Cobb Technologies: Homegrown Solutions -- Cobb Technologies was featured in a wonderful write up in the March 2011 issue of the Oyster Pointer Newspaper, which covers the Tidewater area of Virginia. The article said Cobb "has grown into a leader in the document solutions industry while remaining a privately-owned company since its founding." The article goes on to say that Cobb's team has "transformed the copier industry in Virginia with innovative programs and services that allow Cobb to customize [document] solutions for the unique needs of each business." The article points out that Cobb has a "multifaceted approach" to document solutions, partnering with clients and remaining "accessible to ensure fast, flexible decisions to meet each customer's unique needs."
The article goes on to say that Cobb's full sales and service office in Newport News includes an equipment showroom and warehouse for parts and supplies. Quoting Cobb's regional sales manager, Kevin Oberman, the article points out that Cobb Technologies continues to adhere to the values that have driven its ongoing success. "What's important to Cobb is strength of characer, community support, customer service and attitude," explained Oberman. "A can-do attitude is important." Cobb has offices in Newport News, Richmond, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Blacksburg, and Charlottesville, and is opening a seventh office soon in Virginia Beach.
Read the full Oyster Pointer Newspaper article.
Monday, February 21, 2011
A Cure for the #1 Frustration in Office Technology!
Workers everywhere say that their #1 frustration with office technology is something like this:
“How can I automate copier meter reads, service calls and supply ordering?”
You know the drill: It’s time to let your copier provider know your copier’s meter read. The provider needs the number of clicks in order to bill you properly, right? Well, it can be a real pain to go to the copier, somehow figure out how to get a meter read, and then either call your provider or fax that meter read to them.
Well, many office technology dealers offer a way to take that burden off your shoulders, providing a FREE and safe way to collect your meter readings automatically. You don’t have to do a thing. Special software sends a “meter read agent” out to your copier, collects the meter read in the background, and sends it electronically back to your provider. Cool, huh? Plus, it virtually eliminates billing errors.
Then there’s the dreaded service call. Your printer or copier is not functioning properly. You’re in a panic. That presentation for a client must be printed or copied right away! What if you could go to your provider’s web site, log in to a secure area just for your account, and enter a service call request with an instant message directly to your provider? And then get an IM right back saying the call is placed and a repair technician is on the way? Cool? Yes, and it’s another great service offered by many of today’s advanced office technology dealers.
Finally, how about the process of supply ordering? You know….toner, developer, printer ink. Have you ever run out of toner or ink right in the middle of trying to print a presentation or mission critical report? We all have. What can be done to alleviate that?
The same technology that sends the “meter agent” out to your printer can send a “supplies agent” out electronically also. The little electronic agent finds your printer, scans all the supplies electronically, and sends a message back to your printer provider alerting them to your current supply needs. Your provider sends the toner, developer or printer ink right out to you! Amazing? You bet, and what a stress reliever for you and your office.
So, make sure your local copier/printer providers offers these cool and practical technologies. Automating meter reads, service calls and supply ordering can make a real difference in how your business runs. We’re all looking for ways to reduce stress in the office; this is one easy way to accomplish just that!
“How can I automate copier meter reads, service calls and supply ordering?”
You know the drill: It’s time to let your copier provider know your copier’s meter read. The provider needs the number of clicks in order to bill you properly, right? Well, it can be a real pain to go to the copier, somehow figure out how to get a meter read, and then either call your provider or fax that meter read to them.
Well, many office technology dealers offer a way to take that burden off your shoulders, providing a FREE and safe way to collect your meter readings automatically. You don’t have to do a thing. Special software sends a “meter read agent” out to your copier, collects the meter read in the background, and sends it electronically back to your provider. Cool, huh? Plus, it virtually eliminates billing errors.
Then there’s the dreaded service call. Your printer or copier is not functioning properly. You’re in a panic. That presentation for a client must be printed or copied right away! What if you could go to your provider’s web site, log in to a secure area just for your account, and enter a service call request with an instant message directly to your provider? And then get an IM right back saying the call is placed and a repair technician is on the way? Cool? Yes, and it’s another great service offered by many of today’s advanced office technology dealers.
