Reprographics 101

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  • U.S. Construction Economics – Value of Put-in-Place Construction (ARC mentioned as well)

    Good morning. U.S. “Construction Economics” statistics today!

    The U.S. Census Bureau tracks and publishes the “value” of “put-in-place” construction. Statistics (in millions of dollars) are published for four different categories (see bold headings below).

    Residential

    Nonresidential

    Sub-total Private (Res & Non-Res)

    State & local

    Federal

    Sub-total Public (State & Fed)

    Total Private and Public (i.e., all)

    Unfortunately, values are reported from 1993 through 2010 for Residential Construction and Non-Residential Construction, but values for only 2009 and 2010 were reported for State & Local and Federal Construction (at least in the tables I researched.)

    One other note: values for December 2010 are not yet posted, so, in order to come up with annual totals, I had to estimate values for December 2010. I’m pretty sure that my estimates for December 2010 are not far off and, therefore, will not distort the comparisons I wanted to make.

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    COMMENTARY:

    Residential construction.

    You will note in the chart below that the value of “Residential” put-in-place construction “peaked” in 2006. Not surprising, huh? In 2007, early in the year, we (at my former reprographics company) began to see a negative trend in sales of reprographics services to our engineering customers who provided “civil, site, survey and land-planning services”. And, in fact, our sales to engineering firms who were more heavily involved in “residential” development work showed a greater negative trend than did our sales to engineering firms who had a healthier mix of res and non-res work. As times got worse, one of my former customers, a large, 50+ year-old, locally-prestigious engineering firm (Heidt & Associates) went down for the count (i.e., closed up shop.) In 2006, our sales to that customer were approximately $300,000, if not more. Another of our customers, an Architecture firm heavily involved in designing tract homes for residential home builders (like Pulte, DR Horton, KB Homes, etc.) began, early-on, to feel the effects of the decline in residential construction. That customer had to seriously down-size its staff level. Great examples of how awful things got for engineering firms, architects and home builders who were heavily dependent on residential development projects.

    The value of residential construction for 2010 is over 60% less than the value of residential construction in 2006.

    The values for 2010 vs. 2009 appear to indicate that “residential” has bottomed-out. However, the foreclosure “crisis” is, “as we speak,” still delaying an up-swing in residential development. There will be a turnaround in residential construction. However, when, exactly, we will see that happen in a robust fashion is, at this point, impossible to predict.

    Non-Residential Construction.

    As you can see in the chart below for Non-Res Construction, the value of put-in-place non-res construction did not peak until 2008, some 1 ½ to 2 years after the value of residential construction peaked. We started this blog in early 2008, and, at that time, we said that non-residential construction, like it or not, accept it or not, would feel (and react negatively to) the decline in residential construction. That opinion, most unfortunately, proved to be fact. Many reprographers began to feel the recession in non-res in early 2008, but not necessarily because “construction” was down. It was the architects who first felt the effects of the downturn in non-res. First, sales to architecture firms fell off. Later, construction companies felt the effects of the downturn in non-res, and sales to construction companies fell off. While the “housing bubble” burst because of serious overbuilding (caused by too much speculation in the housing market and too much “easy money”, the non-res segment was not overbuilt; that segment fell victim to the financial crisis brought on by commercial-sector greed and government regulatory incompetence (or lack of regulation, take your pick.)

    The value of non-residential construction for 2010 was approximately 35% less than the value of residential construction in 2008.

    As we stated in a recent post on this blog, signs that the non-residential market is beginning to recover are beginning to surface. The AIA ABI Index was over 50 for three out of the last four months. Construction employment is up in many metro areas (as reported by AGC economics.) The CMBS (financing) market is beginning to come back to life.

    Put this in perspective – Sales at American Reprographics Co (ARC).

    ARC’s annual sales peaked in 2008, at approximately $700 million. ARC’s sales that year did not show the full negative-effect of the downturn already impacting the residential construction market, primarily because ARC’s sales in 2008 benefitted from recently completed acquisitions (what we call “acquired” growth rather than “organic” growth.) But, ARC pretty much turned-off its reprographics-company acquisition program. For the year 2010, ARC’s Sales will be somewhere around $445 million, if not a tad less or a tad more.

    Okay, let’s see if we can use the Census Bureau’s values of put in place res and non-res construction to see if ARC’s Sales numbers are “proportionately tracking” those values:

    For this math exercise:

    (1) ARC’s Sales for 2008 were approximately $700 million.

    (2) We’ll make an assumption that this was the “breakdown” of ARC’s 2008 Sales: 10% non-AEC, 90% AEC. We’ll make a further assumption that ARC’s 2008 AEC sector sales were 15% residential and 85% non-residential.

    (3) The value of put-in-place “residential” construction for 2010 was 31% down from the value of put-in-place residential construction in 2008. (not shown in chart, but computable from chart.)

    (4) The value of put-in-place “non-residential” construction for 2010 was 35.5% down from the value of put-in-place non-residential construction for 2008.

    (5) Let’s make a further assumption that ARC’s non-AEC Sales have grown 15% since 2008, due to ARC’s non-AEC sales initiatives, including sales of software and sales of “RIOT Color” services.

    After doing the math – and I do realize that this math exercise is somewhat fuzzy at best – this predicts 2010 (full-year) ARC Sales of approximately $491 million. That’s about $46 million more than the 2010 (full-year) Sales that ARC is expected to soon report. Does this shortfall mean that “per project” printing volumes are falling, due to AEC customers ordering less printing per project? Due to AEC customers ordering CD’s instead of prints-on-paper? Due to customers trending towards “paperless” construction?

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Finally, here are the charts I worked up from the “values” reported by the U.S. Census Bureau:

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Value of Private NONRESIDENTIAL Construction Put in Place –

    Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (Millions of dollars.)

    Year

    Value

    Formula

    Results

    2006

    3,574,855

    2007

    4,429,325

    peak 2008

    4,894,085

    3,163,167

    =

    35.37%

    off peak

    2009

    4,160,281

    4,894,085

    2010

    3,163,167

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Value of Private RESIDENTIAL Construction Put in Place

    excluding rental, vacant, and seasonal residential improvements –

    Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (Millions of dollars)

    Year

    Value

    Formula

    Results

    peak 2006

    7,399,983

    2007

    5,943,074

    2008

    4,216,910

    2,913,600

    =

    60.63%

    off peak

    2009

    2,955,439

    7,399,983

    2010

    2,913,600

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    You can find more details for “put-in-place” construction at this Internet address:

    http://www.economicindicators.gov/

  • Internet-based "Planroom" products

    Wow, there are a lot of Internet-based “planroom” products out there!

