Vol 99 issue 08 2015

AUGUST 2015 R50.

inc vat

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STATIONERY, HOME AND OFFICE PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

My Office Magazine www.facebook.com/shopsa.ZA

PRINTERS IN THE DIGITAL AGE BTS BUILD-UP OUT IN THE COLD CEO SLEEPOUT REPORT-BACK

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PO Box 43501, Industria 2042, Rep of South Africa 1 Blumberg Street, Industria West, Johannesburg, Rep of South Africa, 2093 Tel: +27 (0)11 226 5600 • Fax: +27 (0)11 474 9242 Email: sales@versafile.co.za www.ctpstationery.co.za

Home Office Filing System

Contents My Office Magazine is the official magazine of the Southern African Association for Stationery, Home and Office Products. It is read by over 25 000 buyers and sellers of stationery and office products each month.

PUBLISHER Rob Mathews - robm@icon.co.za Kathy Gibson - kathy@futurewave.co.za EDITOR Leigh Richter - leigh@futurewave.co.za SUB-EDITOR Kathy Gibson - kathy@futurewave.co.za ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND MARKETING Wendy Dancer - wendy@shop-sa.co.za EXECUTIVE SALES MANAGER Kim Kotze - kim@futurewave.co.za NATIONAL OFFICE Design and Layout: Vanessa Bentley New Membership: Rachel Skink

Vol 99 | August 2015 www.myofficemagazine.co.za | www.facebook.com/shopsa.za

NEWS

34 | INDUSTRY NEWS Industry-related news and trade business announcements 36 | ECO NEWS A green sustainability update

SALES SAVVY

14 | PRINTERS IN THE DIGITAL AGE As we move into the Digital Age, our printers are moving with us 20 | HOW TO SELL: PRINTING CONSUMABLES Printer consumables are a good way to boost profits 28 | ARTS AND CRAFTS Follow our tips to create a beautiful photobook

RETAIL SAVVY

30 | PLAY THE GAME A simple guide to dealing with office politics 32 | WINTER WARMERS Choosing a heater for your office

Reception: Ruth Montsho

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Johannesburg Office PO Box 3226, Parklands, 2121 6 Edward Street, Kensington B, Randburg, 2194 Tel: + 27 11 781 0370 Fax: + 27 11 781 2828 Email: info@shop-sa.co.za Website: www.shop-sa.co.za CONTRIBUTIONS

14 SPECIAL FEATURES

08 |CEO SLEEPOUT: OUT IN THE COLD Thierry Boulanger, GM and vice-presidents of Philips Lighting Africa, talks to shop-sa about the CEO SleepOut 10 | BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUILD-UP The back-to-school season is one of the biggest for the stationery industry 12 | MANAGE BEFORE YOU PRINT Managed print services are fast becoming a way for companies to cut costs and improve services 26 | WAVES OF CHANGE Part two of the report-back on the shop-sa/ Tarsus event 47 | THE REAL STUFF – NOT MARKETING FLUFF This month we speak to Rob Matthews of IT-Online Publishing

Letters and editorial contributions are welcomed and should be addressed to the editor at editor@ shop-sa.co.za. Publication cannot be guaranteed and is subject to space and the editor’s discretion.

THE LEGAL BIT Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy the publisher and editor cannot accept responsibility for supplied material. The opinions of contributors are not necessarily those of shop-sa. Copyright is strictly reserved and no part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher.

Stationery sponsored by

Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

PRINTED BY Colorpress (pty) ltd.

Office paper sponsored by

Published by

BUSINESS SAVVY

03 | THE GREAT DISCONNECT You must connect to work, but you must disconnect to be secure, says Brian Holmes 04 |COMBATTING MEDIOCRITY South African companies must become lean and agile to avoid being average, says Anton Herbst 05 | MAKE YOUR MEETINGS MATTER Boost your productivity with these handy tips, from Gavin Moffat 06 | LABOUR LAW: LABOUR COURT REINS IN RETRENCHMENTS The Labour Court is no longer as lenient when it comes to retrenchment, says Ivan Israelstam

6 IN EVERY ISSUE 02 07 31 38 39 40 48

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EDITOR’S LETTER DIARISE THIS WEB BUTTONS CRIME ALERT PRODUCT SHOWCASE BUYERS’ GUIDE PUNCHLINE my office magazine

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editor’s letter

Printer perfect

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rinters are a booming business. The amount of ink used by inkjet printers worldwide in a year is substantial. In fact, according to www.neowin.net, enough ink was consumed by inkjet printers in 2013 to print 39-million A4-sized photos; fill 4,5 Olympic-sized swimming pools; or fill 15-million wine bottles. The numbers continue to surge as printer brands flourish and consumables become more affordable.

In this edition of My Office, we look at printers in the Digital Age: how they connect, what purpose they serve in your office, and which one will work best for you. See page 14 for more details.

Printing consumables are as important as printers; without them, a printer is useless to us. We focus on how you can upsell printing consumables in our feature on page 20.

Counterfeit printer cartridges are a big problem in the industry.

In our Crime Alert on page 38 we look at the impact these cartridges can have on your printer. We also provide a number of tips to enable you to identify counterfeit ink cartridges.

If you have a number of printers in your office which cost you

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a fortune to run, our IT Focus article on managed print services (page 12) will be of interest to you. MPS helps businesses to save money and cut costs by measuring who prints, where, when and how much.

On page 8 we speak to Thierry Boulanger, GM and vicepresident of Philips Lighting Africa, about his experience at the inaugural 702 CEO SleepOut, and what he views as the key takeaways from the fund-raising event.

We also continue with our Tarsus report-back (page 26) and back-to-school (BTS) build-up (page 10) features.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by Robert Half International, 56% of workers feel office politicking is necessary to get ahead in their career. On page 30 we look at the effect of office politics and how best to deal with it.

Spring is just around the corner, and we’d love to hear from our readers about their plans for the coming season. Please send us an e-mail to editor@shop-sa.co.za and let us know what’s on your mind.

Lei g h

Until next month

Vol 99 - August 2015

business savvy

The great disconnect

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ecuring our computers and networks is a real problem. Most of us don’t honestly know where to begin and, even when we pay someone, we can’t be sure they’ve done the job correctly.

It’s become even more of a headache these days. Here’s why: the best way to secure a computer from hackers, crackers and digital malcontents is to switch it off, remove the hard drive and RAM then pop the whole shebang in the Weber. You won’t get any info off that crispy silicon bacon, short of hiring a digital savant.

(If you’re the sort of person who reckons that’s possible, then call me now: I have an investment opportunity that rich people absolutely, positively don’t want you to learn. All I need is your e-mail password and ATM PIN.) The rub, though, in sautéing your untrustworthy digital components, lies herein: everything’s connected these days and we rely on them to do nearly everything. Just for kicks, try switching off your cell phone, iPad, iPod, PC, laptop, www.myofficemagazine.co.za

notebook, phablet and smartwatch; toss your thumb drive in the Weber too; turn off your digital camera’s WiFi, eject its SD card and swallow the thing; and disconnect your new car’s battery (because they too have WiFi these days, and can also be hacked).

With what little energy you have left, grab a pencil and a piece of paper and write a letter to your dad. Fold it, pop it in an envelope, lick and stick a stamp on it, drop it in the corner post box and wait for the reply. Two weeks from today he’ll receive the letter, reply immediately and two weeks after that you’ll receive it from him. For every one of your customers, just wash, rinse and repeat that process (and wash those digital woes right out of your hair). It is impossible to work offline. Do they even still sell stamps? I haven’t seen a red post box in at least 20 years. Is the post office even finished with its strike yet? Perhaps this is why I love analogue: it’s an anachronism.

You must connect to work but you must disconnect to be secure. It’s the technology paradox.

So what do you do? I figured using Macs would help. At the time fewer people were using them, so hackers and crackers weren’t that keen. But, judging by the size of Apple’s latest head office, that’s no longer the case. So, we slapped

on some anti-virus and intrusion detection software. We cranked up the firewalls on the machines. We couldn’t work. E-mail refused to send or download. Dropbox packed its bags and took a digital hike.

One of my Facebook friends sent me a carrier pigeon with a note tied to its leg that read: “This is a Candy Crush request.”

I pondered the security paradox later that night as I dined on roast pigeon.

There had to be a way I could talk to my customers and the world generally without the threat of unknown (yet often hinted at by alarmist media) hairyknuckled cybercrooks slavering over my bank account.

And then it hit me: Slavering and hairy knuckled they’re likely not.

Cybercrime apparently costs $1-billion per year in the Middle East, and £34-billion per year in Britain. With numbers that big, techno-crooks are more likely Saville Row-wearing, Rolls Royce-driving, stogie-smoking cads.

Now why on Earth would they give two tinker’s buttons for my little empire that could fund nothing short of a matchbox and a half litre of petrol?

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT BRIAN HOLMES

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business savvy

Combatting mediocrity

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e have visited just about all the provinces in South Africa and four countries in southern Africa over the past four months with our Tarsus roadshow. What a privilege and an eye-opener it has proven to be. What struck me most was the diversity across the country. We are so quick to segment people, cities and countries into groups of similarity, reducing them to means and averages.

This is, of course, a very useful trick for designing business and marketing strategies and sales plans because we do not have to build customised programmes for every person or entity. However, if we look at the same segments and all of our customers tend to be average, our value propositions will lose their uniqueness over time, and we will increasingly compete on price and efficiency.

It is also very useful when we want

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to find the factors that bind us together and give us a common purpose. Our humanity binds us together far more than it sets us apart. Why is it then that so many corporate diversity programmes focus on our differences, when in fact they should focus on what unites and binds us – and by extension gives us a common purpose?

Diversity is, however, critical when it comes to our growth and development, and it fosters uniqueness. It shows us that there are more options, different ways of doing things, and above all it prevents us from falling asleep in each other’s company. How boring would it be if we were all conforming to some average? Some economists have started to question the concept that economics revolves around the behaviour of the rational, average person.

Our industry has been going through the motions, serving the average and serving up the average. At best we compete on marginal differences in the value we create for our customers.

Our customers, however, do not have average problems – nor do they do business in an average city, province or country.

Each of the countries around us is far from

average, and are very different from South Africa. Each of the countries and provinces has different challenges and opportunities – and by default so do our customers.

Customer excellence will depend on our ability to provide unique solutions based on their unique problems or needs.

Of course, it has the potential to drive up our expenses, destroying our standardised, one-size-fits-all processes, and breaking down our rigid organisational boundaries.