Finally, how about the process of supply ordering? You know….toner, developer, printer ink. Have you ever run out of toner or ink right in the middle of trying to print a presentation or mission critical report? We all have. What can be done to alleviate that?
The same technology that sends the “meter agent” out to your printer can send a “supplies agent” out electronically also. The little electronic agent finds your printer, scans all the supplies electronically, and sends a message back to your printer provider alerting them to your current supply needs. Your provider sends the toner, developer or printer ink right out to you! Amazing? You bet, and what a stress reliever for you and your office.
So, make sure your local copier/printer providers offers these cool and practical technologies. Automating meter reads, service calls and supply ordering can make a real difference in how your business runs. We’re all looking for ways to reduce stress in the office; this is one easy way to accomplish just that!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Stop Print Waste Now
You can save your company serious money with one simple decision -- implementing a Cost Recovery Solution.
Cost Recovery solutions are a single, all-encompassing answer to print waste -- a problem that can add major costs to any business' overhead. Is your recycle bin overflowing with single-side color prints? Do unclaimed print jobs pile up? Do your employees print documents they shouldn't? Cost Recovery solutions are the answer to all these challenges and more.
Cost Recovery solutions are a single, all-encompassing answer to print waste -- a problem that can add major costs to any business' overhead. Is your recycle bin overflowing with single-side color prints? Do unclaimed print jobs pile up? Do your employees print documents they shouldn't? Cost Recovery solutions are the answer to all these challenges and more.
- Eliminate Unnecessary Printing by tracking individual users, setting personal print budgets and establishing workflows that discourage wasteful printing. Ensure that the documents your employees print are needed.
- Manage Output by user, department or client, allowing you to attribute billable costs to clients and keep tabs on your overall use.
- Evaluate Usage by your employees, so you know who printed what, when and why. Cost Recovery solutions provide a comprehensive view of your document output, giving you the tools to combat waste.
- Control Costs by changing employee behavior, billing clients for account-related print costs, routing print jobs to the most efficient printers, and gaining a full understanding of document output.
Cost Recovery Solutions can maximize the efficiency of your printing. Think of them as "your bottom line's new best friend."
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The World's Fastest Copier/Printer and Other Fascinating Facts!
People ask all the time about the fastest copier in the world, the fastest printer in the world, and when copy machines were invented. So I thought I’d share some interesting facts for all you trivia buffs out there!
Fastest Copier
A Japanese manufacturer has just announced the fastest office copier in the world. Believe it or not, this copier, about the size of a small recliner, can copy 150 pages per minute. This performance comes at a price: $46,000. But for the right application, it could make a real difference.
First Copiers
When was the first copy machine for offices invented? In the 1970s? Early 1980s? Not exactly. The first widely-used copy machine for offices was invented by James Watt in 1779! It relied on physically transferring some of the specially formulated ink from an original letter or drawing to a moistened, thin sheet of paper by means of a press. The copy could then be read from the obverse side. The system was a commercial success and was in use in for over a century.
In 1938, a patent attorney and inventor named Chester Carlson invented the world’s first photocopier. He used his kitchen for “electrophotography” experiments. His patent was approved in 1938, but between 1939 and 1944 Carlson was turned down by over 20 companies, including IBM and General Electric, neither of which believed there was a significant market for copiers.
First Color Copier
Colored toner became available in the 1950s, although full-color copiers were not commercially available until 3M released the Color-in-Color copier in 1968. The 3M copier used a dye sublimation process rather than conventional electrostatic technology. The first electrostatic color copier was released by Canon in 1973.
Fastest laser printers
IBM invented that one. IBM’s Infoprint 4100 achieves a staggering print speed of 330 pages per minute. According to IBM statements, it can print Tolstoy’s War and Peace in less than a minute. The basic version of the printer costs $500,000 and the spearhead of the series costs $1 million.
The Dell 5130cdn can print up to 47 single-sided and up to 37 double-sided letter pages per minute (ppm) in both black & white and color, making it the world's fastest letter size, single-function, office color laser printer. That should get your office color printing done fast!
