My SignShop creates high quality retail signs, labels, tags and more

In many cases, retail businesses rely on a local print shop or corporate headquarters to print their in-store signage. Corporate offices print the signage based on the following week’s sales, then sort, package and send the signage through the mail in bulky, expensive-to-ship containers to franchise stores across the country. The signs are then unloaded, sorted and placed on merchandise throughout the store.

Often times, these signs arrive late, damaged or both, among a host of other issues. This method of distributing signage also leaves the retail manager unable to respond to local price actions, which is key in today’s retail marketplace.

Lexmark is solving the need of retail stores to print signage on demand and on site with the announcement of the Lexmark mySignShop application. MySignShop dynamically builds professional looking signs in a variety of sizes and styles incorporating the customer’s brand and source data from a repository of product details. Combined with Lexmark color single function or multifunction printing devices, this application provides quality high impact signs on demand and in-house.

“This SMB solution delivers the capability to take a unique solution into a new vertical market for our authorized dealers,” said Doug Frazier, manager of Solutions Engagement, North America Channel Business Development, Lexmark. “MySignShop gives dealers a targeted and proven platform to gain entry into the retail environment.”

Because mySignShop is a hosted solution, there’s no server to set up or software to install. You just need a computer with Internet access and a printer.

License, maintenance, setup and a selection of sign templates are included with your subscription. Select from predesigned layouts of branded sign templates in various types and sizes. You can retrieve product information and “point and click” to print signs on demand.

Lexmark adds four new A3/ledger-capable devices to portfolio

Lexmark announced the addition of four new A3/ledger-capable devices to our portfolio of smart MFPs and printers. The Lexmark MS911 monochrome laser printer and Lexmark MX910 series of monochrome laser MFPs replace the previous Lexmark W850 and X860 series, providing a new design and more competitive A3 offerings to complete our enterprise portfolio.

Among the enhancements:

•All of the devices have a tilting eTask touch screen – 4.3-inch on the printer and 10-inch screen on the MFPs – enabling easy access to Lexmark solutions.

•The series reduces downtime with quick time to first print (as fast as 5.2 seconds), “shake-free” toner for fewer user interventions, high capacity input of up to 6,650 sheets and long-life components that require fewer interventions.

•Optional finishing features such as multi-position stapling and hole punching as well as automated folding functionality with saddle stitch binding simplify professional presentation.

•The ability to centrally manage device settings, even from a remote location, provides added security.

"Cost and size advantages of A4/letter devices often make them the best fit in most enterprise environments; however, having A3/ledger devices that can print on 11-inch by 17-inch media can be crucial for certain business applications," said Marty Canning, Lexmark executive vice president and president, ISS. "For those instances, the Lexmark MS911 and MX910 series products are excellent choices, providing simple and consistent user experiences across the fleet with productivity-enhancing solutions that bridge the paper and digital worlds across the enterprise."
 

Four reasons to bank on optimized workflow

What should your company look for in an optimized workflow solution? Perceptive Software’s InContext Magazine examines the benefits and defines the results to aspire to.

Information may be power, but it can also be a complex mess. That’s why organizations across the world and in all types of industries identify better information management as one of their most important goals today.

For example, when asked to name their current top priorities, more than half of the U.S. firms in a recent survey chose the ability to effectively make content available to their staffs when and where they needed it. 

While many workflow solutions are now available, not all of them provide the optimization and comprehensive range of capabilities organizations require. How can decision makers be sure they’re getting the best solution for their needs? 

Read the rest of the article on InContext’s blog, to learn more on how optimized workflow solutions can help streamline your business.

Five steps to effective MPS assessments in large enterprises

Managed Print Services (MPS) allows for the operational management of enterprise output devices. What goals should IT professionals have on their bucket list when looking to complete an effective MPS assessment? Read the article from Perceptive Software‘s InContext Magazine on the five steps that are must have’s when your company looks to reach output nirvana.

This essential steps can help enterprise managers tailor an MPS solution to their needs, define key performance indicators to keep the strategy on track, and create a framework for continuous improvement that guarantees MPS will remain a valuable resource for years to come.

Step 1: Define Business Goals
Step 2: Understand the Current Print Environment
Step 3: Identify Opportunities for Improvement
Step 4: Manage Change
Step 5: Prepare for Continuous Improvement

Lexmark’s corporate social responsibility spans the globe

Lexmark continues to receive accolades for its commitment to corporate social responsibility. In Mexico, Lexmark recently received the 2014 Empresa Socialmente Responsible (ESR) award (“Socially Responsible Company” award) from the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.

Known in Mexico as the Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía (CEMEFI), the center is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1988, that aims to promote a culture of philanthropy and social responsibility in Mexico and strengthen the organized participation of Mexican society.

“Lexmark Mexico is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen,” said Mario Pedreros, general manager of Lexmark Mexico. “In producing Lexmark products, we have committed to respect, conserve and restore the ecological environments in which we live and work. This commitment to our employees, customers and sustainability initiatives has led us to be recognized along with some of the top companies in Mexico with the ESR award.”

Lexmark was judged on four main criteria:

* Quality life in the enterprise
* Business ethics
* Enterprise/Community commitments
* Environmental preservation

Within these criteria, companies were judged on several other measurements including environmental codes and guidelines, certifications, and third-party acknowledgements, among others.

 

 

Top 10 reasons why savvy enterprises need smart MFPs

Smart multifunction printers? What are they and how do they work? Are you using them in your office to maximize efficiencies and help reduce workflows in your enterprise environment? If not, you need to read the following article, featured inInContext Magazine's

The best multifunction products go beyond output efficiency to become key components for enhancing business processes and managing valuable enterprise information. It’s no secret that multifunction products (MFPs) deliver efficiency in a box. The compact devices combine printer, scanner, copier and fax machine functionality in single networked units to serve a variety of workgroup and departmental needs. When one MFP does the work formerly done by four discrete devices, enterprises shrink hardware footprints and the costs and management overhead that come with running multiple machines. 

SMFPs are becoming onramps to larger information ecosystems that enable enterprises to replace paper with electronic documents and optimize business processes throughout their organizations. 

What makes SMFPs so smart? Industry research points to 10 core characteristics:

1.  Integrated tools for productivity and business process efficiency
2. Support for structured and unstructured information 
3. Programmable interfaces to third-party solutions
4. Flexible touch screen displays
5. Easy upgrades
6. Centralized management
7. Flexible replenishment options
8. Information integrity
9. Information and network security
10. Support for a diverse workforce

Teachers get inspired: Meet Bethany Neel, 2014 INSPIRE Award recipient

Lexmark has honored a math specialist in Paris, Ky., with INSPIRE: Lexmark’s Teaching Award. The program recognizes outstanding Central Kentucky area elementary, middle and high school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers.

Bethany Neel, a math interventionist/resource teacher at Cane Ridge Elementary School, was presented with an INSPIRE award presented in front of her peers and students last month.

Neel is involved with school-wide mathematics professional development and is a proponent of strategy-based mental math/computational instructional methods. As an example, she introduced Number Talks to the classrooms, which are short activities focused on mental math strategies. Students are solving math problems pulled from their daily lives.

Lexmark presented Neel with a $1,000 award to be used to promote STEM education at her school.

Know an outstanding STEM teacher? Nominate him/her now!

In order to be eligible for the INSPIRE award, a teacher must receive an online nomination as well as one reference letter from students, colleagues, parents, school administrators or community leaders. Eligible nominees must teach elementary, middle or high school students in one of the following Central Kentucky counties: Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott and Woodford. Nominations can be made on the INSPIRE: Lexmark’s Teaching Award page on Lexmark.com.