    A layman’s (and very brief) definition of an Internet-based planroom – a “site” on the Internet where plans and specifications (and other documents) are hosted, accessible, viewable and where files (of the plans and specs) can be downloaded (a feature offered by some, but not by all) and where visitors can submit “orders” for printed plans and specs (a feature offered by all reprographers, but sometimes not by others who are not reprographers). In its purest essence, an Internet-based planroom is a “document management” service. Some products are targeted at document management and distribution, others are targeted at that plus “collaboration” between project participants.

    I decided to spend a few hours today to see how many “planroom” products I could find. I found a bunch of them, but, as that saying goes, “I’m done”, for there are far too many out there and it would probably take me a full week to locate all (or most) of them …. and that’s beyond the scope of my interest.

    Here’s some of the ones I found. As to each, I’ve posted just a bit of information (from their respective web-sites), and, if you want to explore them, I’ve provided Internet addresses for each. I could not find one that I was looking for – OCE PlanCenter – does someone know if OCE is still selling that product in the U.S.?

    Also, the first section of this article about planrooms reveals information about “commercially available” planrooms. I’ve also included a few at the end that appear to have been developed by “customers” who wanted planrooms, but who decided to “do them on their own.”

    Okay, here’s the different Internet-based planrooms I found today:

    Control, Share and Collaborate on Project Docs

    Easy… Secure … Free …

    SyncWare is an application that allows architects, engineers, general contractors and developers to upload and share documents. By using SyncWare during the design phase, architects can easily share and collaborate with the design team. During construction, SyncWare makes it easy for contractors to communicate project plans and specs to the project team.

    http://www.projectvillage.com

    Project Village PlanRoom

    An Internet Based solution for the Construction Industry

    Save thousands of dollars when distributing plans and specs in the pre-bid process! A project on the ProjectVillage™ Plan Room costs you less.

    Eliminate costly printing for bidders who are not interested. Simply post the project and invite bidders to review the documents online. Bidders that choose to bid can then order hardcopy sets directly from the Plan Room. The bottom line is that what gets printed is only what needs to get printed. At $100 for a full set of documents, the Plan Room can save you thousands in printing costs alone.

    The ProjectVillage™ Plan Room provides a unique combination of the most features, service and integration. Many plan room applications offer a narrow set of specific features, especially those run by print houses and reprographic organizations. ProjectVillage™ offers the most complete set of features that includes communication, ongoing management of a bidders database, online ordering, viewing, downloading, archiving, sourcing new bidders, sourcing new projects and using local print houses. Three levels of service for project hosts from do-it-yourself to hands off. We can provide as much, or as little, personal service as you need.and we can do it in a hurry! Full integration with our project management application gives your company a broader range products and room to grow within our system.

    http://www.plancommand.com

    PLANCOMMAND (was developed by RSA, one of the repro industry associations)

    What is PlanCommand?

    A Scalable, Secure Web-based Solution for:

    • Project Planning and Collaboration

    • Project Communication and Management

    • Document Control and Distribution

    Created for:

    • Architects

    • Engineers

    • Contractors

    • Owners

    • Developers

    Harness the Power of the Internet with a State-of-the-Art Comprehensive Solution

    Instant access to information can often spell the difference between success and failure in the crush of stringent deadlines and shortened timelines. The PlanCommand System will simplify your task of managing valuable assets, and make it easy to search for and retrieve information on a timely basis. The Web-based PlanCommand system provides easy access to information via a standard HTML browser (such as Internet Explorer) on an Internet portal from anywhere in the world.

    The PlanCommand System will greatly enhance your project’s on-time performance, and save significant time and money. It will enable your company to operate more efficiently by organizing project data and making it totally accessible through any HTML browser. This Web-based solution dramatically reduces time-consuming phone calls and emails; and, enables you to share documents among project team members in a secure environment.

    Autodesk® Buzzsaw® software as a service (SaaS) delivers document, design, and data management tools to architecture, engineering, and construction firms and owner-operators. Using Autodesk Buzzsaw web-based software, project teams can better centralize and more securely exchange project information, enhance team collaboration, and support building information modeling (BIM) workflows.

    http://www.isqft.com

    iSqFt Private Construction Office

    Get the Power of the Private Construction Office

    The iSqFt Private Construction Office is another tool that general contractors across the country are rapidly adopting as an indispensable part of their everyday efforts for managing their preconstruction process and winning more work.

    The Private Construction Office gives contractors the power to minimize the inefficiencies that exist in the estimating and bidding process phase of the project life cycle, and deliver real, hard dollar cost reductions. These efficiencies and savings translate directly into a quantifiable competitive advantage on bid day.

    How does the Private Construction Office work?

    Within his Private Construction Office, a general contractor uploads all of the critical documentation related to an upcoming project. This provides a quick and secure method for distributing project plans, specs, and addenda, as well as construction schedules, meeting minutes, or any other documents that need to be shared with the project team.

    http://www.nextplans.com

    NEXTPLANS

    NextPlans, a project information management and distribution (PIMD) service, is pleased to announce its January 2011 Feature Release.



    · Collaboration Subject Lines – Added the ability to change the subject line of a collaboration email. We have also added, under review notifications, a list view of the notifications to include the subject lines. If a user does not specify a subject line, the notification will revert to the default subject line previously in place.



    · Collaboration Message Formatting – Added a text editor to the message box, allowing formatting of the message body of a collaboration email.



    · iPhone/iPad – NextPlans now allows viewing of project documents via iPhone/iPad. This does not require an app, just navigate to the sites as normal, and view a document. You can also add the PDF to iBooks if you use that app (this will allow you to save a document for subsequent viewing). 



    · Streaming Downloads – All users will be able to more efficiently download multiple documents from any NextPlans plan room. This will, for many users, bypass the package download method of batch downloads of project documents. By selecting this new option, users can instantly download the contents of a project folder to their computer versus downloading individually or placing a Package Download order.



    About NextPlans

NextPlans is web-based service that facilitates project information management and information distribution for owners, architects, engineers, general contractors, and specialty contractors throughout the United States. NextPlans creates customized solutions that allow our clients to centralize information, reduce administrative costs, mitigate risk, and improve efficiency. NextPlans is one system with all-inclusive components that creates transparency and accountability on a project from schematic design to facilities management. For more information on NextPlans, visit www.nextplans.com or call 1-866.215.0428.

    http://contractorsplanroom.idtplans.com

    ContractorsPlanRoom.com

    ContractorsPlanRoom.com is the premier destination for contractors, subs, and suppliers searching for construction bid opportunities. Plans, Specifications, Addenda, Bid Invitations & Planholders lists are all available online 24×7. We have everything that you need to secure more contracts and build your business.

