They Forgot to Ask, Why? And Went Right to, How?

They Forgot to Ask, Why? And Went Right to, How?

by ray stasieczko October 01, 2022

Last week on, #TheEndOfTheDayWithRay! I discussed the Valsoft Corporation buyout of MPS Monitor. The more I think about the many DCA technologies, the more I think about the need for organizations to continuously ask WHY?

It seems as if these DCA technologies are more intent on HOW! They are all trying to collect data and manage print equipment better. But unfortunately, these DCA technologies are forgetting the essential component of innovation. Why is their product so valuable? I will add - for how long? 

Recently I heard someone define DCA as end-user customers, 
Don’t Care At all. That definition sums up my thinking.

My concern is that dealers are funding these DCA IoT platforms, which seem to be construction projects for HP. And we all know how much HP loves data! So how will DCA technologies Amplify HPs Data grab? 

OK, I get it. These DCA software companies are now calling themselves IoT companies. But unfortunately, they seem to struggle to define precisely what IoT means to helping print dealers transition.

All the arguments they have for dealers to use their DCA instead of the one they have. Are based on How - Theirs is better for the dealer because of this or that. My argument - is. This or that is not important enough for any dealer to replace a tool which every day becomes less important.

So, if the goal of these investment groups is to take a DCA tool built to manage print and create a new tool capable of replacing one of the many RMM tools or asset management tools of which many are funded with hundreds of millions of dollars, I think they all better start asking WHY?

Here’s my thinking:
12-year-old DCA companies being gobbled up by investment firms or distributors, as we saw with EKM earlier this year, seem to be on a mission to help HP, the most overreaching OEM in the channel, have software that will help control all the supplies going into HP devices.

Both EKM and MPS Monitor brag about their relationships with HP. My question is, what would their actual revenues be without HP? 

Dealers should demand more information regarding these DCA companies before they jump onto platforms. As I said in the videos, if MPS Monitor or EKM were successful players before they were gobbled up, I believe they would have bragged about it. 

Oh, and bragging about the growth of adding devices to the platform is irrelevant if there was insufficient profit. Or if all the increase was from HP. I am not sure dealers are too excited about helping HP grow in having control of the marketplace’s printers or the supplies that go into them.

In Closing: For those interested, I reached out to Nicola De Blasi of MPS Monitor; as he requested in the comments of Wednesday’s episode, he has since declined to talk.

Hopefully, dealers demand the answers and ask more questions before they switch based on this or that feature to manage print. Remember, dreams are not innovation.

Ray Stasieczko  



ray stasieczko
ray stasieczko

Author



Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Ray's Hot Topics

The End Of The Day With Ray! Fujifilm & Konica Minolta J.V. , Global Procurement Partners Corp
The End Of The Day With Ray! Fujifilm & Konica Minolta J.V. , Global Procurement Partners Corp

by ray stasieczko January 21, 2025

What is this joint venture between Fujifilm & Konica Minolta? Here's my thinking! As a bonus in today's episode I also share a major multi billion dollar competitor to the copy & paste analyst.

Read More

The End Of The Day With Ray! DEX Imaging NOW -Is In IT! Why Now? Next Is How & Who They BUY!
The End Of The Day With Ray! DEX Imaging NOW -Is In IT! Why Now? Next Is How & Who They BUY!

by ray stasieczko January 20, 2025

The print industry has known for decades it must diversify its deliverable. Managed IT Services has always been the talk. However, very few dealers truly defined the why they need to diversify! As well too many dealers were and still are missed led in the how! Today’s episode I share the why, and the basis in the how!

Read More

The End Of The Day With Ray! The print Industry Definitely Has Some Crazy S#!+ going on!
The End Of The Day With Ray! The print Industry Definitely Has Some Crazy S#!+ going on!

by ray stasieczko January 16, 2025

Here's is just some of the crazy POOP! Orange juice, phones but no number, panels with 22 feet, and anonymous references!

Read More