Replacing the printer and copier business

[MarioTech]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

You have done well. I'm a one man shop so I don't have the flexibility to venture into I.T. to the extent you have. I work on the usual network stuff as it relates to the copiers. If I can keep the copiers I sell my customers running, for now that it enough. I always ask my customers about their computing situation. How they get there machines fixed. How does the software perform on their machines. It seems office 365 is very popular as is quick books. Most of my customers don't use an I.T. professional unless there is a problem. Some of my bigger customers have some sort of agreement with an I.T. company for routine maintenance, backups etc... but they are the exception.

Exactly what I noticed from PC and IT aspect, most of my small clients don't have anyone to take care of their IT needs and when they have an issue they call geeksquad or one of those services and I found out their fees and beat them. And as I showed them the cost from one of those services and my services they didn't hesitate to give me a try and slowly within the past 2 years I'd say I ventured into the IT side of my clients, however when I need a server guy I use a really good one and I just get a small piece as I subcontract to him. Back in the days you only needed to fix an analog copier, then a printer/ copier then fax/printer/copier/scanner so we evolved with the needs of the business I'd say. But there's so much to learn that just me and a few techs aren't enough to fulfill all the network needs, I wish I had the time to learn but it's just impossible with everything we do.

[adecanmin]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Exactly what I noticed from PC and IT aspect, most of my small clients don't have anyone to take care of their IT needs and when they have an issue they call geeksquad or one of those services and I found out their fees and beat them. And as I showed them the cost from one of those services and my services they didn't hesitate to give me a try and slowly within the past 2 years I'd say I ventured into the IT side of my clients, however when I need a server guy I use a really good one and I just get a small piece as I subcontract to him. Back in the days you only needed to fix an analog copier, then a printer/ copier then fax/printer/copier/scanner so we evolved with the needs of the business I'd say. But there's so much to learn that just me and a few techs aren't enough to fulfill all the network needs, I wish I had the time to learn but it's just impossible with everything we do.

A few final points. 80 percent of my customers are workgroup instead of a windows domain. I'm seeing more Apple machines being used in a work environment.

[MarioTech]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

A few final points. 80 percent of my customers are workgroup instead of a windows domain. I'm seeing more Apple machines being used in a work environment.

Correct, this actually brought some sales to me as the older units they had didn't support new Mac drivers even though they printed perfect colors. The challenge I usually have with Mac's is the setup to scan to file, most need updates and rarely the clients have them up to latest OS version so I gotta go back once they get it done and in some cases 3 times as each employee takes their sweet time to get it done and place the call to finalize installation. I never got into the Mac world more than I needed to, that's for next life.

[theengel]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Let's put COVID aside for a minute.

The industry isn't dying. My company made record profits year over year. We aren't mammoth but we aren't small. Our owner is smart and dedicated. He will get us through COVID and probably will eat up shops that closed on the way.

You must have a good boss who knows how to keep a company going even when everything's against it. But you can't put your head in the sand. The company I worked for had fifty techs in this city, and they're down to 10. And MOST of the other copier dealers in the area have downsized just as much. The mere fact that most of the guys on this forum are so old (and many of them on their own) should tell you something. The industry itself is dying. Denying that would be the equivalent of denying the typewriter death thirty years ago.

[JLSam]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Can one company do it all? And do it well? Sears in the 70s and 80s tried that with real estate, insurance, banking and retail. I don't think it worked out too well for them. I believe in specialization. Instead of being all things maybe learn 2 things well and go from there. Specialists in the medical field make a lot more money than a someone in general practice.

I've read stories about companies buying other companies to expand their offerings, then years later they spin them off because the venture did not work out.

Nah man. That big tech, we're not doing that. Also, our services are for our clients that want a low price IT dept, but we specialize. It's not like we do everything. Basic server set up is easy, setting up a rack is easy. Cabling a new office is easy. This stuff is pretty much basic. RFID cards for copiers are a common practice and are a natural option with User Authentication. We're not doing something huge, it's just that we CAN, and we can do it WELL. If a tech can't make a cat 6 cable, I'm not sure if he/she should be in the industry anymore in my opinion. If a tech can't set up basic SMB scanning... bruh, I don't know what to tell you. This stuff is basic for us.

