Sharp encourages its partners to grow
January 22, 2018
At Sharp’s international partner event, Inspire Expo 2018, Jeff Ashida, Sharp Europe’s President, told over 600 dealer representatives that the company is uniquely positioned to help them maximise profit now, and in the future.
Inspire 2018 took place from 15th – 18th January at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, with Sharp teams and dealer representatives attending from 40 countries.
Through presentations and an interactive exhibition, Sharp showed how it can help its partners to grow their businesses by leveraging Sharp’s new global business alliances and partnerships.
Sharp exhibited 15 new devices, all available for sale by March 2018, including a complete refresh of its A3 mono range, new A4 models, light production print systems, and a new BIG PAD (Sharp’s interactive whiteboard). Sharp also showed its vision for the smart meeting room, demonstrating voice control of an interactive display.
Nine partners joined Sharp in the exhibition hall, including Skywell, an atmospheric water generator company, which expects its water coolers to be licensed for sale in Europe in 2018, via Sharp.
In a keynote speech Jeff Ashida explained how Sharp is aggressively investing in new areas of technology where it has the potential to lead the world. Through R&D in areas including, for example, AIoT (a combination of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things), and 8K, Sharp is developing connected technologies to support new ways of living and working.
“It has been a momentous two years since our last flagship partner event,” said Jeff Ashida, President, Sharp Electronics Europe. “During that time, our alliance with Foxconn has enabled us to transform our business, which can already be seen by the number of new products launched today. However, Inspire Expo is not just about our transformation, but how we can support partners on the same journey.”
“We’re proud to present eco-systems of services built around the MFP, and Sharp’s unique mix of document and display solutions. We offer profit opportunities beyond the print portfolio, with a wider Sharp proposition that includes large format displays, videoconferencing and collaboration solutions, cloud and IT services. We’re offering all of the components that our partners need to create new and compelling packages for their customers, and to generate new revenue streams.”
Sharp’s exhibition area showed a journey through the main business functions of a typical customer, demonstrating how a new generation of award-winning Sharp hardware and Sharp Optimised Software Solutions, Applications and Services can help its dealers differentiate themselves in the market. For example, Sharp’s Accounts Payable solution automates manual invoice processing, making the process quicker and more accurate.
Sharp recently added IT Services to its portfolio, to help businesses maintain a reliable and resilient IT infrastructure. The services include continuous remote monitoring of the network with pre-emptive corrective action for maximum uptime, hardware maintenance and a cloud-enabled data restoration and disaster recovery service.
Sharp also strengthened its mono range with the launch of 10 new A3 models from 30-60ppm, based on its successful A3 colour MX-series. The refreshed range now means that whichever A3 device customers choose, whether colour or mono, the user and IT experience is the same. The new models offer a combination of intuitive and time-saving functions such as a customisable touch-screen interface, a motion sensor that detects approaching users (Advance models only), and an integrated pull printing solution as standard.
The mono Essential Series models (MX-M3050, MX-M3550, MX-M4050, MX-M5050 and MX-M6050) meet “all everyday office needs”, according to the OEM, with the option to upgrade as required. The Advance models (MX-M3070, MX-M3570, MX-M4070, MX-M5070 and MX-M6070) include a wider range of finishing options, and additional functions such as Office Direct Print and cloud connectivity.
Sharp also launched a completely new range of A4 mono MFPs, the result of its first joint venture with partner Foxconn. The new MX-B355W and MX-B455W Advanced Series models, available from March 2018, will have print speeds of 35 ppm and 45 ppm and offer the same workflow features and ease of use as Sharp’s A3 models. In addition to meeting all basic print, scan and copy needs, the A4 mono models can be integrated with existing network applications and public cloud services so information can be securely shared and accessed anywhere, anytime. For extra piece of mind, the models also come equipped with Sharp’s multi-layered security suite.
Meanwhile, Sharp’s new MX-7090N and MX-8090N Colour Document Systems are a refresh of Sharp’s light production product line, offering in-house print environments improved productivity and a better user experience. The new models will have copy and print speeds up to 80 pages per minute, and feature the same easy-to-use touchscreen interface as Sharp’s A3 and A4 office products. The wide range of input and finishing options available on the MX-7090N and MX-8090N means that users have the flexibility to produce brilliant quality materials tailored to the requirements of individual print jobs.
To save more time and reduce wastage, print room managers can also have greater control over print jobs with full access to Fiery Command WorkStation® right from the operation panel of the MFP, eliminating the need for additional workstations.
Categories : Around the Industry
