Reprographics 101

(more than you ever wanted to know about the reprographics industry)

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  • Note to those who would like to contribute content for Reprographics 101

    In the “Reprographics 101 Blog Survey” we are presently conducting, we ask this question …..

    “Are you interested in participating in Reprographics 101 as a “guest author” (or otherwise) contributor?”

    So far, 50% of survey participants have clicked on the “yes” button.

    To those who clicked on the “yes” button, please kindly let me know how and what you would like to contribute.

    If you would like to contribute as a “guest author”, let me know what types of articles you’d like to author for Reprographics 101 and whether you’d like your name associated with your articles or whether you’d prefer to remain anonymous.

    If you would like to submit ideas and suggestions for articles, but would prefer not to have to actually author the articles [preferring, instead, that I (or someone else) serve as the author for articles you suggest be written], please let me know your ideas and suggestions for articles.

    Thank you,

    Joel

    joel.salus@mac.com

  • Reprographers, how about offering (and pursuing opportunities) for Utility Bill Printing Services? (It ain't rocket science!)

    Given the dramatic downturn in Reprographer revenues from the A/E/C Industry from 2006 to the present time, I find myself wondering, “why are Reprographers not looking at / considering / competing for business from “other” industries?

    Well, perhaps, many are. For example, most of us, if not all of us, are aware that most Reprographers are pursuing revenues from industries whose participants have the need for large-format color display-graphics services. Most Reprographers have large-format color ink-jet printers and large-format finishing equipment for mounting and laminating. Some Reprographers have “grand-format” ink-jet printers and some even have routers. But, like most business segments, there’s a lot of competition for large-format color display graphics work.

    There are other business segments that Reprographers might want to consider figuring out how to get involved in. Among those, Utility Bill Printing Services. Why not? What’s the big deal? Utility Bill Printing Services are required by government agencies who run utility businesses, and there are also private-sector utility businesses who require those same services. Frankly speaking, the “trend” is for government agencies to “downsize and outsource”. To be in the Utility Bill Printing Service requires several things that Reprographers are capable of and good at, already, …. including “on-demand-printing” from data files and fulfillment. Reprographers, do your homework. The business of offering Utility Bill Printing Services is not rocket science; it simply requires homework to understand the business, soup to nuts, and perhaps some investment in equipment you may not already have. I’ve observed Reprographers in Europe who already offer Utility Bill Printing Services.

    So, why did I bring up this subject today? Well, because I visited a government agency procurement department’s web-site this morning and noticed that, on August 31, 2011, Hillsborough County (FL) Procurement “opened bids” submitted in response to an RFP for “Utility Bill Printing Services.” Not a single Reprographer participated in this RFP opportunity. And, simply judging by the names of the companies who did submit bids, not even one digital printing company participated in this RFP opportunity. Why? If Reprographers in Europe are able to compete for this type of business, why not U.S. Reprographers?

    Okay, here are the RFP documents I found and have posted in my Google-Docs library:

    The RFP document is posted at this link:

    http://tinyurl.com/c8hd3g3

    The RFP document (addendum #1) is posted at this link (there was only one addendum for this RFP):

    http://tinyurl.com/c3tysal

    The Final Bid Tabulation – is posted at this link:

    http://tinyurl.com/dxjtzqv

    For Reprographers who are interested in exploring the opportunity to offer and compete for Utility Bill Printing Services, here’s my recommended course of action:

    1) Read the RFP documents that I’ve mentioned above.

    2) Do a bit of research on the Internet and see if you can find similar RFP deals that have already been completed. Read the documents associated with those RFP’s. (If not posted on the web, then request them from the government agencies who have them.)

    3) Contact Utilities in your market and see if they are outsourcing this requirement, and, if so, find out when their next RFP’s will be issued.

    4) Figure out what new equipment, if any, you would need to have at your production center so as to be able to print, fold, insert and mail.

    Obtain cost information for that equipment (cost of equipment, maintenance costs as well.) Talk to someone at Mal Baboyian’s OCE division in Boca Raton – they offer high-speed, small-format equipment that does this sort of stuff.)

