(Norwell, MA) July 31, 2001… CAP Ventures announced the publication of Black And White Print On Demand: Catching The Next Wave, a major study of the black and white print on demand market. According to CAP Ventures, U.S. companies spent $3.1 billion in 2000 for black & white print on demand systems and their related services and supplies. Based on the company’s research, that market is growing 20.4% per year and will reach $8.0 billion in 2005.

One of the most important findings is the rapid transition over the next five years to print on demand systems from traditional segment 5 and 6 copiers. “Production sites won’t be buying copiers in the future. They will be purchasing networked print on demand systems with scanning, workflow and in-line finishing options,” stated Jeff Hayes, Director at CAP Ventures. Of the 312 print providers CAP Ventures interviewed, only 6% plan to purchase a high speed analog copier in the next 12 months, while 28% plan to buy a print on demand system.

This extensive report is based on 312 telephone interviews with print providers and 30 interviews with dealers that sell office and graphic arts equipment. The 200-page report includes detailed research findings and forecasts for mid-range and high-speed print on demand systems by key market segments, including in-plant print shops, quick printers, commercial printers and networked office environments. Some of the areas covered include:

• Brand awareness and preference
• Print volume and applications
• Service and support requirements
• Cluster printing and front-end requirements (e.g. scanning, PDL, variable data)
• Key features such as paper handling, substrates and finishing

Another important finding is that most equipment dealers cite print on demand as the most attractive revenue and profit opportunity for their company. With a score of 8.1 (10 = best opportunity), high-speed black & white print on demand systems received the highest opportunity rating by equipment dealers. “As equipment prices come down and traditional office copier vendors move up market, many dealers are excited about selling black & white print on demand systems,” commented Hayes. “For many dealers, the POD market is a vast green field waiting to be harvested.”

Black And White Print On Demand: Catching The Next Wave is designed to help technology vendors and leading resellers better understand the market opportunity for black & white print on demand equipment, front-ends, finishing products, supplies and related services. The report is available immediately. For more information, contact Alison Hipp at .