The transition from buying software from physical boxes to subscriptions was one of the biggest innovations of the cloud era to date, but over time there is a new model that is gaining traction. This usage-based model gives customers more flexibility, regardless of when they experience peak demand, and doesn’t force them to pay for product features they don’t use. It also allows customers to start using new tools without too much risk or heavy investment, as you can start at a very small scale and scale up quickly when you start to see success.
A hybrid usage-based subscription model is the middle ground.
There are companies like Nubeprint that have adopted a combination of usage-based and subscription-based models, known as usage-based subscriptions.
Nubeprint charges customers a flat monthly fee with no time commitment for a minimum configuration. But also, for an additional fee, activation of other applications can be added when customers need more features.
A “hybrid model” has the advantage of offering customers the best of both worlds
Source: Business insider – Nubeprint
Having an image of seriousness and commitment goes a long way to making customers believe in the brand and choose it over the competition; even in lean times, a company committed to the environment will be trusted more than others.
A company that is committed to the environment and makes use of the circular economy will be much more highly regarded than one that does not. France has already legislated the “Law against waste” in its active fight to minimize environmental impact.
A clear example of a bad reputation for sustainability was the failure of oil company Shell to set sufficiently ambitious targets for its CO2 emissions. It was taken to court by an activist group and the court increased the target to 45% lower emissions by 2019.
Reputation requires behavior in line with commitments. Meeting expectations is vital for stakeholders to value the corporation, and even more so now that there is talk of decarbonizing all activity: it is not enough to say, “my company is sustainable” and plant three saplings. It is incomprehensible that a company is releasing polluted water directly into the river and at the same time planting 1 million trees, as if that would bring back to life the aquatic ecosystem that the discharges have eliminated! The first objective of this company should be to devote all available resources to put an end to these discharges. It is not enough to say, “I am sustainable”. It has to be demonstrated with facts and with active policies of implementation of measures and monitoring and control.
Even though it is common sense, it was necessary to legislate to “convince” many companies and also the vast majority of public bodies (administrations and companies) to finally start actively to decarbonize their activity. Government procurement specifications are the biggest “influencers” on companies’ bids. Europe took the first step 3 years ago with the Public Procurement Process, which provides guidelines on how procurement documents should require printer cartridges to be reused and reusable.
Another piece of good news is the confirmation that those pioneers in decarbonization have been pleasantly surprised that being sustainable is not only a moral satisfaction, but also a solid strategy to reduce costs.
Nubeprint has collaborated with the European Commission to support a circular economy model. It has led actions in favor of sustainability such as the “1 Million Cartridges Initiative”. We help our customers in Italy, France and Spain to comply with the comforting legal obligation to use manufacturable and remanufactured cartridges. We are committed to sustainable printing through intelligence applied to resource optimization.
Source: cincodias.elpais.com/ Nubeprint.com
By placing a small device on the collar of your pet (cat, dog, pig or ferret), it will be monitored to an unsuspected extent; its daily activity will be controlled (if it spends more or less energy, how it has eaten, steps taken, route), its mood (happy or sad), if it has slept well or badly (perhaps it has had a bad night) or if it has fallen ill and we have to give it medication.
We will no longer have to be satisfied with just looking at his face or his body language; it is clear that he will continue shedding hair and will continue with all kinds of needs and we will take care of showing him where to do them.
Of course we will continue to play with them and give them as much attention as possible. And now, any eventual event (a possible poisoning or allergic reaction from eating a plant in the street or in the garden), we will react in time thanks to the internet of things. The information available to us in real time allows a rapid solution to any contingency, to the point that it can be vital for the health of our inseparable friend.
This monitoring is crucial. Not only will we know its exact location so that it does not get lost, but we will also be able to act in time and with knowledge, anticipating serious problems that would arise if this device was not implemented.
In the order of things, Nubeprint has implemented monitoring on printers so that anyone, small or large user, can enjoy printing without worrying about their needs. The Nubeprint App activated on the user’s mobile phone reads the status of the printer and transmits it to a server. The consumables retailer has his own console from which he knows if his customer is going to need a cartridge and interacts directly with his customer. The best user experience is thus guaranteed, and the cartridge sold by the dealer is now more than just a cartridge: it is de facto a monitored cartridge with level warning and replenishment service.
If you take care of your cat… Why not give your printer more “TLC”?
Source: idat.edu.pe/blog/internet-of-things – Nubeprint
European authorities are distributing funds to enable small and medium-sized companies to automate, differentiate themselves and to become more competitive.