    5) Figure out what new software, if any, you’d need to have.

    6) Figure out how Utility Bill Printing Services would fit into your production scheme.

    Although I do know that Pinnacle Data Systems was the “low bidder” on the Hillsborough County deal, I don’t know, for sure, if they were awarded the Hillsborough County deal, simply because the name of the “awardee” is not posted on the County’s web-site.

    Happy homework!

  • Here’s a couple of articles about the situation in the Construction Industry in the United Kingdom (UK)

    Below, you’ll see mention of an ABI Index. Don’t confuse this one with the U.S. AIA ABI Index.

    Found at http://www.building.co.uk

    CPA/Barbour ABI Index – 16 December 2011 | By Kelly Forrest

    Kelly Forrest is a senior economist at the Construction Products Association

    Contract awards for building projects increased in November according to the latest CPA/Barbour ABI building index. At 115, the overall building (excluding infrastructure) index was relatively strong, buoyed by an increase in commercial offices and retail contracts. Elsewhere, November’s results were more subdued. Public sector indices were lower than in November 2010 and private house builders remained hesitant.

    This data provides an indication that 2011 has been better than anticipated. However, the timing between a contract award and the start of work on site can vary; furthermore, the start of the project can by no means be guaranteed.

    Consumers, burdened by high inflation and uncertain job prospects, are wary. Trading prospects with our largest export market have not been strengthened as a result of David Cameron’s decision to distance the UK from Europe last week. The outlook is highly uncertain.

    Here’s an earlier article that mentions the launch of the Index mentioned in the above article:

    CPA/Barbour ABI Construction Index Launches As Part of Building Magazine’s Business Barometer – March 12, 2011

    A new monthly index tracking construction activity (in the UK) has been launched by the Construction Products Association and Barbour ABI. The CPA/Barbour ABI Index provides the most up-do-date indicator of future workloads in the construction industry and will be published every month on the Business Barometer in Building Magazine and on the web-site.

    The October (2011) Index of 108 reveals a marked decline in contract awards during the month as private sector demand wavered. Commentating (commenting) on the Index, Kelly Forrest, Senior Economist at the CPA, said, “The private sector has reacted quickly to the deterioration the economic outlook for the UK and the escalation of the euro zone crisis. Businesses are clearly thinking twice and opting to wait and see how the situation unfolds before choosing to invest. For an industry facing a downward step-change in public sector capital investment, this change in private sector sentiment is a real concern”.

    Based on Barbour ABI’s comprehensive contract data, the CPA/Barbour ABI Index measures the volume of new construction orders. Every month, on the Building web-site, the CPA will provide expert analysis for the Index, and commentate (comment) on the number of contracts awarded in one particular sector.

    Commenting on the significance of the Index, Forrest says, “The CPA/Barbour ABI construction indices provide an early indicator of future trends, much earlier than official data sources”.

    Adam Valentine, Group Content Director at Barbour ABI says, “We have worked closely with our colleagues at the CPA to provide a robust and comprehensive index that tracks construction workloads from 2007, providing valuable historic data for anyone analyzing market trends. Economists and construction managers will benefit from a comprehensive overview of the market changes and detailed insights into sector-specific trends.”

    Data for the last five years of the CPA/Barbour ABI Index is available on Building Magazine’s web-site.

    Note from the blog-author: Before you go to Building Magazine’s web-site to look at the ABI Index data, pull out your credit card, as access to many of the articles (and the Index data) is not free!

    Here’s another recent article from Building Magazine’s web-site:

    Autumn statement response: A step forward but where to?

    02 December 2011

    Quite a package of interventions but an overall infrastructure vision is still missing, says Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s UK head of infrastructure

    Major government announcements on the economy, infrastructure and construction are usually something of a footnote – but this week it was different.

    Infrastructure investment took center stage in the autumn statement as the government’s antidote to lower growth forecasts and rising unemployment. The industry may remain skeptical about how quickly any of it will have an effect, but at least we feel loved.

