Toshiba Outlines Ai Strategy at ECS Scottsdale

 

by Celeste Dame

​Scottsdale, AZ — At the recent Executive Connection Summit (ECS) in Scottsdale, Toshiba executives detailed the company’s evolving approach to Ai and automation, emphasizing its application in sales, service, and operational efficiency. The presentation, delivered to an audience of industry professionals and dealers, aimed to showcase Toshiba’s strategic direction and highlight the potential benefits of Ai-driven tools for its dealer network. 

Xerox at ECS 2025: A Bold Bet on A4, AI, and the Dealer Channel

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By Celeste Dame, 2/5/20250 

Xerox took the stage at ECS 2025 with a message that was both bold and familiar. The company, long synonymous with print, declared its intent to redefine itself as a data and workflow powerhouse. It wasn’t the first time Xerox promised transformation, but this time the message carried weight. The stakes are higher, the competition more aggressive, and the expectations from dealers and customers more pressing.

One of the biggest headlines came with the announcement of Xerox’s intent to acquire Lexmark, a move that signals a full-scale assault on the A4 market. A4 is the only segment of print that’s still growing, and right now HP dominates it. Xerox, by bringing Lexmark under its umbrella, is making it clear that it sees A4 as its best path forward.

Key Insights from the Executive Connection Summit By Charlie G. Peterson

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AI’s Transformational Role in Office Technology

By Charlie G. Peterson, 2/5/20250

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At the Executive Connection Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, artificial intelligence was no longer an abstract topic for the future—it was at the heart of nearly every discussion, signaling a new era of business strategy and innovation. While diversification, managed IT services, and cybersecurity were major themes, AI emerged as the true force reshaping the industry. The conversation made one thing clear: companies that fail to embrace AI risk falling behind, while those that integrate it strategically are already seeing significant gains.

New to Copier Sales — Begin the Self-Training Journey With AI

Manager to new copier rep: “Learning how to sell copiers around here is like drinking from a fire hose.”  It’s one of the many sales mantras that echoes for eternity, and it’s timeless because it’s true.

​​A Counterpoint to Ray's "Desert Mirage": Rethinking Industry Innovation

By Robert G. Jordan

In a fiery critique delivered in "It's the End of the Day with Ray," the discussion leans heavily into skepticism, dubbing industry efforts toward modernization as misguided quests fueled by emotional fervor rather than rational business strategies.

​This response article aims to explore the opposite side of the coin, advocating that the pursuit of innovation, despite risks and occasional missteps, is not only justified but essential for the evolution of any industry.

Year-End Predictions: Familiar Ground and Bold Frontiers

Year-end predictions are like sales forecasts — they are always wrong.  Well, most of the time. Predicting what will happen in our little niche is more and more difficult with every turn of the calendar. This year is no different.

With AI reshaping everything — industry consolidation, people in offices, the ongoing decline of print, and dealerships merging into larger conglomerates — predicting the future of the copier industry, even just 30 days from now, let alone in 2025, is inconceivable. Anyone who says differently is selling something.

But we’ll do just that. There is much to look forward to in office technology and good tidings in the future. I hope to cover a few of them here today.

​Gar's 2025 Twelve Predictions for the Future of the Copier Industry

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By Gareth P. Tenet

The office technology industry is on the brink of a transformative shift, powered by Ai’s rapid advancements and the relentless push for digitization. For example, global Ai investments in business operations have surged by over 50% in the past three years, reflecting a widespread recognition of its transformative potential.