We will have to be lean and agile, able to embrace change. It will take great talent and the extensive use of technology, but it has the potential to make us unique and different.

We can celebrate the uniqueness of our customer’s problems or we can bemoan their high expectations – either way, average service and average experiences built on the average of a segment, company or country will accelerate our steady decline into mediocrity – and with it our chance to make a difference.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT ANTON HERBST

Vol 99 - August 2015

business savvy

Make your meetings matter

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t’s amazing how many organisations battle with simple aspects of daily business, such as running productive meetings.

I have experienced some of these time-wasters recently and thought that I’d share a few ideas on how to turn these sessions into productive powerhouses.

Mostly the challenges lie in holding meetings that start, run and end on time; that stay on point; and that allow attendees to get out of them what they need.

The bottom line is that practically all successful (read: productive) meetings have a clearly-stated, desired outcome, shared through an appropriate reporting and action-oriented agenda, with a specific timeframe and the correct attendees.

To me this seems like such a basic requirement of doing business. How many meetings do you attend a week?

How many of them are productive, meaningful and worthwhile? It’s a common problem.

I believe that meetings should always have an agenda and a primary controller.

There should be an agreement that is www.myofficemagazine.co.za

verbalised in the first few minutes relating to the agenda, how contributions will be made, and when the meeting will end.

Anything else that may have come up needs to be discussed briefly.

The fly in the ointment is often individuals who speak over everyone and tend to dominate meetings, to the detriment of the outcome. What can you do in these situations? Here are a few tips: • A speaking stone – this is held by the person who is speaking and, until the stone is passed on, no one else may speak. If this is enforced it can bring a meeting-bully into line very quickly – and generally you will find that a room full of people will soon step up to let the bully know who has the speaking stone. Any object can be used. The idea is to highlight the negative habit of interruption. This is critical because, unless people are aware of what is not working, changes are next to impossible.

• A clear agenda, with clear timelines and outcomes – preparation prior to the meeting will pay huge dividends during the meeting.

• Take it offline – most meetings are hijacked by people trying to discuss items not on the agenda. Stick to

the agenda and agree upfront that anyone in the meeting is allowed to say that they would like to “discuss the matter offline”. This will vastly reduce the amount of time needed for meetings. A subsequent meeting to discuss the details will also need to be run in the same way.

• A standing meeting – have everyone stand in a meeting that does not take place in a boardroom. You will be surprised at how much less time is wasted when people have to stand for 25 minutes.

• Rethink the timeframe – the world of meetings is constructed in 30-minute or 1-hour increments. Kill that idea and have a 15- or 20-minute meeting.

Shorter meetings are more focused and allow little room for a meeting-bully to dominate. The agenda needs to be brief and you need to be clear about the outcomes you want.

Having said all that, the single most important factor in creating a good meeting culture is the boss and the most senior executives. If they lead by example, people cannot help but toe the line.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT GAVIN MOFFAT

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labour law

Labour Court reins in retrenchments

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n the past the Labour Court has been fairly flexible in its assessment of whether the reasons for retrenchments are fair or not.

Traditionally, where the employer could show a genuine operational requirement, the Court was loathe to second-guess the employer’s reason for retrenchment. However, it appears that the Labour Court is fast moving towards a position where it is prepared to look much more deeply into:

• •

The circumstances of each case; Whether there could have been some way of saving jobs; and • Whether the employer tried hard enough to save jobs.

The courts are required to ask three key questions when deciding whether a retrenchment is fair: 1. Did the employer follow the statutory retrenchment consultation procedure?

2. Did the employer have a genuine and fair operational reason for deciding that retrenchments were necessary?

3. Did the employer apply legally acceptable criteria for deciding on which employees to retrench?

The courts have always been strict as regards the retrenchment procedure – as many employers have learned at their cost.

Now the courts appear to be tightening up on the reasons for retrenching and for selecting who should be retrenched.

For example, in the case of FAWU versys

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SA Breweries (Contemporary Labour Law Vol 14 No. 2 September 2004), the employer retrenched employees after a major re-organisation in the way that work was done. This change required that production employees would need to be able to perform a much wider variety of work than previously. In order to establish whether these employees had the required skills to work in the changed jobs the employer applied, amongst others, the “ABET test”. That is, in the absence of other suitable educational qualifications, the employer tested the employees to assess their levels of at Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). Certain employees who failed these tests were selected for retrenchment.

The Labour Court found that: • Retrenchment has a “... deleterious impact on the life of workers and their families …” and can be seen as a “death penalty”; • An employer contemplating retrenchments must be able to prove that such dismissals were implemented as “a last resort”; • If there is a viable alternative to retrenchments the employer is obliged to implement it; • SAB acted unilaterally in applying the ABET levels; • These ABET levels were not a valid test of the retrenchees’ ability to work in the newly created jobs, because ABET measures more general abilities rather than the specific skills, and employees’ experience should also be taken into account; • SAB did not argue that it did not

have the funds to devise a valid and appropriate test to assess the suitability of the employees for the newly created positions, and thus they should have done so; • The retrenchees had long service histories; • Due to apartheid, the employees’ only schooling option had been “Bantu education”; • SAB had not taken adequate steps to assist the employees to obtain the desired ABET skills levels; • SAB had been inflexible as regards the consultation process; and • The retrenchments of these employees were unfair both procedurally and substantively.

Employers need to learn from the above case that: • The law keeps changing, and all employers need to keep up with these changes; • Retrenching employees is becoming harder and harder; • The biggest, most powerful and most experienced of employers can lose in the Labour Court; therefore, no effort must be spared in ensuring legal compliance; • The need to apply labour law expertise is not a luxury but a basic necessity; and • Such expertise must be applied before a retrenchment decision is made.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT DR IVAN ISRAELSTAM

Vol 99 - August 2015

industry events

Diarise this A list of industry-specific events and exhibitions to mark on your calendar

03 – 04 Aug

05 – 06 Aug

06 – 10 Aug

INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION CONFERENCE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, CAPE TOWN This conference will cover areas like understanding consumer insight and data inputs; campaign planning using best practice world-class techniques through digital engagement and multiscreen environments; creative execution; creative work that delivers impact and that is not necessarily measurable; closing the loop through realtime analytics and data mapping; and looking at brand health management related issues.

HR BUSINESS PARTNER CONFERENCE SOUTHERN SUN CAPE SUN, CAPE TOWN The HR Business Partner Conference will cover areas like engagement, retention, culture and inclusion; the investment, refocus and redesign of talent acquisition; talent mobility, career management and the leadership pipeline; and talent analytics and workforce planning.

100 PERCENT DESIGN SOUTH AFRICA JOHANNESBURG This event showcases product from architecture and design industry.

06 – 10 Aug DECOREX JOHANNESBURG GALLAGHER CONVENTION CENTRE, MIDRAND Decorex Jo’burg is the foremost event for interior designers, retailers and manufacturers featuring colour forecasts, emerging product finishes, future fabric and challenges that will affect the industry.

Do you have an upcoming event? Send the details to editor@shop-sa.co.za for possible inclusion on our events page.

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13 – 15 Aug TECH EXPO AFRICA SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE, JOHANNESBURG Tech Expo Africa will showcase products like transportation services, hardware, software-based technology, health, pharmaceutical services, and educational and agricultural products and services associated with the field.

26 – 29 Aug INNOVATION SUMMIT CAPE TOWN CAPE TOWN STADIUM, CAPE TOWN This conference will cover areas such as local innovation and global conversation, showcasing South Africa’s wealth of creativity, originality and ingenuity for developing unique solutions to unique challenges.

13 August BUSINESS START-UP EXPO PORT ELIZABETH THE BOARDWALK CONVENTION CENTRE, PORT ELIZABETH This event will showcase the wide range of products related to business start-up solutions, financing specialists and professional services in the Internet and start-ups industry.

12 October THE SUNFLOWER FUND NATIONAL BANDANA DAY Purchase bandanas from Pick n Pay, Round Table, selected Makro stores and the online shop Zando.

R25 will make a difference and offer hope to patients diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders like leukaemia. Visit www.sunflowerfund. org.za or call 0800 12 10 82 (toll free) for more info.

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Image: Debbie Yasbek

Image: 702

CEO sleep out

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Vol 99 - August 2015

CEO sleep out

Image: Debbie Yasbek

Out in the cold Thierry Boulanger, GM and vice-president of Philips Lighting Africa, speaks to My Office about his experience at 702’s inaugural CEO SleepOut

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hile driving home from work one afternoon in April, Thierry Boulanger, GM and vicepresident of Philips Lighting Africa, heard about the 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut on the radio.

The event, which took place on 18 June, challenged business leaders to join the global initiative, which asks participating CEOs to pay a fee to sleep on the street for one night, with the proceeds going to charity.

“I did not hesitate,” says Boulanger. “I immediately phoned the relevant people in my team to start the registration process. I also had a quick chat to our CFO, Katharina Linz, and suggested we do this together.”

Boulanger’s decision to participate in this initiative was borne out of the fact that it was different, standing out from other charity fundraisers.

“It was not only about giving to a charity, but more about understanding the plight of the poor. In my book, this means a more sustainable outcome for the event.”

Although Boulanger saw many of his peers at the event, he did not view it as a platform to identify business opportunities. Instead, it was evident that everyone there understood the purpose of the event and the reason for www.myofficemagazine.co.za

their participation.

Over 240 executives participated in the SleepOut, raising a combined total of R25-million for the beneficiaries, Girls & Boys Town.

Boulanger believes the SleepOut generated awareness for the plight of the homeless, in addition to the beneficiary.

“The awareness that was created was brilliant. That is what makes this event a sustainable one.

“The difference between simply raising funds for a charity and actually living out the conditions of the homeless is marked. When you wake up at halfpast-two in the morning because you are cold and uncomfortable, you actually experience what many homeless people experience daily.”

The biggest physical challenge of participating in the SleepOut was the discomfort of sleeping on the hard ground – and he is the first to admit that he was in need of a hot cup of coffee the morning after.

“We all knew it would be cold. I think we all came prepared for this. I think the cold was not the main issue; it was sleeping on a cardboard box which was on a very hard surface. We were sleeping in a number of different positions to try and get comfortable – and at the end of the day we were not sleeping deeply because it’s so uncomfortable. This was, in my opinion, the biggest challenge.”

Despite this, Boulanger says he would absolutely do it again.

