One of the features of the 2018 APDSP Convention in Las Vegas will be presentations from several vendors about their programs to help reprographics shops build their business. Canon Solutions has developed such a program that is getting a lot of positive attention. It's an innovative, year-long program that helps reprographers take full advantage of their Canon flatbed printers. The program starts with marketing and sales assistance, and includes complete set-up and technical guidance and assistance and long-term support.
In this interview, Bob Honn, senior director of marketing support for Canon Solutions, discusses the program:
Why did Canon Solutions begin the Business Builder program?
The Business Builder program was started to help reprographers capture more of the growing large format graphics market and as way to help them diversify their business beyond traditional AEC CAD printing. A business strategy based solely on CAD printing without diversification to color and other services is increasingly difficult to rely on and projected to be harder in the future, considering the downward trend of CAD print volumes.
What is the primary aim of the program?
The primary aim of the program was to be more than just a hardware/software supplier to reprographers. It was designed to leverage the market expertise of the Canon Solutions America organization and to be a consultative partner to reprographers, providing them access to sales, marketing, and application resources to make the transition to graphics as quickly and as successfully as possible.
How many people/companies have participated in the program so far? Are they all or mostly reprographics firms?
To date we have 24 customers in the Business Builder program, which means they have purchased a combination of Oce Arizona flatbed printers, cutters and the Business Builder consulting services bundle.
What are the most important parts of the program?
To me, as well as many of the current customers I have helped drive the implementation of marketing services with, the biggest value I hear over and over again are:
-Creation and deployment of marketing services including revisions to their websites, marketing content to promote their new capabilities such as videos and case studies and outbound content including html emails and social media content
-Training to help sales staff identify markets and educate them on the different substrates and applications.
-Application / production training on how to operate and maintain the flatbed printer itself and how to print on various substrates and operate the RIP software. Included in this is how to create media profiles and perform color management techniques.
Hear it live here from one of our customers on the Canon Solutions America You Tube Channel.
How much time -- including training, follow-up, etc. -- should a shop owner expect to set aside to take part in the program?
The implementation of the program can take up to 1 year, with deliverables scheduled for each quarter during a 12 month period. This is just an average, depending on the owner’s availability, services can be expedited accordingly.
What else would you like our members to know about the program?
We truly believe in the value of the Business Builder program and how it is helping to diversify and transform the reprographics industry. Canon Solutions America and formerly Oce, has a deep rooted history in helping shape the reprographics industry from a technology perspective and we believe this program is just a another step in the evolution in our support of this very important channel.
Click here for more information about the convention in Vegas, Oct 19-20