Most expensive desktop printer
The award for the world’s most expensive desktop printer goes to a very special HP model. HP created a 14kt gold-plated desktop laser printer that has an estimated value of $20,000! HP plans to auction it to raise money for charity.
So in summary, when you look around your office this week and see that copier over there – or that laser printer on your desk – remember the history behind these fascinating devices and enjoy them!
Fastest Copier
A Japanese manufacturer has just announced the fastest office copier in the world. Believe it or not, this copier, about the size of a small recliner, can copy 150 pages per minute. This performance comes at a price: $46,000. But for the right application, it could make a real difference.
First Copiers
When was the first copy machine for offices invented? In the 1970s? Early 1980s? Not exactly. The first widely-used copy machine for offices was invented by James Watt in 1779! It relied on physically transferring some of the specially formulated ink from an original letter or drawing to a moistened, thin sheet of paper by means of a press. The copy could then be read from the obverse side. The system was a commercial success and was in use in for over a century.
In 1938, a patent attorney and inventor named Chester Carlson invented the world’s first photocopier. He used his kitchen for “electrophotography” experiments. His patent was approved in 1938, but between 1939 and 1944 Carlson was turned down by over 20 companies, including IBM and General Electric, neither of which believed there was a significant market for copiers.
First Color Copier
Colored toner became available in the 1950s, although full-color copiers were not commercially available until 3M released the Color-in-Color copier in 1968. The 3M copier used a dye sublimation process rather than conventional electrostatic technology. The first electrostatic color copier was released by Canon in 1973.
Fastest laser printers
IBM invented that one. IBM’s Infoprint 4100 achieves a staggering print speed of 330 pages per minute. According to IBM statements, it can print Tolstoy’s War and Peace in less than a minute. The basic version of the printer costs $500,000 and the spearhead of the series costs $1 million.
The Dell 5130cdn can print up to 47 single-sided and up to 37 double-sided letter pages per minute (ppm) in both black & white and color, making it the world's fastest letter size, single-function, office color laser printer. That should get your office color printing done fast!
Most expensive desktop printer
The award for the world’s most expensive desktop printer goes to a very special HP model. HP created a 14kt gold-plated desktop laser printer that has an estimated value of $20,000! HP plans to auction it to raise money for charity.
So in summary, when you look around your office this week and see that copier over there – or that laser printer on your desk – remember the history behind these fascinating devices and enjoy them!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tax Incentives on Office Equipment Expire December 31st
Did you know you can save money by taking advantage of increased tax deductions on capital equipment you purchase in 2010? It’s true. Increased tax deductions on the purchase and/or lease of new equipment, such as copiers, printers, computer hardware and software, and office furniture, are available through the end of December for all businesses.
Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment bought or leased during the tax year from your gross income. The purchase of new copiers, printers and document management software to meet your business needs all qualify for the increased tax deductions. The idea is to stimulate businesses to make large equipment purchases this year and thereby benefit the overall economy.
But you need to hurry! A business must purchase or lease and put into service any eligible equipment before December 31, 2010. The http://www.section179.org/ web site provides a convenient tax calculator that enables you to see how much you can save in 2010. As with any major business decision, you should consult your tax professional for complete details.
Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment bought or leased during the tax year from your gross income. The purchase of new copiers, printers and document management software to meet your business needs all qualify for the increased tax deductions. The idea is to stimulate businesses to make large equipment purchases this year and thereby benefit the overall economy.
But you need to hurry! A business must purchase or lease and put into service any eligible equipment before December 31, 2010. The http://www.section179.org/ web site provides a convenient tax calculator that enables you to see how much you can save in 2010. As with any major business decision, you should consult your tax professional for complete details.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Key Trends in Production Printing
No doubt about it, things are tough in the production print arena. Shrinking revenues, consolidation, the rise of digital media and electronic communications -- all this and more is squeezing today's production printers.
Cobb recently hosted a presentation by production print expert Kate Dunn who provided insights into key trends currently affecting the industry and some rays of sunshine for future growth, including reports that the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2010 showed a slight improvement in production print revenues in the U.S.
Key Trends
Cobb recently hosted a presentation by production print expert Kate Dunn who provided insights into key trends currently affecting the industry and some rays of sunshine for future growth, including reports that the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2010 showed a slight improvement in production print revenues in the U.S.
