Proficiency Post - breaking news and opinion in the office productivity market by Peter Frost

Dealer Alert!

2013: Y o u r
MPS imperative

Gear up now as managed
print services goes mainstream

By Joe Panettieri, MSP Mentor

11 May’12

I’m beginning to believe managed print services (MPS) will gain mainstream success with managed services providers (MSPs) in 2013.

Read more: 2013: The year MPS goes mainstream

Acco mirrors

market trends

Paper based products sales
in decline; tech accessories up

10 May’12 (Updated)

Acco Brands, the leading OP manufacturer, reported mixed results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12. Innovation is returning...

Read more: Acco Q1'12 financial Review

Samsung set to
storm Kindle Fire

Will new Galaxy Tab break
stranglehold of tablet leaders

Review by Bonnie Cha, AllThingsD

10 May’12

The flight to iPads and tablet computers like Kindle Fire is reaching astronomic proportions. Samsung is determined to be a leader in this space…

Read more: Samsung set to storm Kindle Fire

Pitt-bull retailer
dismisses Depot

Unique shopping experience
shows way for stationery retailers

10 May’12

After four years of a David v Goliath battle the last store standing in Pittsburgh, is family owned stationery retailer of 160 years J.R. Weldin.

Read more: Pitt-bull retailer dismisses Depot

Etailers’ superior
web experience

Lessons learned from business

women's #1 choice Amazon

10 May’12

More than a third of top e-retailers deliver superior web experiences Amazon.com leads the way, a new ForeSee report says.

Read more: Etailers superior webstore experience

D i x o n s’ delight
as demand returns

New CEO James praises
Browett’s transformation

10 May’12

Dixons Retail, the UK’s #1 electronics retailer (via Currys/PCWorld) reported a powerful return to growth in its Q4’12 ended 28 Apr’12

Read more: Dixon's Retail Q4'12 Financial Review

Hopeless Prospects

Can multitasking Meg fix

dysfunctional tech giant?

10 May’12 (Complete)

Léo Apotheker's disastrous tenure as HP's CEO destroyed the powerful progress made under Mark Hurd, its profitability and market capitalization. Where is new CEO Meg Whitman’s reinvention strategy?

Read more: HP's Hopeless Prospects

Systemax stalled

by slow B2C sales

High tablet sales fail

to beat slow TV demand

9 May’12
Systemax, the tech-direct marketer including Misco, CompUSA, Circuit City and Tiger Direct brands, again reported slow financial results for Q1’12 ended 31 Mar’12

Read more: Systemax Financial Review - Q1'12

Stale retail
set to fail?

Downsized and fewer stores
as shoppers shift to webstores

9 May’12

Bigbox retailers in home improvement, books, consumer electronics and office products are facing the biggest challenges of their lives. Most with the exception of Staples, have failed with their multichannel strategies, so far…

Read more: Stale retail set to fail?

Interline’s fine
growth signs

Will FM broadliner attract

Staples M&A team's attention?

8 May’12

Interline Brands, a leading distributor and direct marketer of broad-line maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") products, reported impressive financial results for Q1’12 ended March 30, 2012.

Read more: Interline Brands - Q1'12 Financial Review