“I would want to encourage a lot more people to do this. It’s a humbling experience. If this event could generate the funds it did and ensure that homelessness is alleviated or minimised, it’s not even up for discussion.”

When asked about his reaction towards the criticism voiced by some South Africans that the event was “an insult” to street dwellers, Boulanger says: “They have the right to their own thoughts. I am, however, surprised that they criticised this because of the end result. I don’t see that the executives participated in this event for their own good, or to raise their own profiles.

Perhaps it would be good for the critics to try this out next time and, if they still feel that way, then I would be interested to understand their comments.”

Participating in the event made a lasting impression on Boulanger.

“We do business in Africa. We have to realise that we don’t just do business in Africa for profit, but also to make a difference in people’s lives. We cannot ignore the plight of the poor. We also have to adapt our business models and products to ensure that we address all aspects of our markets.

“Africa has a young population and it’s urbanising rapidly. Can the traditional job markets absorb the new job seekers?

Can the cities and towns accommodate the rapid rate of urbanisation?

“Entrepreneurship must be encouraged.

As business leaders, we can shape the future.”

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BTS build-up

BTS season set to soar The outlook is positive for the 2015 BTS season

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he Office Products Industry (OPI) recently reported that the outlook for the 2015 back-to-school (BTS) season is looking positive. A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey has found that 29% of US households plan to spend more than last year on back-to-school purchases. This represents a 5% year-over-year increase for households with children between the ages of six to 17. Nearly a third of college students and their families say they will spend more this year, up from 23% last year.

Economic challenges Despite this, the NRF study found that the current economic conditions are still front-of-mind for parents and students alike. Nearly a third of college shoppers surveyed said that they plan to conduct comparison shopping online, while 31% of shoppers with school-aged children will compare prices online.

Seventy-three percent of school

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shoppers say that the economy has impacted their BTS shopping plans, and 38% of those surveyed are shopping for sales more often. More than a quarter of participants say they will buy generic, non-branded products this year.

College students do not differ much: 76% say the state of the economy will change their purchasing plans, with 31% shopping for sales more often. Twentysix percent will buy more own-brand or generic products.

The number of respondents whose BTS spend remains unchanged (57%) represents an increase from 2014.

E-commerce on the up Another challenge for traditional stationers is the fact that the online market is seeing growth. Sales of office and school supplies in America showed 1% growth for the period from 3 January 2013 to 3 January 2014. E-commerce served as the push behind the increase, with the channel recording $1,1-billion in sales.

It was also the only channel to record growth across all categories. This is according to The NPD Group.

While brick-and-mortar stores still dominate the retail market with 91% of sales, online stores captured 1% of this

share in 2014. This translates as 15% overall growth in sales. Brick-and-mortar stores remained flat in the same period, recording $10,6-billion in sales.

While top growth drivers in the channel differed, the colouring and art category was popular across both platforms.

“The e-commerce boom is one that we’re seeing across all of retail, and the fact that it has become a billion-dollar channel for office and school supplies is significant,” says Leen Nsouli, office supplies industry analyst at The NPD Group.

“This growth doesn’t show signs of slowing down, and I expect to see this brisk pace continue through 2015.

“Just as there’s opportunity for the industry beyond the back-to-school season, there are opportunities to be garnered from other channels besides online. Food, for example, is key because it serves as a convenient one-stop shop, which is appealing to consumers. Here lies an occasion for strategic planning and pricing,” adds Nsouli.

“The industry is experiencing a shift in its dynamics, and such movement brings opportunities to find growth areas, and capitalise on others that are ripe for development.”

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Vol 99 - August 2015

IT focus

Manage before you print Managed print services are fast becoming a way for companies to cut costs and improve services

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Although the definition of MPS encompasses many things, the end result is to gain visibility and control of printing in order to save money, boost productivity and document security, and preserve the environment.

MPS will cover: All pages produced by office and mobile workers and production print operations; • All machines capable of printing or copying, such as office desktop printers, multi-function printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines and high-volume printers; • All materials sent out for quick printing, offset printing, mailing and distribution; • All support functions, including the IT help desk, technical service, maintenance and any change requests; • All paper, ink, toner, supplies and consumables; and • All the costs of “printing”.

Printing accounts for as much as 15% of a company’s annual spend. With MPS, you can outsource print management and cut costs by as much as 30%.

Why do you need MPS?

Choosing an MPS provider

Managed print services encompass the total cost of managing and optimising company printers, their output, and the people and processes that support these devices.

According to Quocirca’s 2014 Managed Print Services Landscape, gaining predictable costs was the top reason for moving to a managed print service, with respondents giving it an average score of 4.3 out of 5.

Respondents rated improved service quality (3.9) and reducing consumables costs (3.8) as next most important.

The advent and increasing popularity of cloud computing is driving the growth of MPS, as solutions can be scaled up or down as company needs change. The cloud also offers a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model.

If you want to roll out MPS in your company, it is imperative you seek a provider that will have a truly transformative business impact.

You will need buy-in from your employees, and they will demand access to the latest technologies that enable them to work flexibly and productively. No one will want to use MPS if it is clunky and cumbersome.

Customer expectations are also changing, and organisations must be more dynamic and agile.

Because of this, your managed print services provider should do more than just oversee your printers.

According Xerox, they should also: • Conduct a thorough, up-front assessment to analyse current

anaged print services (MPS) is described by Gartner as “services offered by an external provider to optimise or manage a company’s document output”. An MPS supplier must provide an assessment, hardware replacement and service, and provide parts and other supplies. The provider also tracks how the printer, fax, copier and MFP fleet is being used, the problems, and the user’s satisfaction.

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printing infrastructure; Monitor, manage and optimise the total print output environment, endto-end, regardless of printer brand; • Provide a roadmap to reduce the number and types of printing devices and supplies, while meeting the needs of your business; • Proactively identify and solve potential printing problems and replenish supplies before employees are affected; • Reduce your environmental footprint through printing less paper, consuming less energy, generating fewer greenhouse gases and keeping waste out of landfills; • Give telecommuters and mobile workers easy and secure printing access; • Continuously monitor the printing environment and use ongoing process improvements to save time and money; • Provide network management and information technology (IT) integration, from platform support to cloud-based solutions; • Train your employees for a smooth transition through change management so they are more satisfied and productive; • Have a proven track record in deploying managed print services anywhere in the world through a global network of highly skilled experts; and • Turn slow, paper-based processes (like routing and approvals) into automated, digital ones.

A good managed print services provider is one who can seamlessly manage your company’s print infrastructure so you don’t have to.

•

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Vol 99 - August 2015

Faster, attractive, better yield without compromising quality

HP LaserJet Enterprise M604dn E6B68A

HP LaserJet Enterprise M605dn E6B70A

Print speed black (ISO) 52 ppm, Print quality up to 1200 x 1200 dpi; Duplex (Manual); Input capacity 600 sheets (100-sheet multipurpose tray 1, 500-sheet input tray 2, automatic two-sided printing) Output capacity std 600 sheet

Print speed black (ISO) 58 ppm, Print quality up to 1200 x 1200 dpi; Duplex (Manual); Input capacity std 600 sheets (100-sheet multipurpose tray 1, 500-sheet input tray 2, Automatic duplexer for two-sided printing); Output capacity Std 6

HP LaserJet Enterprise M606dn E6B72A

HP Colour LaserJet Pro M252dw B4A22A

Print speed black (ISO) 65 ppm, Print quality up to 1200 x 1200 dpi; Duplex (Manual); Input capacity std 600 sheets (100-sheet multipurpose tray 1; 500-sheet input tray 2, automatic two-sided printing); Output capacity std 6

Print up to 17 ppm black and up to 4 ppm colour (ISO speed), Duplex, Connectivity: Hi-speed USB 2.0 port, Built-in fast ethernet 10/100Base-TX network port, Host USB, wireless 802.11 b/g/n.HP ePrint, Wireless direct printing

HP Colour LaserJet Enterprise M553dn B5L25A

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw

Print up to 40 ppm black and up to 40 ppm colour (ISO speed), Duplex (Automatic), Connectivity: Hi-speed USB 2.0, Built-in fast ethernet 10/100/1000Base-TX network, Paper handling: 650-sheet input tray, 250-sheet output

Print up to 19 ppm black and up to 19 ppm colour (ISO speed), Copy Speed Up to 19 cpm, Scan Speed 21 ppm black; 14 ppm colour, Duplex, ADF 50 sheets, 150-sheet input tray, 100 sheet output tray, Connectivity Hi-Speed USB

Gauteng: Tel: +27 (0) 11 237 - 7000 | Western Cape: Tel: +27 (0) 21 529 - 3900 Kwa-Zulu Natal: Tel: +27 (0) 31 569 - 8800 | Eastern Cape: Tel: +27 (0) 41 395 - 0100 Email: AWG_HP_IPG_PRODUCT@axizworkgroup.com

B3Q11A

printers

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Vol 99 - August 2015

printers

Printers in the Digital Age As we move into the Digital Age, our printers are moving with us

F

rom the Gutenberg press to 3D objects, printing has come a long way in the last 600 years.

Now, as we move into the Digital Age, our printers are becoming more intelligent, more mobile and more technologically advanced.

Wireless printers Wireless printers are classified as any printers in the work environment which are connected to a network rather than being connected to workers’ computers with cables. Most often, the printer is connected to a local area network (LAN) via WiFi, but some models can also connect via Bluetooth. Staff computers are also connected to the network, and messages are passed from the computers to the printer in this way.

Almost all types of printers come in wireless varieties, including thermal printers, laser printers, inkjet printers and www.myofficemagazine.co.za

even modern impact (dot matrix) printers.

There are a number of advantages to wireless printing – the most obvious being that there are no wires.

Wireless printers eliminate the need for inconvenient (and sometimes dangerous) cabling. No time, effort or money needs to be spent on connecting computers to printers, or the cable management that evitably results from wired devices.

Another advantage of wireless printing is that the machine can serve more than one staff member at a time.

Print jobs can be easily queued and printed quickly, rather than each staff member needing to physically plug their computer into the communal printer.

Wireless printers can save businesses money. Apart from the fact that they negate the need for sharing a printer via a cable, they also negate the need for each person (or group of people) to have access to an individual printer. They feed into managed print services (MPS), helping businesses keep track of what is printed, when, where and how often.

This further promotes cost savings.

Mobile printing is considered to be

the process of sending data to a printer wirelessly from a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. Wireless printers mean office workers can easily print onthe-go – from any networked device, and any place that has sight of the network.