    What Makes Us Different Than Other Online Plan Rooms?

    • We host the application so there is no software to install or manage.

    • We provide FREE technical support to all users so there is no IT burden.

    • Our plan room service is FREE.

    • We backup all data nightly and provide an extensive disaster recovery plan.

    • Users can order documents from ANY printer and have them delivered locally.

    • Users can print documents for FREE on their own equipment.

    • You have the option to publish your projects to over 7000 registered contractors & subs.

    • Free upgrades installed automatically.

    • Unmatched performance! We use top of the line cisco routers and windows servers to guarantee 99.9% uptime.

    
Features & Benefits

    • Automatic addenda notification system.

    • On-Screen measurement & Markup capabilities.

    • Automatic version control.

    • Fully customizable permissions system.

    • Detailed activity logs.

    • Quickly and easily view bid coverage.

    • Option to publish projects to over 7000 contractors & subs.

    • Free technical support for all users.

    • All project information located in one central repository available 24×7.

    • Reduce printing costs by up to 60%.

    • All data is secure and backed up nightly.

    http://www.PlanWell.com

    PlanWell Enterprise (sm) (product of American Reprographics Co – ARC)

    The most commonly used and widely available online planroom in the industry today, Enterprise offers power, convenience and comprehensive services for all your plan management needs.

    PlanWell Enterprise:

    PlanWell Enterprise combines the services of your reprographer with a powerful Web application that accomplishes four primary tasks:

    · Manages and tracks your project plans and specs – find any plan at the click of mouse (and never lose one again!)



    · Manages and tracks the users of your project plans and specs – know who got what and when



    · Allows users to order prints and arrange their delivery – the reprographer does the printing and distribution



    · Compiles a historical record and archives your plans and specs as documents are added to the planroom – close the job and the archive is finished (no “after-the-fact” archive compilation)

    Simply provide your reprographer with project plans and specs (electronically or in paper form), indicate how you would like them organized – by discipline, CSI code, historical issue, etc. – and who should have access to them. The content provider typically pays a small document management fee for the use of the system, but other users of the system simply pay for their normal reprographic services, nothing more.

    PlanWell Collaborate:

    PlanWell Collaborate is an intuitive, cost-effective cloud project collaboration application designed for Project Managers in AEC.

    http://www.repromax.com

    ReproMAX Technology

    With the exclusive ReproMAX technology suite, you have the power to provide your clients with the most advanced set of tools for project document management in the AEC industry. ReproMAX members have years of experience managing and distributing documents. We seek members and establish standards to continually invest in the leading technology available today to make document management and distribution as simple and accurate as possible.

    30 November 2010 (press release)

    ReproMAX (Chesterfield, Missouri, USA) has signed a major contract with Asite’s distributor in North America (SaaS North America) to supply and host its award winning web-based collaborative Software as a Service (cSaaS). Asite’s cSaaS platform enables the ReproMAX membership to deliver a complete collaborative solution for print services and project management solutions to maximize data and control.

    CMAX (this is the “Asite” product mentioned above)

    The cMAX Solution Suite enables you to take continuous, planned and measured steps to improve your company’s profit margins, through more efficient and effective collaborative working practices and a global distribution & delivery network. Utilizing our state-of-the-art cloud based secure global data centers, you are just an internet browser away from centrally sharing and managing your key documents and information. Whether its optimizing your prequalification process, stream-lining your bid invitation and response workflow, managing your construction document change, submittal and closeout operation, maximizing your BIM utilization or automating your procurement process, cMAX has the right solution for you.

    PDM 3.0

    PDM 3.0 is an efficient and sustainable approach to managing project information, contacts and complex documentation through the project lifecycle; from concept to closeout. The result is a more efficient project workflow that helps companies increase productivity, reduce project costs, mitigate risks and

    ReproMAX DFS

    ReproMAX offers exclusive access to ReproMAX DFS, the leading plan room and digital document management software for the reprographic industry. This program allows you to upload documents easily, view quickly, distribute globally, track efficiently and print anywhere all on your own customized online plan room. Documents are available online 24/7 for your project team to access from any location. ReproMAX DFS makes it easy to get the right information to the right people—quickly.

    Over 120 Reprographers in 37 States are using ReproConnect to grow their businesses

    ReproConnect: A different kind of planroom

    ReproConnect is a planroom designed to lower costs, increase profit, and help your reprographics business grow. You own it, you control it, and you reap the benefits.

    It is simple, fast, and very affordable

    ReproConnect is incredibly simple for you and your customers. It is fast and easy, not time consuming or cumbersome. And it costs a fraction of what you might expect.

    A complete top-to-bottom solution. We provide a custom designed planroom, server hardware and software, installation and training, sales and marketing materials, and support. Everything you need, one flat price. Real people, real service. We stand behind our product, period. We are real people who answer our phones and help you with questions or issues. And we do not charge for it! Yes, you read that right.

    http://www.bidcenteronline.com

    Bidcenter OnLine Planroom

    Bidcenter for your business

    The Bidcenter Online Planroom was designed to be user friendly, robust in features, and detail oriented on a per project scenario. Start using the Bidcenter Planroom and see how much it does for your online planroom needs.

    The Bidcenter Online Planroom is a flexible and feature rich online Planroom for the construction and reprographics industries. The Bidcenter Planroom allows small and large companies to manage their Planroom jobs, and update files easy with no need for extensive training. If you are tired of using cumbersome planrooms, make the switch to Bidcenter online Planroom, our planroom is affordable, easy to use, and has many features. We have created the Bidcenter to be simple to use and not waste your time. It is very fast and has a friendly interface for you as an admin and for you clients on the frontside user area. We have integrated the Adeptol online document viewer into the Bidcenter to ensure you have the security of protecting your documents while being viewed online. Please visit our Features overview page for more info on what you can expect in the current version of the Bidcenter Online Planroom.

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to info@bidcenteronline.com or call us at- 1 (888) 225-7706.

    http://www.planroom.com/

    BuildFLOW (is a product offered by AEC Repro, NYC, NY)

    BuildFLOW is a managed and automated workflow with a long history of providing efficiency and cost cutting solutions to the building industries. It is an integrated solution that meets the needs of all team members with flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. There are no licenses to purchase, user fees or software to install. Team members can access, organize and distribute documents in a secure and easy-to-use web interface.

