New Ricoh MPC8002 & MPC6502 Sneak Peek

On April 25th Ricoh Japan launched the much anticipated launch of their new high speed color MFP. For those of us in the states, we've been waiting along time for the refresh of the current MPC6501 and MPC7501. 

I've been told that the system will not launch in the US until the current inventory of MPC6501's and 7501's have been depleted.  I can hope that this will happen sooner rather than later since we are so far behind the curve of technology with the old systems.

So, what's new?  I've been told (rumor) that the new MPC 8002 and MPC6502 is a new clean sheet design.  What I'll do is post some of the specs for the new systems, because at this point that's about all I know.

COPY Features

Maximum Print Size through by-pass:  13x19 
Memory: 2.5GB
Paper Trays Maximum Thickness: 256 gsm
By-Pass Maximum Thickness: 300 gsm
Duplex Maximum Thickness:  256 gsm
Scan Resolution: 600x600
Print Resolution: 1200dpi x 4800 dpi
First Copy Black Time for MPC8002: 4.8 seconds/Color 6.4 seconds
First Copy Black Time for MPC6502: 6.4 seconds/Color 7.5 seconds
MPC 8002 Speed: 80 letter size pages per minute
MPC 6502 Speed: 65 letter size pages per minute

PRINT Features

Ricoh Copiers that Scan to Sharepoint

If you're a Ricoh Family Group Provider, you've got to check out UDOCX. No software, no server, it's pretty much a lock out feature and gives you something more to talk about than speeds, feeds and more importantly it seperates us solutions sellers from the box sellers. Offer solutions, and value in turn command a higher price for your knowledge to being state of the art solutions to your customers. 
I went through one of their webinars about a month ago, just today I was trying to get one of my customers to move to a larger system. For the life of me, I could think of any additional items that would make them go with the larger (mp6001), I then asked the IT person "are you guys using sharepoint", the answer was yes, and I directed them to the www.udocx.com site. While he and I were on the site, my statement was that the new larger unit will be able to support UDOCX. The head of IT was impressed, so impressed that he was moving the MP6001SP and UDOCX solution up the ladder for approval.

We all know we need to seperate ourselves from BOX sellers and become more value added to the customer. UDOCX can help!!!!

We'll have a blog from them next week and then we'll be having webinars for P4P HOTEL members only!!! We all know the CLOUD is HOT and it's all going in the right direction!!!!!

http://www.udocx.com/

BTW, UDOCX is now a sponsor of the Print4Pay Hotel forums. Log in here and become a member of the largest social group of imaging professionals in the world!!!


-=Good Selling=-

Former Ikon Exec Matt Espe Resigns Top Spot at Ricoh

I had a text this morning from a Print4Pay Hotel member (RAC)that Matt Espe had resigned his position. A few months ago in one of my blogs I stated that I thought Espe would be a good fit for Ricoh, and he would be able to re-establish some much needed energy. Maybe the view from 30,000 feet was not looking to good for either Ricoh or Espe? Could the Ikon transition be to much to handle?

Here's a quick look at past Ricoh US CEO's and their reign:

Kevin Togashi     Present
Matt Espe           April 15, 2010 - June 25th 2010
Martin Brodigan                                October 13, 2008 - April 14, 2010
Katsumi “Kirk” Yoshida                    January 1, 2008
Thomas Salierno
Susumu “Sam” Ichioka                      July 1, 2004
Norihisa “Nori” Goto
Jim Ivy

I tried to piece this together with dates from Press releases however it got to be a bear with Ricoh US changing to Ricoh Americas Corp, and then some of the time lines were not matching. With that, I beleive in the last eight years the top spot at Ricoh US, or whatever we want to call it has changed eight times, not at all a history of continuity. But in those eight years Ricoh has still managed it's way to the top of the copier industry and is widely regarded as one of the best.

-=Good Selling=

Rekated:  Today Was a Day Unlike Any Other Day for Ricoh Dealers

TWIR "This Week in Ricoh"

Special thanx to Print4Pay Hotel members from around the world and a few moles!

IKON, a division of Ricoh, will have a booth at the upcoming ILTA Conference, for the legal community, and be showing Ricoh MFPs bundled with document management solutions from OmTool AccuRoute, according to IKON’s VP of Legal Enterprise Solutions, Mark Davey.

