01732 759725 46 INDUSTRY INSIGHT Industry Insight LeAnne Foley, Head of Indirect Sales, Toshiba Tec UK Q: What’s currently having the greatest impact on your business? A: The adoption of cloud. Cloud-based printing solutions have accelerated over the last few years due to the rise in hybrid work models, and as businesses look to scale back and implement better cost savings, they are moving away from on-premise print servers. Back in 2023, we launched our own cloud print software; e-BRIDGE Global Print and e-FOLLOW.cloud, so we have been in a great position to support our partners and end-users in the transition from on-premise to cloud. Our cloud software even won the OEM Cloud Print Management Solution of the Year at the PrintIT Awards! Q: How do you stay ahead of the curve and ensure that your company remains at the forefront of innovation? A: Reading and researching! I think it’s so important to ‘keep your finger on the pulse’ in our industry, understanding market trends and insights, learning what key players are up to and by just being genuinely curious. Working in the technology sector, where products, solutions and trends can change very quickly, it’s even more important for us to stay informed and ready to adapt. Some great opportunities have presented themselves by just having a read through PrintIT Reseller! Q: With artificial intelligence fast becoming mainstream, how do you see this impacting your go-to-market strategy, product roadmap, and indeed the wider channel? A: This is hard to anticipate as it’s such an evolving topic. We’re already seeing efficiency gains in areas of our business where AI is being leveraged for certain tasks, like marketing and service. The technology is being used in our fleet management tools and is already having an impact on the way in which we support our customers, so I have no doubt that satisfaction and retention will continue to increase as new AI technologies emerge. When harnessed responsibly, I think the possibilities are really exciting. Q: What do you see as the key challenges or pain points businesses are facing in today’s hybrid working model and how can you help your partners/customers to address these? A: I think a lack of flexibility remains a huge pain point for businesses where technology and processes haven’t been adapted to suit hybrid environments. The use of Teams, Zoom etc. has helped to address this but I think face‑to‑face meeting is essential for true flexibility. I’m an advocate for hybrid working but I believe we run the risk of accelerating a transactional approach to managed print services by only ever communicating virtually. We have so much at our disposal to help businesses and to solve their pain points, but only through spending time in-person can we get a true picture of what they are! Q: Looking towards the future, what do you envision as the next big breakthrough or game-changer in the industry, and how is your company preparing for it? A: Looking forwards, I would imagine the next big breakthrough in the print industry is likely to be the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) into everyday operations, as these technologies can revolutionise how businesses manage their workflows, optimise resource allocation, and enhance productivity. Whilst already embracing these technologies now, Toshiba has been researching and developing AI technologies for years, and we can only expect this knowledge and expertise to filter further into our solutions in the future. Additionally, I see sustainability and environmental responsibility continuing to play a big part in the future. Toshiba is continuously developing products that are energy-efficient and environmentally conscious, and looking at environmental activities, supporting our planet, and helping businesses meet their corporate social responsibility goals. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and prioritising sustainability, Toshiba Tec UK is well-positioned to lead the industry into the future. Q: What advice would you give a young person starting a career in the industry? A: Work hard and embrace training and professional development, this will foster a growth mindset and increase your chances of success. LeAnne Foley
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