This boosts productivity, ensuring that employees can print things quickly and move on with their tasks, rather than standing around waiting for their turn at the printer.

There are, however, disadvantages associated with networked printers. They can reduce the speed of your wireless network, resulting in slow communication times, especially if the office is large and there are many devices tethered to one network.

They can have problems seeing the network, and intermittently disconnect themselves from it. This means a wireless printer will need to be rebooted more often than a traditional, wired printer does.

Consumers also report that wireless printers jam more often than traditional ones, and that they often experience compatibility problems when using multiple platforms (such as Windows and Mac OS). my office magazine

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printers

Top tips for portable printer buy-in Mobile printing solutions fail when the wrong printer is used for the job, or when staff members are resistant to the idea of using a portable printer because of the hassle involved.

Create staff buy-in by ensuring the following:

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Ease of use

Mobile printers must be simple to operate and convenient to maintain.

Ideally, they should be lightweight, and moveable parts (such as batteries) should be easy to access and replace.

Mobile printers Mobile or portable printers are small, lightweight printers that are used by field workers and people on the move.

They cover a range of printers, including photo printers, receipt printers and label printers. In the case of field work, mobile printers are rugged and durable, resistant to dust, moisture, temperature extremes and drops. They can be worn on the body by means of a strap or a belt clip.

Portable printers are used to great effect in the retail, warehousing, hospitality and medical environments.

Mobile printers have a number of advantages: they increase productivity; reduce operating costs; improve cash flow and revenues; and enhance customer retention in a competitive market.

This is in large part due to the fact that portable printers eliminate the need for handwritten forms, so more accurate, legible documents are produced.

Customers can review charges before the field worker leaves the premises, resolving potential billing disputes. Administrative costs are reduced, and cash flow is improved. Route maps and driving directions can be printed for workers on the road. Customers can be provided with updated receipts and future orders can be logged. Inventory and tracking is improved, while processing times and errors are minimised.

Mobile printers use cabled or wireless connectivity to receive print jobs from a

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mobile computer or other device. Mobile printers are quickly becoming wireless, although the type of connectivity they offer differs. The three most widely available technologies are: • Infrared data association (IrDA) – this was the first wireless technology.

Infrared waves transmit data between two devices equipped with IrDA ports, which are included on most mobile printers. The technology is inexpensive, secure and uses less power than other connectivity solutions. However, it is inconvenient due to strict line-ofsight requirements.

• Bluetooth – this wireless technology is the most popular replacement for cables, due to the fact that it can be used by mobile workers where other wireless options may be limited. It offers low power consumption, is more secure, incurs less interference and offers data transfer rates of 1Mbps to 3Mbps.

• WiFi (IEEE 802.11) – this wireless technology is ideal for workers on the go inside one building, such as an office, hospital or warehouse.

Mobile printers are assigned IP addresses and appear like any other device on the network. WiFi is both faster and more secure than Bluetooth, although battery life is sacrificed because of this.

Reliability

Hardware downtime and failures increase company costs, inconveniencing staff and decreasing their willingness to embrace the technology.

Power management

If your employees have to change the batteries on a mobile printer often, they are less likely to use it. Compare power management technologies to prevent inconvenience and lack of productivity. A fully-charged battery should last at least one full work day.

Printer integration

If you plan to roll out mobile printers within your business, ensure that they will be properly integrated with the other devices your employees use. There is a constant shift in operating systems, programming languages, computing platforms, and communications and security standards, and your mobile printers will need to be compatible with these changes.

Customer support

Your mobile printer supplier should be willing to offer support before, during and after you roll out mobile printers in your business. Choose one that will adequately meet your needs, and offer support such as maintenance, warranties and firmware upgrades.

Vol 99 - August 2015

printers Multi-function printers Multi-function printers (MFPs) typically provide print, copy, scan and fax capabilities from a single device. Also known as all-in-ones (AIOs), multifunction copiers (MFCs) and multifunction devices (MFDs), they are available in both laser and inkjet models.

MFPs are usually categorised according to their intended use. For home use, inkjets are considered better because they print longer-lasting photographs, while for office use a laser-class printer is more effective due to the volumes and types of material being printed.

MFPs for the office need to be able to fax and e-mail, and should include an automatic document feeder (ADF) that allows users to scan, copy, fax and e-mail multi-page documents.

However, these basic functions are not always straightforward. Some MFPs can only scan documents over a USB connection, while others need a computer to be on for the printer to make copies.

This is problematic if you plan to connect over a network, or use the machine as a stand-alone copier.

Not all MFPs include a fax-to-PC function, which allows you to fax

documents directly from your PC without having to print them first. E-mail features also come in two forms: direct e-mail scans and sends an e-mail directly to your Internet service provider (ISP) or an in-house email server on your network; while other MFPs require you to open an e-mail message on a PC and add the scanned document as an attachment.

Most MFPs include a flatbed suitable for scanning photos or single-sheet documents. An ADF allows for the easy scanning of multi-page documents in duplex (both sides of the page).

Connection to an MFP can be done via a USB port, Ethernet connection or WiFi connection. Some printers now include WiFi Direct, which allows compatible devices to connect with them without needing a wireless access point. A few of the newer models offer near-field communication (NFC), which allows you to initiate printing from a compatible mobile device simply by tapping the printer with the phone or tablet.

The space-saving design of an MFP can benefit small offices, negating the need for multiple, cumbersome devices and masses of cables. This can save companies money in the long run.

printers The main disadvantage of an MFP is that if a printing problem occurs, other functionalities of the device, such as the copier or fax machine, become inaccessible.

Continuous ink system printers Continuous ink system printers, also known as ink tank printers, are printers that deliver large volumes of liquid ink to a comparatively small inkjet printhead, negating the need for ink cartridges. The ink source in a printer that uses a continuous flow system

is placed outside the printing device.

A set of printing bottles are attached via plastic tubes to the machine’s printhead.

This helps businesses to increase printing capacity at a lower price point.

Continuous ink system printers have a number of advantages: • Low cost – this printing system is budget friendly, making printing available to a range of users from students to professionals.

• Economical – it is efficient and affordable for businesses who want to print high volumes of documents.

•

Good value – documents are printed efficiently and ink supply is not wasted unnecessarily.

• Easy to refill – users just need to connect the ink bottles to the ink containers outside the printer in order to refill the ink tanks. However, it is important to note that using inferior quality ink will clog up the sensitive printhead, and possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty.

These types of printers offer the same connectivity options as other modern printers.

object into digital cross-sections which act as a guide so that the printer is able to build the design layer by layer.

After the finished design file is sent to the 3D printer, you can choose the material to print in. The types of material you can choose from will be determined by the kind of 3D printer you have. Some can print in rubber, plastic, paper and even food (such as chocolate).

Your chosen material is sprayed or squeezed from the printer onto a platform.

The 3D printer makes passes (much like an inkjet printer) over the platform, depositing layer upon layer of material to

create the object in the design file.

Depending on the size and complexity of the object, this can take several hours or even days.

The different layers are automatically fused together to create a single threedimensional object in a dots per inch (DPI) resolution.

Although the possibilities of 3D printing seem endless, there have been a number of controversies surrounding the technology. One such example occurred in 2013, when a pro-arms group published the design files for a fullyfunctioning gun that could be printed on a 3D printer.

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3D printers 3D printing or additive manufacturing is the process of making threedimensional, solid objects from a digital design file. Additive manufacturing occurs when successive layers of material are laid down in a particular pattern, in order to create an object.

3D printing is used for a range of applications, from fashion and medicine to toys and food.

The process of 3D printing begins with a computer-aided design (CAD) file, containing the original concept of the object, modelled digitally. This creates a virtual blueprint of the object to be printed. 3D printing software divides the

Stefano Tinti / Shutterstock.com

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printers

Funky facts about printers 1. The fastest printer can print 150 sheets of paper per minute. Produced by RISO, the ComColor 9050 is the Speedy Gonzales of printers.

2. Toner is made out of tiny plastic spheres called polymers, and not ink. That’s why laser printers get so hot – the rollers heat to temperatures above 200°C to melt the toner.

3. Inkjet printers were first used in hospitals for medical strip chart recorders, but were not initially popular because of the vast amount of ink that was required to run them. However, once technology was developed to allow for non-continuous printing, inkjet printers became more popular.

4. Inkjet ink is one of the most valuable substances in the world. It is more expensive than gold, space shuttle fuel and oil. In 2014, it was reported that a gallon of inkjet ink was worth $9 600.

5. Almost all the parts that make up an inkjet printer can be recycled, including the cartridges. Sadly, this doesn’t stop them from ending up in landfills.

6. In 1981, Xerox designed the first laser printer for office use. At the time, it would have cost you $17 000 to buy

one. The first printer they invented was developed using an old photocopier in 1969.

7. The world’s largest digital printer prints backdrops for theatre, TV and film. The largest backdrop it is able to print has an area of 600 square metres.

8. The world’s smallest printed book measures 0,74mm x 0,75mm, and was printed in Japan. Twenty-two pages in length, it is illegible without a magnifying glass.

9. When The Incredible Hulk first appeared in comics in 1962, he was grey, not green. However, because of the difficulty of maintaining the consistency of the grey colour in printing, the decision was made to change his complexion to a greenish hue.

Source: www.docx.co.za

printing consumables

Printing

consumables Anyone who owns a printer is guaranteed to need these printing consumables Ink cartridges Possibly one of the most important selling points of a printer is the ink it will consume. Your customers will always look to keep expenses down, and inks make up a large percentage of the longterm running costs of a printer.

Determine the kind of printer your customers have in order to recommend the best ink cartridge for the job.

Inkjet cartridges Inkjet cartridges contain liquid ink, and an inkjet printer uses CMYK cartridges.

An electronic device inside the printer boils the ink, causing it to expand and shoot out onto a page in the form of a microscopic mist. In this way, ink is transferred directly onto the page via the printheads. Some inkjet printers have integrated printheads, with the ink cartridges merely acting as reservoirs.

Others feature printheads that are attached to the ink cartridges, and the printheads are replaced every time the cartridges are replaced.

Toner cartridges Most laser printers use toner, which is a dry powder made of plastic and some metal. The printer’s laser writes a picture onto a drum. The toner is attracted to wherever the laser has written, and is then transferred to the paper and melted into it, forming a bond. Toner cartridges are generally more expensive than inkjet cartridges; however, they need to be replaced less frequently.

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Single and combined cartridges Cartridges are usually available as either single or combined units. In some cases, black is a single unit and the colours are available in a combined unit. This comes in handy if your customer prints a lot of black and white text, rather than colour printing.