Ricoh announced it won a bid to supply MFPs and DocuLex Archive Studio document management software to Lake County Water Authority in Orlando, FL.

Ricoh Product Manager, Frank Elchert, launched the Personal Paperless Document Manager optional solution software for its MFPs:
- Allows users to combine scanned documents with MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint content
- Based on Nuance Communications OmniPage OCR software
- Can customize scanning menus on the copier’s LCD panel
- PDF data compression
- 5 seat license for $1499.95, 25 seats for $7124.76, 50 seats for $13,499.55
- price does not include annual software maintenance fees

-=Good Selling=-

Ricoh "This Week in Ricoh"

In Japan, Ricoh announced it will move some 1500 engineers into a new division so it can expand information services.

Ricoh announced it will soon offer a new option for the C900 production color system, the Creo print controller. (Canon made a similar announcement recently)

Ricoh has decided to call its managed print services program in Europe; “Ricoh Click”.

Ricoh is now a reseller for Objectif Lune’s PlanetPress and PrintShop Mail variable data software packages.

Ricoh is conducting open houses at its factory direct branches across the country, with the theme “Ricoh Royale” featuring:
- Solution vendors on hand include eCopy, OmTool, Stria
- Prizes, games and giveaways with casino theme
- Presentations on use of green technology, managed print services
- Guest speakers

Ricoh launched new desktop color inkjet printers, the Aficio GX e3300N/GX and e3350N. Both use the Gel ink technology. Pricing ranges form $179 to $249, and offers up to 29ppm top speed.

IKON, a division of Ricoh, announced a new solution for the legal industry, called Litovation. This new service offers Data Forensics, Electronic Discovery, Document Imaging, Document Coding and Hosting/Review.

IKON also is center of controversy with the Town of North Greenbush, NY. The town council is upset with supervisor, Mark Evers, over why he signed a lease with IKON for new copiers, when the town was looking to reduce expenses. The council claims that he did not have the authority to sign the contract. Council member Al Spain stated; “A ratio of three employees per copier is outrageous in any setting!.”

-=Good Selling=-

Selling Copiers "How to Win Against The Direct Branch"

Just recently I read a brief article from a BLI email on "Dealers Aim to Survive and Thrive Against Direct Sales" , the article was then cut off and I was directed with a thread to read the article in its entirety, well....... I did and all I got was a thread to subscribe for a mere $529.00 to read the article, no how no way will I pay it.

I'm going to give some insight on how to come up a winner more often than not.

I'm going to post the article in its entirety on the P4P Message Boards, all of them. If you want all you have to do is log in and read for free, none of this bs that you have to pay for good information. If you're not a member, membership is FREE, register and you'll be approved that day, just make sure that you register on the correct boards. If you only sell KM and you're trying to get on the Kyocera board, it's not gonna happen, same thing with all of the other boards.

P4PHotelKyocera

P4PHotelKonicaMinolta

P4PHotelSharp

P4PHotelRicohFamily

P4PHotelCanon

-=Good Selling=-

MFP Copier Proposals

Just like to let you all know we have posted two more competitive proposals on the Print4Pay Hotel Message Boards.

Gathering competitive proposals after the sale is as important as asking the customer for three business associates that you can call on. Getting these types of potential leads puts you in the front of the pack, especially when they hear that their Friend or business associate has just purchased a hardware or software solution from you.

Always remember to get back to the basics when you're in a slump, whether it's asking for three references, or cold calling on a 15% degree day (believe it or not, you are admired and accepted when you brave daunting weather).

Here's what we uploaded:

Teriostar Wide Format Proposal

Xerox 6204 Proposal

All you need to access the proposals is to sign on as a member for the Print4Pay Hotel (its free). Currently we have message boards for Canon, Ricoh Family Group, Kyocera, KonicaMinolta, Sharp and Xerox. Become a member of the P4PHotel Network to increase your knowledge and collaborate with others in your industry!