    BuildFLOW solves the costly problems created when multiple departments and companies work on the same project. It eliminates the issues of disconnected applications, spreadsheets and loose paper files across dozens of offices and hard drives. Centralizing these elements increases the accuracy and timeliness of all information, reducing the costs and delays of incomplete or outdated specifications.

    BENEFITS OF BUILDFLOW:

    The BuildFLOW workgroup system offers your team powerful tools in an easy-to-use interface. Features include:

    • Document Management

    • Ordering Documents

    • Bid Management

    • Contact Management

    • Manage Projects

    • Notices/Alerts/Reports

    Benefits of Our Online Plan Room

    • Free online plan room!

    • More winning bids!

    • Increase qualified leads

    • Real time updates for addenda, etc.

    • 24/7 access to project information

    • Eliminate nuisance calls

    http://www.mbionline.com

    Master Builders of Iowa (State AGC Chapter)

    Construction Update Online Internet Plan Room powered by iSqFt (CUonline)

    Construction Update Online Internet Plan Room (CUonline) powered by iSqFt is a breakthrough for subcontractors – giving them a powerful tool for finding new work and better opportunities by positioning themselves in front of more general contractors.

    Through MBI’s network consisting of over 900 Construction Update Online powered by iSqFt subscribers and the MBIonline Private Construction Offices for General Contractors subcontractors have access to thousands of public and private projects. Search for public projects in the CUonline Internet Plan Room based on the CSI codes you perform and types of projects you want to bid. Find general contractors seeking bids – right here, right now – from companies just like yours, and request access to their Private Construction Offices.

    http://www.yakimaplancenter.com

    Yakima Plan Center (Washington State)

    The Yakima Plan Center’s Virtual Plan Room is an innovative service that provides your business with the most comprehensive resource for up-to-the-minute construction information and the latest state-of-the-art web based tools available.

    The “Virtual Plan Room” is a web (internet) based program you access using your favorite web browser (Internet Explorer, MSN, etc.). Plans can then be sorted by your occupation or most any other need and viewed either as an image or as an Acrobat document. Simply print from the FREE Acrobat reader, your favorite image manipulation program or from Take off, also FREE and available to download.

    http://www.mccroryconstruction.com/

    McCrory Construction Company, LLC (South Carolina)

    (Under “Why McCrory”, they say thisJ

    ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

    · Project and Cost Control Management using Primavera Expedition Software


    · Accounting & Job Costing managed by Windows NT & Timberline


    · Internet based communications as well as digital and video photographic capabilities available on all project sites


    · Project specific and password protected website


    · Internet based Plan Room

    Projects Bidding:

    To use your password to view more detailed information and to access drawings click on a project below. To obtain a password for a project or additional projects, you can e-mail Lisa Wyckoff. If you are not on McCrory’s permanent vendor list, you will need to fill out the form below before obtaining a password.

    • Bidding – 1102 St Andrews Pres – Design Build
Fax bid to McCrory by 5:00pm on 1/24/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    • Bidding-1103 Palmetto Health-MRI Replacement
Fax bid to McCrory by 3:00pm on 1/24/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    • Bidding – 1106 Marina Project
Fax bid to McCrory by 10:00pm on 1/27/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    • Bidding – 1108 US Foodservice – Finishes Pkg
Fax bid to McCrory by 5:00pm on 2/3/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    • Bidding – 1109 Wal-mart 1010 Rockingham NC
Fax bid to McCrory by 3:00pm on 2/7/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    • Bidding – 1107 Wal-mart 1522 Elkins WV
Fax bid to McCrory by 3:00pm on 2/16/2011 at (803) 254-9800.

    To be added to the McCrory Vendor List, fill out the Vendor Questionnaire.

  • Significant ARC shareholder – Stadium Capital Management – files current Schedule 13G with SEC

    Stadium Capital Management files Schedule 13G to report current position in stock of American Reprographics Co (ARC).

    To be perfectly frank, the way the SEC requires completion of schedules that reveal significant (more than 5% ownership) holdings in public companies is quite confusing for average idiots like me. I’m sure “financial” people and securities lawyers understand these reports “at a glance”, but, since I’m neither a finance person or a securities attorney – as I said, I am just an average idiot – I really haven’t a clue as to whether Stadium Capital Management’s most recent 13G means that SCM (and its affiliates) own, collectively, 35.5% of ARC’s outstanding shares or 15.3% of ARC’s outstanding shares or 10.1% of ARC’s outstanding shares or some other percentage. You can read the Schedule 13G filing yourself and come to your own conclusion.

    As of September 30, 2010, it was reported that Stadium Capital Management owned 3,831,975 shares, or approximately 8.4% of ARC’s outstanding shares. (This, per the “Institutional Holders” list reported on msn.com).

    In a Schedule 13G filing, filed with the SEC by Stadium Capital Management (and affiliates) on January 26, 2011, Stadium Capital Management (and affiliates) reported these positions in ARC shares:

    SC 13G

    Schedule filed to report acquisition of beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a class of equity securities by passive investors and certain institutions. Filed on 01/26/2011.

    (a) The names of the persons filing this statement are:

    *Stadium Capital Management, LLC (“SCM”);

    *Alexander M. Seaver (“Seaver”);

    *Bradley R. Kent (“Kent”);

    *Stadium Relative Value Partners, L.P. (“SRV”);

    (collectively, the “Filers”).

    SRV is filing this statement jointly with the other Filers, but not as a member of a group and expressly disclaims membership in a group.

    (b) The principal business office of the Filers is located at:

    550 NW Franklin Avenue, Suite 478, Bend, OR 97701.

    Holdings and Percentage of Outstanding shares held by each “reporting person”:

    *Stadium Capital Management, LLC – 4,627,245 shares, 10.1% (of outstanding stock)

    *Alexander M. Seaver – 4,627,245 shares, 10.1% (of outstanding stock)

    *Bradley R. Kent – 4,627,245 shares, 10.1% (of outstanding stock)

    *Stadium Relative Value Partners, L.P. – 2,382,667 shares, 5.2% (of outstanding stock)

    At this Internet address – http://www.panacheprivee.com/File/Alexander_Seaver/

    I found some “biographical” information about Alexander Seaver:

    Alexander M. Seaver is co-founder and managing partner of Stadium Capital Management LLC.

    Education:

    BA in Economics Harvard 1982

    MBA Stanford 1986

    Member of Harvard Tennis Team – 3-time All American in ’81-’83

    Background:

    Earlier in his career, he worked at investment firm Hambrecht & Quist. Later he was a General Partner at InterWest Partners and was a co-founder and partner of Seaver Kent & Company.