The black cartridge can be replaced separately as needed. With separate ink tank technology, each of the four colours can be replaced individually.

While high-end printers can use up to eight different colours, most household and office printers use black, magenta, yellow and cyan to produce the required colours.

Photo printers can have up to 11 ink tanks, which include a range of colours such as red, yellow, cyan, magenta, photo cyan, photo magenta, matte black, photo black, light grey, grey and dark grey.

Starter and high-capacity cartridges It is important to determine whether the printer will take full-size ink or toner cartridges, or lower-capacity, starter-size supplies, as this impacts total cost of ownership as well as cost per page.

Printers usually come with starter cartridges. These are smaller than normal and are merely intended to get users started with their new printers.

High-capacity ink cartridges contain more ink and are more expensive, but

work out cheaper in the long run. Not all printers are able to accommodate high-capacity cartridges, and it is important to double check your customer’s model before selling them this solution.

OEM, third-party and refurbished cartridges Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges are manufactured by the company that made the printer.

They are usually of superior quality and are guaranteed to fit the model of printer for which they were designed.

They yield the highest print quality with the lowest failure rate. However, OEM cartridges tend to be expensive. These cartridges are to be recommended to your customers who value lasting, precision results.

Compatible ink cartridges are made by third parties instead of OEMs, and are brand new when sold. They are often cheaper than OEM cartridges and are designed to fit a range of printers.

Ask your customer which model of printer they have, as some OEMs cartridges are patented and third party cartridges will not fit as well. Print quality is not as high with third-party cartridges. If your customer is worried about price point and volumes, rather than crisp quality, print accuracy and durability, third-party cartridges are an ideal solution.

Remanufactured or refurbished cartridges are old ink cartridges that have been reconditioned and refilled.

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printing consumables

Ribbons Dot matrix printers use ink ribbons.

The ribbon does not dry out easily, and when the ribbon is running out of ink, the print gradually fades rather than stopping abruptly. A key selling point for customers is that they are not only costeffective but also useful in demanding, rugged environments with excess heat, moisture or dirt.

Another kind of printer that uses a ribbon is a thermal printer. These ribbons are heat sensitive and should be protected from light and moisture.

Most thermal inks are black, but new developments have resulted in coloured thermal inks.

Any discarded or empty cartridges are taken to the OEM or a third party, who open them and replace any defective or broken parts before refilling them. As a rule, refurbished cartridges are less expensive than OEM models. However, the quality may vary, and the cartridges may be messy.

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Paper When selling paper to your customers, remember that the type of paper a printer uses will impact the cost of ownership. Try and ascertain what the primary function of the printer is – such as printing black and white text, printing photos or colour printing – to determine which paper will be most suitable, and will cut costs for your customer in the long term.

Continuous form paper Impact printers use continuous form paper. Continuous paper is usually perforated at regular intervals and is joined together like an accordion. It can be single ply or multi-ply, with carbon paper between the layers. The highest grade of continuous paper is similar to typing paper, with a fine perforation.

The most common sizes are 241mm x 279mm and 381mm x 279mm.

Cut sheet paper Inkjet and laser printers use cut sheet paper, ranging in size from A5 (148mm x 210mm) up to A0 (841mm x 1 189mm)

in speciality printers. Variations are offered in thickness, smoothness or a combination thereof. Choosing the correct paper will prevent premature wear and tear of the finished product. Paper is often supplied by the manufacturer to ensure the best colour reproductions.

Photograph paper Photo printers use photographic paper, which is coated with custom-made chemicals for a glossy finish. The chemicals also ensure there is no bleeding or smearing of ink. The paper itself can be thin sheets of plain paper or thick, multi-layered paper. Different types of photo paper have different thicknesses and textures. Some photo papers have the grain and weight of watercolour paper or art canvas.

Thermal paper Thermal paper is a fine paper coated with a chemical that changes colour when it is exposed to heat. The paper, which comes in rolls, has a protective top-coating to prevent fading. Despite this, the paper is light sensitive and fades easily.

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printing consumables

Cables

It important to note that, while printers are sold with power cables, they are not often sold with printer cables. It is imperative that you, as a reseller, ensure that that your customer is aware of this, and sell them the best cable for their needs.

USB cables The kind of USB cable that your customer will need largely depends on what kind of device needs to be connected.

A standard USB (such as the kind found as a port on a laptop) is called a USB-A. USB-A to USB-A will allow your customers to connect two devices with standard USB ports, such as connecting a printer to a notebook.

A mini USB-B is the small USB port usually associated with external hard drives, and was once the standard for portable devices. A USB-A to mini USB-B cable is a way to connect standard ports to small ports.

The micro USB-B is the newest and smallest USB connector type. Nearly every new smartphone now uses this type of connector, making it ideal to print pictures directly from a phone.

USB-A to USB-B cables are common for printers and other large peripheral devices. They’re also used by computer programmers when programming electronics.

USB cables are intended to be used

near a computer, and therefore don’t usually come in lengths longer than a metre.

It is possible to connect USBs in an end-to-end manner, but this should be avoided.

Ethernet cables Ethernet cables are used to connect computers to networks, modems or routers via a wired connection. The cables transmit data through twisted pairs of copper wire or solid core wires in RJ-45 connectors. There are different types of Ethernet cables, such as Cat 3 and Cat 6, which are used for different applications.

tarsus report-back

Waves of change The office products industry will be affected by the waves of change disrupting businesses around the globe

T

he pace of change is unprecedented in our modern world. We are moving along at 10 times the speed of the Industrial Revolution, and 3 000 times the scope – largely due to the fact that there are four major disruptors at play, rather than just one.

Anton Herbst, MD of Tarsus Technologies, gave a presentation on just this at a recent event held in conjunction with shop-sa.

“You only know it’s a revolution when you look back,” says Herbst. For example, 10 years ago who would have thought that the biggest Apple reseller would be a bank? Change is inevitable, and it is coming to a business near you.

Rapid urbanisation One of the four major disruptors facing any business today is the fact that countries are becoming much more urbanised.

People are moving into the world’s cities at a rate of 65-million per annum. It is estimated that 2,5-billion people will live in Asian cities by 2025, accounting for half of all urbanised people in the world.

These mega-cities will see the likes of Johannesburg merging with Pretoria, Midrand and Soweto. Emerging economies will be growing 75% faster than developed countries by 2025. What bearing does this have on business? The result of this rapid migration to cities is the growth

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of the urban consumer class, which is set to increase by 150% between 2010 and 2030. The number of people who consume products, and the way in which they do so, is rapidly changing.

Aging populations As developed countries mature, their populations age and the number of elderly people who consume products but do not work increases. The average life expectancy is also increasing, with centenarians a more common occurrence.

As the workforce declines due to aging populations, countries run the risk of becoming economically stagnant. Countries need a 1,5% increase in GDP growth to be considered “growing”. Although not an aging population, South Africa has a 54% unemployment rate among 18 to 24-yearolds – the very part of the population most capable of work – while there are currently 16,5-million people on grants.

Globalisation The world is smaller than ever before as global connections continue to increase.

There is an instant flow of information from one part of the planet to another, ensuring that consumer trends become powerful overnight. Enabled by the surge in technology, highly-connected countries see up to 40% more GDP growth than those that are less connected. There has been a 500-fold increase in global Internet traffic between 2000 and 2012. This means that word gets out: Moody ratings, for example, matter – and traders will move on the back of a weak economy, which affects the country’s currency and weakens the rand.

Globalisation has been responsible for

a number of trends, such as the rise of the smartphone and the disruption of traditional industries (such as caused by Airbnb and Uber).

Despite this trend, it is very important not to look at Africa as a homogenous place: economies such as Angola and Zambia are growing rapidly, but are very different to Nigeria and even South Africa. Business owners in South Africa need to focus their attentions toward these emerging markets.

Changing technology The fourth and final major disruptor is technology. The ubiquity of IT, devices, the Internet and software has fundamentally changed the way consumers consume.

The newer generations (Generation Y and the Millennials) live online. They work, purchase and communicate through online platforms such as Facebook, Amazon.com and Takealot.

Their lives are centred around social media, and they can use it to make or break a company or product.

These four disruptors are set to impact the office products industry as much as any other. The ability for people to shop from anywhere and work from anywhere means that companies need to reevaluate the way that they do business. It may no longer be enough to have a brickand-mortar store. Online platforms are the way consumers of the future will engage with companies, and it is important that our industry embraces these changes before it is left behind.

“In a world of uncertainty and ambiguity, the past is not necessarily predictive of the future,” says Herbst.

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Vol 99 - August 2015

Working for you

Excellence Accelerated Get it right first time, in less time.

Rexel Fusion laminators are designed to keep you productive, with simple controls.

Professional quality output and lightning quick speed.

www.rexelsa.co.za

arts & crafts

Photobooks

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photobook is a printed book in which photographs make a significant contribution to the overall content.

Photobooks were originally bound and printed by publishers in the form of coffee table books. However, as digital photography has come of age and printing services abound, photobooks are now within everyone’s reach.

Design Designing photobooks is a creative process that requires the selected photographs to tell a story. The photographs you choose to use in your photobook will make it completely unique to you.

Design can be done on a computer, on online Web-based platforms, in an app or in conjunction with your printer.

Photobooks can be designed according to a number of standard templates – or they can be a unique reflection of your personal taste, including borders, captions and text such as poems or quotes.

Whoever designs the layout of your photobook can insert different backgrounds or layouts to complement your photos.

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Sizes Photobooks come in various standard sizes, such as A5 and A4. The size of the photobook will depend largely on the type of photos you choose, the theme of the photobook and your budget. Different sizes should also be kept in mind for different applications. For example, a photobook that serves as a model’s portfolio of work should be large and striking.

Hardcover photobooks are generally printed on 170gsm matte paper, bound on the side and put into a case-bound photobook. Soft-cover albums are printed using 170gsm matte paper. The cover is usually 200gsm, with a glossy varnish.

Production Photobooks are printed on high-quality digital colour printers and are usually case bound. Professional printing and binding services will allow you to create a photobook with a sophisticated layout. The integrated design and order workflow mean that hardcoverbound photobooks with customised pictures and text can be produced very cost-effectively.

There are many photobook software companies that sell licensed solutions to photo labs and print houses, allowing their customers to create photobooks easily.

Purpose Photobooks are ideal for marking special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, holidays, team events or baby’s first year.