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The percentage of (small and medium-sized) SMEs differs greatly from country to country. An extreme case is Spain where 99.3% of Spanish companies are SMEs with no more than 50 employees. Something very common to all SMEs is that they do not develop digitalization due to lack of financing or shortage of specialized personnel. In the European case, there is also a lack of knowledge about public incentive programs. Although almost half of the companies intend to access European funds, they do not know if they have eligible projects.
Continuing with the example of Spain, 35% of companies still have a very low degree of digitization. However, the vast majority of managers see it as a necessity, and it is expected that 60% will increase the budget allocated to digital development in 2022.
Companies must consider that it is not only a question of being more productive but also of resilience. Companies that do not innovate will not survive beyond five years. Sustainability is another key objective of the European funds. The aim is to create a greener, more digital and resilient Europe, prioritizing the well-being of people and the planet, with sustainable growth. In this sense, the idea that it is possible to be profitable and sustainable at the same time is gaining ground. A clear example can be found in the printing industry, where the use of remanufactured cartridges has a clear positive environmental impact, and also helps to reduce printing costs while generating wealth in the immediate environment (hundreds of kilometers). This is because it is a local process and not centralized in some other part of the world tens of thousands of kilometers away. This proximity factor, in turn, has a positive impact on resilience: the closure of factories on the other side of the world would have no effect on the local economy.
Finally, it is worth noting the interest of European SMEs in the digitization and automation of process management, over and above electronic invoicing, virtual offices, cybersecurity or secure communications.
If you have ever considered for your company to take the step towards greater automation and seek to differentiate yourself from your competitors, that time is now. The large amount of funds made available by the European authorities will not be repeated. Companies that take advantage of this moment to implement a solution like Nubeprint using the European funds will take an advantage over the rest that will allow them to build customer loyalty, convert their transactional sales business into a recurring and automated sale, multiplying by 7 the value of their company.
Source: compartiendoconocimiento.elmundo.es – eleconomista.es/next-generation/noticias – https://www.elperiodico.com/es/economia – Nubeprint
More than half of the companies will lose some of their valued staff if they do not offer telework.
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74% of companies have found that the productivity of the “remote worker” has increased by an average of 27%. Paradoxically, there are still HR departments that insist that telecommuting is a fad. The truth is that currently only 20% of employees who have been working from home have had to return to the office full time.
Although most managers believe that workers should opt for flexible working from day one, only a third of companies believe they are ready for it. Nearly half acknowledge that they can take it on board in the short term but will not be able to implement it permanently. Most large companies have already adjusted their policies by making the hybrid model official. Others are announcing that they are redesigning their offices to make face-to-face work as similar as possible to remote work. One ends up wondering if they are setting up the bed, kitchen and children’s room so that the worker can move the family. From the employee’s point of view, there is a lack of clear regulations on how many days they must go to the office and how many could work from home.
Mental health has not been a minor factor either, especially with the pandemic. Although 64% of companies recognize the moral duty of their employees not to be connected at all hours, barely half have taken measures to avoid this, far from a healthy digital disconnection. However, companies with a long tradition in the hybrid model know that the balance is achieved after a learning process for both the employee and his or her manager.
It is clear that there is a growing trend towards teleworking and that the employee needs tools to carry out the activity from home, such as a laptop, a monitor and, often, a printer. It is essential that the resources provided by the company are not unnecessary distractions. In the case of the printer, the worker must have the peace of mind that the equipment is always ready to print. This is why companies must use the technology available. The Nubeprint App allows remote monitoring of printers in the employee’s home. Installed on the teleworker’s cell phone or Chromebook, the app allows the company and/or its supplier to receive an alert at the right time to send the cartridge, or a proactive technical alert to prevent the printer from not being able to print.
Source: cincodias, elpais.com, Nubeprint
The importance of machine learning already reaches all aspects of life and aims to help proactively and efficiently meet human needs.
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Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) based on the use of algorithms to give machines and computers the ability to identify patterns in different data sets in order to make subsequent predictions; this technology seeks to mimic the way humans learn by gradually improving their accuracy.
In this way, ML enables computers to perform specific autonomous tasks without the need to be programmed. This learning capacity can be seen reflected in the improvement of search engines, medical diagnostics, fraud detection in online payment mechanisms and the management of printer needs in automatic supply contracts, to give just a few examples. This technology is not only having a great importance in the present, the trend is to continue improving its use in the future thanks to its impact on efficiency and therefore in the improvement of the necessary sustainability in the different processes within large, medium and small companies, and also among individuals. This need has recently become evident with the current energy crisis. Experts believe that the energy and resource crisis can only be overcome by identifying and eliminating all unnecessary consumption.
