February 2009
The Power of Innovation
Océ Named Innovator of the Year
First-hand learning at Innovation Events
A New Chapter in Book Production
Digital Nirvana
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Innovation is one of those terms that is often tossed around so casually that it has little meaning. Equipment and software vendors routinely claim their latest offerings are "innovative," or that a product "is the latest in a long line of innovative technology." This sounds great, but so often it is just hyperbole to attract attention to something that is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Then there's real innovation, the kind that defies conventional wisdom by doing something everyone else says can't be done.
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Innovator of the Year
The difference between evolutionary and revolutionary
Innovation often comes by by refusing to believe in the word "impossible." The fact is, impossible is usually not a fact but an opinion, a perception. To innovators, "impossible" offers potential. Or, as it's painted on the wall of a New Orleans school that rose out of the waters of Hurricane Katrina, "Impossible is Nothing." Yet taking on the impossible, like building an ink jet printer that can print a MICR line on a check as an integrated part of the engine, is the sort of change that moves an industry forward.
Knowing that true innovation is the difference between evolutionary and revolutionary change, Xplor International has just chosen Océ North America as Innovator of the Year for introduction of its Océ JetStream ink jet printer with integrated MICR. According to Xplor selection requirements, Océ has advanced a technology that notably enhances the capabilities of electronic document systems.
The Océ JetStream system is the first to integrate MICR ink into a full process digital ink jet color engine as an all-in-one solution to support both high-volume color inkjet printing and MICR applications on a single platform. This lets print professionals produce convenience and full-color checks with complete reliability, security and error recovery. Enhancements like MICR printing and Océ multi-level printing for output versatility give customers more ways to leverage their investment in high speed color technology.
"The Xplor Awards Committee was extremely impressed with the seamless eloquence of the MICR integration, the use of ink jet technology printing MICR, the versatility of the system, and rich color quality of the Océ JetStream product," said Xplor International President and CEO, Skip Henk, EDP. The award will be presented on March 4, 2009 during the 2009 Xplor Global Conference and Exhibition being held at St. Pete Beach, Florida.
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First-hand Learning at Innovation Events
Turning digital innovation into business advantage
A rich mix of print professionals, industry experts and Océ executives spent a full day exploring the positive impact of digital innovation on their businesses. The event was the first in a series to be hosted by Océ North America at the new Customer Experience Center in Boca Raton, Florida. The world-class, eighteen thousand square foot facility, showed attendees digital innovation in action across the full breadth of Océ products.
James Martin, Plant Manager for Envision Digital Print, found the sessions and networking productive in many ways. “I liked the interaction of it. We were getting personalized attention from the entire Océ staff. With hands-on time in the demo center on the equipment and talking to experts who know and understand the technology and my business needs, it was an excellent investment of my time and answered questions that were huge to my business.”
The educational sessions focused on trends that are reshaping document requirements, such as workflow, digital color, environmental sustainability, TransPromo communications, and security. Thought leaders presented sessions designed to help companies better understand how innovation can position them for success in all kinds of economic conditions.
TransPromo: A Process, Not a One-Time Solution
Drawing on her extensive background in creating relevant, personalized communications, Elizabeth Gooding, president of Insight Forums, led a comprehensive look at cost savings and revenue opportunities made possible with TransPromo communications.
“TransPromo is a process, not a ‘one time’ solution,” she explains. “Over time, it can maximize long-term customer value, reach new customers through existing customers, and reduce service costs.”
"It was a great networking event with a lot of information sharing,” said Gooding. “People are hungry for information on how to improve their operations. These attendees weren’t focused on feeds and speeds, but on the services and support necessary to get the most out of their investment. Everyone at the event clearly benefited from the information exchange."
Green Is Good Business
Michelle Sheldon, president of Eco Promotional Products, explored how to transform sustainability into a competitive advantage. “If product, performance, price and place are right for you, then environmental and social responsibility will be a differentiator to build business.”
“Océ again demonstrated it is not just a supplier, but a true partner with its customers, working toward the common goals associated with sustainability," she continues. "I came away from the event feeling the attendees were grateful that Océ understands and addresses their business needs, especially with regard to their interests in sustainability.”
Tough Decisions for Tough Times: Biggest Risk Is Doing Nothing
Charlie Corr, chief strategist for on-line print service provider Mimeo.com, focused on “Decision Making in a Challenging Economy.” He session looked at how to make strategic investments that improve business processes and how digital innovation plays a role in that effort.
“Cost and process improvement opportunities must be addressed," notes Corr. "Real savings are realized by reengineering business processes and leveraging changes in technology. The largest risk is to do nothing. Most organizations are ill prepared to institute effective change. Organizations need an ‘advocate’ to address these issues effectively.”
“Companies need every advantage to survive and thrive today, and we believe innovation can make a difference in positioning for future growth,” says Joseph Skrzypczak, President and CEO, Océ North America. “The value of innovation is in how it can move a business forward in new ways and help it become more competitive. This is an area where we can deliver value to our customers and help them succeed, both through our technology and through educational events like this series of VIP Innovation Events.”
"I have to give Océ a lot of credit," says Martin from Envision Digital Print. "Océ has always treated their customers exceptionally well and has stood out in that regard. From networking with other attendees, I know they felt the same way."
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Opening a new Chapter in Book Printing
Quebecor World and the Océ VarioStream 9210
Visionary book printers around the world are transforming the book publishing supply chain using digital technology to print books in increasingly short runs. Faced with customer demand for just-in-time printing, higher print resolution and excellent halftone quality, Quebecor World recently added an Océ VarioStream 9210 digital printer at its Dubuque, Iowa plant. The result: the company has been able to exceed customer expectations for quality in short-run books and increase its share of the short-run book printing market.
A value-based proposition
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About Océ
Océ is a leading international provider of digital document management technology and services. The company’s solutions are based on Océ’s advanced software applications that deliver documents and data over internal networks and the Internet to printing devices and archives -- locally and around the world. Supporting the workflow solutions are Océ digital printers and scanners, considered the most reliable and productive in the world. Océ also offers a wide range of display graphics, consulting and outsourcing solutions.
Océ employs around 23,000 people, with 2008 revenues of approximately $4.3 billion, operates in more than 90 countries and maintains research and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Romania and Singapore. Océ North America is headquartered in Trumbull, CT, with additional business units in Chicago, IL; New York City; Boca Raton, FL; Salt Lake City, UT and Vancouver, BC. North American revenues represented approximately half of Océ’s worldwide business in 2008, and employment is approximately 10,000. For more information about Océ, visit www.oceusa.com. Outside the U.S., consult www.oce.com.
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