What a year for MPS! A look at 2011 from MWAi
MPS enthusiast, President and CEO of MWA intelligence, Mike Stramaglio reflects on the past year for the world of technology, for the world of managed print and for his own organization.
As we close out 2011 I can’t help but look back and reflect upon the many important events, stories, opportunities and people who helped to make this year one of the best and more memorable out of the past few. On the world stage we can certainly related to the passing of Steve Jobs, or the ongoing impact of the catastrophic Tsunami that devastated Japan and of course, there was the profound and serious impact of a global economy that is literally stuck in the mud; negatively influencing everything from the cost of fuel to unemployment and fluctuating currency valuations.
Closer to home, 2011 presented some interesting stories with changes at the helm of HP and continued investments from the likes of Xerox, Canon and Konica Minolta. These companies, and others like them, continue to focus on the need to encourage the migration from a conventional copier business model to a better and more balanced, long-term strategy of managed print services and or a combination of new services driven by technology.
Undoubtedly, the imaging marketplace is in a state of hyper change and these changes are supported by the onslaught of new technology in almost every sector. Look at the explosion of market penetration of devices from Apple/iPHONE, Google Droid and others. We’ve witnessed the amazing growth story for Apple with the iPhone and iPad. However, when you add the exponential growth of devices competitive to Apple, it becomes clear that we are in the midst of another technological tidal wave that will change our lives and our businesses forever. For example, Android devices available in the market have grown from 40 devices in 2010 to over 130 in 2011. And, Android daily activations have grown from 500,000 last year to over 700,000 today, with 3.7 million Android activations over the Christmas weekend!
As in 2011, this amazing growth in “Smart” devices will continue to drive innovation as the key to success in 2012. Take into consideration the advancements of technologies from leaders such as Intel, Green Hills Software, McAfee to name a few who are focused on the “inside” for purposes of effective cost, intelligence, security and the like. It has been an amazing year with innovation happening nearly everywhere you look, and simply said… you ain’t seen nothing yet.
I enjoyed 2011 as a positive year of growth, opportunity and improvement. It is healthy to see migration at the distribution level with the ongoing evolution of the IT/VAR channel, the imaging channel, the office products channel and the retail channels really beginning to shape the model of the future. I am confident these outlets of distribution will sort themselves out thanks to the creativity of the people running these companies and supported by the growth of sustainable technology capable of “connecting” people, things and businesses around the world in a secure and efficient manner. The “number” presented by industry pundits suggests there will be 50 Billion devices connected within 10 years. Yes, this includes printers and MFPs, but goes way beyond to signage, LCD, automobiles, medical equipment and a list still being created. Imagine “usage-based” automobile insurance. Amazing….monitoring who is driving your car and charging for your time in that vehicle. This is just the beginning, but consider a “cost-per-minute” insurance program.
Other events of interest certainly continue to capture my attention. The continued success of MPS, as driven by Photizo, is a great thing to see and be a part as well as the very visible footprint of World Expo and their Managed Print Summit, or the ongoing activity of Lyra, IQPC and a host of other trade events and educational platforms that have greater value than ever before. I expect even more from these folks in 2012. Also making the list of interesting events in 2011 is Xerox’s acquisition of Newfield IT or the growing partnership of MWAi with Intel, the departure of Ed McLaughlin from Sharp and the recently announced new Sharp President Mr. Doug Albregts. I might add Mike Pietrunti leaving Kyocera Mita for Global Xerox and, of course, the ECI acquisition of Digital Gateway.
MWAi enjoyed a solid year of activity and growth and we are currently hiring some key people in order to support our clients in a way that allows us to not only meet, but exceed their requirements.
We have created a number of new opportunities in 2011, and I am proud to say we will focus a great deal of attention on implementation in the New Year. I am pleased and confident about the upcoming year and I am very much looking forward to digging in and making things happen in January forward.
One of the MWAi highlights is the recently announced Technology United program–a program designed to bring industry leaders and companies together in a way that allows for a better long-term market strategy and serving our collective customers better. When MWAi can partner with Intel, Apple, Google, LMI, Great America, Microsoft, Green Hills Software etc., it is only logical the outcome will provide us with a better enterprise for everyone involved.
I am proud of what was accomplished by our industry in 2011 and I am equally pleased with MWAi’s role in it. I believe 2012 will proved to be a great year due to the influence of a number of critical components coming together as a “force multiplier” with very robust technology becoming the glue that binds together the pieces that allow for enhanced supply chain functionality, improved revenue and increased bottom line opportunities. We are already seeing increased acceptance of “apps” or cloud capability and I have no doubt apps for printing or data management will become the norm in 2012 and adoption will take place rather quickly. I might add, the industry will see the launch of some new and very powerful products delivered by corporations of major significance coming into the marketplace and that should be a whole lot of fun for all of us.
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