TCPglobal - news, views and issues on total cost of printing

Issue #1007/1 – Reports are emerging of an academic study, involving both Microsoft and the Institute of Directors in the UK, suggesting that remote working will/should expand dramatically and that companies should reduce their office space in favour of either home working or renting space for employees in shared bureau facilities – or both. This would have major implications on the way IT is delivered and also on the profile of the printer and MFP market. This article considers some of the conditions, benefits and downsides relating to the demise of the office as we know it, together with consequences for printer and MFP manufacturers.

Issue #1005/2 – Following the unrest and strike action by Hewlett-Packard Staff (EDS employees) in the UK and parts of Europe over recent months (see "Hewlett-Packard’s need to return profit is showing cracks"), it is now reported that Hewlett-Packard’s rejection from the public sector bidding list in the UK has been confirmed – despite appealing against the original decision.

Issue #0929/1 – IBM has provided conclusive proof that, in a harsh economic environment, it is those that have a sold services offering that stand the best chance of surviving and even flourishing. IBM posted net profit for the 3rd quarter of 2009 to the tune of $3.2bn, up 14% on Q3 of last year, while all indications so far are that IT hardware sales, and even sales of printer supplies are still flagging badly.

Issue #0925/1 – Making the most significant announcement in some time, Hewlett-Packard revealed plans earlier this week to enable a more thorough Managed Print Services (MPS) offering – through an extended alliance with Canon for use of MFP hardware, which finally plugs the yawning gap in Hewlett-Packard’s printer and MFP hardware line-up, and the creation of a range of on-board MFP solutions designed to streamline and enhance the digital workflow in the enterprise.