    Stadium Capital Management is an investment / investment management enterprise; the recent article that follows talks about Stadium Capital Management’s position in another public company

    Stadium Capital Reports $7.3 Million Stake in BlueLinx (Dec 23, 2010)

    ATLANTA — Stadium Capital Management LLC has reported a 6 percent stake worth $7.29 million in BlueLinx Inc. (NYSE: BXC), according to an SEC filing.

The Bend, Ore.-based hedge fund sponsor, with an office in New Canaan, Conn., said it owned 1.96 million shares in the Atlanta-headquartered distributor of building products. The stake’s value is based on the stock’s Dec. 22 closing price of $3.72 per share.

Stadium holds the position through Stadium Capital Partners LP, co-founder Alexander Seaver and Managing Director Bradley Kent.

Employing approximately 2,000 people, BlueLinx offers greater than 10,000 products from over 750 suppliers to service approximately 11,500 customers nationwide, including dealers, industrial manufacturers, manufactured housing producers and home improvement retailers.

In the third quarter ended Oct. 2, BlueLinx reported a net loss of $14.90 million, or 48 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $13.50 million, or 44 cents per share. Revenues increased 3.4 percent to $464.7 million, from $449.4 million for the same period a year ago.

Stadium Capital, founded in 1997, invests in U.S. public equity markets

  • Service Point Announces an agreement to acquire Holmbergs, a Sweden-based reprographics company with additional operations in Denmark

    Last July 1st, we posted a brief article on Reprographics 101 that included mention of a Press Release issued by Service Point on June 29th, and, in that Press Release, Service Point announced that it was going to renew its “Merger and Acquisition” initiatives.

    Well, true to its word, Service Point has, in fact, renewed its M&A activities. Today, Service Point issued a Press Release to announce its upcoming (still-to-be-closed) acquisition of Holmbergs, a large reprographer based in Sweden with additional operations in Denmark.

    Based on the information revealed in the Press Release, it looks like this is just the first of several acquisitions SP plans to make in Scandinavia.

    Here’s the Press Release that Service Point issued today:

    Press release

    Service Point to acquire Holmbergs of Sweden, reinforcing its leadership position in Scandinavia and resuming its M&A-led growth strategy

    • SPS is entering the Swedish and Danish markets with the acquisition of Holmbergs, a company with annual revenue of €14 million

    • SPS’s plan is to build a Scandinavian business with turnover of €100 million over the coming years. The company is currently in active talks with targets in Sweden, Finland and Denmark

    • This acquisition will generate significant synergies across the SPS Group, especially with its successful Norwegian arm through the rollout in Sweden of the online strategies deployed in 2010 (www.idekor.no)

    • The acquisition will close following completion of the equity raise to be approved at the shareholder meeting called for 21st February

    • The acquisition price will be 5 times audited 2010 EBITDA. The target boasts solid cash flow generation and net cash of more than €1 million

    January 21st, 2011 – Service Point Solutions SA (ticker: SPS.MC) has signed an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Holmbergs i Malmö AB (“Holmbergs”), the leading provider of document and information management solutions in southern Sweden (Malmo and Lund) and north Denmark (Copenhagen). The acquisition will close following completion of the equity issue to be submitted for approval by the company’s shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for February 21st 2011.

    Holmbergs was founded in Malmo in 1904. In 2010 the company generated €14 million in high-quality revenue, i.e., revenue which translates into recurring cash flow generation. There is currently €1 million in cash on the company’s books. Holmbergs’ outstanding earnings performance is being driven by the company’s experienced management team. The company is a leading supplier of document and information management solutions to multinationals which headquarter their pan-Scandinavian operations in Holmbergs’ area of influence. In addition to its strong positioning in the multinational niche, the company is also well positioned in the advertising and education segments, the latter being one of the Service Point’s targeted growth businesses. Holmbergs has successfully built up a fast- growing print-on-demand business which dovetails with Service Point’s strategic approach.

    Holmbergs currently employs around 100 people. This transaction delivers the following SPS objectives:

    · A reinforced platform in Scandinavia with first-class international clients Sweden is the European nation expected to post the fastest GDP growth in 2011

    · Consolidation of SPS’s value proposition in the education and corporate segments and in the print-on-demand business

    · Acquisition of a business that boasts strong cash flow and recurring revenue generation with scope for synergy generation as part of the Service Point Group, particularly with the Norwegian business,

    · Holmbergs marks Service Point’s first acquisition since 2008. Since then the company has undertaken an ambitious restructuring program which has reduced the group’s headcount by 20%, cut operating expenses by another 20% and led to the strategic prioritisation of relationship management.

    · The acquisition will boost SPS’s revenue by 6% and its EBITDA by 9% according to the business plan to be presented to the company’s shareholders in general meeting on 21 February. Moreover, the transaction is significantly accretive in terms of earnings per share.

    According to Juan José Nieto, Chairman of Service Point, “As we said in our business plan, the company is looking to increase its presence in Scandinavia, a market which has performed spectacularly well in the past two years despite the challenging economic and business backdrop. In 2010 our Norwegian subsidiary posted the strongest earnings performance in its 50-year history. The Holmbergs acquisition fits perfectly with this strategy, creating scope for significant synergy generation and the opportunity to service some world-leading multinationals which base their Scandinavian business operations in southern Sweden. This, coupled with the company’s ties with and proximity to Denmark plus an outstanding communications network will help us pick up the pace of organic business growth in the region”.

    Service Point Solutions (www.servicepoint.net) is a leading provider of document and information management solutions. It services a broad spectrum of industries, including the AEC, corporate, financial, public services and educations segments. It employs 2,400 people across nine countries (the UK, US, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, France and Sweden) via a network of 128 service points worldwide and 794 facilities management programs. SPS is headquartered in Spain and listed on the Madrid and Barcelona stock exchanges (ticker: SPS.MC).

  • So, when you are invited to participate in the next RFP, think about this …..

    I found a well written and thought provoking article this evening, at http://thedigitalnirvana.com. The “thought” that this post provokes is “aggravation.” That’s because, most of the time, when I had to compete in an “RFP” process, I’d end up being totally aggravated …. and sometimes quite frustrated ….. to the point where I’d ask myself, “why did I bother?”

    Below, you’ll find just the beginning the article I’m referring to …. very well written. Unfortunately, I think Ms. Gooding is preaching to the choir.

    Requests For Proposal: End the Madness!

    By Elizabeth Gooding on January 19th, 2011

    Many of my posts originate in my head as rants, are subsequently doused with antacid (and some form of sedative) and thoroughly edited down to civilized business speak. Today I think perhaps I should just “let ‘er rip!”

