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Printers and the Internet -- Time for Tough Love?
Printers are finally tangled in the net. Internet bidding on print jobs
is becoming a very hot issue. In the latest TrendWatch survey, 18% of
commercial printers say they currently participate in Internet job bidding
and another 14% say they plan to do it in the next two years. Sound pretty
good?
Here's the kicker -- one in five (20%) say they will NOT participate in Internet job bidding in the next two years. In a related question, 23% of commercial printers are concerned about its possible negative effect on their business in the next few years. Obviously printers are split on this subject. Watch for usage to change as soon as printers have success with it or lose business to it -- whichever comes first.
If you're a dot-com company, how printers use the Internet is critical business-development information. If you're a printer, becoming Internet savvy will be a key part of your ability to stay in business (not just Internet bidding, but many customer-focused activities). If you're a consultant, this stuff is just great fodder.
A TrendWatch axiom is, "printers don't buy new technology until they first lose business to it." For decades, this cautious view has saved printers billions in mis-spent investments (and frustrated vendors to no end). We wonder, though, if today's "Internet time" will be another barrier for printers. They've never been known to make hasty investment decisions. Ever thought of going snail hunting for the thrill of the chase?
For more information about how you can receive TrendWatch graphic arts and publishing market information reports, contact Dr. Joseph Webb or James R. Whittington, CMC, TrendWatch partners (info@trendwatch.com) or call 800-283-8063.