Is the Death of the Copier Here.

I was surprised to read the headline:

"What’s keeping the enterprise from a paperless future?"

The date was August 15, 2024. Here.

2024.  I started this blog in 2008 because I saw the beginning of the end of the photocopier; printers, scanners, digital documents, faster more efficient business processes and workflows were part and parcel of the business world enabling better results: lower costs, higher revenues, and growing sales.

It's been a long time coming but reading it today is a bit nostalgic and 'analog'.

Better Sales People With a Soul. Bourbon is really cool. Ai Around the Globe & THE Reformation of Mankind

Week 19, May 9

What a week?  More like, “What?  A year?”, no, “What?  The Fear of Covid Was TWO YEARS Ago?” Time flies.

​
It is true what ‘they’ say, “as the days in front of you reduce in number, time seems to slide by faster and faster.”  Well, with the way things are today, time is sliding faster FOR EVERYONE. 

When folks ask, “How ya been, Greg?” I answer like everyone else does, “Great. It is a great time to be here” which is for the most part, true.  

But to the very few, which now includes you, may answer is, “The last 24 months have been the worst in my life – and nobody I love died. 

So, I have that to look forward to.”

I take fewer things for granted, my circle has contracted, I “recluse” more and battle the urge to become that bitter dude at the end of the bar – “Get off my lawn.”

Gratitude.

"We Are the Gods Now - I haven't been struck down. I take that to mean I'm right."

"My Name is Peter Weyland And If You'll Indulge Me, I'd Like to Change the World"

Technology advancements:

• 100,000, BC: Stone tools.
• 4,000, BC: The wheel.
• 800, BC: Sundial.
• 9th century, AD: Gunpowder. Bit of a game-changer, that one.
• 1441: The printing press -- only slightly less impactful.
• 19th century: Steam engine. Railway. Eureka! The light bulb!!
• 20th century: The automobile, television, nuclear weapons, spacecrafts, Internet.
• 21st century: Biotech, nanotech, fusion and fission, and M-theory -- and that was just the first decade.

"We wield incredible power -- the power to transform, to destroy and to create again. The question, of course, before us is, "What the hell are we supposed to do with this power?" Or, more importantly, one should ask, 

"What are we allowed to do with this power?

Let's Talk About Copiers

As I roam the landscape of copier, printer, output, digitization and organizational impact of office technology, I RARELY find anything more than a sponsored marketing piece disguised as neutral, self-aggrandizing tome regarding the greatness an organization selling copiers, or a collection empty words and sentences void of substance metastasize into rant.  

Exhausting.

I don't know if it was the eclipse or simply the universe colliding and spawning a three body solution for the mundane, we've got a cool triple-start over at The Imaging Channel.

Tik Tok Bill is Bad.

so..let me get this straight...

When China buys farmland in the US, that's okay.

When China flies a spy balloon over the 'amber waves of grain', we create a meme.

When China let's covid out, we can't say 'China'.

...meanwhile...

The Cloud and Managed Print Services

When: Feb 2, 2024 - Noon, ET

New people taking on the Establishment and helping dealers make their customers happy.

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You are invited to "The Cloud and Managed Print Services" featuring a deep dive into cloud print technology with MyQ. This session will explore the potential of cloud print solutions, emphasizing the cutting-edge features and unique benefits of MyQ Roger. https://lnkd.in/dcntFiYV

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We're going to kick around topics like Clouds, Customers, and Voice Commands. It' is going to be grand.

Déjà vu?

HP at Davos: "We lose money on the hardware we, make money on the supplies." Bet. No Cap.

 

I've been saying this from the beginning: Covid changed the way we saw work, it illuminated the managerial redundancies and hierarchy hypocrisies - then AI hit the masses - and is changing everything again.  

"I think the pandemic showed the different way of work, create a different type of need...this is showing that all of us as companies, we need to make significant changes in how do we connect, manage, develop, grow our employees to make them successful." L, HP

We are doing more with less, because of Ai.

There's more.  NVidia, HP, Dell are going to catch headwinds like nothing else since the 90s.  Indeed, this next iteration will blow all other KPIs, benchmarks and models off the planet.

Imagine, if you will, every PC being refreshed in a five year period...or 24 months or in twelve.

This is what looms over the horizon.

WebMD is the latest Fool

He isn't asking, he is informing.

This argument isn't about working from home - that ship has sailed and exposed the true nature of the corporate world - humans are a resource. Now, this wasn't a bad or good thing, it was just a thing.  

Taylorism.

With Ai enabling more to be done with fewer (knowledge workers, labor and C-Level executives) and the fear of Covid exposing redundant managerial layers, outdated business philosophies and practices, and the ability of the individual to be productive in ANY environment they chose - the C Suite has become less relevant.

And THAT IS THE FEAR.  Not CRE, productivity or "organic, face to face, collaboration..."

The jig is up, the news is out.