They make for great gifts, and can also be used in a professional setting to advertise a business’ portfolio of products or services.

Caring for your photobook Photobooks are printed on digital photo paper using pigment-based inks. As a result, it is a good idea to keep your photobook away from high temperatures, direct sunlight, water or damp. Good quality paper and a satin finish will prolong the life of your photobook.

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arts & crafts

Top tips for creating your photobook Putting together your first photobook can be daunting. Here are a few tips to guide you through the decision-making process: Motive Why do you want to put the photobook together? What is it for?

This will affect how you progress with the project and layout of the photobook. It is also important to decide who will lay it out.

Will you use a software program or an online tool? Will you ask your printer to do it? It’s worth having a look at all the options, and choosing one that suits your budget.

up a context for the stronger images by including what you may regard as slightly weaker images. Be selective and critical of the work you are considering for the photobook.

Image order You will need to consider the order in which your photos will be presented. Consider the flow that the pictures offer. You need to construct a balance of images that will inform and engage the reader and pull them into the scenes.

Layout Decide how you want to present the photographs on the page.

Take the time to experiment with different layouts before making a final decision. Do you want images to cover the whole page, or will they have a border? Will you put images on every page, or keep them on the right hand side only and keep text on the left?

Type of photobook What type of photobook do you want to produce? This will be influenced partly by the purpose of the photobook, the theme of the content and your budget. Traditionally, photobooks are hardback and come with a slip cover. Have a look at the photos you want to include to determine which type of photobook will work best.

Themes and content The best photobooks have a structured and cohesive theme.

Photos taken with a specific motive or subject matter will work well, or shots that are taken within a specific time frame. This will force you to work more carefully.

Text Text such as captions are by no means compulsory within a photobook. When it comes to captions, avoid repeating what is already obvious from the photograph. Incorporate them within the layout instead of sticking them wherever they fit.

Image selection Careful image selection is absolutely vital when putting together your first photobook. It needs to have a rhythm and completeness that tells the whole story. It’s important to build www.myofficemagazine.co.za

The cover shot The image that you choose to put on the front of your photobook will be the first point of contact for any reader. It needs to be an engaging image so that people want to page through the photobook Try to find an image that most fully represents the theme of photobook, so that it is obvious from first glance what the book is about.

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people management

Play the game A simple guide to dealing with office politics

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ffice politics is defined as the tactics that people within the work environment use to gain an advantage in order to further their own goals.

Whether you hate it, admire it, practice it or avoid it, office politics is part of life in any organisation – and it needs to be understood and mastered.

The term often has a negative connotation, in that it refers to strategies people use to seek advantage at the expense of others or the greater good – which is seen as something to be avoided. However, “good office politics” helps people to promote themselves and their cause fairly.

Denying the existence of office politics may cause you to suffer while others take unfair advantage, or you might miss the opportunities to properly further your own interests.

Accept that office politics exists Accepting the reality of office politics is the first step to dealing effectively with it. Develop strategies to deal with the political behaviour going on around you.

Observe these behaviours and then use the information you gather to build a

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strong network to operate in. Do this by: • Observing company interactions for a while, to re-map the organisation in terms of political power; • Find out who the real influencers and mentors are; • Find out if there are any social cliques, interpersonal conflicts or difficult people in the office; • Build relationships in your office that range across the formal hierarchy (from peers to executives); • Build real relationships based on trust and respect instead of false flattery; and • Be friendly to everyone but don’t align yourself with one group or another.

Neutralise negativity Steer clear of negative politicking and promote yourself positively. It is up to you to communicate your own abilities and successes to the right people through positive political action. When you spend more time listening, you are less likely to say something inappropriate. Get to know the negative politickers better and be courteous to them, but always be very careful what you say to them. Try to understand what motivates them, thereby learning how to avoid and counter their impact.

Govern your own behaviour Observation will help you better understand what works in your office.

Watch other people and identify

successful behaviours that you can imitate. Ensure that you: • Don’t pass on gossip or spread rumours. If you hear something, take time to consider its credibility before reacting.

• Rise above interpersonal conflicts.

Do not get involved in divisive arguments with colleagues.

• Always remain professional and remember the best interests of the business.

• Maintain a positive outlook, and avoid whining and complaining.

• Are confident and assertive but not aggressive.

• Do not take a personal view when voicing objections or criticism. Keep the organisation in mind.

• Always assume things will be disclosed rather than kept in confidence, and decide what you should reveal accordingly.

• Lead by example in your office or team. Be a model of integrity.

Positive or negative, office politics is a fact of life. Refusing to participate in it means that you run the risk of having no say in what happens to you, while people less qualified than you make the decisions. Learning how to use the power of office politics positively, while diffusing the efforts of those who abuse it, will make for a happier office.

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Acknowledgement: Caroline Smith; www.mindtools.com Vol 99 - August 2015

people management

The archetypes of office politics 1.

The servant-leader

4.

The recluse

This archetype leads by example and wins the consent of followers without resorting to threats of punishment or promises of reward. Leading means teaching people do to without you. Do not rely on your job title or your place in the hierarchy to impose your will.

This archetype personifies professional detachment, a quiet determination to withdraw from the world, offering nothing, seeking nothing. The key is to conserve energy by retreating. The recluse does not yield, but instead disengages and removes themself from reach.

2.

5.

The rebel

This archetype personifies the idea that politics involves and even requires at least two people who stand in opposition to one another. This implies that a certain amount of conflict, tension and chaos is inevitable in any organisation. Rebels risk becoming members of the permanent opposition.

3.

The mentor

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This archetype is the counsellor who facilitates, mediates, negotiates and thus acquires great influence over important decisions. Success requires diplomacy and discretion, and the results of your work are more conspicuous than you are.

The judo master

Judo is translated as the “the gentle way”. Gentleness means leveraging force rather than resisting it. Success with this archetype depends on economy of motion, producing the maximum positive outcome with the least amount of effort. This archetype does not to prevail in every conflict or demonstrate dominance, but pre-empts conflict and wins without fighting.

6.

The resister

This archetype personifies the individual who may be overpowered, but continues to follow their conscience

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and refuses to give their consent.

Resistance is used to change someone else’s bad behaviour.

7.

The opportunist

The first and only principle for this archetype is opportunism, which requires that they take advantage of any unusual or helpful circumstances to obscure their true intentions. An example of this is tactical dislocation: distracting the adversary, disrupting their plans and exploiting their weaknesses.

8.

The survivor

This archetype personifies the individual for whom survival is the victory. Power lies in stubborn endurance, resistance to hardship, and persistence in the face of adversity.

Source: The Office Politics Handbook: Winning the Game of Power and Politics at Work by Jack Godwin, PhD

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furniture

Winter warmers A simple guide to choosing heaters for your office

I

t is common knowledge that the more comfortable employees are, the more motivated they are to do a good job. If your office is too cold, employees are more likely to get sick – and therefore take sick leave or be unable to adequately focus on their jobs. They are also more likely to be unproductive, making mistakes such as typing errors and taking more coffee breaks than usual in an effort to keep warm.

Bar heaters Bar heaters are the cheapest to purchase. They come in one-, two- or three-bar varieties, and consist of elements placed in a reflective box which radiates heat from behind a safety grille. They do not have any safety features apart from an on/off switch.

They are also dangerous to touch, as one is always in close direct contact with the heat source. Because they are cheap and small, they are often used in overcrowded, unsafe environments.

As such, they are the most dangerous type of heater and the cause of many house fires. These heaters are not recommended for office use.

Panel heaters Portable panel heaters (or space heaters)

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have castors, while panel heaters are mounted on the wall. They are the best way to heat a space, slowly and consistently. Each panel consists of an insulated electric element sandwiched between two layers of heat resistant, non-hygroscopic, cellulose fibre sheet.

The size of the room they can heat depends on a number of factors, such as ceiling height, window size, curtaining, insulation and the opening and closing of doors. One 400-watt panel will generally heat a 12 square metre area.

They are safer and more energy-efficient than fan heaters. A disadvantage is that portable panel heaters are a greater fire hazard – because they are portable, they can come into contact with flammable materials and careless people.

Keeping an office warm need only rely on a few well-placed panel heaters. Seal up any drafts that come from windows and doors, and insure that the ceiling is properly insulated.

quickly. The down side is that because the heater contains a fan, it creates a noise.

In general, fan heaters consume more electricity than other types of heaters, so it is a good idea to switch them off once the room is warm. Leave the heater on in a safe place, such as in the centre of the room.

Fan heaters

Gas heaters

A good quality fan heater can be energy efficient and heat a room well. Ideal for immediate heat, they are best used in a room sealed of all potential drafts. A fan heater works by using a fan to pass air over a heat source, such as an element.

The air is warmed up, leaves the heater and moves into the surrounding room.

Fan heaters can heat an enclosed space

Gas heaters are usually panel heaters that burn natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, propane or butane.

They pose many of the same risks as other heaters, including burning and tipping. Permanently-installed gas heaters are usually vented. Portable gas heaters are non-flued (not vented), and can emit carbon monoxide.

Oil heaters Oil heaters consist of a series of joined columns, sometimes with spaces between them. Inside the body of the heater is diathermic oil. The oil is not a fuel, but serves as a heat reservoir.

Oil heaters are costly to purchase but are worth the investment in the long run. They are self-regulating and switch off when they reach the chosen temperature setting. The oil in the heater remains warm for a long time, ensuring that not too much electricity is used. They spread heat more evenly (albeit more slowly) than fan heaters.

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Vol 99 - August 2015

furniture

Using your heater safely •

• •

•

•

•

• • •

•

•

Ensure your heater has a kick-over (or tip-over) automatic shut-off.

If the heater falls over it will turn off, which prevents it from setting things alight.

Automatic overheat shut-off is a must for preventing shorts and fires.

Don’t expect any safety feature on your heater to be foolproof. A heater by nature is hot and could burn something even after it has been switched off.

Plug your heater in safely. Plug it directly into the wall socket using a short, heavy-duty extension cord. Heaters tend to draw a lot of current, and a lightweight power cable could melt or start fires.

If your electricity trips while you’re using your heater, stop using it as it is overloading the circuit.

If for any reason there are animals or small children in the area, ensure that they stay away from the heater.

Don’t leave heaters on overnight.

Don’t leave your heater on when you are not in the office.

Only put your heater on the floor.

This is the most efficient, least wasteful and safest place for it.

Concrete, tile, hardwood or extremely short-pile carpets are the only surfaces to place heaters on, to promote safety and avoid fires.