    Let’s face it, most participants in the RFP process (from either the Issuer’s or the Responder’s perspective) don’t profit from it. You would think that the Issuer would always benefit but, in fact, they usually only achieve cost savings in trade for:

    You can find the “full” article at this Internet address:

    http://thedigitalnirvana.com/2011/01/requests-for-proposal-end-the-madness

  • OCE Announces new product – OCE TDS 750

    OCE announces its newest TDS series black & white large-format multifunction system
    Launch of Océ TDS750 offers CAD customers optimal large format printer
    Rising above the rest for faster, easier, dependable high-quality large format printing

    January 18, 2011 – Trumbull, CT – Océ, a Canon Group Company and an international leader in digital document management and delivery, today announced the launch of the Océ TDS750 large format printing system. The new Océ TDS750 printer offers architects and engineers a fast, easy and reliable solution for their large format print, copy and scan needs. Based on the multi-award winning Océ TDS700 printer, the Océ TDS750 provides a reliable, environmentally-friendly printing solution for departmental or print room environments.

    Fast and productive large format printer
    Engineering departments can easily meet their challenging deadlines with the consistent print speed of 9 D-size prints per minute and no warm-up time for the Océ TDS750. Users can load the system with 6 media rolls and up to 3,900 ft. media capacity for long uninterrupted printing, making it ideal for productive central print rooms. With secure print job management features, customers can prioritize urgent jobs and quickly complete projects.

    Easy and intuitive
    The Océ TDS750 was designed with the user in mind by making all aspects of the machine simple and intuitive, from media loading to defining scanner settings. Users spend less time trouble shooting and defining settings with the green button approach of the Océ TDS750. The advanced scan technology allows for the capture of color markups or as-builts and the streamlining of project collaboration. The result is faster turnaround times, less wasted materials and a more productive staff.

    This exceptional new large format printer retains the solid radiant fusing technology with instant-on behavior and low noise, heat and ozone emissions as well as low energy consumption of the Océ TDS700. Businesses appreciate the sustainability aspects of this unique technology and the flexibility of placing it in departmental print settings without distracting employees.

    Dependable output quality and performance
    The Océ TDS750 600 x 1,200 dpi pico printing provides exceptional output quality – sharp fine details and smooth gray scales in renderings, 3D images and intricate graphics. Users have the peace of mind that document details are captured exactly as intended with no missing information.

    Based on the Océ TDS700 with thousands of satisfied customers worldwide, Océ TDS750 users can count on dependable, high performance large format printing for years to come. With restricted controller access, safe data storage and system safe guards, the Océ TDS750 can also help provide a secure, productive print environment.

    “For years, customers have been appreciating the quality, reliability, and support provided by Océ large format printers,” said Erik van Eldik, Vice President Technical Document Systems Business Group at Océ. “We know our customers’ workflows and are pleased to be able to evolve our core black & white technology to address the ever-changing needs of the technical document market place. The Océ TDS750 is an excellent large format system building upon the features that customers valued in the Océ TDS700 to further improve large format workflows while maintaining the flexibility to grow with their changing needs.”

    Availability and more information
    The Océ TDS750 is available now. For more information on the Océ TDS750, please visit http://www.oceusa.com.



    Joel’s comment: In the first paragraph of the press release, I “kinda think” that OCE should have said, “offers architects, engineers and reprographers“…….

  • Large-format, display-graphics, digital color – from agonizingly slow to ultra-fast

    “Older people” (and I’m speaking about “reprographers”) can, I’m sure, remember the early versions of large-format, display-graphics-capable “ink-jet” printers. At around $25,000 for a 36” wide-unit, output was blazing ……. well, uh, SLOW …… it took nearly an hour to print one 36” x 48” full-color poster (in the “best quality” mode.)

    I saw the following announcement in the most recent on-line issue of http://www.wide-formatingimaging.com news:

    INCA DIGITAL ENABLES EURO PLV TO RECAPTURE THE SHORT RUN MARKET

    The Inca Onset S20 prints on a wide variety of materials efficiently and very cost-effectively. With the capability to print edge to edge on substrates of 3.14 m x 1.6 m (124 inches x 63 inches) and 50 mm (2 inches) thick, at production speeds of up to 310 sqm/hr (62 beds/hr) (approximately 3,300 sq ft/hr), it also features a selectable gloss control to produce finishes from matt, through satin to high gloss, depending on the application. This brings massive versatility in the printing of POS material for customers with screen printing backgrounds such as Euro PLV. By adding the Inca Onset S20 to its screen printing equipment, in particular its two- and five-color Thieme presses, Euro PLV is now able to handle the cost-effective short-run production of a multitude of POS displays including totems, stands, cutouts, arches and shop windows displays.

    A large-format display graphics printer that prints that fast is truly blazing ….. well, uh, FAST. However, I wonder if that will be considered “fast” 5 or 6 years from now.

    And, now, for OCE’s most recent announcement about the OCE ColorWave 600:

    OCÉ COLORWAVE 600 POSTER PRINTER

    Océ NV has introduced the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer. This system is the fastest in its class, producing robust, instant-dry prints at speeds of up to 106 square meters per hour. Prints are cut-to-size, ready for immediate use and feature outstanding Océ CrystalPoint quality. All produced using clean, green technology. Display graphics companies, offset printers and retailers can use this system to increase throughput and reduce production costs for quick-turnaround, Point-of- Purchase (POP) posters and event materials.

    Dale Mortimer, Director of Marketing, Océ Display Graphics Systems, said, “POP campaigns are moving at lightspeed. They have to be produced in much shorter timeframes and tailored for individual customers and regions. Print providers have to produce shorter runs and turnaround jobs faster. We developed the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer to meet the need that print providers and retailers have for a faster POP and low operational costs.”

    With its production print speeds, the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer helps print providers meet their clients’ tight deadlines, while confidently delivering consistently high quality output. It produces up to 106 sqm (1141 sqft) per hour. That means a company can print up to 1700 A1-size posters in one eight-hour shift. It also features set printing, so a print provider can print and deliver an entire point-of-sale campaign—including banners, posters and flyers – in a single business day. Retailers can use it to print campaign materials in house, which enables them to quickly react to a competitor’s promotions.

    Print providers no longer have to wait for prints to dry with the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer. It uses patented Océ CrystalPoint imaging technology to produce instantly dry, water-resistant prints that are cut-to- size and ready for immediate mounting. Up to six rolls of media from 29.7 cm to 106.7 cm (11 to 42 inches) wide can be loaded into the printer, so the system is always ready to produce materials of varying widths, eliminating the need to change media between jobs. Being able to use different media widths also eliminates manual trimming for standard sized jobs.

