PRINT.IT
21
SMART PRINT
People will
no longer
accept that
they have
to switch to
a different
device or
technology
when they
move from
home to
office
spearhead a massive expansion
in apps-led development and
customisation of workflows. That is
exactly what Samsung is proposing
with its new Smart Services initiative,
built on the Smart UX Center.
Samsung claims that this will:
n
Provide a complete platform to
enhance workplace experience;
n
Allow users to enjoy apps already
developed, now and in the future;
n
Customise workflows by creating
new apps or modifying existing ones;
n
Support and make easy the
development of new apps, by making
an SDK available to developers who,
in the case of channel partners, can
also use this to build an important
new revenue stream
Samsung says that using its vast
experience in this area and allowing
developers to use familiar tools
such as Android will cut the average
development time for a Smart UX
Centre app to 30 days, compared
to 9 months for a typical embedded
printer app using current industry
standards.
This is not just a theoretical
concept. At Apps World, Samsung
was able to show some impressive
apps and workflow solutions
that are already being used by
customers. These include:
n
Remote Call
– a solution for
service technicians working
in the field, with integrated
communications linking phone and
online support, to help them deliver
same day service to customers;
n
MobiSystems Office Suite
–
providing one app to view and edit
documents, working across Android/
Dex and Smart UX; and
n
Massinelli
– an instore retail
marketing solution, facilitating the
printing of on-demand flyers.
There are also plans to take
Smart UX to the next level, beyond
traditional printing, with innovative
solutions including:
n
Self-serve automated shipping
system, linking weighing scales, bar-
code scanner and NFC/card reader;
n
Self-point health solution, linking
medical scales, smart watch, and
blood pressure measurements.
The big question
This all looks very promising, but
it is based on linking Samsung’s
expertise in mobile technology with
its print and workflow business. The
big question now is how this will
translate into the HP world, when
the acquisition of Samsung’s print
business is completed later this year.
It appears to fit very well with HP’s
own strategy of developing more
sophisticated services and solutions.
However, will HP be able to integrate
and manage this initiative with its
organisation and technology, and in
particular with its channel?
Steven Swift is Co-Founder of IDeAs,
a European network of Independent
Document Advisors, set up to advise
printer vendors and the dealer
community on how to adapt to the
changes re-shaping the printing and
imaging industry.