About Print4Pay Hotel:

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Highlands, NJ, Print4Pay Hotel is a Business Network Web Site that is designed for Imaging Professionals to share their knowledge of the copier Industry. The Print4Pay Hotel has message boards dedicated to Ricoh Family Group, Xerox, Canon, KonicaMinolta, Sharp and Kyocera, along with the Print4Pay Hotel Blog. The Print4Pay Hotel has over 2,000 Global Members from 124 Countries.

Competitive Copier Proposals

Just wanted to give you all a heads up. I've uploaded three more Xerox quotes in the last few days. Special kudos to those Print4Pay Hotel members that sent them to me for uploading.


If you're selling MFP's, or still calling them copiers the Print4Pay Hotel currently has 5 active message boards for Ricoh Family Group, Sharp, KonicaMinolta, Kyocera and Canon. We will be relaunching our Xerox board in early 2009, along with new boards for Toshiba and OCE.

The Print4Pay Hotel averages 35,000 page views a month, with over 180,000 hits, and over 50,000 threads, we are the Global Resource on the Web for Copier Sales Professionals.

These quotes were uploaded:

Xerox 4112CP
Xerox Docucolor 252
Xerox Docucolor 242
Xerox Docucolor 242 with Embedded Fiery

Become a member while it's still FREE, talk to your peers, share inspirations, success stories, sales tips, quotes and much more. Start by following the link below.

http://www.p4photel.org/

-=Good Selling=-

Sharp Image Professionals Group Launched on P4P Hotel

Sharp Imaging Professsionals have a new on-line gathering place with the launch of the Sharp P4P Hotel! This site was developed to help Sharp MFP Representatives to share information with their peers in the industry. With Sharp's introductory of the "Frontier" line of A4 systems we are proud to offer a place where Sharp Professionals can gather and exchange information.


The Print4Pay Hotel:

The Imaging Professional’s Resource Center, has announced that it is opening up a new message board devoted to Sales Image Professionals for Sharp products, making it the first independent Web site in the history of the office equipment industry that enables both resellers and technicians to share knowledge about the equipment they sell and service.

“We’re excited about launching this new board. Our success with our Ricoh Family Group, Canon, Kyocera, and KonicaMinolta boards was overwhelming,” notes Art Post, founder and CEO, and a docusultant with Century Office Products in Middlesex, NJ. “Now all Copier Sales Professional can communicate with each other in a secure environment where they can share information with other successful professionals from all over the world!”

The new message board is dedicated to Sharp Sales Professionals. “By adding this manufacturer, we’re hoping to drive more sales professionals people to the site,” notes Post. “Sales Professionals need real world information for solutions, specifications and what works and what doesn't work in a timely manner. Our site provides a global community for our profession.”

Post emphasizes that the message boards that allow Print4Pay Hotel members to share knowledge ultimately add value to the customer-dealer relationship, and that more knowledgeable representatives have a direct impact on the dealerships they serve as well as the products they service. “This is a rapidly changing industry that’s becoming increasingly complex as manufacturer’s introduce more solutions that integrate with a customer’s network,” says Post. “We’re looking to enhance the service that we provide to customers and the message boards can strengthen a Sales Professionals expertise on specific machines as well as software and solutions issues. We’re all here to serve the customer and any medium that enhances that relationship particularly when it comes to expediting resolutions for specific hardware or software issues, then we all benefit—sales rep, technician, customer and manufacturer.”

The Print4Pay Hotel (http://www.p4photel.org/ ), which debuted in 2001, provides extensive imaging product information—both on the Ricoh family group products and competitive products—and serves as a forum for imaging industry personnel to share knowledge. In addition to the message boards, the site provides its members with the latest press releases and literature on Ricoh, Canon, Sharp, KonicaMinolta and Canon products and competitive products, industry news, and classified ads as well as photos and links to related industry sites.

The site currently has more than 2,000 members and averages 1,500 page views per day. Although most members are from the U.S., the site also serves members from Canada, United Kingdom, Norway and South Africa.

The Print4Pay Hotel was envisioned as a means for imaging industry professionals to satisfy their “Need for Knowledge.” The site, http://www.p4photel.org/, allows digital imaging specialists to share information and find answers quickly. It’s also a place where imaging professionals can store their knowledge, search their knowledge, and share their inspirations, ideas and passion for the industry

Selling Copiers "Ricoh Family Group Salespeople"

Have you ever heard the term "Buyers are Liars"? If you can't trust your customer who can you trust? Well, first thought is you can trust other sales people who are in the same industry as you. But, how do you find these fellow salespeople or better yet, how can you communicate with them?

