Change one's mindset from printer to communications solutions provider, pursue growth opportunities in on-demand production of packaging and books, and pay greater attention to environmentally sustainable practices.
 
These were some of the top messages executives from Xerox Corporation offered to attendees of the International Printers' Network (IPN) meeting hosted at Xerox's Gil Hatch Center for Customer Innovation. Themed "Forging Ahead," more than 50 members of the international print-and-distribute network attended the five-day meeting.
 
"It is a troublesome time, but there are a lot of opportunities for renewing strategies and coming up with new ideas," said Willem Jubels, director, Response Network, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and IPN chairman. "This meeting is a great tool for exchanging business ideas and getting that discussion started."
 
The meeting focused on business opportunities, strategies for capturing them, and success stories from member companies. Presenters included Peter Muir, president, Bizucate, Inc., on developing successful digital applications, and Frank Romano, professor emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology, on the state of the industry. In addition, Xerox executives described key market opportunities, discussed the importance of being a communications solutions provider and offered tips on how to do so for IPN members.
 
"IPN members are pioneers of print-and-distribute and many other creative applications of digital printing technology," said Gavin Jordan-Smith, vice president, Xerox Commercial Print, Premedia Business and Premier Partners Global Network. "We value these meetings not only because many IPN members are Xerox customers, but because, by listening to them, we learn so much about today's challenges and opportunities."