Thursday, April 4, 2013

Deploy Technology to reduce cost and improve business process

How to deploy technology to streamline processes in order to reduce costs and improve business process

The economic challenges that Maryland businesses faced over the past several years have had a lasting impact in many different ways, but surprisingly, not all of them are bad. One positive outcome is that companies have learned to do more with less in order to reduce costs and boost profitability.

There are several methods of doing this. The most basic—and sometimes the most difficult—is to streamline existing business processes. Simply because something has always been done a particular way does not necessarily mean that it’s the best way of doing it. Companies that are trying to squeeze every last dollar out of the bottom line have found that reinvention, reconfiguration and re-engineering can go a long way towards increased profitability. There are of course limits to how far this can take a business, but streamlining existing business processes and practices is a great place to start.

The hardest part about this approach is that sometimes it’s difficult to see the forest for the trees. Helping companies to reinvent themselves has long been the province of management consultants who consider this service their stock in trade, and charge dearly for it. On the other hand, Innovative Copy Products who partners with Office Equipment Manufactures and Solution providers, has a advantage of working on solutions for many different organizations, and offer similar services as a part of a solution bundle, delivering you the customer significant value—and saving a tremendous amount of money—in the process.
 
As companies seek to accomplish a process re-engineering project, they often come up against challenges that can’t be resolved through simple changes to workflow. When this occurs, they turn to Innovative Copy Products,  to create entirely new solutions and processes that ultimately reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately, increase profits. Unlike simple re-engineering however, there’s a paradox when it comes to using technology to boost the bottom line—you have to spend money to make money.

In order to meet these requirements, companies are demanding much more than simple equipment transactions. Instead of deciding on a single piece of equipment and buying it, businesses today want end-to-end, comprehensive solutions that solve many different business needs and problems at the same time. Innovative Copy Products has been capitalizing on this need by offering bundled packages that combine diverse technologies with a broad range of professional expertise that are all brought together into a high value problem solving offering.

Technology is rarely cheap and it tends to get even more expensive the more complicated it gets. This is especially true for technology that is used for very specialized applications in particular industries. Whenever technology is deployed, the cost of the equipment—including not just the cost of acquisition but also delivery and installation as well as ongoing consumable supplies, service and support—must be carefully weighed against the cost savings in terms of operational efficiency that the solution will deliver.

Innovative Copy Products needs to be very sensitive to this fact. Because specialized, bundled technology solutions can become very expensive, the more value-adds that can be incorporated into the solution the more cost effective it becomes. This leads us back to the idea of providing expert services as a part of the solution development and delivery process.

For example, Innovative Copy Products might partner with a telephony company as well as a network integration company to offer a managed services solution that ties all of the customer’s copiers, printers, and scanners into the network. This is an end-to-end approach that starts with us and all of the other participating providers combining their professional expertise to develop an appropriate solution based on the needs of the business

Highly capable financing partners are also important because many small- and mid-sized businesses are still feeling the effects of the recession. When sales are flat and credit is still tight, business tend to hold both cash and credit lines in reserve for major business emergencies. Acquiring equipment requires not only creative financing by a creative financing partner, but also requires an approach that delivers maximum value for every dollar spent.

This type of solution does several things. First, there are tremendous economies of scale that enable the customer to maximize the value received from every solution dollar committed. Second, there is significant value to be gained from the combined expertise of Innovative Copy Products who thrives on delivering a solution. Third, a managed services solution of this type is multi-dimensional. Instead of addressing and solving one isolated business problem, it has a much broader impact in several different areas of the organization. But most importantly, a well designed and properly delivered bundled solution saves the customer money.

If you need more information on how Innovative Copy can help streamline your business and do more with less contact Innovative Copy Products 410-766-0200 (Glen Burnie, MD 21061)

Innovative Copy Products is an authorized Canon and Canon ADVANCE sales, service and solutions dealer, located in Glen Burnie, Maryland

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Decisions... Decisions Office Equipment Lease vs. Purchase......

Your decision whether to lease or to buy office equipment should involve much more than simply crunching numbers

When presented with the option of whether to lease or purchase a piece of office equipment many customers turn to their accountants who in turn apply a fairly standard lease/purchase analysis to the transaction. This approach takes all of the financial variables involved in an equipment lease and crunches them in relation to the variables included in a purchase option, where the buyer plans to finance the equipment using a bank loan.

