Print IT Reseller - issue 52

01732 759725 12 BULLETIN Antalis academy receives resounding response As part of its commitment to providing customers with everything they need to stay ahead of the changing industry, the Antalis Academy no longer provides just training and support in relation to digital print products, techniques and solutions – but also wider, vital business skills. Having refocused its Academy to provide a much broader training proposition this year, Antalis has received a resounding response to its brand new business courses – in what it says is indicative of a growing demand from customers seeking to enhance their sales and marketing approach. Since the beginning of the year a total of 30 delegates have attended courses on everything from ‘Realistic Sales Planning’ and ‘Essentials of Selling’ through to ‘Making Telephone Appointments’ and ‘Successful Social Media for Print Sales People’. Digital Support Manager Giles Bristow, said: “It has been challenging for our customers to find training workshops and tutors who not only know their chosen business-related subject, but also understand the industry and markets that printers operate in. As such, we have purposely expanded our Academy to fulfil this growing need by introducing of a range of business courses in conjunction with the IPIA.” www.digital2business.co.uk/antalis-academy 20 years of success Integra Business Solutions is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its award-wining own brand, Initiative. Launched in 1998 and a key benefit of Integra membership, the Initiative office products range has grown significantly over the last 20 years, seeing end-user sales in excess of £15m. To celebrate this important milestone the buying group has announced a number of promotions running throughout 2018. www.integra-business.co.uk UTAX achieves ISO 9001 certification UTAX (UK) has demonstrated its compliance to and been certified to the Quality Management System Standard – ISO 9001:2015 by BSI (British Standards Institution). Managing Director Shaun Wilkinson, said: “We are extremely proud to announce that BSI has confirmed that UTAX operates a Quality Management System which complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. This achievement, in conjunction with our company restructure back in October 2017, has allowed us to be more efficient with our business processes and reinforces our commitment for continued growth.” www.utaxuk.co.uk Tech-as-a-Service out of the blocks fast Tech Data has received a resoundingly positive response to its newly launched Tech-as-a-Service programme, with high levels of interest and engagement from resellers and significant business already secured. Originally developed and piloted in the UK, Tech-as-a-Service provides a simple way for resellers to offer their customers hardware, software and services as a complete package on a subscription basis. It offers high residual values on hardware and enables resellers to provide a complete lifecycle management process to their customers. For end-user customers, Tech-as-a-Service allows them to adopt the latest technologies immediately, without having to find the budget to make up-front capital investments. Resellers can also add their own services offerings, such as installation, training, maintenance and support, as part of the overall subscription, and thus meet all their customers’ needs. Matt Child, Managing Director Endpoint Solutions UK and Ireland for Tech Data, said: “We have come out of the blocks really fast with Tech-as-a-Service. We’re fielding a lot of requests for more information and quotations and we have already expanded the team to provide more support to resellers and help them understand how Tech-as-a-Service works - for them and for their customers.” Tech Data has aligned the programme with vendor product strategies, ensuring that resellers can maximise their accreditations and rebates. Tech-as-a-Service is available to all Tech Data resellers in the UK and is compliant with key education, government and corporate regulations. www.techdata.co.uk Midwich sponsorship As one of the largest employers in Diss, Midwich is continuing its local support with the community by sponsoring the Diss Cyclathon again this year. The aim of the event which takes place on June 24 is to encourage more local people to cycle this summer and to raise vital funds for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Group HR Manager Carla Shipp, said: “We employ over 250 people at our head offices in Diss and love to support local events like the Diss Cyclathon and really hope it gets everyone out on their bikes this June. The Nine Town sportive has become one of the must ride sportives in the area and we'll be entering a Midwich team again this year, to not only enjoy a lovely ride but to also raise money for our selected charity Nelson's Journey.” www.disscyclathon.org Driving a print production evolution Ricoh is collaborating with transfer printing technology supplier TheMagicTouch, to enable a wider span of businesses to evolve their offerings with the Ricoh Ri 100 all-in-one Direct to Garment solution. Through its EMEA-wide network, the TheMagicTouch will see the Ricoh Ri 100 available in France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK. The remaining EMEA countries will follow in June this year. www.themagictouch.co.uk