Allow approximately 1m of space all around the heater.

www.myofficemagazine.co.za

The right office temperature A tricky issue in the office is establishing and maintaining the right office temperature. The problem arises from the fact that a “comfortable” temperature is different for each person. International studies recommend that the rooms in an office be kept at a temperature of between 21°C and 23°C, depending on the ambient temperature outside.

However, a glance around your office in winter will illustrate just how hard it is to satisfy everyone. Some employees will be in short sleeves while others will be bundled up in coats and scarves.

Some tips to prevent complaints and unhappiness include:

•

Don’t wait for employees to complain about temperature. Tackle the issue head-on before it becomes a problem in your workplace.

• Ask your employees what they think. It avoids interpersonal tensions in the office from the start.

• Avoid responding to a minority if the majority of employees are happy with the temperature.

• If there are still complaints from a small minority, consider solutions on an individual level such as a fan heater or an extra mat on the floor.

Openly communicating with your employees will help you to establish how to keep everyone happy.

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industry news Kolok merges with Paper Plot Strengthening and extending its largeformat printing offering to the South African channel, distributor Kolok has merged with Paper Plot, a provider of large-format digital media and printers.

The move is the first in the strategic expansion phase of Kolok’s large-format printing and media division.

The merger also mirrors the global trend which sees businesses optimistic about continued large-format growth, according to a recent study by InfoTrends, a digital imaging market research and strategic consulting firm and FESPA, the Federation of European Screen Printers Associations. “It paints a clear picture of an energised community with a clear and positive vision of the future,” says the report.

Paper Plot was previously a division of Ozalid, part of Bidvest Paperplus. Kolok also forms part of Bidvest Paperplus, and the merger not only strengthens the distributor’s large-format business but also streamlines Bidvest Paperplus’ largeformat digital media and printing services.

Allan Thompson, MD of Kolok, comments: “There is undoubtedly a

African EduWeek a success strong and strategic fit between Kolok and Paper Plot. Both our and Paper Plot’s existing customers will benefit from a strengthened large-format product and services offering which marks the beginning of an exciting growth phase in this specialist segment of the market.”

In order to make the merger as seamless as possible, Paper Plot’s entire team and operational structure have been integrated with Kolok’s LargeFormat Printing and Media division.

Paper Plot now resides at Kolok offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Paper Plot products will (with immediate effect), be available throughout Kolok South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique and features a range of: • Equipment, aids and materials to meet the most demanding drawing office requirements; • Wet-strength books; • Large-format printers and accessories; and • Digital print media for a variety of applications (aqueous, eco-solvent and latex ink-jet printers).

Source: IT-Online

The SABC Education-sponsored African EduWeek was held from 1 to 2 July 2015 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. Over 120 international and local suppliers of educational products and services, including stationers, attended.

Canon SA completes Océ acquisition Canon SA has completed its acquisition of Océ SA, following Competition Commission approval for the deal, and Océ SA was formally integrated into Canon SA on 1 July 2015.

“We are delighted that Canon SA’s acquisition of Océ SA has received the go-ahead. We can now start working on integrating our two businesses to build the most formidable, highlycompetent and capable professional and production printing company in Africa,” says Gian de Vallier, MD of Canon SA. “Together, Canon SA and Océ SA will be better positioned to offer more support, enhanced expertise and strategic investment into the Canon brand. For customers, Océ SA’s integration with Canon SA means they will have access to a wider range of qualified support services and greater choice.

From now on, Canon SA will work more closely than ever before with customers. We believe that the expertise of Océ SA in sales and service, coupled with Canon’s technology, is a very strong proposition for customers throughout southern Africa,” De Vallier adds.

Canon SA first announced in April this year its intention to acquire Océ SA and bring together Canon’s technology and expertise with Océ SA’s market-leading services. A new value-added business unit will be created to work directly with customers in the professional and production printing sectors.

The unit will extend expertise and infrastructure to empower opportunities in new markets.

Canon SA will continue to invest in the necessary resources to bring to the region innovations in hardware, software and professional services.

No retrenchments are planned as part of the acquisition and the intention is to integrate all of Océ SA’s employees into Canon SA. De Vallier concludes: “Océ SA boasts a strong local presence

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my office magazine

and proven track-record which complement Canon’s products and services and will ensure that we can deliver the highest quality, technologically advanced and appropriately supported solutions. The approval of the acquisition is a very positive development for Canon South Africa.”

Source: IT-Online

Our FM Expo winner Nicola Thomson of TomTom is the winner of the Dell printer give-away we conducted at the FM Expo, which took place from 2 to 3 June at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.

Pictured: Nicola Thomson from TomTom with Wendy Dancer from My Office magazine.

Vol 99 - August 2015

eco news

Turning printer cartridges into herb pots Some of the plastics used to manufacture printer cartridges can take up to 1 000 years to decompose, leaving more than enough time for their toxic chemicals to spread into the soil and pollute the environment. Any socially and ecologically aware organisation should take its responsibility to the environment seriously, and continuously seek out opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint.

Xanthe Schwark at Konica Minolta South Africa explains that when a product has the lowest effect on the environment and can be used safely to create a future usable product, it is deemed recyclable.

“Wastage of printer consumables is deemed hazardous, according to waste management legislation. Konica Minolta toner is polymerised and uses biomass – a plant-based renewable organic resource that is made up of various biological materials and excludes fossil fuels. The toner is therefore compatible with the environment. It is fully recyclable and is in line with

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our company’s aim to ensure that our products have no negative impact on the environment whatsoever. “At Konica Minolta South Africa, we also obtain used toner cartridges from our clients by means of placing recycling bins at their premises. This is a nationwide initiative.

Our branches then collect these empty cartridges and send them to our head office in Johannesburg, from where they are taken to a recycling plant. Here, the empty toner cartridges are recycled into reusable products.”

One of these recycled products includes a plant pot that can be used for vegetables or herbs. Schwark adds that these pots where created after several months of research and development, and are made from 100% recycled material. The ultimate aim is to distribute these pots to places where planting space is limited, or in rural areas to allow communities the opportunity to create sustainable food gardens.

“By recycling old printer cartridges, the company hopes to divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill sites, preserving the environment for future generations. Even the paint used to colour these vibrant vegetable pots has been recycled from toner powder, re-inforcing the fact that Konica Minolta South Africa takes the responsibility of its products’ lifecycle extremely seriously,” concludes Schwark.

Since the launch of its recycling project in October 2014, Konica Minolta South Africa has recycled in excess of 12 tonnes of toner bottles, cartridges and imaging units.

Vol 99 - August 2015

eco news

OKI begins a treevolution As a paper consumer through printer sales, OKI South Africa has launched the “Giving the Future Trees” initiative to help reduce their carbon footprint and give back to the environment and the community. A key element of business at OKI is to give back as much as is taken from natural resources, in order to ensure the future of the planet.

The “Giving the Future” identity forms part of Printacom and OKI South Africa’s corporate social investment responsibility.

The initiative aims to address various categories such as nature, education, business and animals.

As part of the “nature” section of CSI

goals, “Giving the Future Trees” is all about starting the “treevolution”. Through a partnership with Greenpop, a South African based NGO that is on a mission to (re-)connect people with the planet and each other, OKI South Africa has pledged to replace a percentage of the trees that their toners consume every month through paper usage.

All trees planted through this initiative receive a tree certificate, containing GPS co-ordinates of where the trees is. Only indigenous and/or fruit trees are planted in under-greened schools, crèches or community centres, so that these areas can be environmentally uplifted.

A forest area the size of New York is lost every 48 hours, which is why an initiative such as this is critically important to ensure the planet’s future.

Every tree provides enough oxygen for three people and, at the current rate of population growth and deforestation, it’s only a matter of time before this delicately -balanced ecosystem collapses.

Greg Sellars, marketing manager at Printacom, says: “We are mindful of the effect our products have on the environment and, as a result, we have initiatives such as these as a key business focus.”

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For more information visit: www.okisa.co.za/about/company-profile.

OneOnereamream(500 (500sheets) sheets)of of paper paperusesuses6%6%of aoftree! a tree!

OKIOKIprinters printersandandpaper paperhavehave a mutual a mutualrelationship relationshipwhich whichis is whywhyat atOKIOKIwe weneedneedto todo dosomething something about aboutall allthisthispaper paperourourprinters printersuse.use.

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Thats Thatswhere whereGiving GivingthetheFuture FutureTrees Trees comes comesin!in!OKIOKIplans plansto toreplace replacea percentage a percentage of trees of treesourourtoners tonersconsume consumeevery everymonth! month!

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OurOurOKIOKIforest forestwillwilltaketakeshape shapein in community communityareas, areas,schools schoolsandandcreches creches in the in theformformof fruit of fruitor indigenous or indigenoustrees trees thatthatwillwillalsoalsogivegivebackbackto tothethecommunities communities in need. in need. www.okisa.co.za www.okisa.co.za

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my office magazine

37

crime alert

Counting the cost of counterfeiting Using counterfeit cartridges may seem like a short-term solution, but it has long-term consequences

U

sing counterfeit cartridges may seem like a cost-effective idea on paper, but it may come with a hefty price tag in the long run.

Why should you avoid counterfeit products?

Safety Cartridges and other counterfeit consumables are not properly tested by the manufacturer. This means that they could be dangerous for both the consumer and the device they are used in. Genuine products undergo stringent quality and compliance testing.

Quality Counterfeit ink and toner cartridges may leak, block the printer’s printhead or result in blurry or streaky prints.

Counterfeit cartridges offer less capacity than genuine products. The low-quality ink used in counterfeit cartridges can cause physical damage to the mechanical parts inside the device.

Warranty The use of counterfeit products may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Any damage to the machine caused by counterfeit cartridges will therefore become the consumer’s responsibility.

Environmental impact Counterfeit cartridge manufacturers do not adhere to any of the environmental laws that govern genuine manufacturers.

The origin of the ingredients and the

GOLD SPONSORS:

methods of production are unknown and pose a greater risk to the environment.

Societal impact Counterfeit cartridge production is a criminal offence and is usually perpetrated by people who have links to other illegal activities, such as drug dealing, people trafficking, arms smuggling, identity theft, money laundering and terrorism. Money is diverted from genuine, law-abiding business to criminal ones.

Andrew Griffith, product manager for Office Products at Konica Minolta South Africa, says that counterfeit cartridges are detrimental to devices in the long term, as there is a marked difference in the quality of counterfeit cartridges when compared to genuine cartridges. This severely

affects the reliability of a device.

