Cloud-connected printer and MFP apps on the rise

As cloud services and mobile apps grow in popularity, vendors are increasingly offering apps and cloud connectivity for their printers and multifunction peripherals/MFPs (devices that print, copy, scan, and fax). Accessible via the print device’s touchscreen, these apps enable users to print directly from the cloud, scan directly to the cloud, and in some instances perform other tasks such as connect to a predefined workflow or business process, purchase office materials, and access document templates.

Konica Minolta’s “bizhub MarketPlace” MFP apps

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ISIS Papyrus Takes an Adaptive Approach to Customer Communications Management

Freeing business users from restrictive and costly IT procedures when developing, updating or executing document processes is a major driver in enterprise Customer Communication Management (CCM) investments. Today, enterprises need to have the ability to act nimble when confronted with changing communication requirements as customers are increasingly dictating the relationship and want to be served according to their communication preferences.

ISIS Papyrus, which held an open house event recently at its Vienna headquarters in celebration of its 25^th anniversary, is an Austrian-based leading CCM technology provider that has defined “Adaptive Case Management” as its distinctive strength. Read more »

Connectivity and ‘Smart’ – Most Interesting Camera Features

Just because the camera phone – you know those handy cameras on feature phones and smartphones – has become the everyday camera for many people doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom for traditional cameras. In the most recent InfoTrends Digital Camera End User study we found that digital cameras are still being used to take more photos on average than a camera phone and used more often for special occasion photos. The survey also asked a “blue sky” question about interest levels in some current and possible digital camera offerings. Read more »

Photo Boom Time: Challenges and Opportunities

Yesterday Nokia launched the Lumia 925 at a high profile event in London. The Lumia 925 joins a long line of venerable smartphones. The Lumia 925 features an 8.7MP camera and a 6 element lens. With this phone Nokia attempts to cement its position as the imaging leader in the smartphone market. Smartphones are mini computers that can be carried around at any time. Small, light and in most cases with cameras that are good enough for taking both every day and occasional special occasion photos. These are also the reasons why smartphones are taking the place of digital cameras as the camera used most often by consumers. InfoTrends’ European end user data clearly illustrates this trend. Read more »

3 Steps to Avoid a $1.5M HIPAA Violation

New HIPAA compliance requirements for healthcare IT vendors could result in $1.5 million in security violations if vendors do not sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with customers. Effective March 26, 2013, the HIPAA Omnibus Rule governing data security puts more responsibility on IT vendors, or “business associates” according to HIPAA, to secure Protected Health Information (PHI) when under a vendor’s control. Previously, covered entities, such as healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and insurers, were mostly responsible for complying with HIPAA privacy and security regulations. Now, vendors, including cloud storage and service providers, who maintain, store, create, receive or transmit PHI are also directly accountable for security breaches and liable for HIPAA compliance requirements. Read more »

EFI Acquires printLEADER MIS

Today, EFI announced its acquisition of printLEADER, a print MIS solution geared towards print management for in-plant and commercial print service providers located in North America. Since the onset of the recession, the print MIS market has regained interest from print service providers looking for ways to optimize their production facilities by having a centralized tool connected to every software and hardware system throughout their workflow. This interest has also stemmed from the need to manage the increasing demand for online ordering, and the integration and automation required to cost effectively manage this print volume while remaining competitively priced.   Read more »

Pitney Bowes CEO Cautious on Next Steps for Volly

Pitney Bowes held a Financial Analyst Day in New York City today. While technology analysts were not invited to be there in person, I followed the live stream online. I was surprised when I first scanned the presentation slides and saw no mention of Volly. This was a significant departure from recent years and reflects the entry of a new CEO. Marc Lautenbach appears as though he is not going to put Volly on the same pedestal that former CEO Murray Martin did.

That said, Lautenbach addressed Volly toward the end of his opening remarks.

“Volly is one of our important growth opportunities, but Read more »

Kodak has a NEW buyer for Document Imaging

Kodak to sell its Document Imaging business to U.K Kodak Pension Plan

Kodak has entered into an agreement whereby it will sell off its Document Imaging and Personalized Imaging business units to U.K Kodak Pension Plan, KPP. As part of the continued restructure to exit bankruptcy, Kodak will sell off its Document Imaging business for $650m in cash and non-cash consideration. Overall, the agreement settles approximately $2.8 billion of claims by the defined benefit (DB) pension plan against Kodak and certain of its affiliates.

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How the U.K. Pension Plan Ended Up Owning a Big Part of Kodak

Yesterday Kodak and the U.K. Based Kodak Pension Plan (KPP) made news. Resolving their financial issues was only one element but surprisingly KPP ended up owning key Kodak businesses. In its release Kodak stated the following: “Eastman Kodak Company announced a settlement agreement with the U.K. Kodak Pension Plan (KPP).” KPP is Kodak’s largest creditor with respect to its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization. Under the agreement, which will be filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Kodak’s Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses will be spun off under new ownership to KPP.”

“The settlement agreement provides, among other things, for the spin-off of Kodak’s Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging businesses to KPP for cash and non-cash consideration of $650 million. Certain proceeds will be used to support the emergence of Kodak from Chapter 11 and the growth of its Commercial Imaging business. The agreement also settles approximately $2.8 billion of claims by KPP against Kodak and certain of its affiliates.”

“The agreement will be implemented as part of Kodak’s Chapter 11 plan in the United States. At the consummation of the spin-off, Kodak and its worldwide affiliates will be released from their obligations to KPP. The UK Pensions Regulator (“the Regulator”) has been kept fully informed of this process and the Regulator has granted clearance in respect of the acquisition. The Regulator has decided that it will approve the release of Kodak Limited, the KPP’s sponsoring employer, from its liabilities to the KPP and the UK Pension Protection Fund has confirmed that it has no objection. Closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, approval by the Regulator and the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions precedent.” Read more »

e-Cards have benefits, but printed cards are more meaningful

Most of us at one time or another have received an “e-card” from a friend or relative, perhaps for a birthday or as an invitation to a party or event. Electronic cards have some key advantages over printed cards. For example, e-cards cost less, as many are available at no charge and there’s no postage cost for sending them. Many of us spend a lot of time sitting in front of our computers, so it’s often easier to just pick an e-card and send it off instead of taking the time to go to a store and search for the right card, or order a card online and wait for it to come in the mail before sending it back out in the mail to its recipient. E-cards also make a lot of sense as announcements and invitations, as you know the person will get it as soon as they check their e-mail and some vendors allow the sender to keep tabs on who has RSVP’d to the event.

InfoTrends 2012 Next Generation of Personalized Printed Products study posed a series of survey questions to respondents who had purchased various types of personalized printed products in the last year (such as greeting cards, invitations/announcements and thank you cards).  In that survey, we asked respondents about how they’re using e-cards and the impact they’re having on printed cards. Many respondents have sent e-cards in the last year, with 45% telling us they sent electronic greeting cards and 37% saying they sent invitations. Thank you cards were sent by 33% of respondents, and 26% sent electronic announcements (multiple responses were allowed).

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