TriMega Launches blink

In a move that consolidates its position as the leading dealer group for office products independents, TriMega Purchasing Association has launched blink – See Printing Differently, a new program designed to help its members make the most of the opportunities available to them in the Managed Print Services (MPS) market.

"Managed Print Services is the fastest growing segment in the entire print market and represents an estimated $48 billion business," stated Brian Stevenson, Director of MPS for TriMega. "Our new blink program gives TriMega dealers a simple, easy to communicate and easy to sell way to tap into the potential of the MPS market in a way that matches how they engage with their customers today. With blink, dealers don’t need to get into software, don’t have to change their selling style, don’t have to hire an MPS specialist or service technician nor do they have to make any financial investments to be successful in protecting, and growing their toner business," he said.

TriMega’s new blink program is described as ‘reactive MPS’, which features toner, national technical service triage, dispatch, on-site service and repair parts. This simple, no commitment - no contract and no software approach to MPS targets end-customers with less than 100 employees, typically one or two locations and appeals to a customer that wants to maintain control over purchasing on an as-needed basis. The current launch of the blink program includes 80 toner skus plus related maintenance kits and other consumable skus for 70 of the leading printer models - both in terms of gross sales – and by the models that are most likely to be found on managed print agreements. The blink branded cartridges, supplied by West Point Products, feature custom part numbers and are stocked in all four Supplies Network Distribution Centers. blink branding directs users to a dedicated blink service hotline for any printer or cartridge issues.

"We are excited to be partnering with TriMega on this groundbreaking blink initiative," remarked David Concors, Vice President of Sales for Supplies Network. "We believe that the blink program represents an intelligent alternative to full-blown MPS for the typical SMB customer out there – which aligns nicely with the sweet spot of independent office product dealers. With the guidance and support of the team at TriMega, coupled with the drive and determination of their dealer members, we feel very confident about the tremendous opportunity for success with the blink program," he commented.

TriMega members got their first glimpse of the blink program at the organization’s recent Propel 2012 event, but the program was fully launched just last week via an informational webinar to the membership. TriMega members who sign up for blink, get access to sales and marketing vehicles such as customizable flyers, emails and a blink video for their customers (see: http://youtu.be/nztHld9-pL8 ). "This blink initiative is what we’ve

been waiting for in a MPS solution," said John Kenworthy of Storey-Kenworthy in Des Moines, IA. "We have little to no success getting our arms around MPS over the last year, so we are excited TriMega has introduced a simple and easy to use MPS strategy to help us protect & grow the all-important toner product category," he commented.

The new blink cartridges from West Point began shipping from Supplies Network at the beginning of this month. "West Point has an outstanding reputation for quality and reliability and Supplies Network has an equally impressive track record of marketing support and logistics excellence," Stevenson pointed out. "Together, they bring enormous resources to the table that will empower dealers to win against MPS competitors without reinventing their own business. This new partnership brings new value to customers and helps to profitably grow our member print revenues, in an increasingly challenging market," Stevenson concluded.

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