PRINTITRESELLER.UK 43 VOX POP continued... Ian McIntyre, Sales Director, PCL Direct: Security is already a major focus in the industry and, with more ways in which security can be compromised, these days, we think it will continue to be a concern for everyone, in and outside the industry, as a result of evolving technology and increased compliance. We predict that security will stay high on the industry’s agenda, next year, especially in managed print services, as digital technology and print workflows merge, opening up more opportunities for threats to find their way into. We believe the role of the remanufacturing industry will become even more important in the UK and Europe for those looking to achieve net zero goals. Unfortunately, and in my opinion, the digital print industry does not completely embrace this concept, at all, at the moment. There are many businesses who still continue to support the manufacture and the use of products which do not comply with net zero goals or aims. For example, non-recyclable ink and laser cartridges that could, and should, be remanufactured instead. AI has a place in manufacturing and remanufacturing but, currently, it’s a matter of taking time to see where AI could be of use. PCL Direct expects that in the future, AI will help to make the industry more efficient and adaptable, and, probably, it will become a large part of the R&D process and data-driven decisions that PCL Direct are very active in. Our experience is that spending patterns have been changing for some time, now, with MPS being a key enabler to helping end-users integrate print and digital workflows. Priorities seem to be changing for most companies, and, with the economic climate, across the UK, in a state of flux, there could be a few more changes to come before we see things settling down next year. Decline in print is inevitable with a more paperless approach, due to more digital technology, on the increase, and we have seen this with the increase in the use of smart devices in the education sector replacing paper-based tasks. This will continue to have an impact on print demand in the future. In the public sector, more employees now work from multiple PC monitor screens, and this reduces the need for the MFP in an open office environment, driving print volumes down in businesses. There are fewer but faster machines being installed, with more sophisticated applications, which creates a secure infrastructure. PCL Direct expects this shift towards digital solutions will continue impacting print demand in the future. https://pcl-direct.com Decline in print is inevitable with a more paperless approach Ian McIntyre Richard King, Channel Partner Manager (UK & Nordics), iTS: Having spent many years in the print industry, I’ve witnessed significant evolution, but now more than ever, it feels as though we are on the precipice of finally leaving the paper world and entering the digital world for good. Organisations are rapidly advancing their digital transformation efforts as customers increasingly demand and embrace digital experiences. This shift compels print industry leaders to urgently rethink their business models to adapt to this digital convergence. Of course, this transition has been accelerated due to expectations from modern and flexible hybrid workforces, improved sustainability measures, the availability of AI, plus, easy access to cloud services. But all of this comes with challenges and complications such as heightened security requirements and the need for upskilling among print professionals. Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) is no longer just a value-add or differentiator, it has become an essential expectation across all sectors. The launch of Microsoft Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP) also marks one of the most significant changes to printing in 20 years. These changes will have an impact on all organisations but offer a massive opportunity for trusted print professionals to navigate customers through these unchartered waters. For those that embrace these changes there could not be a more exciting time to be part of the print industry. www.printandcopycontrol.com Richard King Organisations are rapidly advancing their digital transformation efforts as customers increasingly demand and embrace digital experiences
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