But how does it really work?
Machine learning is composed of different types of learning models. Depending on the result we want to obtain and the nature of the data to be analyzed, one of three types can be used: supervised, unsupervised or reinforcement. ML algorithms are typically trained to classify, find patterns, predict outcomes or for informed decision making, offering potential value to companies trying to leverage big data and help them better understand subtle changes in behavior, preferences, or customer satisfaction.
Business leaders are beginning to discover that many things that are happening within their organizations and industries cannot be understood through a simple query, so they are increasingly demanding that newly implemented software use an ML engine. For this reason, Nubeprint is the most valued MPS and consumables delivery automation software on the market. Nubeprint has an expertise in using machine learning since 2015 and has achieved savings to printer and consumables distributors in excess of 30%. Nubeprint is the only MPS tool that uses machine learning technology.
Source: Commerce.accelerapyme, Nubeprint
Remanufactured products have tax exemptions… and other advantages.
The trend towards the use of remanufactured products leads us towards a more sustainable world, with less tons of waste, better use of resources and the search for a neutral environmental impact. Reducing CO2 emissions must be a global objective if we are to mitigate the effects of climate change.
It is here that companies also play a predominant role, raising awareness and investing in favor of the circular economy, giving their business added value with a sustainability certificate that confirms their commitment to the sustainable management of their printing resources.
On the road to sustainability, Europe is leading the way, although there are big differences between countries. France is one of the most prominent countries in terms of defending the circular economy with “the law against waste” passed in 2020 as a key instrument in the fight against the production of waste and the reuse of resources. Italy, for its part, has promoted public funds for innovative companies that mitigate the impact of carbon emissions and defend the sustainable economy. Belgium and Luxembourg are clear precursors of circular economy while Germany, being the leader in waste management, has a clear margin for improvement in this aspect. As for Spain, although it is true that it stands out in resource efficiency, there is still a long way to go due to lack of awareness, political barriers and low public and private investment. Sweden reduced VAT from 25% to 12% for remanufactured, re-used or repaired products to reduce waste and mitigate carbon emissions. It even allows half the cost of labor to be deducted from income tax when it comes to repairs of large household appliances, always with the aim of extending the useful life of consumer goods and fighting against planned obsolescence.
Outside the incentives coming from the legislation of each country, sustainability has found an unexpected ally in the supply chain crisis. Suddenly, supplier proximity has proved key to keeping printers in business in many companies. Without going so far as autarchy, the availability of remanufactured cartridges from a nearby company has prevented many activities from having to stop production due to the inability to print critical documents such as checklists, delivery notes, etc. It is under this very circumstance that many companies have discovered the true value of extending the useful life of their equipment.
The quest for neutral impact is not only the objective of increasingly strict regulatory standards, but its calling card is beyond any doubt and elevates companies on the social ladder and in their commitment to the society around them.
Nubeprint maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and facilitates the optimized use of reused cartridges as well as their management in a circular economy.
Source: Coöperatieve Circle Economy U.A, Amsterdam / construcia.com / Nubeprint
Offering customers managed print services helps drive results within their organizations.
Managed print services (or MPS) is the monitoring and provision of printing needs by a third-party service provider. Depending on the agreement, payment to the provider may take the form of a per-subscription or per-page payment. Any agreement places each device under a monthly maintenance or management contract that includes all consumables and parts potentially needed for repair.
A good MPS provider is more than an outside vendor. They are part of the customer’s team, being available and offering customized solutions and expert advice that frees up IT departments and management. In conclusion, they make printers basically invisible until it’s time to print.
Having a third party oversee a company’s printer ecosystem makes sense beyond freeing up time (and reducing headaches), especially when you consider these statistics:
– On average, printer repair costs are three times higher than the price of a new printer.
– Printer costs are just below rent, payroll and fixed office costs.
– Two-thirds of offices do not track their printing expenses.
– Three percent of a company’s revenue is spent on paper (at an average of 10,000 pages per office employee).
All this doesn’t even take into account the huge environmental impact of poorly managed print. Managed print services significantly improve all of these statistics. In fact, effective managed print services can reduce business costs by 20-30%, as well as potentially improve document security and an office’s environmental footprint.
With Nubeprint, through an ecosystem of data collection agents, you can offer these services for all types of customers, large, medium or small, for business or home use, on automatic replenishment subscription models or on cost-per-copy contracts.
