Basic HTML Version
...early
adopters
use them to
share all their
digital content
stored on
smartphones,
laptops, games
consoles,
cameras and
memory sticks.
A recent review of the Philips PicoPix
range in
Business Info
magazine
positively reflected the following:
“Meetings supported with visual
collaboration positively reinforce the
communication. The concept is further
strengthened because of the ‘cool
factor’ when using a more innovative AV
equipment.” The same could be said of the
Philips PicoPix LED pocket projector range.
This range of tiny projectors aren’t suitable
for huge conference venues but they are
perfect to carry in your pocket or laptop
bag. They mean that you are self-sufficient
and don’t have to rely on equipment being
compatible, working or in the room when
you need it. The Philips PicoPix range
certainly does have the ‘cool factor’. They’ll
impress during the working week but they
are just as good for holidays, weekends
away, camping, etc. Pocket pico projectors
have been around for some time but the
latest models include many enhancements
over previous models – and in the last 12
months the Philips range has become the
most popular choice in the UK, as early
adopters use them to share all their digital
content stored on smartphones, laptops,
games consoles, cameras and memory sticks.
The PPX 2450 has some very useful
features for such a small device, including
a two-hour battery life; 2GB of on-board
memory for PC-free/wireless presentations;
and an impressive range of connectivity
options. These include a direct link to
video devices, such as an iPhone or iPad,
a laptop, camcorder or games console; an
integrated MP4 media player that allows
content to be played directly from the
built-in memory, USB stick or SD card;
for connecting a camera, smartphone or
removable storage device.
The PPX2450 is affordable as well
as eye-catching. It’s perfect for informal
presentations to small groups or to
bring something extra to meetings with
customers with a love of gadgetry, it’s
great value for money.
Resellers can order from DMC, Spicers
or Vow.
Award Winning
Review…
PicoPix 2450
For more info on the full range
of Philips PicoPix pocket
projectors simply visit
www.picopix.philips.com
PRINT.IT
23
www.binfo.co.uk
from buying from an approved
supplier at an approved rate.
Nick Stainton, industry sector
marketing manager at Xerox,
said: “Xerox has been dealing
with schools and education a lot
since being on the Government
Procurement Service (GPS) print
framework and a lot of schools
are really trying to reduce the
costs and complications of
buying copiers and MFPs and in
particular are trying to reduce
the risks around leasing.”
Many schools still prefer
not to use a framework – out
of loyalty to a local supplier;
because they don’t have
professional procurement people
and may be uncertain about
the procedure for going out to
competition; or because they
value personal service more
than the low prices available.
Gary Downey, group
marketing director of Balreed,
said: “We’ve found that a lot
of the terms on public sector
frameworks, for example the
low pricing and the ability to
cancel a lease with no penalty,
are such that few suppliers
can meet them. Unless you
are a manufacturer or a large
organisation, you can’t take the
risk that someone will cancel
an order for 30 machines. No
penalties and prices as close to
landed prices in Europe as you
can get make it impossible to
make margin.”
This, says Downey, means
that schools who go through a
framework often don’t receive
the level of service they need.
“Quite a few frameworks tend
to exclude local suppliers who
could deliver a better level of
service and give the advantage
to vendors who are running an
international business and can’t
focus so much on the local client
because they don’t have the
bodies on the ground,” he said.
Paul Steels points out that
there will also be instances
where the optimum solution is
not available via a framework
agreement. “There are good
reasons for using framework
agreements in terms of
aggregating expertise and
getting best value for money.
That said, it doesn’t eliminate
the need to look at the right
solution for your needs,” he said.
Volume or standard contract?
Organisations that choose not
to go through a framework will
have more freedom to choose
a contract that suits their
requirements. While most will
opt for a lease agreement for
equipment and a consumables
and maintenance contract based
on usage, there may be times
when a volume-based contract is
more appropriate.
The argument for such
agreements is that if a device
is chosen to do a certain
number of pages and ends
up doing twice that amount,
it will wear out before the end
of the contract term. In such
circumstances, schools often
buy new equipment and add
outstanding payments for the old
device into a new lease causing
costs to mount up.
In the case of a volume-
based contract to print 1,000
page a month for five years, the
cost of the equipment would
be rolled up with consumables
and maintenance into a cost
per page. If you end up doing
1,500 pages per month, all that
happens is your contract comes
to an end sooner. The risk is that
if you under-print you will pay for
pages you never use.
Volume plans are not
recommended by all. Altodigital’s
Andy Hargreaves said: “They are
probably not suitable for primary
and secondary schools because
they won’t have the volumes to
wear the recommended devices
out within 3 to 5 years. If you
go to colleges and universities,
there may be a case for them.
Because schools have lots of
holidays, you tend to find that
volume contracts are in excess
of true volume so you can end
up paying for a million pages and
only doing 700,000.”
To make sure you receive the
next instalment in our series,
don’t forget to register for your
free copy at
www.binfo.co.uk