    Shifting the production of point-of-purchase posters to the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer reduces labor and media costs significantly. Operators can be freed up for other tasks, since the system can run unattended at full production speed and no manual trimming is required. The Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer reduces media costs as well. It delivers high quality prints on a range of economical, uncoated paper and specialty media.

    The Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer is based on the same technology as the Océ ColorWave 600 wide format printer for technical document systems. Specially featured for the display graphics market, the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer uses Océ TonerPearls solid toner and Océ CrystalPoint imaging technology to obtain the best print results. The unique Océ CrystalPoint technology produces consistent, high quality prints.

    With Océ TonerPearls toner, there’s no fine dust, odor or emission so the printer can be placed anywhere, even in an office environment. The prints of the Océ ColorWave 600 Poster Printer can be used inside retail stores because there are no emissions or fumes coming from them. The system’s ergonomic design makes it very easy to use. An operator standing in one spot can access nearly all functional areas of the printer, including the touch-screen operator panel, front loadable media drawers, Océ TonerPearl cartridges and the top media delivery tray.

    Joel’s further comments: Reprographers were the first print-houses with short-run, large-format digital-color output devices. Over the years, however, most of the “traditional” screen printing companies have caught up and surpassed the large-format digital-color capabilities of most reprographers. Reprographers, in my opinion, let that opportunity slip away, but it was probably a conscious choice, considering that A/E/C printing demand was very high for reprographers, during the period when screen printers were adapting to “digital.”

    Today, an industry friend e-mailed me a link to Circle Graphics’ web-site. CG is now 8 years old, generating sales of $65 million! And, they were not even in the screen printing business (at least that I’m aware of.) I can only conclude that there is a “lot” of large-format display-graphics color business “out there”. Are you getting your fair share? With “Riot Color”, ARC is obviously pursuing that market in a serious way.

  • Reprographers will have a better year in 2011. Finally, positive trends developing!

    Several factors, considered on a collective basis, are indicating that 2011 will be a better year than 2010 for Reprographers. Positive trends developing….

    In an article published on AGC’s web-site, on Jan 4, 2011, construction activity is reportedly on the increase and construction employment is on the upswing in the majority of metro areas in the U.S. That’s good news for the Reprographics Industry.

    Add to that three more pieces of good news:

    Add to that three more bits and pieces of good “trend” news:

    (a) the CMBS market (financing) is beginning to come back to life. (Per articles I’ve read in the past three or four weeks), and

    (b) the AIA ABI Index is gaining momentum; has been 50+ three out of the four most recent months (over 50 for December, November and September, under 50 for October), and

    (c) the Reprographics 101 “PPoP” Index is gaining momentum and was greater on both a y/o/y basis and on a rolling quarter basis.

    Based on these factors, I’m going to “predict” that 2011 will be a better year for Reprographers than 2010 was. I’m also going to predict that Reprographers will see an increase in project activity, sequentially as the year progresses. My prediction is that ARC’s 2011 Sales will exceed ARC’s 2010 Sales by approximately 15%.

    Here’s some of the article I found on the AGC web-site:

    Construction spending in November totaled $810 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 0.4% from October and the third straight monthly gain, the Census Bureau reported on Monday. The total was down 6.0% from a year ago, the smallest year-over-year drop since April 2008. Private residential construction spending rose 0.7% for the month and fell 5.3% year-over-year. All three residential components rose for the month but fell year-over-year: multifamily, 3.0% and -30%; single-family, 0.6% and -3.0%; and improvements to existing single- and multifamily, 0.4% and -3.4%. Public construction rose 0.7% for the month and 4.2% year-over-year. Of the four biggest public components in descending order of current size, highway and street fell 1.0% for the month but climbed 6.9% over 12 months; public educational construction, 1.0% and -6.7%; public transportation, 1.2% and 0.5%; and sewage and waste disposal, -1.7% and 7.4%. Private nonresidential construction slipped 0.1% and 16.5%. In descending order of current size, private power rose 0.9% for the month (the fourth gain in a row) and fell 5.4% year-over-year; commercial (retail, warehouse and farm), -0.3% and -15%; manufacturing, -2.3% and -35%; health care, 0.8% and -6.0%; and private office, -1.7% and -24%.

    In a hopeful sign for private construction, “Big U.S. companies have cleaned up their balance sheets and, flush with cash, appear open to using it in 2011 on factories, stores and even hiring,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Corning Inc. “is investing $300 million to expand its research and development center near its headquarters in Corning, New York. [Cummins Inc. is] building a technical center in Seymour, Indiana, for huge engines used in mining equipment and oil rigs….Tractor Supply Co., a farm and ranch retail chain,…in 2011 will spend $50 million to erect a 840,000-square-foot distribution center in Kentucky and $20 million to retrofit four other distribution centers, said its chief financial officer, Anthony Crudele. After two years of selling warehouses, ProLogis will spend $800 million to $1 billion this year on new warehouses in the U.S., Europe and Asia….Kohl’s Corp. plans to open 40 of its discount stores in 2011…, said CEO Kevin Manning. While that’s more than the 30 stores Kohl’s opened in 2010, it is below prerecession levels of 75 to 100 annually….General Electric Co. said it…is expanding research operations in Brazil, China and Michigan.”

    “The amount of occupied U.S. office space increased for the first time in nearly three years during the fourth quarter of 2010 as more companies that had been postponing real-estate decisions got back into the leasing market,” the Journal reported today, citing a study of 79 metro areas by property-research firm Reis Inc. Average office rents rose by 0.2%, “registering their first uptick since the second quarter of 2008…The national vacancy rate of 17.6%, which remained unchanged from the third quarter of 2010, is the highest since 1993, according to Reis….Real-estate developers expect further pain this year as more debt comes due, refinancing options remain limited for many, and supply continues to exceed demand in overbuilt markets such as Phoenix and Las Vegas [where vacancy rates are] still hovering around 25%.”

    Construction employment increased in 71 metro areas, fell in 217 and remained level in 49, an AGC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed. The number of areas with increases was the largest since 2007. (BLS combines mining and logging with construction in metros that have few employers in one of the industries to prevent data disclosure.) Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale added the most construction jobs (3,100 jobs, 4%). Hanford-Corcoran, California added the highest percentage (33%, 300 combined jobs). Other areas adding large numbers of jobs included Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y. (2,200 combined jobs, 3%); Pittsburgh (2,100 jobs, 4%); Greeley, Colorado (1,400 combined jobs, 16%); and Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas (900 combined jobs, 5%). The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville metro division lost the most construction jobs (-14,800 jobs, -11%) of any area or division of a large area. Napa, Calif. (-1,900 combined jobs, -33%) lost the highest percentage. Other areas experiencing large declines in construction employment included Las Vegas-Paradise (-13,400 jobs, -23%); the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale division (-8,100 jobs, -7%); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta (-6,400 jobs, -7%); and the Oakland-Fremont-Hayward division (-5,900 jobs, -11%).