But our services are for small business. Whose needs are "I want to print and scan". It's working out for us just fine.

You must have a good boss who knows how to keep a company going even when everything's against it. But you can't put your head in the sand. The company I worked for had fifty techs in this city, and they're down to 10. And MOST of the other copier dealers in the area have downsized just as much. The mere fact that most of the guys on this forum are so old (and many of them on their own) should tell you something. The industry itself is dying. Denying that would be the equivalent of denying the typewriter death thirty years ago.

Well, I'm 30 from a new generation "Hybrid techs" (Look up Copier Careers report). The industry at the moment is fine, and again, people AND gov has said paperless was INEVITABLE 20 years ago. Heck, there was even a mandate that ALL PAPERWORK was to be electronic by LATEST 2003.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Implementation-of-the-Government-Paperwork-Elimination-Act-May2-2000.pdf

We have Gov' Clients, and let me tell you, they use up trees like a hot knife through butter.

This is the fundamental reality, and anyone in the industry should take hope in this next sentence.
"As long as there is Government, there will always be a need for paper". Governments love bureaucracy.

The real threat are conglomerates taking over the small business. Some of us could loose tech support. Like if Sharp buys off Brother, some brother ccrs could get the boot. That will be an industry killer.

But that's why you should study networking man, we are basically under the same umbrella. Heck, A+ covers printing and fuser sleeve replacements believe it or not.

Courage guys, Covid will die off soon. Take advantage of the free time, and study networking, learn to code, get your python cert, or A+, or N+, or CCENT or CCNA. Don't be stagnant!

[theengel]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Well, I'm 30 from a new generation "Hybrid techs" (Look up Copier Careers report).

I guess that explains everything.

My point is that "printer and copier repair" is a dying industry. You're too young to remember the giant fleets of copier repair guys. Each city had at least five or six dealers--and they employed hundreds of men in ties to go out and fix the things. I remember when I was 25 and people were talking about the 'dying' industry then, and my service manager scoffed. He managed 47 men. Now, whoever has his position, manages 10. The IT took some of those guys, but they don't have nearly as many field techs as the copier side once did.

In fact, your answer proves this point exactly--you're sliding over to IT, because every year less and less people print.

I feel sorry for the guys who are mechanical masterminds, and could fix anything that rolls, slides, or rotates, but have a hard time with computers. Those are specifically the people I'm thinking of when I started this thread. There's got to be SOMETHING left to fix.

I guess cars will always be there.

[adecanmin]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

I guess that explains everything.

My point is that "printer and copier repair" is a dying industry. You're too young to remember the giant fleets of copier repair guys. Each city had at least five or six dealers--and they employed hundreds of men in ties to go out and fix the things. I remember when I was 25 and people were talking about the 'dying' industry then, and my service manager scoffed. He managed 47 men. Now, whoever has his position, manages 10. The IT took some of those guys, but they don't have nearly as many field techs as the copier side once did.

In fact, your answer proves this point exactly--you're sliding over to IT, because every year less and less people print.

I feel sorry for the guys who are mechanical masterminds, and could fix anything that rolls, slides, or rotates, but have a hard time with computers. Those are specifically the people I'm thinking of when I started this thread. There's got to be SOMETHING left to fix.

I guess cars will always be there.

I remember those days. I'm amazed copiers are still being used today all be it less so. A.I. is the next technology that is going to decimate white collar workers. Robots will replace fast food workers, construction workers. They are even working on robots that will pick crops in the fields. These new technologies will need engineers and technicians to keep things humming, but the new jobs will never replace the ones that are lost. We will need to get a universal income check from the government when our jobs are replaced by A.I. or robots.

[JLSam]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

I guess that explains everything.

My point is that "printer and copier repair" is a dying industry. You're too young to remember the giant fleets of copier repair guys. Each city had at least five or six dealers--and they employed hundreds of men in ties to go out and fix the things. I remember when I was 25 and people were talking about the 'dying' industry then, and my service manager scoffed. He managed 47 men. Now, whoever has his position, manages 10. The IT took some of those guys, but they don't have nearly as many field techs as the copier side once did.

In fact, your answer proves this point exactly--you're sliding over to IT, because every year less and less people print.