In a stunning display of corporate tone-deafness, Internet Brands, the parent company of WebMD, recently released an internal video, which was mistakenly shared publicly, revealing a troubling stance on remote work. The video features a series of company executives, including CEO Bob Brisco, who starkly declared, “We aren’t asking or negotiating at this point. We are informing you of how we need to work together going forward.” This directive starkly contrasts with the evolving landscape of work, where flexibility and employee autonomy are increasingly valued.

The Resurgence of Managed Print Services: A New Dawn?

I've been asking this for over a year now, "Is MpS is back?"

Surprisingly, dealers and salespeople have been telling me their Prospects are asking for managed print services. Prospects have a definition of managed print services, see a need and are actively seeking out providers.  

Not like the old days.

MPS is not merely surviving; it's thriving and adapting in ways that promise a brighter, more efficient future for businesses worldwide.

2024 Office Technology Predictions? No. Not this Year.

In the old days, companies would meet between Christmas and New Year's to update a five year plan.

Since 2020, the act is futile.

Covid is over, for now.  Today, WFH and AI are huge gravitational forces impacting the present.

Like never before.

Anyone telling you they can predict the next 6 months is selling something. 

So this year, 2023, there will be no DOTC predictions.

The best way to predict the future is to create the Future.

Let's create.

How AI, Remote Work, and Covid Reshape the Workplace

"We are moving away from the "normal" industrial economy where labor, equipment, and capital produced reliable outputs; a handful of media gatekeepers provided reliable access to people's attention, and it was relatively easy to keep winners and make plans." - Dror Poleg

The adage, "If somebody else says it, it must be true..." works here.

I've been going on about how the convergence of the fear of Covid, the work from anywhere movement and now Ai/LLMs annihilates current social, and business models.

2014: Social Media in the Enterprise, The Cloud & The Home as an Incubator

Was I wrong?

Well, well.  Back in 2014,

"...The steady drumbeat of innovation building up to today’s new world of work made it inevitable that a grassroots movement would figure out how to adapt these technologies to power businesses – and in response, many new businesses have been created because of it. It’s turned business models on their heads, as “social influencers” become recognized voices of authority even before well-established journalists, forcing the c-suite to take notice and shift marketing budgets..."

and...

The Future: The Reinvention of Managed Print Services 🖨️

Exploring the Evolution from Device Management to Digital Integration in the World of MPS

The evolution of Managed Print Services (MPS) is marked by a fascinating journey from simple device management to a comprehensive approach encompassing document lifecycle, digital transformation, and advanced technological integration. Initially focused on device output, MPS has shifted towards holistic document management and embracing the digital era, influenced significantly by the advent of hybrid office environments and cloud-based collaborations​​.

Greg Walters, a notable voice in MPS, highlights the enduring philosophy of service-based device management, while acknowledging the transformative impact of digitalization and the shift in device locations due to hybrid workplaces​​. Eric Crump, another industry expert, emphasizes the expansion of MPS to incorporate elements like security and hybrid working solutions, responding to global economic uncertainties​​.

Mandates Aren't Working: Who Needs a Copier?

Remote Work, 2010

Ah, the good ol' days when the hum of the office copier was a constant, and the line for the machine was a daily ritual. But as we've seen in recent times, the office landscape is changing, and with it, the demand for office technology like copiers.

The recent data paints a clear picture: post-Labor Day, we saw a slight uptick in office attendance, but it's still a far cry from the bustling offices of 2019. Despite the efforts of big-name companies like Meta Platforms to enforce stricter return-to-office rules, the national return rate remains stubbornly low. And let's face it, if employees are working from home, who needs a copier?

Resisting the Return: Executives Ditch the Copier for the Comfort of Remote Work

Executives to Corporate: You Can Take Our Office, But You Can't Take Our Pajamas

Executive Bullet Points:

1. Top-tier executives are leading the resistance to the five-day office week, with many willing to trade more than 20% of their compensation for the flexibility of remote work.
2. Despite the push for a return to the office, data shows that office attendance is still below pre-pandemic levels, with employees spending less time in the office than before.
3. Companies are exploring creative solutions to encourage in-person work, including relocating offices to more enticing locations and offering flexible work-from-anywhere policies.

Greg's Words

The battle goes back and forth - but the lines are beginning to solidify.  Employees want to work from anywhere - as the fear of Covid revealed.

But today it seems even the C-Suite sees the value of working from anywhere(#WFA).  No surprises there, but what is remarkable is that the #WFA movement has forces aligned with the most demographic.

Who still resists?  Commercial property management companies, commercial real estate organizations, firms heavily invested in commercial real estate(banks), peripheral businesses,(coffee shops, taxis, tow trucks, food trucks), and mayors(no tax base).

In the end, it just doesn't matter.  The #WFA movement would prevail on lessons learned during the Covid fear alone - but there is more.  Enter artificial intelligence.  Today, AI is allowing two employees to do the work of ten.  AI can be accessed from any connected point on the planet.

The office-work environment has dissolved.

How is the alignment between executive and employee going to impact the resistance to #WFA?

__________

Deathbed Interviews, The Five Regrets of Life & Work From Anywhere -

A study from 2013.  Australian nurse interviews.

