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  1. #21
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts theengel's Avatar
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by JLSam View Post

    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.

  2. #22
    Senior Tech 250+ Posts
    Replacing the printer and copier business


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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by theengel View Post
    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.

  3. #23
    Field Supervisor 500+ Posts JLSam's Avatar
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by theengel View Post
    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)

    Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

  4. #24
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts theengel's Avatar
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by JLSam View Post
    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.

    Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
    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.

  5. #25
    Service Manager 5,000+ Posts tsbservice's Avatar
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by theengel View Post
    ...
    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.
    A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost, he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

    Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.

    I don't reply to private messages from end users.

  6. #26
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    [QUOTE=tsbservice;1534695]The way you learn and understand at age of 20 is 10 times better than at 40. That's normal.[/QUOTE

    ”Learning new things” is much harder for me than it was even 10 years ago. At 60 years old, I’m more worried about my short term memory; another way of saying I’m getting absent minded.
    There is no question the hardware tech field has just about disappeared, but if you didn’t start on your IT training years ago, you probably waited too long. Hopefully most of you can limp to retirement, where your standard of living is basically going to be determined by you wife’s resources.
    I don’t have anything encouraging to say. Whatever opportunities await any of us, your competition for those jobs is going to be younger and sharper. Your best qualifications maybe a patient, steady temperament that allows you to stay focused on a task till it’s completed.

  7. #27
    Senior Tech 250+ Posts DRichard's Avatar
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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by JLSam View Post
    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.



    Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
    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.

  8. #28
    Senior Tech 100+ Posts
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    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.

  9. #29
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts
    Replacing the printer and copier business


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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    [QUOTE=joeh;1535183]
    Quote Originally Posted by tsbservice View Post
    The way you learn and understand at age of 20 is 10 times better than at 40. That's normal.[/QUOTE

    ”Learning new things” is much harder for me than it was even 10 years ago. At 60 years old, I’m more worried about my short term memory; another way of saying I’m getting absent minded.
    There is no question the hardware tech field has just about disappeared, but if you didn’t start on your IT training years ago, you probably waited too long. Hopefully most of you can limp to retirement, where your standard of living is basically going to be determined by you wife’s resources.
    I don’t have anything encouraging to say. Whatever opportunities await any of us, your competition for those jobs is going to be younger and sharper. Your best qualifications maybe a patient, steady temperament that allows you to stay focused on a task till it’s completed.
    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.

  10. #30
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts
    Replacing the printer and copier business


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    Re: Replacing the printer and copier business

    Quote Originally Posted by JLSam View Post
    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.



    Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
    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?

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