And all this, with products for distributors that guarantee independence and autonomy from manufacturers, since Nubeprint supports printers of all types and from any manufacturer.
Undoubtedly, managed print services are not a fad, but part of the commercial success of businesses. Statistics reveal that the managed print services market is growing, and is expected to reach $58 billion in revenue worldwide by 2025.
Source: IT User, Nubeprint
Monitoring technology allows a small business to sell a large product catalog as of the largest businesses without the need to invest in stock.
80% of start-up businesses close after five years. Increased transparency about the product, the quality and, in short, the “user experience” offered is partly to blame. This transparency has come hand in hand with technology that allows anyone with Internet access to learn about the reputation of a business through online reviews. Specialization and the appropriate use of technological tools allow a business to differentiate itself and stand out from the rest.
“Shoemaker, to your shoes”. Few sayings sum up so well the fact that you must know what you are doing. But let’s go a step further. Let’s assume that there is a previous market study, and that the owner of the new business has the knowledge to carry it out.
What are the keys to success?
Nowadays there is an excess of supply, and the customer is hardly loyal to brands, he does not marry anyone. Customer service, closeness and empathy will ensure that the business is on the right track. Now, in terms of positioning and promotion, are we different? Do we give any added value to our product? Let’s take a practical example: a computer consumables store. In these times of oversupply where manufacturers multiply without clear differences in their products (HP, Epson, Canon, etc.), what will be the differential aspect of the store?
One goes to buy a cartridge, and the store either has it or not. If they have it, they buy it, and we’ll see them come back. The main reason to buy it in that store is the availability; second is the proximity and third is the price. The store owner swims against the tide. We mean that availability being the fundamental aspect, if he takes a classic approach in which availability = stock, the entrepreneur will make a whole series of calculations in which, whatever he decides, he always loses.
Since having a stock has a cost, the retailer cannot have everything and limits the brands: “I sell this one very little, so I will remove it”, “this other one, which I sell a lot of, I will remove it too because I am fed up with the manufacturer selling directly to the end consumer and replacing the consumables, so I seldom sell twice to the same customer”; “this manufacturer’s consumables are very expensive, I am not interested”.
It is clear that “having everything” is not easy and some logical measures must be taken. But the above examples show us a common way of thinking that, unfortunately, leads to the ruin of the business. It is not necessary to limit the offer “just because”; it is necessary to look for alternative ways that allow us to keep it and to give the added value to the product to differentiate us from the others. The entrepreneur must be aware of the technology available in the market and use it to their advantage. They should stop seeing technology as a luxurious expense and see it as something necessary to protect their business and/or make it grow.
It is quite common to hear about the Internet of Things and monitoring. Continuing with the earlier example, what if the entrepreneur could know in advance what the printer is going to need? With this information, could one not have an infinite catalog of products without having to keep a stock? How many customers could one build customer loyalty with? And how many new customers could one then acquire?
In line with the same example, the free Nubeprint app monitors printers and identifies what is going to be needed up to 90 days in advance. Now imagine a service based on the ability of a computer consumables retailer to monitor its customers’ printers. Let’s imagine an automatic consumables replenishment service that is activated the moment the end customer installs the app on his or her cell phone. From that moment on, the customer does not have to worry about how much ink or toner their printer has, because the store takes care of replacing the cartridges at the right time. Wouldn’t the store be providing an added and differential value? What better way to build customer loyalty, combined with the proximity and closeness that the big brands do not provide!
Fuente: expansión.com, Nubeprint
Two years ago, very few had taken part in video conferences or completed their working day without leaving home. Today, knowing the advantages of remote work and the tools needed to meet professional demands, most employees want to take advantage of its flexibility.
A survey of SME employees was conducted to find out what they think about the different working models and where they think it may be heading had shown that 56.7% of the employees believe that, in two years’ time, they will opt for a mixed model and that 62.5% of those surveyed say that their employers have returned to face-to-face work. When asked which work model they would prefer, 40.4% opted for a flexible model, followed by 34% would choose face-to-face work and 25.6% would prefer remote work.
The survey also showed that SMEs have worked to supply the necessary resources to ensure effective teleworking, although they still have room for improvement. 23% of the workers surveyed consider that their company has done its homework, while 36.8% propose to continue advancing this model with a more complete platform, with more powerful laptops and higher performance printing peripherals to perform the same work they did in the office.
Fuente: Cinco Días, Nubeprint