    None of the long list of schemes reeled off with relish by the chancellor are new in conception, but the government’s decision to reduce revenue spending and increase capital by £5bn over the next five years will allow a number of schemes to go ahead which had previously been frozen. The National Infrastructure Plan 2011 proudly lists over 500 schemes in the pipeline and 40 priority investments – a mix of specific schemes and some overarching programmes. (programs.)

    A host of other measures were set out by the chancellor, which together comprise quite a package of interventions and stimulus in the UK construction market. An additional £1bn to go into the Regional Growth Fund, supporting smaller scale local schemes; £1bn of additional borrowing by Network Rail for rail schemes; a £400m fund for new housing starts to be funded from council house purchases; two new Enterprise Zones in Humberside and Lancashire and 100% capital allowances for certain Enterprise Zones.

    The much trailed £20bn target investment of UK pension funds in UK infrastructure was touched on quite briefly, but not surprisingly. The government has in place its Memoranda of Understanding but no detail at all as to how this will work. Still, the aspiration is a good one.

    So at least we now have a pipeline of projects, measures and commitments from the government to see them delivered. What is still missing is an overall infrastructure vision for the country that explains how the individual schemes relate to each other and secure the UK’s economic position in the global economy. Perhaps if we all ask nicely we will get that next year.

  • Presswood Quality Blueprints (Nasvhille, TN) went Chapter 7 in 2010

    One of the questions asked in the Survey that’s for Reprographers is this one:

    “Did any of your competitors sell or go out of business during the time period 2008 to 2011?”

    One survey participant indicated that “Presswood” had gone out of business. So, I used my subscription to Pacer.gov to find if there was anything in the Pacer system about “Presswood”.

    And, here’s what came up:

    3:10-bk-03221 Gingras Corporation dba Presswood Quality Blueprints

    Case type: Bankruptcy, Chapter: 7, Asset: No, Vol: v Judge: Marian F Harrison, Date filed: 03/25/2010, Date of last filing: 12/21/2010, Date terminated: 12/21/2010

    After I saw this, I realized that I’d visited Presswood’s location in downtown Nashville back when I was working and living in Nashville. Presswood Quality Blueprints, a very small “blueprint” shop, was located at 1818 Church Street, Nashville, TN.

    Presswood’s creditors got zip, zero, nada.

    Presswood’s biggest creditor was a lady (probably a relative) who loaned Gingras the money to purchase Presswood. I don’t know when that loan originated. She (Pamela Waters/Banning of Georgetown, Delaware) was owed $211,334! Yikes!

  • Customer rates Nova Blue Reprographics 5 Stars in review on Yelp.com

    I’ve never shared the opinion that some have that “price” is the only factor. When push comes to shove, service trumps price.

    Here’s a fairly recent review of Nova Blue Reprographics on Yelp.com. Note that, when this customer visited Nova Blue Repro, Nova Blue was already in Chapter 11. In spite of that, Nova Blue’s team shined (i.e., the attitude of the Nova Blue guys/gals was positive.)


    ***** (five out of five stars)

    Nova Blue Reprographics

    14117 Mariah Court

    Chantilly, VA 20151

    (703) 631-6700

    www.novablue.com

    11/11/2011

    “This is by far one of the BEST retail places I have EVER been to!! I needed them to scan some large images, resize them and print them. I desperately needed them by a certain day and when I got there, I was running a few minutes late, and they were closed and the project was not quite finished, but they still let me in, worked on it to get it completed by when I needed, even though it was after hours!! They stayed open late to make sure I was happy and that the project was perfect and even gave me a discount!! I could not have been happier, the owner and employees were so nice and really wanted to make sure that I left happy! I have already recommended this company to others and will continue to do so!! Although their prices are a bit expensive it is WELL worth it for the service you receive!!!”

  • Wonderful drawing from 7-year-old grandson of a Reprographer in Finland

    Will Eemil (the young artist) grow up to be an architect, a real estate developer or a construction company executive …… or an artist!

    Link to Eemil’s drawing:

    http://tinyurl.com/7n7ekna

  • Award-winning architectural and planning firm – KTGY – saves $400,000 by switching to Bluebeam

    KTGY GROUP, INC. (Architects & Planners)

    KTGY is HQ’d in Irvine, CA.

