Xerox Premier Partners Survey Finds Survival Tied to Digital Services

ROCHESTER, NY—Nov. 28, 2011—In a recent survey of Xerox Corp.’s Premier Partners, more than 80 percent reported that digital printing has enabled them to expand their businesses, and more than 70 percent said it generates new revenue. In addition, nearly three-quarters of the 718 printers surveyed agreed with the statement, “Graphic communications providers will go out of business if they offer only print and distribution.” Sixty-nine percent believed the impact of the recession is making investments in other services difficult.

Those are among the findings of the fourth-annual survey of members of the Xerox Premier Partners Global Network of leading graphic communications providers. Premier Partners worldwide were invited to take the survey.

“Most graphic communications providers believe they must develop new offerings or face going out of business, yet the recession is making it hard for them to make the necessary investment,” said Mary Roddy, program manager, Xerox Premier Partners Global Network. “That’s a tough challenge. But fortunately, digital printing continues to provide a pathway to growth.”

Again this year, direct mail was the top application cited for generating new revenue (39 percent). Other applications ranked as follows:

• book publishing—23 percent,
• packaging—16 percent, and
• photo specialty products and TransPromo—13 percent each.

Graphic communications customers are especially interested in full-color variable data printing (increased interest reported by 75 percent), followed by Web-to-print services (59 percent) and marketing consulting (47 percent).

The greatest challenges to business success cited by respondents remained consistent from 2010:

• differentiating the business—67 percent,
• establishing new services—65 percent,
• meeting demand without sacrificing quality—59 percent, and
• current economic climate—45 percent.

Xerox Business Partner GMC Analytics conducted the survey.

About Xerox
Xerox Corp. is a $22.5 billion leading global enterprise for business process and document management. Through its broad portfolio of technology and services, Xerox provides the essential back-office support that clears the way for clients to focus on what they do best: their real business. Headquartered in Norwalk, CT, Xerox provides leading-edge document technology, services, software and genuine Xerox supplies for graphic communication and office printing environments of any size. Through ACS, A Xerox Company, which Xerox acquired in February 2010, Xerox also offers extensive business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing services, including data processing, healthcare solutions, HR benefits management, finance support, and customer relationship management services for commercial and government organizations worldwide. The 134,000 people of Xerox serve clients in more than 160 countries.

Source: Xerox.