So, I found this article from 2013 - The top five regrets of the Dying.  

#1 - "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize until they no longer have it."

Now, today, view this thought through the post-fear-of-covid, work-from-anywhere, lens.

• 45-minute commutes
• empty face-to-face meetings
• irrelevant and ineffective managers
• 2% raises after 'check-box' evaluations...

In her work as a palliative care nurse, Bronnie Ware encountered the dying epiphanies of patients in their final days. 

The most common regrets she observed are as follows:

"Attendence Effects a Percentage of Your Grade.": Google Treat Employees Like Third Graders

Behind the Curtain: The Real Reasons Companies Want You Back in the Office

Greg's Words

Why are large corporations mandating a return to the office?  Real Estate investment(ROI) and a survival instinct. 

If  #WFH worked during the fear of Covid, why not now? Control? Rationalization? Relevancy? When there are no employees in an office, why do we need managers? And without managers, why do we need a C-Level? 

Now throw in AI. 

AI allows two people to do the work of 10 -programmers, writers, etc. - Why office space for programmers, Marketing, H/R, Chief People Office, or general administration?

Remote Work Revolt: Why Are They Forcing You Back to the Cubes?

You don't need to look too deeply for motivation.  The Ford model went along the lines, "...make a product that employees will buy...".  Banks have money tied up in commercial real estate and clients who are invested in property.

It is bad optics to have a company that makes money when buildings are occupied letting their employees un-occupy their own buildings.

Of course, this is BS,  the End is Near.  CRE is going to metamorphose into something different - just like the rest of us.

Executive Points:

1. A recent decision by a new CEO to halt remote work sparked a backlash among employees, underlining the shift in expectations regarding workplace flexibility.
2. Despite pushback from employees, certain sectors like banking continue to advocate for in-person work, arguing it fosters a career-oriented mindset.
3. The tug-of-war between employers and employees over remote work indicates a changing landscape, with the possibility of companies losing talent if they don't adapt to new norms.

________

Tigerpaw’s Women in Technology: Creating an Environment for Careers to Thrive

Executive Summary:

1. Tigerpaw Software showcases an above-average number of women technologists through their commitment to diversity, career growth, work-life balance, mentorship, and education, thereby cultivating an inclusive and thriving environment.
2. The organization employs diversity-focused recruitment practices to ensure the hiring of the most qualified individuals, regardless of personal attributes, which has led to more women in tech and leadership roles.
3. Amid challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tigerpaw stood out as a "family-first" employer, providing flexible working conditions to ensure work-life balance, and continues to encourage personal growth and professional development through mentorship and educational opportunities.

Architect reflected, “I had 2-3 mentors that were wonderful. It was the best on-the-job training I could possibly have asked for. It accelerated my learning, and I was able to jump in with both feet.” - Shelly Miller, Database Architect 

________

AI's Ticking Clock: Time-Saver or Time-Bomb?

AI: Because who doesn't love a side of existential dread with their efficiency?

Greg's Words

I'm sure you're not as immersed as I am in the whole AI/ChatGPT thing.  I'm also confident my friends, family, and some colleagues are getting sick of me talking about AI, Nvidia, Microsoft, OpenAI, Musk, the commercial real estate bubble, dying cities, the fear of covid, digitized workflow, and artificial intelligence. 

So be it.

I talk with business owners, end-users, and OEMs in many different industries - from manufacturing to CBE - and I've noticed a dichotomy in AI knowledge; either somebody knows a great deal or absolutely nothing about how AI helps companies reduce costs, grow sales and increase profits.

And that's okay.

Sure, with a bit of study, the current AI can help marketing, service, and sales digest and create proposals and correspondence, interface with customers, and produce expert-level, acumen-based content for your professional sales team. All of this impacts the cost side of the equation.  

It is too early for an Office Technology provider to bring anything to market besides knowledge and advice gleaned from using AI.  As far as a resellable service, or MRR SaaS model, there are no SKUs and very few experts. Yet, at the current pace of innovation, it won't be long.

Some of the "fog" around an AI-based product to Office Technology includes ethical questions we typically haven't had to face.  

It would be normally prudent to suggest that bringing AI to your existing copier customers is five years away.  From the historic view, you would be correct to think this, but this isn't normal, we aren't normal, we left Normalville about four years ago. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few AI systems in beta or ready to sell by year's end; say Q1, 2024.  

The clock is running, and time is the fire we all burn in, for now, feast upon a conglomeration of articles about AI, languages, and the end of the world.

Enjoy.

Executive Summary:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making tremendous strides in streamlining global communication and enhancing productivity in sectors like manufacturing, bringing forth unparalleled time-saving benefits.
2. As we embrace AI's advancements, we're also faced with significant ethical concerns, notably regarding AI datasets and accountability, as well as the chilling possibility of a 'runaway AI' scenario.
3. Recognizing and balancing these dual aspects of AI – its transformative potential and its ethical and existential risks – is important as we navigate the era of AI.

________