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(Weymouth, MA.) November 8, 2006… InfoTrends has announced the launch of a new Multi-Client Study entitled The Workgroup Copier Business Model at Risk? The A4 vs. A3 Tipping Point. One of the fastest-developing and most intensely competitive areas of the over $50 billion hard copy printer and copier market is the battle for a share of the typical workgroup document pages produced daily in U.S. offices. Printing and copying documents remain essential to most business processes, but significant shifts are underway in the types of equipment that these pages are printed on and whether they are black & white or color. Trends are also shifting in terms of how office buyers are deciding what equipment to buy, the channels they employ, and whether they still subscribe to traditional copier purchasing models such as leases and cost-per-copy programs. “Business buyers have unprecedented choices for producing professional-quality hard copy output, including inexpensive color lasers and MFPs,” commented John McIntyre, Director of Market Research at InfoTrends. “As prices for A4/letter-sized multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) – especially color versions – plummet while performance and capabilities increase, buyers increasingly see these copy-capable MFPs as alternatives to larger and more expensive console-based offerings from copier vendors. The merging of the primary functions offered by these once-different machine categories means that competing vendors, channels, purchase styles, service capabilities, and pricing strategies will come into direct competitive conflict as never before.” InfoTrends’ new study intends to assess if the convergence in these once-differing markets is triggering a major shift in business buyer attitudes and behaviors. The study will examine these traits among four different business size categories, ranging from micro to enterprise-level. “Our study will reveal how operating and buying decisions are being impacted by these major trends and pinpoint what vendors must do to remain competitive," Mr. McIntyre continued. "This research will uncover, as never before, the factors that will drive buyers to choose printers or copiers, and use that insight to forecast what the office hardware landscape of 2010 will look like.” Ultimately, the research will identify customer requirements and attitudes, usage patterns, purchase plans and intent, and other metrics that will drive vendors' product, service, marketing, and sales activities. 1,200 businesses of varying sizes will be surveyed on their usage and perceptions regarding copiers and printers. In addition, InfoTrends will interpret the research findings and produce individually tailored analysis and action recommendations for the study’s subscribers. For more information on this study or to sign up as a participant, please contact Alison Hipp at , ext. 126 or via e-mail at . Early subscriber discounts are available until December 22, 2006. InfoTrends is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. InfoTrends provides research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends is available on the Web at www.infotrends.com. Copyright © 2006 InfoTrends. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of InfoTrends materials is strictly prohibited without prior written consent. If you are interested in referencing InfoTrends content, please submit your request to . PR Contact |
