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Inside look: Q & A with an Infomax printer technician

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At Infomax, we solve our clients’ printing problems as soon as possible. While we have 24/7 remote support, some system snafus are best solved in person. Our technicians travel across the state to get your printer, copier and scanner systems fixed so your employees can get back to work.

Want to know more about how we do it? We sat down with technician Mike Cobb to learn more.

Mike Cobb has been a printer technician with Infomax since 1994.

Q: How long have you been working at Infomax? 

A: I’ve been working with Infomax since January 1994. I’ve seen a lot change with technology since then. In the late 1980s and ‘90s, most office printers were laser models. Now, inkjet has replaced most of the laser printers because they’re less expensive and are better at printing color documents. 

Q: Where did you learn about printer and copier systems?

A: My first job out of college was working on copiers in 1991. I worked at three other dealers in the Cedar Rapids area before I decided to move to Des Moines. 

Q: What are some of your favorite aspects about your job as a technician?

A:  I love traveling and seeing different parts of the state. We travel all through central Iowa and the rest of the state to service systems for our clients. I also love the feeling of fixing a problem and making the customers happy.  

Q: Have you had a challenging moment? 

A: Working on copiers and printers can be very challenging at times when you are stuck on a call and you can’t fix it. And while it can be frustrating, I also love a challenge and the feeling I get when I find a way to fix the problem. 

Q: What is something about your career that might surprise us? 

A: Good customer relation skills are a key to being a good technician. Facing printer and copier system problems aren’t on any business’ to-do list, so when they encounter an issue, it can hold up workflow in an office and cause stress. When I come to their office, I do my best to put them at ease and get them back to work as soon as possible. 

Q: What should business owners and employees know about printer repairs? 

A: Sometimes it takes a bit to find the problem, but a good technician will take it one piece at a time instead of replacing multiple items hoping that something fixes it. We want to fix systems with precision, not guess at what a problem may be. Anyone can turn a screwdriver, but not everyone can fix a customer. We do a great job of fixing all of the customer’s needs. 

The Future of Printing in 2019

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The last decade has brought numerous changes in technology and how it affects an office workspace, and the last year of 2010s will be no different. Though consumers often think of how technological advancements affect their computers, many overlook a process they complete daily: printing. We asked Greg Bailey, Infomax’s director of sales, to discuss printing trends in 2019. Here are some of those trends.

Security

Cyberthreats keep pace with the growing number of devices connecting to the internet. All businesses print confidential information, such as employees’ or customers’ personal information, sensitive company data or financial documents. It’s possible for hackers to tap into networks and see documents that are sent to presses. For these reasons, security is going to be one of the biggest demands in the printing industry for years to come, Greg said. Infomax’s printer and document management services provide multiple layers of protection.

Pay-as-you-go models are going to be more popular in coming years so clients have more flexibility in printing and know budgeting costs before they complete a print job. The perk is that businesses and administrators can monitor who is printing and which types of documents are printed. For some of these models, users will sign in before printing or use an ID badge to collect classified documents. Infomax’s print services also track and allow usage-based billing for individual clients, departments or projects so companies know where much of their printing costs originate. Additionally, more printers have document capture services that are adding more security by storing sensitive documents when they are printed. Print-to-voidance — which prevents sensitive documents from being stored on a system after they’re printed — could also gain in popularity. 

Artificial intelligence

Technology continues to advance, no matter the medium or method. Printers are no exception as artificial intelligence enters the industry. AI is generally defined as the ability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior. Though it might sound fanciful, AI technologies are already helping to make printing processes more effective and efficient.

Printers already use AI to automate more routine tasks, freeing up time for employees to work on more strategic work. Some of those routine tasks include direct mail and catalogs, according to Xerox. As more data about mail recipients becomes available, AI can use data to create more relevant content in mailings to specific recipients. Additionally, software allows a printer to optimize document layouts to minimize waste. Data about a printer also can be sent back to manufacturers to compare data to expected performance, determining if software updates or adjustments need to be made. However, the use of AI in the industry is not yet widespread.

“Manufacturers are beginning to use artificial intelligence, but they’re still in the infancy of that,” Greg said. “There are peaks and valleys.”

Flexible format

Though it used to be a luxury, color printing has taken over. Businesses and their clients want the eye-catching visuals that come with color-printed products. And inkjet printers reign supreme in their abilities to create crisp visuals as well as text-based documents. The next few years will also bring a growth in large-format printing that allows marketers to reach a bigger audience through printed banners, stickers and posters. Clients will have easier accessibility to large format printers, such as the Canon Oce Colorado, one of the large-format printers Infomax currently has in the showroom.

Changing technology

Here’s one thing we can always count on: technology will advance. Many businesses want to stay on top of current trends and outfit their offices with updated systems that save money, perform better than previous models and provide more security. That’s why Infomax provides printer leasing options for their clients, and Greg said he only expects that program to gain in popularity. Most clients take advantage of that program and upgrade their presses after a few years.

Call us today to learn more about our printing services at 1-800-727-4629.

Has Your Company Embraced Mobile Printing?

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Working on the go has steadily become the norm today. In fact, statistics show more than 70 percent of people across the globe work remotely at least once a week. Chances are that this percentage will continue to grow, as what was once the traditional workplace model continues to evolve. As it does, to remain competitive, companies will need to invest in mobile printing and integrate it into their overall strategy. Read more