In November 2023, IDC conducted a survey among imaging and printing OEMs designed to uncover the top challenges, areas of focus and plans for business expansion in 2024.
Respondents cited the cost of inflation, growing demand for sustainability, uncertainty around demand due to the economic climate, and the fact that less printing devices are needed in offices, as the top challenges they expect to face in 2024.
Unsurprisingly, sustainability features high on the list of areas of focus for OEMs, with refurbished devices, remanufactured cartridges and printers all high on the agenda for 2024. Channel strategy and support, alongside brand name and positioning were also referenced as key focus areas by the firms polled.
In terms of their offering, respondents confirmed continued commitment to MPS and IT services and solutions, but the majority of OEMs also said they are looking to expand their business into new areas such as audio-visual solutions, business software solutions, artificial intelligence and IOT.
Demand for support
Channel partners are looking to their suppliers to provide training to enable them to upskill in IT and transform their business to one which has a greater focus on providing solutions. Pricing strategy figures high on the agenda, alongside a sustainable product offering and ink/toner subscription models.
For end-users, areas where they are increasingly asking print partners to help and support include cost management, security of documents and data, and sustainability. Easier to use products and software solutions to enable workflows to be digitised are also in demand.
Declining page volumes
The study found that print volumes continued to decline in 2023 compared to the previous year with IDC predicting this trend will continue into 2024 and beyond. However, it’s not all bad news – page opportunities in 2024 will remain plentiful as print continues to be an integral part of the business process – but, as with many mature markets, further consolidation is likely, and some brands may eventually disappear.
