Managing Content Drives Additional Value Add

The joint On Demand and Info 360 AIIM Conference was expected to have drawn about 24,000 attendees to Philadelphia this past week despite the myriad of flight cancellations out of Europe due to Eyjafjallajokull’s eruption.

The On Demand highlights were mostly on the trade floor as Konica Minolta announced the new C8000 printer and Xerox heralded its 800/1000 machines. Seminars were of secondary interest as they touted variable data case studies as has been the case for more than a decade. The print service providers’ frustrations continue in that the prospect corporate marketing departments don’t really seem to know how to organize and leverage their proprietary information content.

Ironically, this is where Info 360 and AIIM seem to break through the glass ceiling (or cloud) of this morose corporate information content and begin to suggest an infrastructure that possibly provides insightful handles on this information to create additional value-added services and products to their clients. Needless to say, this Enterprise Content Management umbrella is presented overwhelmingly in an electronic digital fashion supported by IT expertise and networks of new software platforms and specialty applications. I kept asking myself, “How can ink/toner on paper help these corporations better realize their new value add revenue potential."

Rather than a series of highlights to summarize this info 360: AIIM Conference, I thought I would offer a series of shorter, concentrated reflections on insightful keynoters’ presentations. And conclude with my prognostication(s) on where print opportunities or messages might fit. Let us know what you think of this approach.

MSNBC’s Practical Futurist and Technology Expert - Michael Rogers

There has been a fundamental shift in technology as part of the virtualization of America. Four areas that Rogers suggests keeping an eye on are:

1. Devices

Last year laptops outsold desktop computers. In the 1980s, the enterprise drove technology. Now consumers drive technology innovations. There will be a plethora of iPad like devices with introductions beginning this fall. The smart phone will have a simple docking device to rest in so that a virtual keyboard can be projected on to your work surface. The other side of the smart phone will have a small projector that will show the details of the page on to the wall a few inches behind the smart phone—a virtual computer monitor. Costs of broadband will continue to collapse.

Printers Impact: Clients will continue to want 24/7 access to fulfillment inventories and to review virtual proofs of jobs from their hotel rooms. Print salesmen will have more powerful tools to access estimates/quotes while on the road.

2. True Standards & Interconnectivity

Many industries have resisted standards. Dominant manufacturers have attempted to force their solutions into being the ad hoc standard. Rogers predicts that cloud computing and the continued growth of sophisticated service bureau outsourcing will be strong elements in driving true standards and interconnectivity that has been so desperately needed.

Printers Impact: Printers overwhelmingly are small relative to the plethora of hardware and software applications with which they must be compatible. Hence, universal interconnectivity will level of the playing field allowing printers of all sizes to compete on service, quality and innovation.

3. Internet of Things

Every entity will have sensors with WIFI access to instructions and information feedback. For example, energy will be generated from motion within the ambient environment. The illustration was given of the difficulty that garbage trucks create as they maneuver the narrow roads of Italy creating traffic jams. Now there are intelligent dumpsters that report back, “No need to stop. I’m only a third full.” Sensors to detect content, such as wallboard remnants, may be used by the police to detect unauthorized constructions projects. Another example is that all cars will be connected to the Internet. This will allow insurance to be sold by the mile. Plus each driver’s driving style will allow the insurance company to rate their risk as well as parents monitoring their teenage drivers.

Printers Impact: Potential equipment failures can be much more predictably anticipated with repairs scheduled before last minute big jobs miss vital deadlines.

4. Next Generation of Workers – the Millennials (10-30 years old)

There will be an altogether different relationship with their work. Already they acknowledge meaningful virtual relationships. Work will become increasingly virtual. The past year Mr. Rogers reported, “Seventy-eight billion dollars in productivity was lost sitting in traffic.” Telepresence is in the future.

Printers impact: While the Millennials will be driving this type work relationship. There certainly presents an opportunity for seniors to ease into retirement by being available via the Internet for their expertise and advise to their younger former trainees whether it be managers or journeyman equipment operators or software gurus.

C. Clint Bolte, C. Clint Bolte & Associates, Chambersburg, PA.