For example, the factors needed to evaluate a lease would include any upfront payments or security deposits, the monthly payment, the residual value at the end of the lease, the term of the lease, as well as a discount rate that reflects the present value of money. The purchase analysis would typically include the down payment, the resale value of the equipment at the end of the note, the term, and the interest rate.

This type of analysis is intended to provide clear financial justification for the lease or purchase decision. The standard logic is that by reducing the decision into purely financial terms, the correct decision becomes self-evident. When the calculation is complete and reduced down to one number, the theory is that the lowest number—for either leasing or buying—represents the logical choice in order to acquire the equipment.

The problem with this approach however is that if a customer applies this basic accounting approach to the lease vs. buy decision, they will not be able to take advantage of many of the benefits that apply to leasing. These benefits are real and deliver significant value, even if they are not completely quantifiable in terms of a formal financial analysis.

One set of variables that should always be included in a typical lease vs. purchase analysis are the tax benefits that are realized by a customer in an office equipment lease. Even though tax benefits tend to change—at least to a degree—from year to year, at least for tax year 2013 "see section 179" those benefits are significant.

Beyond the purely financial approach to the lease vs. buy decision, it’s important to assess all of the benefits that accrue to a business when equipment is leased. From our perspective "the equipment vendor" it is important to understand and convey these benefits to customers who are considering the leasing option. 

One of the biggest benefits of leasing is convenience in the form of simplified bookkeeping and asset management. A lease is extremely convenient because everything necessary to bring the equipment online can be rolled into the contract. Consumables, service, support and maintenance, installation and training, and any other up front or ongoing expenses can typically be included in the lease program. The customer can budget for one comprehensive, fixed monthly payment instead of worrying about unexpected charges throughout the usable life of the equipment. This makes the cost of ownership both predictable and manageable instead of becoming random and out of control.

Another valuable advantage of a lease is the ability to take advantage of equipment updates and upgrades. If the manufacturer comes out with a new line of equipment that includes enhanced features and benefits, it’s a very straightforward process to upgrade a lease in order to acquire the upgraded equipment. On the other hand, owning equipment makes it far more difficult to upgrade since it must be traded in or sold, often well below it’s book value, not to mention the “hassle factor” of trying to sell used equipment. In our approved leases "the equipment refresh provision" allows us to update the equipment without the lease going full term

When evaluated from all angles, a leasing option is almost always the best approach for acquiring new—and in some cases even used— office equipment, software as well as related office equipment supplies and services. You the customer gets tremendous flexibility in terms of payment structure, technology refresh, and end-to-end support throughout the equipment life-cycle.

If you need more information on leasing your next Copier, Printer, Scanners or other office work-flow solutions contact Innovative Copy Products 410-766-0200 (Glen Burnie, MD 21061)

Innovative Copy Products is an authorized Canon and Canon ADVANCE sales, service and solutions dealer, located in Glen Burnie, Maryland

Monday, February 25, 2013

Didn't Your Mother Teach You To Share.....


In today's business world the importance of sharing information in the Cloud is critical.

With the New Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE series sharing information has never been easier and more affordable......

Introducing Cloud Portal for imageRUNNER ADVANCE software provides users with direct connectivity to their Microsoft SharePoint Online and Google Docs cloud services from their imageRUNNER ADVANCE device. Using Cloud Portal for imageRUNNER ADVANCE software, any user is capable of scanning and storing paper documents into their cloud service. Users are also able to print documents stored in their cloud service on demand. 

This next generation MEAP solution maximizes office productivity by allowing users to access cloud services right from their imageRUNNER ADVANCE devices. There’s no additional hardware or software required to access the cloud. Users simply walk up to their imageRUNNER ADVANCE device and login to their cloud service from the front panel of the device.

 The application is available as a free download 

Download is done at device through Canon Content Delivery System 
  • Enhance Scan Functionality: 
  • Scan documents as PDF, XPS, OOXML, or TIFF with the touch of a button* (optional accessories are required to scan documents as XPS, OOXML, and TIFF)





Time / Cost Savings: No additional hardware or software required
  • Server-less, driver-less solution
  • Easy setup and installation
  • Access cloud service from any imageRUNNER ADVANCE device (provided application has been downloaded and installed on device)

Easy Access to your Cloud Content:
  • Access your cloud services folder and file structure easily from the front panel of an imageRUNNER ADVANCE system

Productivity: 
  • Enhance collaboration (connect all users via shared folders, workspaces, shared group emails)
  • No loss of cloud functionality with imageRUNNER ADVANCE connectivity
  • Simple user interface
  • Expand use of cloud services 
  • Enable Scan and Print MFP functionality into cloud environments