  • AIA ABI Index for December 2010 – above 50, again, for the 3rd time in the past four months

    Before you read the AIA ABI Index Press Release for December 2010 (published on January 19, 2011, and I found that on the calculatedriskblog.com web-site – and that’s a great blog to follow), I’d like to make some comments about a discussion I had with an Architect, over dinner in Budapest, Hungary on Monday night. I had asked him, “how’s business.” His response was (a) “we’ve had more new project inquiries in the past 30 days than we had (in total) during the previous six months, and” (b) “real estate developers we are talking to are indicating that the project financing market is coming back to life.” Those comments were made before the most recent AIA ABI Index Press Release was issued.

    As to the AIA ABI Index for December 2010, with a 50+ reading for December 2010, this marks the third month out of the past four months that the ABI Index has hit over 50. Historically, a reading of 50 or higher indicates increasing design activity. It “sounds like” we are finally seeing a “positive” trend!

    The Repro PPoP Index published on “Reprographics 101” also shows a positive trend.


    Here’s the most recent AIA ABI Index Press Release:

    Washington, D.C. – January 19, 2011 – “On the heels of its highest mark since 2007, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) jumped more than two points in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the December (2010) ABI score was 54.2, up from a reading of 52.0 the previous month. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 62.6, up slightly from a mark of 61.4 in November.” “This is more promising news that the design and construction industry is continuing to move toward a recovery,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. However, historically December is the most unpredictable month from a business standpoint, and therefore the most difficult month from which to interpret a trend. The coming quarter will give us a much better sense of the strength of the apparent upturn in design activity. The New Project Inquiries Index is at the highest level since July 2007 and the Billings Index is the highest level since November 2007, so both indexes are now above their pre-recession levels.

  • For Reprographers who are interested in expanding the scope of their services…. IDEAL-Cloud, "Technology for Today's Digital Reprographer"

    In a post on my blog on January 6, 2011, I did a write-up about an article that Shaun Meany (President of ARC’s PEiR Group) posted on his blog on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. The title of Shaun’s article was, “PEiR to Power Sales with New 2011 Theme”

    In the body of his article, Shaun said this:

    So what should a reprographer do? Reprographers need to have a sales culture that empowers their employees to sell other stuff besides printing. What stuff and how? We will get to this in later posts!”

    And, in response to what Shaun said, I said this, “I, for one, am very much looking forward to Shaun’s future posts, which, hopefully, will shed light on what reprographers should do!”

    Since his original post on January 4th and true to his word (his promise to share with reprographers “what do do”), Shaun has already posted two different articles, which are his suggestions to reprographers, so far.

    The two articles are:

    “2011 the Year to Emphasize your Managed Services” (FRIDAY, JAN 7, 2011) http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2011/01/reprographics-on-cloud.html

    “Cloud Printing Services” – Reprographics on the Cloud” (FRIDAY, JAN 14, 2011) http://peirgrouppointofview.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-is-year-to-emphasize-your-managed.html

    Related directly to the issue of “reprographers who want to expand the scope of their services”, I came across a recent Press Release from IDEAL about an SaaS/Cloud Printing service that IDEAL is offering to Reprographers – – – so that Reprographers can offer this service to their customers ……

    IDEAL- Cloud (Powered by KloudTracK.com)

    “Technology for Today’s Digital Reprographer”

    Cloud Based document management and workflow, provides alternative income source for (companies who are inReprographic Industry.

    IDEAL Scanners & Systems, long-time provider of innovative solutions for scanning, and document management today announces a new product for the Reprographic industry, designed to provide an alternate income source for Reprographers in the light of declining printing requirements. This Software-as-a-Service | Cloud Computing (SaaS | Cloud) platform enables Reprographers to provide their customers with the latest in workflow, and affords the Reprographer an opportunity to become an expert in technology that is in demand by his customers.

    Ideal-Cloud manages all types of scanned large and small documents as well as all types of CAD files, including corporate legacy data from IBM mainframe to SharePoint. Workflows can be created from one step to hundreds of steps, from one location to around the world, Involving small groups, to large groups of thousands of people or more.

    IDEAL-Cloud serves reprographers’ existing AEC client base and also opens up other market segments traditionally not served by the Reprographic community, such as, government, legal, health care. .

    IDEAL-Cloud integrates “modules,” delivered via a cloud computing architecture, that are designed to address the business process, data management, governance, risk mitigation and compliance (GRC) needs of businesses particularly in heavily-regulated and risk-sensitive industries. All the tools to build efficient workflows in a secure environment are provided by IDEAL-Cloud

    “No other industry is as well suited as Reprographics to offer document management workflows,” says Jay Magenheim, President of IDEAL. “They know how to provide scanning services and how to utilize pick-up and delivery workflows better than anyone. The future of the Reprographic industry depends on new business models that allow Reprographers to serve their traditional customers efficiently while establishing new customers in new markets. The great thing about providing a digital service like IDEAL-Cloud is the residual income.”

    We say start small and scale. Contact me and register your client with our non-compete. I will provide you with a survey that you can give to your customer. Upon receiving the survey back I will set up a customized demo for your customer with you. Many times customers will provide their own documents.

    This is truly a plug and pay scenario. Move your customer into IDEAL-Cloud and your customer will pay you over and over.

    IDEAL believes that IDEAL-Cloud will enable reprographic companies to evolve beyond print and become digital hubs with expertise in applying modern technology to new business models. Interested Reprographers are invited to contact sales@ideal.com for more information. Watch for upcoming announcements of online seminars which will focus on SaaS/Cloud computing for the Reprographic industry.

    About IDEAL

    IDEAL.com provides a wide range of small and large format scanning, indexing, archiving, converting and editing services and solutions for office documents and for the AEC, GIS , Reprographics, Medical, Legal, Financial, and other markets requiring document imaging.. We pride ourselves in developing ongoing relationships with our customers, dealers and business partners in establishing a common vision for the future of our technology to increase our productivity, profitability and growth. Our mission is to provide the best possible value, leading edge technologies, quality and service to our customers. For more information on IDEAL products and services, call 301-468-2050 or visit http://www.ideal.com