I feel sorry for the guys who are mechanical masterminds, and could fix anything that rolls, slides, or rotates, but have a hard time with computers. Those are specifically the people I'm thinking of when I started this thread. There's got to be SOMETHING left to fix.

I guess cars will always be there.

I hear you, and your point is valid referring to my lack of experience in terms of time spent in the industry. You're right, from my perspective, all I see is my peers who refuse to learn basic computer networking skills.

And it boggles me because yeah, they are masters of electrical mechanical engineering. Many of them fix boards at component level, on site. Impressive really.

However, paper is necessary. And it's always going to be prevalent because of security, and government.

Maybe it's not dying, just maturing.

Sad to see you old prunes die off because of techs my age. It's generational barrier I suppose. (I jest, it's a joke)

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[theengel]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

And it boggles me because yeah, they are masters of electrical mechanical engineering. Many of them fix boards at component level, on site. Impressive really.

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Look, my dad taught me everything I know. We once set up a system of switches, relays, and timers on a piece of wood to take the place of my washer/dryer PCB because it blew and I couldn't afford a new one. But he just couldn't figure out computers. I would try to explain file systems to him damn near once a week. And he tried--he really did. But for some reason, he just couldn't get it.

Two months ago I wanted to do a little project and I tried to start learning C-sharp. I know a couple other languages, but I haven't tried to learn a new one in 15 years. And for some reason, I'm not getting it. I think for some men age effects us that way.

[tsbservice]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

...
Two months ago I wanted to do a little project and I tried to start learning C-sharp. I know a couple other languages, but I haven't tried to learn a new one in 15 years. And for some reason, I'm not getting it. I think for some men age effects us that way.

The way you learn and understand at age of 20 is 10 times better than at 40. That's normal.

[joeh]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

[QUOTE=tsbservice;1534695]

[DRichard]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Lol, "they've" been saying that since the 90's.

I've been trying to get my CCNA from Cisco, I hope to get my cert this year. We dabble with IT support as well, and that's helping.

We hope one day to be a one stop place for all your Office needs.

Toner? No problem.
Need a printer? We got you.
A scanner? This is the best one.
A copier? This model is the latest and greatest.
New PC? Easy install to network.
Need network patchwork? Easy peazy.
Got a virus? We will clean it for you.
Need VoIP? I got options.
PC doesn't turn on? A+ certified here, I'll replace that power supply.



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That's where we have been heading for the last couple of years. Just recently we have begun looking at facial recognition for secure access to work places. Integrated in that is body temperature checking. If the software thinks you are running a fever...ACCESS DENIED! (thanks COVID) We are becoming a one-stop-shop as you have already mentioned.

[richs]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Still selling machines here.They seem to work a lot better so less people need to maintain .The techs are getting very old too.I am the young guy here at 58.

[anothertech]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

[QUOTE=joeh;1535183]I will be 60 years old in a few months. As I was reading this I was thinking I could have written these same words. I am the only tech left I my area that would have taken probably 6-8 tech to service 35 years ago.

[Synaux]

Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

Lol, "they've" been saying that since the 90's.

I've been trying to get my CCNA from Cisco, I hope to get my cert this year. We dabble with IT support as well, and that's helping.

We hope one day to be a one stop place for all your Office needs.

Toner? No problem.
Need a printer? We got you.
A scanner? This is the best one.
A copier? This model is the latest and greatest.
New PC? Easy install to network.
Need network patchwork? Easy peazy.
Got a virus? We will clean it for you.
Need VoIP? I got options.
PC doesn't turn on? A+ certified here, I'll replace that power supply.



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I have not read all the posts... I would add tablets and phones repair (which is a crap-shoot at times, but it will eventually replace a huge portion of the PC market).
I kind of already do this--I do not advertise it enough--along with most of the rest of your list (with some mechanic jobs on top). However, I am not sure being a distributor for Toner/Ink is worthwhile. We dabbled in that for a moment years ago...wasn't worth the effort and now with the internet the way it is, no way (unless you have a badass distributor and even at that inventory kills the notion).

Kind of funny scenario here, I was just tasked with finding an affordable flatbed 11x17 high resolution scanner. I started looking and got cross-eyed. Thoughts?