    Here’s the “about us” on their web-site:

    At KTGY, we believe it takes more than great ideas to design great places. It takes great people. Here, the energy, talent and creativity of our staff converge with a dedication to exceptional service to deliver successful architectural and planning solutions.

    How we work with clients embodies what we value. For almost two decades, KTGY has been as passionate about connecting with our clients and their objectives as we are about design and creativity. Our designs are inspiring and innovative, yet ever mindful of project goals. Our people listen, respond and deliver what our clients need, want and envision.

    As a full-service architectural and planning firm established in 1991, KTGY has delivered a depth and breadth of successful design solutions for:

    Planning and Urban Design


    Residential


    Mixed Use
Retail


    Hospitality

    Here’s what’s up on Bluebeam about KTGY’s use of Bluebeam…..

    Award-winning architectural and planning firm saves $400,000 by switching to Bluebeam

    http://www.BlueBeam.com/us/solutions/case-studies/ktgy.asp

  • RFP for Reprographics Services released by City of Costa Mesa, CA

    We first wrote about this RFP opportunity on November 8, 2011. Right after we first wrote about this RFP, we learned, via an e-mail from the City’s RFP Facilitator, that the RFP was not yet completed (not ready to be released.) It’s now December 26th (hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and I just noticed that the City of Costa Mesa did, finally, release this RFP on December 22nd.

    For nearly 11 years, our former company, NGI (which we sold to ARC in December 2007), operated the Hillsborough County (FL) Government Central Copy Center. Because of that, I have first hand experience with both the RFP process for a “staffed” OnSite reprographics service for a government agency and with the set-up and on-going operations of such a service. Based on that experience, I can tell you that it was a very rewarding deal.

    Okay, here’s a bit of information I just pulled out of the City of Costa Mesa’s RFP document, just as a preview. (Later, you’ll see instructions for how to access the City’s RFP document.):

    REPROGRAPHICS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

    The City of Costa Mesa (hereinafter referred to as the “City”) is requesting proposals from a qualified public entity or private firm, to establish a contract for Reprographics Services. The term is expected to be for three (3) years with two (2) one-year options to renew. Longer initial and extended terms will be considered depending upon the Proposer’s submission regarding use of City facilities and equipment.

    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

    This request for proposal will be governed by the following schedule:

    Release of RFP – December 22, 2011

    Deadline for Written Questions – January 9, 2012

    Responses to Questions Posted on Web – January 17, 2012

    Proposals are Due – January 25, 2012

    Interview (if held) – February 7, 2012

    Approval of Contract – To be determined

    All dates are subject to change at the discretion of the City

    SCOPE OF WORK

    The reprographic needs of the City are diverse and time sensitive. Some examples of documents requiring high volume copying include promotional flyers, billing and legal notices, City forms, Public Works bid packages, City Council agendas, staff reports, training materials, Planning Commission documents, and various public information materials including budget and financial documents. Copy jobs vary in quantity from a few dozen to a few thousand copies per job. The size and types of paper, document preparation and finishing requirements vary by document. Some requests may be submitted electronically to the printer, while others may be provided in hard copy on USB storage device or CD rom.

    It is anticipated that bidders, in most cases, will offer pricing based on production at their own facility, therefore this request for bid requests net pricing for copies, with an option for the copy vendor to provide pickup and delivery services to City Hall or other City facilities.. Standard turn-around time is to be twenty-four (24) hours or less, with options for four (4) hour, and while-you-wait expedited services when required.

    The City is also accepting bid proposals for in house document services. Interested bidders are invited to include in house print and copy services and the city will accept bids responses for the requested services to be provided utilizing the city’s existing equipment. A list of equipment currently utilized by the city has been provided on Appendix G. If this is the case, please specify on the pricing schedule (Appendix D) that the figures indicated are for in- house facility management.

    Offset print projects typically will have a longer turnaround time. Most print projects need to be completed within three (3) business days depending on the complexity of the project. If any special services are involved, numbering, perforating or foil stamping for example the project may take longer, and therefore a five (5) day turnaround for more complex print projects is acceptable.

