What do you think will be the greatest opportunity for and threat to the print industry next year?
The greatest opportunity for printers is to redefine their value proposition by becoming communications service providers, rather than solely print service providers. This requires an altogether more digital approach – and that doesn’t just mean printing digitally. It means engaging with customers digitally, perhaps through web-to-print, as well as helping them to communicate digitally with their markets by integrating print with more modern communications methods, cross-media and web-based activity. In many cases, making this transformation will require an expanded skill set and better understanding of communications as a whole. This will intimidate some, so this is where vendors such as Ricoh will step-up and add its own value. Threats in the coming year will surely include an uncertain economy, but they will not include the internet and digital communications; these are definite opportunities.
What do you believe is the most under-recognised aspect in printing that is likely to gain more prominence in 2012?
Integration with online communications may not be the most under-recognised aspect of printing, but it is among the least exploited. However, this is gathering momentum all the time as printers adopt a more considered approach to cross-media and make better use of technology to offer marketing clients a more flexible, precise and dynamic proposition.
What do you hope to get out of Drupa 2012?
Ipex 2010 confirmed Ricoh as a major player and it will build on that at Drupa 2012. The seamless integration of InfoPrint’s technology will expand its reach and strengthen its brand. We will demonstrate the workflow solutions that make print a more dynamic proposition, and thus support our customers in making the transformation from commodity print suppliers to communications services provider. These will include web-to-print solutions and fully integrated, total print management workflows running from job submission to fulfilment.
What new technology do you expect to see at Drupa 2012 in your sector?
At Drupa 2012 I expect the digital printing sector to be displaying a range of workflow solutions geared towards the seamless integration of online and offline communications. Web-based applications, in particular, help printers forge stronger ties with customers, especially now digital communications is an accepted and established part of the marketing mix. As a reflection of this, there will be less disruptive hardware innovations than previous Drupas, although inkjet will again feature heavily. It is an interesting player that is likely to open many new doors for printers.
What can the industry do to increase its profile next year?
By increasing its integration with digital-based communications, print will increase its profile. Buyers will always want high quality at a low cost when it comes to print alone, and printers’ most logical path to adding value is to become communications providers – and communications these days more often than not includes digital.
What will you do differently next year?
Ricoh has fully geared its solutions and services towards assisting printers in transforming their business and maximising profit. It will expand the scope of its print and software portfolio, and has already shown that it is not afraid to develop partnerships with other industry leaders, if that’s what it takes to guarantee customers a comprehensive offering. Ricoh will look to drive InfoPrint’s penetration of the UK market beyond its traditional transactional sectors, which will also greatly increase our market coverage.
Personally though, what will I do differently next year? I’ll try to spend more time out on the bike and less time eating – but then I say that every year!
