2015 ERA/IRgA Convention Digital Services Panel
Elmer Rhodes discusses how Cross Rhodes Reprographics provides document management services at construction projects. Beside him are Tony Militano and Gary Wilbur.
By Ed Avis
One topic dominated the 2015 ERA/IRgA convention in Atlanta this past weekend: How to increase profit. This theme was expressed in educational sessions about selling digital services and pricing strategies, in the keynote address about finding a competitive advantage, and on the trade show floor, where attendees saw the latest technology. As the reprographics industry eases out of recession, the 160+ attendees looked for ways to increase margins and capitalize on their strengths.
Below are synopses of the key programs – stay tuned for full articles about these events in the coming weeks.
Printer Comparison
The first educational session, on Friday morning, featured a panel discussion that compared three leading printer technologies: the Memjet-driven RTI Vortex and Xerox IJP 2000; the new HP PageWide; and the KIP C7800 color LED printer. IRgA members Carl Byrne, Chuck Wingard, and Jeff Stoneham, each of whom operate one or more of these technologies, discussed some of the pros and cons of each. In addition, a chart was distributed that compared the basics of the technologies (click here to access the chart).
Selling Digital Services
The second educational session focused on profiting from digital services. Panelists Elmer Rhodes, Tony Militano, and Gary Wilbur discussed how their companies profit from services such as document management, scanning/archiving, and file management. Rhodes demonstrated his company’s system for managing the documentation process on construction projects.
Trade Show
Twenty exhibitors showed their latest reprographics industry products. The Hewlett-Packard booth, which featured the new PageWide single-pass inkjet printer, attracted the largest crowds. Read the list of exhibitors by clicking here.
Bukovsky Award, Keynote Speech
Michael Cully, president of AIR Graphics in Boston, was honored with the George Bukovsky Award during the banquet on Friday night. The award presentation was followed by a keynote address by Jaynie L. Smith, who showed attendees how to find and express their competitive advantages.
European Report – www.go4copy.net
On Saturday morning, Achim Carius, executive director of the German reprographics association Motio, discussed the creation and operation of www.go4copy.net, a network of Motio members that effectively competes against chain operators.
Pricing Strategies
A round-table discussion of pricing strategies followed Carius’ presentation. Topics discussed included per-sheet vs. per-square-foot pricing, summary invoicing, and charging for digital services.
Association Business Meetings
Both the Eastern Reprographics Association and the International Reprographic Association held membership meetings where finances, membership, and other issues were discussed.
International Participation
A dozen German and Austrian reprographics firm representatives attended the convention. The group also toured three local reprographics firms – Repro Products, Buster’s Reprographics, and the Atlanta ARC location – as well as many local tourist sites.
Stay tuned for full articles about each of the above items in the coming weeks.