColorWave 600...

The Océ ColorWave 600 will help you make $30,000 or more per month in revenue - with a mere $99-per-month investment*.

The Océ ColorWave 600 is currently shipping and being installed around the country in reprographic shops like yours - shop interested in increasing their color production and diversifying their business.

This machine will revolutionize your color production. And through the month of November, there is no risk to you.

*$99 per month for the first six months with an OFSI lease

2,000 FREE SmartClicks per month for six months with an Océ OPTIMIZE.IT or Océ EasyPACII contract. (This represents just under $10,000 in free operating costs! You can grow your color production volume with absolutely no risk! The PEiR Group)

This PEiR Group offer is only available for orders signed between now and November 30, 2008. Océ ColorWave 600's must be installed prior to January 30, 2009.

If you have any additional questions please contact Barry Foust at (412)475-1792 or got to the PEiR Group Website under "Partner Pricing".

For more info, click HERE.

Important PEiR Group Vendor Updates

There are some important vendor announces for PEiR Group members:

Price Changes:
Océ
Azerty
Xpedx
HP (TekGraf)

Product and Promotions:
Canon
Spiral Binding – promo through December 31, 2008, receive free merchandise
Pittman / Charrette – offering free sample roll of new product
HP Reseller Program – Promotion
ESP – New PEiR Group Vendor

Please go the PEiR Group web site to get further details under “partner prices.”

If you have forgotten or need a login and password for the web site, please contact The PEiR Group at (925) 658-0200.

PEiR Group Member Alert: Océ 9160 Arrives in Australia

The folks at Océ say they’re making their new Océ CS9160 eco-solvent wide format digital printer available to Australian shops. Those of you Down Under may want to check out this machine, built for creation of high quality indoor and outdoor durable prints onto a wide range of uncoated media.

Potential applications include banners, posters for indoor and outdoor, general signage, canvas reproductions, backlit imagery and pull up display stands.

To support the launch, Océ is promoting a “Think Opportunity, Think Océ” trade-in offer, giving users a considerable discount on their outdated wide format printer to move up to the new Océ CS9160. Users can log on to www.thinkopportunityoce.com to register their interest.

Tell ‘em The PEiR Group sent’ya…