DOTC's ReCharger2010 Pre-Show Review: Who To See

January 1, 2010, I was given the honor of trying to pull a messed up, terribly run, unprofitable MPS Practice out of the fire - Operation Phoenix.

It is true that I have been involved, writing about, evaluating, talking, being sold and advised on all things MPS. Not only therotically, but in practice.

What I know about MPS is both utilized and enhanced by my "day job" - I talk the talk, and sell the dream.

There is nothing anybody can say to me now, that I haven't heard or recognized about MPS.

For example, I could go back to articles I created almost two years ago, and repost as new, the content is still, if not more, relevant today.

Since the show in May, I have been inundated with many vendor programs, MPS software, assessment training and "How to" webinars/seminars, they are starting to look alike - not just because of plagiarism.

I think I may be the only person in the world who has seen under the hood of both Canon and Ricoh's MDS programs; evaluated PrintAudit, FMAudit, and PrintFleet - two and three times over the past 3 years and utilize some of the best HP tools ever created.

I have witnessed PagePack evolve from version 1.0 to 3.0(there never was a PPack 2.0). I know the difference between Cabon 6 and Axess; CompTIA and Your MPSA - I remember when Great America was simply a "leasing company" and barrister meant "lawyer".

I am on Managed Print Services 'overload'.

Enter, Recharger 2010, next week in Vegas.

For me, what could be better? Vegas, a scant four hour drive, and Managed Print Services - booze, pole dancing BlackJack and output Geeks - Nirvana.

Next week, during the show, I will be out of cell range, off the grid. No laptop, no phone and barely any GPS and no MPS.

Into the Sierra Nevada's - almost 100 miles of 4x4 only trails behind me.

But - I can't leave without a few words regarding the 2010 Recharger Expo.

The Declaration of Independence and Managed Print Services

You think you got it tough? What, your manager, the one who can't spell M-P-S, let alone sell it, wants to go on a ride-along? Your funnel isn't up to snuff? Is it Tuesday and you need to sit in on one, more MPS training/con call? Is your dealership owner STILL fumbling around with your MPS compensation plan? Really? The economy gotcha down? Poor baby. Well, tell me this, tough-guy - every time you sign your name, endorsing your paycheck, it feels pretty good, doesn't it? How about the feeling you get, watching a prospect, turn into a client, scratching his name next to the "X" on one of your agreements? Nice, isn't it? Have you ever once, considered that your or your clients' signature, the simple act of writing your name on a piece of paper, would result in your death sentence? That by acknowledging your beliefs, your ideals, by taking a stand, deciding what is right and what is wrong, and signing "for it", you would be pursued and vilified all over the land, your house was taken, your friends killed and in the end, your neck at the end of a rope. And so it was, that hot July in 1776. 55 men signed their name on a piece of parchment - all knew that if this great endeavor failed, they would be publicly hung, the families ruined and shamed. And still, they put pen to sheepskin, ink into ideas - changing the world, changing mankind, forever. Happy Fourth.

School House Rock - Shot Heard 'Round the World (America Rock)

You absolutely, know, that this little cartoon would never show up in a school today.

Yet, back in the Seventy's, this was actually shown on TV! Gasp!