To find out how to integrate cloud based solutions for your business contact Chuck @ 410-766-0200 x 107 (Maryland Customers Only)

This blog is brought to you by Innovative Copy Products.. Glen Burnie, Maryland




Friday, January 18, 2013

Canon ADVANCE Printer Multifunction Solution "Collaborate" Part 4

Innovative Copy Products is pleased to announce a mufti-part blog explaining the benefits of the Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER Printer Multifunction Series. PART: 4 "Collaborate"

Freely exchange information with built-in document solutions that let you retrieve and edit files in archival and native formats

Workflow
With seamless connections, streamlined integration, and drag-and-drop simplicity, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series lets you accomplish so much more in so much less time.
 
Print to anywhere, from anywhere - In today’s increasingly mobile world, the next-generation imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series keeps your work flowing. A simple touch of a button on the user interface lets you access documents directly from the cloud. Print and scan from your laptop, iPad® tablet, and iPhone® or BlackBerry® smartphone. Safe authentication lets you print from anywhere within the network to any connected device, easily and safely.* * May require optional accessories.


Cloud-Based - From your imageRUNNER ADVANCE device, you can scan to, access, or print documents directly from the cloud. In addition, business process workflows can be implemented on a cloud-based system.


Web-Ready - View Web pages directly from the device control panel. Just enter a URL to browse pages. Easily output Web pages and online PDFs.


Mobile - Print from, and scan to, your mobile device at your imageRUNNER ADVANCE system.

Integrate imaging and enterprise applications - A new middleware technology effortlessly links enterprise applications, such as Oracle and SAP, with CRM systems like Salesforce.com or the ECM system of your choice. You can also combine your document-intensive workflows and processes with these applications. The streamlined workflow automates complex business processes and offers easy access to information, saving both time and money. 

Do it all from your PC - Enjoy even greater control and convenience right from your PC with the ability to manage, prepare, and monitor documents without even opening an application. Combine multiple formats, preview files, and select the finishing functions. With drag-and-drop simplicity, you can print, fax, and convert files to PDFs. Even check the status of your imageRUNNER ADVANCE system. 

Save more time - Simplify your workflow processes with intelligent tools. For complicated or repeated tasks, use Workflow Composer to create all-in-one buttons that can be registered in the Quick Menu. Distribute to multiple destinations in a single step. Scan and convert documents directly to Microsoft® Word® and PowerPoint®. And streamline the exchange of information with Advanced Box, Canon’s unique, built-in document-sharing solution. 

 Canon Advance Home Page  

This information is brought to you by Innovative Copy Products, an authorized Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER multifunction printer dealer Sales and Service for Maryland

Innovative Copy Products
500 McCormick Drive
Suite N-P
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-766-0200  

Friday, January 4, 2013

Canon ADVANCE Printer Multifunction Solution "IT CONTROL" Part 3

Innovative Copy Products is pleased to announce a multi-part blog explaining the benefits of the Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER Printer Multifunction Series. PART: 3

Advance Control Whether you manage a fleet of devices or a single unit, you have the power to configure a system, safeguard data, and track resources right at your fingertips.

Centralized, scalable control
- Canon’s advanced device management tools keep you in charge at every step, right from your desktop or through the cloud. Easily install and replace devices, migrate settings and data to new devices, and distribute applications and settings across your network. Track your entire fleet's activity to learn when supplies are low or service is needed. New cloud-based tools further reduce costs, improve serviceability, and secure data.



Easy-to-use, secure access - Whether you are a small office or a large enterprise, you’ll find that the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series' serverless print environment offers cost-effective, efficient solutions that help safeguard your data. Users can print to any connected MFP or SFP device, and retrieve their documents after log-in authentication at any device. Administrators can dramatically limit data leakage by tracking use by individual or by department. 

Privacy and protection - Canon’s multilayered security solutions offer you peace of mind. At every step, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series safeguards information. HDD Erase removes latent images from hard drives after each task. A security chip with tamper-resistant hardware protects passwords and encryption keys. IPsec secures data as it traverses the network. And HDD Lock and optional HDD Data Encryption help protect information even after hard drive removal. 

Maximize your resources - Optimizing resources is key to saving money and protecting the environment. Luckily, it’s a snap to track, manage, and influence user behavior with the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series. From analyzing color output by employee or client to enforcing double-sided printing, you can ensure that resources are employed intelligently. The system can also route jobs to the most cost-effective device.


