ITEX’08 will include some of the best mindshare in the business to help you formulate a better, and more effective business plan. Over the past months, imageSource has focused on a variety of companies that offer new methods & who’ll be at the show. Here’s more:

1st Vendor-Neutral Printing/Document Imaging Certification
“CompTIA PDI+ validates a broad range of technical and business skills for today’s print technician,” says Richard Rysiewicz, Vice President, Services, for CompTIA, and who gives us the following information:

As customers eschew single-function printers for multi-function peripherals, industry players recognize that the skills of the technicians servicing and supporting theses devices must evolve as well. The requirement to raise foundation-level technical competency on imaging/output devices is critical, so that repair activities on these devices occur in an efficient and economical manner. To raise skill standards for IT professionals working with today’s advanced printing & document imaging technologies, more than a dozen leading companies in the industry have come together to develop a new certification.

CompTIA Printing and Document Imaging (CompTIA PDI+) certification was launched worldwide in early January by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the world’s leading provider of vendor-neutral certifications for the global tech workforce. By establishing a uniform standard of performance for printing and document imaging technicians, the industry has demonstrated its commitment to greater productivity and higher first time fix-rates.

OEMs and their channel partners also will benefit from use of the CompTIA PDI+ because it will help them reduce the costs of recruiting, hiring & training technicians to service & support printing & document imaging devices. Among the companies supporting CompTIA PDI+: Data Vault; HP; Konica Minolta Business Solutions; Lexmark, Parts Now!; Pitney Bowes; Ricoh Americas Corp.; Sharp Electronics; Sharp Electronics of Canada; Specialized Solutions; Brother International; Canon and Xerox Corporations. CompTIA PDI+ certifies that an individual has the required baseline technical skills to service & support printing & document imaging devices, as well as then communications skills for good customer service. Certification covers:

● Print Engine Process and Components – 21% of exam
● Scan Process and Components – 10%
● General Troubleshooting – 23%
● Basic Electromechanical Components and Tools – 13%
● Connectivity – 11%
● Color Theory – 8%
● Professionalism and Communication – 8%
● Safety and Environment – 6%

Candidates for this certification include service technicians, support technicians, help desk staff, and other IT professionals who are responsible for the installation, connectivity, maintenance, repair & support of printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and MFP devices. While there are no prerequisites for the certification exam, it is recommended that candidates have foundation-level knowledge & hands-on experience working with printing & document imaging devices. This certification is also relevant for more seasoned technicians interested in an industry-accepted credential that validates their skill set. At ITEX booth 823.

After Selecting a Solutions Partner
As many are aware, the core methodology behind DocuWare, is to provide the ability to capture, organize and manage all business documents, regardless of source or format – for example, paper records, letters, faxes, drawings, PC and other electronic files including e-mail. Having all document types in one central document pool, meaning an electronic file cabinet, makes automating business processes easier. Ultimately, with one search, authorized users can instantly access all documents. The goal of DocuWare is to provide the mid-size market with an IDM solution that offers Enterprise Content Management (ECM) functionality that is still sold and supported through the channel.

Thomas Schneck, President of DocuWare AG, will specifically address ITEX attendees through the education session: You Have Selected a Document Management Solutions Partner, What’s Next? Selecting a document management solution poses many challenges for dealerships entering the solutions fray. Schneck will address a 90 day plan to ramp up your organization’s ability to transition your business from a “box” orientation to a “solutions” one in a highly successful manner, from a DM ISV whose demonstrated formula for copier dealerships will assist in making this critical business transition. Learn to: identify the right solution sales & tech specialists among employees/or hire outside; define a motivating compensation plan for sales reps & solution specialists; plan a kick-off event which excites the company about solution selling; fill your pipeline with prospects for your new solution offering; identify the pain points of each individual prospect; create convincing proof-of-concepts and ROI; give powerful C-level presentations & more. At ITEX booth 717.