    The following is a description of the current level of photocopying and other print shop services used by the City.

    PHOTOCOPY

    Approximately 150-200 requests for black and white copy jobs and 100-150 color copying jobs are currently processed monthly, during the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. We also process between 50-75 requests for high speed scanning per month. There is no guaranteed or implied commitment that this volume of work will remain consistent, rather this is an example of the current workload.

    The City reserves the right to amend or supplement this RFP prior to the proposal due date. All amendments, responses to questions received, and additional information will be posted to the Costa Mesa Procurement Registry, Costa Mesa – Official City Web Site – Business – Bids & RFP’s; Proposers should check this web page daily for new information.

    To access the RFP document, first “click on” this link:

    http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/departments/CMPurchasing.htm

    Then, “click on” RFPs/Bids in right hand column

    Inquiries Questions about this RFP must be directed in writing, via e-mail to:

    Richard Amadril, RFP Facilitator

    rick.amadril@costamesaca.gov

  • Océ Business Services Introduces Océ PrintExpressTM Online Print and Distribution Service

    Press Release:

    New Océ Print On-Demand Job Submission and Distribution Service Enables Clients to Order, Manage and Distribute Complex and/or Time-sensitive Print Jobs to Multiple Locations

    New York, N.Y. (December 19, 2011) – Océ Business Services, a leader in document process management services and technology, today introduced its Océ PrintExpress online print and distribution service. The new offering has already been deployed at leading healthcare and financial services companies, which require high-quality professional print and finishing service along with next-day or on-demand delivery.

    Océ PrintExpress, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and requires no software other than a Web browser, is available in two offerings. The On Demand Print offering enables companies with a deadline to submit print jobs up to 10 PM for next day delivery. When deadline is not an issue, Océ PrintExpress provides high-quality print and distribution on demand. The Publishing Market Place offering enables companies to create an online storefront through which their customers or employees can order print materials when needed. Publishing Market Place can be implemented as a cost or profit center, billing either the company’s or the customer’s account.

    Océ PrintExpress also gives companies the ability to monitor and control activity with cost and usage reports, which can be detailed according to such categories as user, job or billing codes. Additionally, costs are incurred only when jobs are submitted and shipped. Océ PrintExpress also includes account setup, billing, administration and 24×7 help-desk support.

    While potentially any size enterprise can use and benefit from Océ PrintExpress, the offering is ideally suited to mid-size and large organizations. One example: the national sales training manager for a major healthcare provider needed to print over 100 manuals for a training conference in less than seven days and have the manuals delivered to the conference center. The manuals required a number of complex details including color printing, custom Mylar tabs and spiral binding. After viewing a demonstration of Océ PrintExpress, the healthcare provider created, proofed and submitted the job. All of the manuals were printed and delivered on time. The healthcare provider is continuing to use Océ PrintExpress and is recommending the solution throughout the organization.

  • RFP for Managed Print Services from AC Transit District, Oakland, CA

    Well, here’s an RFP for “Managed-Print-Services” from a government agency in Oakland, CA.

    Too late to be a proposer, but, for those of you who are interested in learning about the MPS business, you might want to consider contacting this agency – AC Transit District – to request copies of all of the proposals that it received. Studying those proposals will help you better understand how others (prospective competitors) are going about their MPS proposal business.

    REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

    CONTRACT PROPOSAL #2012-1179

    TITLE: MANAGED PRINT SERVICES

    AC TRANSIT DISTRICT

    Purchasing Department

    10626 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94603

    PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED by December 7, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

    CURRENT PRINT FLEET

    Copiers – 28

    Color Laserjet – 42

    Laserjet – 136

    Inkjet – 161

    Fax – 40

    Scanners – 73

    Wide Format Printer – 7

    Total (devices) – 487

    RECENT ANNUAL PRINT VOLUME

    Estimated Annual Black & White Pages – 4,120,000

    Estimated Annual Color Pages – 1,212,240

    Here’s a link to the RFP document:

    http://tinyurl.com/c9v6ujt