Canon Advance Home Page  

This information is brought to you by Innovative Copy Products, an authorized Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER multifunction printer dealer Sales and Service for Maryland

Innovative Copy Products
500 McCormick Drive
Suite N-P
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
410-766-0200  

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Mobile Printer Multifunction Solution CANON ADVANCE Part 2

Innovative Copy Products is pleased to announce a new multi-part blog explaining the benefits of the Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER Printer Multifunction Series.

Part 2 - Mobile Cloud based solutions

Workflow
With seamless connections, streamlined integration, and drag-and-drop simplicity, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series lets you accomplish so much more in so much less time

Print to anywhere, from anywhere - In today’s increasingly mobile world, the next-generation imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series keeps your work flowing. A simple touch of a button on the user interface lets you access documents directly from the cloud. Print and scan from your laptop, iPad® tablet, and iPhone® or BlackBerry® smartphone. Safe authentication lets you print from anywhere within the network to any connected device, easily and safely.* * May require optional accesories.


Cloud-Based - From your imageRUNNER ADVANCE device, you can scan to, access, or print documents directly from the cloud. In addition, business process workflows can be implemented on a cloud-based system.

Web-Ready - View Web pages directly from the device control panel. Just enter a URL to browse pages. Easily output Web pages and online PDFs.


Mobile - Print from, and scan to, your mobile device at your imageRUNNER ADVANCE system.

Integrate imaging and enterprise applications - A new middleware technology effortlessly links enterprise applications, such as Oracle and SAP, with CRM systems like Salesforce.com or the ECM system of your choice. You can also combine your document-intensive workflows and processes with these applications. The streamlined workflow automates complex business processes and offers easy access to information, saving both time and money. 

Do it all from your PC - Enjoy even greater control and convenience right from your PC with the ability to manage, prepare, and monitor documents without even opening an application. Combine multiple formats, preview files, and select the finishing functions. With drag-and-drop simplicity, you can print, fax, and convert files to PDFs. Even check the status of your imageRUNNER ADVANCE system. 

Save more time - Simplify your workflow processes with intelligent tools. For complicated or repeated tasks, use Workflow Composer to create all-in-one buttons that can be registered in the Quick Menu. Distribute to multiple destinations in a single step. Scan and convert documents directly to Microsoft® Word® and PowerPoint®. And streamline the exchange of information with Advanced Box, Canon’s unique, built-in document-sharing solution. 

 This information was provided by Innovative Copy Products, An authorized Canon Advance Printer Multifunction sales and service dealer located in Glen Burnie, MD 410-766-0200 www.icponline.com

Friday, December 14, 2012

People Centric Printer Multifunction Solution CANON ADVANCE Part 1

Innovative Copy Products is pleased to announce a new multi-part blog explaining the benefits of the Canon ADVANCE imageRUNNER Printer Multifunction Series.

Part 1 - People-Centric Solution

Advanced design - Simple to use, highly responsive, and easily personalized, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series partners with individuals and workgroups to create a truly customized way to work.

Real inspiration and innovation - Ever forward-thinking, Canon raises your ability to communicate, connect, and collaborate to new levels. Cutting-edge document solutions turn the imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series into a center of productivity for your business. Seamless integration with enterprise applications, cloud-based services, and mobile devices empower you to succeed—anytime, anywhere. And with the ability to streamline operations through a customized interface and features, you’ll work smarter, easier, and faster.


A very intuitive, customizable interface - With you in mind, the next-generation interface incorporates even more customizable, simple-to-use, and streamlined features. Display your logo or unique graphics as the background of the Main Menu, where you access business-ready functions. Use the Quick Menu to power productivity via your personal workflows, combining and accessing routine tasks and job flows at the touch of a button. Even change the number and size of buttons to suit the way you work, and preview stored documents before you print them.



Engineered for adaptability - Canon’s next-generation imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series stays focused on the future. With effortless synergy between hardware and software solutions, these intelligent systems are the ideal choice to help you achieve your goals as your organization evolves. And because they’re flexible, intuitive, and allow easy deployment of settings across your enterprise, targeted embedded applications can be added as your needs change. 

A beautiful way to work - The universal design supports features that make these devices easily accessible to all. Thoughtful touches, such as a light under the automatic document feeder, reflect Canon’s consideration for the work styles and needs of all users. And, you’ll enjoy a consistent, simple-to-use experience, across every model in the Series with Canon's distinctive interface and uniform print driver.


This information was provided by Innovative Copy Products, An authorized Canon Advance Printer Multifunction sales and service dealer located in Glen Burnie, MD 410-766-0200 www.icponline.com