There is a place on the web called the P4PHotel. The P4P Hotel was started in 2003 for Ricoh Family Group Salespeople to share product knowledge, competitive pricing, marketing ideas, solutions and collaborate with your peers in the industry. The P4P hotel (Ricoh Family Group) now has over 1,100 members from all over the world. The site averages 120,000 hits a month, along with and average of 100 members logging on every day. Since its inception, the message boards have over 20,000 posts pertaining to the copier industry. As one member stated"it's a time line in the copier industry".

The P4P Hotel added dedicated message boards for KonicaMinolta, Canon, and Kyocera just about a year ago. Personally, I have gained so much knowledge from others over the years that I am convinced that Ricoh Family Group salespeople are the most knowledgeable in the industry because of the the P4P Hotel.

I invite everyone to become a member and log onto their prospective manufacturers boards, and help share the knowledge. If you're in the business for the long haul, it's the only place to got!

Good Selling

-=Art Post-=

Copier Questions Forum Launched!

The p4photel has just released a beta version for Copier Questions Message Board Forum. The Copier Questions Forum is designed to give end users the ability to ask our Docusultants questions that pertain to copiers and office equipment.

The Copier Questions Forum is the first forum dedicated to end users where they can have their questions answered from our p4photel members. Members will be able to monitor the boards and assist end users with tips, provide answers and even provide consulting advise to those looking to purchase a new system or evaluate their current cost and document workflow.

Registration is free, and like other p4photel forums there is no cost to become a member. Please take the time to visit, and ask questions. We will be adding additional features to the Copier Questions Forum in the upcoming months.

The p4photel also manages industry message boards for copier sales people, copier technicians and customer service representatives for Dealers and Manufacturers. Manufacturers boards now include Ricoh Family Group (Ricoh, Savin, Lanier), Kyocera Mita, KonicaMinolta, Canon & Xerox.

Copier Sales Forums

For those of you who don't know, the p4photel www.p4photel.org operates 1 unique message board that cater to Copier Sales People, Dealer Owners, Dealer Principals, Support, Manufacturers Reps and Copier Service Engineers. We have dedicated message forums for Ricoh Family Group (Gestetner, Lanier, Ricoh, Savin and Infoprint), along with Canon/Oce, KonicaMinolta, Toshiba, Kyocera and the just released Xerox board.

We keep the boards dedicated to the manufacturer for a few reasons:

1. Not many sales people like to share share their secrets with the competition especially when they are in your back yard.
2. A greater sense of camaraderie is achieved over time when communicating with other reps that are experiencing the same success, greater success or failure.
3. Sharing information among sales reps global! Whats working in one market may not work in another.
4. The ability to get information on a timely basis, and when your customer needs it! There are too many products now for me to be an expert, however with the resources of others, I can rely on their knowledge and expertise to help!

So, whether you are the new rep, the seasoned rep or the expert, we all have a place on the Internet to share your experiences, and ask your sales questions. Hey, we're all in the same boat so we might as well row together!

-=Good Selling=-

Print4Pay Hotel Launches New Web Site!

It's done! We have launched the new site and you can get there via or.

The new website will allow for easy access to all to Ricoh Family Group, Kyocera, KonicaMinolta and Canon Message Boards. Also incorporated into the new site is my blog, which can be accessed by clicking "Selling MFP Solutions". Go ahead check out the blog there are awesome blogs that relate to Solution Selling and whats been happening in our industry.

New members will get three FREE documents that I have developed, "Top Ten Rules for New Salespeople", "14 Benefits of Leasing" and "Print Assessment Calculator".

Win $50 Best Buy card! All you have to do is log in, post a question or post and answer and you'll have a chance to win every month. Another contest is "Sell the Solution", here reps have a chance to win a $1,000 Amex gift card.

So, whether you are a veteran or a newbie, the Print4Pay Hotel is a great resource for information that is gathered on the street, and a great way to stay focused on maintaining your knowledge while sharing it with others in the industry!

Good Selling!