Key Trends
* Migration of print communication to digital media
- Digital advertising spend surpassed print in 2010
- Half of all printing will be done digitally by 2020
* Explosion of color
- Today, full color represents 59% of print volume
- By 2020, full color will be 85% of all print volume
* Faster and faster turnarounds demanded
- In the U.S., 8% of work is required in less than 24 hours
- That percentage is expected to grow to 30% in 2020
* Workforce evolution
- Revenue mix is changing to include more sales from non-production services
- Strategic marketing and creative services, programming, database services
- Email distribution, tracking and analysis
What to do right now?
* Focus on developing differentiation strategies so prospects have a clear understanding of what you do and and why they should buy from you.
* Niche Manufacturer, Price Performer, Supply Chain Management Consultant, Marketing Services Provider
* Getting the right message to the right person at the right time via the right channel is the future of marketing.
* Growth is in personalized print and shorter run lengths.
Cobb Technologies' team of production print specialists can help with expert consultation on business development strategies and aggressive pricing and financing on today's top production print equipment. Cobb has been named one of the Top 10 Canon production print dealers in the Southeast U.S. and is the leading Canon production print dealer in Virginia. In addition, Cobb was recently awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia Production Print contract. Cobb Technologies is Virginia's #1 source for production print sales and service.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
And the Winner is Fax Servers
For many companies, part of their workflow process involves heavy reliance on fax communications to exchange critical paperwork with customers, suppliers, and perhaps agencies at the city, state or federal level. Fax communications are critical to keeping administrative operations running smoothly. Such a heavy fax load can require numerous standalone fax machines. Ask yourself this question: "If our fax goes down, are we unable to process XYZ forms, which could impact many aspects of our business?"
A fax server allows every PC on the network to send and receive electronic faxes, using email, print to fax, or other business applications. The server uses fax-over internet protocol (FoIP), completely eliminating the need for expensive fax hardware and telecommunications equipment. It removes the cost of the fax board and multiple phone lines, along with unnecessary supply expenses for toner and paper. A fax server can provide competitive per-page fax costs against your current telephone service provider.
With a fax server, your business receives all faxes on the fax server, which is definitely more reliable than a fax machine -- never lose a fax again! No more misplaced orders. Respond to faxes from customers or vendors in seconds, turning fax into a more effective medium of communication.
The fax server can be connected to one or many copiers and multifunctional devices in your office. A fax server delivers faxes just like email. And like email, the system can archive every fax that has been sent or received by your company, giving you secure access to any fax, in any form, from your web browser. You'll know what was sent, when, and who received it. This creates an audit trail for regulatory or compliance issues and means critical information is always at your fingertips, not lost in the bottom of the pile or, worse, tossed in the wastebasket.
Plus, fax server technology is the GREEN way to fax. It reduces paper waste since you print only what you need.
Check out fax server technology -- Cobb can help you understand all your options and how they can benefit your specific business.
A fax server allows every PC on the network to send and receive electronic faxes, using email, print to fax, or other business applications. The server uses fax-over internet protocol (FoIP), completely eliminating the need for expensive fax hardware and telecommunications equipment. It removes the cost of the fax board and multiple phone lines, along with unnecessary supply expenses for toner and paper. A fax server can provide competitive per-page fax costs against your current telephone service provider.
With a fax server, your business receives all faxes on the fax server, which is definitely more reliable than a fax machine -- never lose a fax again! No more misplaced orders. Respond to faxes from customers or vendors in seconds, turning fax into a more effective medium of communication.
The fax server can be connected to one or many copiers and multifunctional devices in your office. A fax server delivers faxes just like email. And like email, the system can archive every fax that has been sent or received by your company, giving you secure access to any fax, in any form, from your web browser. You'll know what was sent, when, and who received it. This creates an audit trail for regulatory or compliance issues and means critical information is always at your fingertips, not lost in the bottom of the pile or, worse, tossed in the wastebasket.
Plus, fax server technology is the GREEN way to fax. It reduces paper waste since you print only what you need.
Check out fax server technology -- Cobb can help you understand all your options and how they can benefit your specific business.
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