“Counterfeit cartridges have a detrimental effect on the toner, imaging and processes of a device,” he continues.

“It’s like putting inferior fuel in a vehicle.

Eventually the engine will deteriorate.

“Importantly, if counterfeit cartridges are used in a device, the manufacturer’s warranty falls away. So yes; a user of counterfeit cartridges might see a brief period of cost saving, but ultimately the expense of a faulty device due to counterfeit cartridges will prove to be much higher than if genuine cartridges had been purchased and deployed. It really is not worth it,” he adds.

The printer industry has a financial stake in keeping fake cartridges off the street.

Report anything suspicious immediately.

n

How to identify counterfeit ink cartridges Be aware of the vendor Only buy ink from trusted retailers.

While deals may be found online or in back alleys, they are usually too good to be true. Occasionally, reputable retail stores are fooled into selling counterfeits, but in the event you will have some recourse.

Examine the packaging Many manufacturers add seals to verify the authenticity of cartridges. Examine the security seal and see whether it behaves in the way the manufacturer says it should. Many major vendors provide a guide to identifying their original packaging.

Examine the cartridge Genuine cartridges will never have ink splashed on the exterior of the cartridge or inside the box. There should be no black toner dust or damage to the cartridge.

Original products have one or more pulltab tape seals across the ink ports.

Be observant Fake cartridges often leak, clog and print inaccurate colours or distorted text. Keep an eye on the quality of your printer’s output. If it looks sub-standard contact the manufactures. Keep track of the number of pages you print per cartridge. A sharp decline in page count with a new cartridge is a sign that something is amiss.

SILVER SPONSORS:

Keeping shop-sa members abreast of criminal and fraudulent activity in the stationery and office products industry.

To sponsor the Crime Alert page contact (011) 781 0370.

REPORT CRIME TO wendy@shop-sa.co.za Renew your Crime Alert sponsorship today! Call Wendy Dancer on (011) 781 0370 to book your logo placement on the Crime Alert page as an industry leader in transparency, information sharing and anti-crime business ethics.

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Vol 99 - August 2015

product showcase

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SOURCE PRODUCTS HERE A ADDING MACHINE, POINT OF SALE AND MACHINE ROLLS PaperGeni Rotunda (Pty) Ltd. ADHESIVES, GLUES AND SPRAYS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd. - Correction Fluid, Glue sticks & Super Glue Palm Stationery Manufacturers - New Wave Freedom Stationery - Marlin ART, CRAFT, GRAPHIC AND DRAWING MATERIALS CTP Stationery - A4 coloured poster boards Freedom Stationery - Marlin Max Frank - Uni, Artline Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd. - Oil pastels and watercolour paint

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BAGS AND CASES D.O.S - iStay Flip File - Business cases.

Freedom Stationery - Space Case and Marlin Global Bag And Sportswear Manufactures Custom schoolbags ,tracksuits Kolok - Kenton Topmark - School Bags, Laptop Bags, Pencil Cases, Sports Bags, Luggage BATTERIES Nikki Distributors - Duracell Batteries Nikki Distributors - Energizer Batteries BIN RANGE Krost Office Products BINDING ACCESSORIES AZ Trading - Plastic Comb, Wire, Thermal & Covers CTP Donau - Donau files and slide binders, A4 poster board Parrot Products - Parrot Comb Binding Machines Press Products - wire, combs, coil, covers Rexel Office Products - Rexel and GBC

BINDING MACHINES AZ Trading - DSB, Neorel D.O.S - Prima, DSB Parrot Products - Parrot Comb Binding Machines Press Products - Bindquip Rexel Office Products - GBC and Rexel ranges

BOARDS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - BIC Velleda School Whiteboards CTP Stationery - Flip Chart Pads Hortors Stationery - Legal Notices i.e. Basic Conditions & OSH Act and Leave and Absence Chart Freedom Stationery - Marlin Max Frank - Artline Flipchart Markers, Artline, Maxi whiteboard markers Palm Stationery Manufacturers - New Wave Parrot Products - Full range of boards and accessories. Custom boards printed to your specification Rexel Office Products - NOBO whiteboards, pinboards, easels and accessories. Quartet magnetic white/cork boards BOOK COVERS CTP Stationery - Poly Prop Donau heavy duty covers Empire Toy & Stationery - Butterfly paper Freedom Stationery Gordon’s Productions - contact paper woodgrain, marble, pattern designs. Magic cover back to school clear and coloured self adhesive paper. (4M rolls, A4 and lever arch).

Plastic coated brownkraft rolls and pre-cut polythene covers.

Grafton Paper Products Palm Stationery Manufacturers - brown paper rolls, poly rolls, gift-wrap RBE - Papersmart BOOKS AND PADS BSC Stationery - Treeline CTP Stationery - Impala and premier books and pads Freedom Stationery - Manufacturers Hortors Stationery - Legal registers Impala Vuwa Stationery Manufacturers

Palm Stationery Manufacturers Power Stationery - Powerstar RBE - NCR Business Books Rexel Office Products - Colourhide notebooks BOXES AND CARTONS CTP Stationery - Archiving Systems Rexel Office Products Specialised Filing Systems - Archive and Off-Site Tidy Files - Acid free archiving products

C CALCULATORS Kolok - HP Nikki Distributors - Truly calculators Palm Stationery Manufacturers - New Wave Power Stationery - Powerstar Rexel Office Products - IBICO CALENDARS CTP Stationery - Diaries assorted sizes CALLIGRAPHY Max Frank - Artline CANTEEN Kolok - Tea, Coffee, milk etc, Sunbeam (appliances), Cleansui (water filters and refills) CARBON PAPER AND FILMS RBE - NCR Business Books CD’S, DVD’S AND DISKETTES Kolok - Verbatim, Kenton CLIP BOARDS CTP Stationery - DONAU brand Parrot Products - Masonite and whiteboard CLIPS, FASTENERS AND PINS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Grip Binders - Essentials, Stephens, Penguin Tidy Files - Filing solution

Effortless binding with perfect results CombBind 100

CombBind 110

CombBind C200

CombBind C210

buyers’ guide COLOURING BOOKS Empire Toy & Stationery - Empire books Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers - New Wave COMPUTER ACCESSORIES Kolok - Verbatim, Kenton Krost Office Products Pyrotec - Tower Inkjet-laser labels, business cards and photo paper COMPUTER CLEANING Kolok - ComputerCare Pyrotec - Tower computer cleaning range

See page 46 for contact details Rexel Office Products - NOBO planners, refills and T-card kits, Quartet Monthly/ Weekly planner South African Diaries - For all your diary

FAX ROLL MANUFACTURERS Rotunda (Pty) Ltd.

needs DICTATION - TRANSCRIPTION Olympus Audio S.A - Digital Voice Recorders, Transcription Kits and Accessories.

Powerhouse Dictation for Philips - Dictation, transcription, meeting recording, mini-tapes, foot pedals, accessories DRAUGHTING AND DRAWING OFFICE SUPPLIES

COMPUTER CONSUMABLES CTP Stationery - Full range of DONAU files KMP - for computer consumables Kolok - Penguin (Ribbons, Toners, Inkjets), Till and fax rolls Redfern Print Services - Redfern inkjet/laser/ copier labels and a full range of stationery labels

CTP Stationery - A4 Poster Boards

E EMBOSSERS AND ENGRAVING

COMPUTER HARDWARE Kolok - Blazer UPS systems, Geha (Interactive white boards) CORPORATE STATIONERY & GIFTING Star Stationers and Printers CRAYONS AND CHALKS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers - Chalks and Crayons Power Stationery - Powerstar

Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Ideal & Trodat Embossers (pocket, desk and electronic), Trotec ENVELOPES AND MAILING BSC Stationery - Leo Envelopes CTP Stationery - Commercial envelopes Global Envelopes - CelloWrapped, peel+seal and FullGum Grafton/Star KZN Envelopes - Manufactures of Printed and Plain Envelopes Merpak Envelopes - Complete range of quality envelopes

D

Narayan Wholesaler - Wholesaler of Quality Envelopes, Peel and Seal RBE - Papersmart ERASERS & ERASING / CORRECTION FLUIDS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Tippex tape, bottle and Pen Freedom Stationery - Marlin Max Frank - Uni Palm Stationery Manufacturers - Tape/Erasers

DIARIES, PLANNERS AND ORGANISERS CTP Stationery - CTP Brand Hortors Stationery - Legal diaries

CombBind C250 Pro

WireBind W20

Pentel S.A (PTY) LTD - Hi-Polymer and Ain eraser, correction tape and pens Power Stationery - Powerstar

MultiBind 230 Comb & Wire

FILES AND FILING African Filing Systems - Top retrieval filing and arching products BSC Stationery - Treeline, Mobifile CTP Stationery - Full range of quality DONAU brand Flip File - Executive display files, expanding files, Document folders, dividers Freedom Stationery - Edo / Unifile Palm Stationery Manufacturers - Lever arch, Ringbinder files, Manilla flat folders Grafton/Star Kolok - Geha (Binding machines) Palm Stationery Manufacturers - leaver arch, ring binder files, manilla flat folders.

Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd. - Display book Vivid, document file, clip file and presentation file Rexel Office Products - Prima and Rexel ranges Specialised Filing Systems - Top Retrieval, Archive and Off-Site Tidy Files - Filing solutions

41

FILES MECHANISMS Press Products - Lever arch, Ring binders FOLDERS CTP Stationery - DONAU Brand Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers - View files, polypropylene & board folders Tidy Files - Specialised FORMS - LEGAL AND MISCELLANEOUS Hortors Stationery - complete range of custom, company, miscellaneous, magisterial, etc.

PaperGeni

DESK SETS AND ACCESSORIES BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Desk Set Solo Delux Freedom Stationery - Marlin Krost Office Products Rexel Office Products - Rexel Eco Range

F

FURNITURE - OFFICE & SCHOLASTIC Krost Office Products - accessories New Era Office cc - Specialising in all office furniture desks, chairs, credenzas, boardroom tables, etc Reboni Furniture Group - Manufacturing and distribution of educational and office furniture Specialised Filing Systems - Cabinets, Shelving and Hi-Density

www.rexelsa.co.za ThermaBind T400

SOURCE PRODUCTS HERE

42

G

L

GUILLOTINES AND TRIMMERS AZ Trading - DSB, Kobra Beswick Office Products - Fellowes, Vivid Maynards Office Technology - IDEAL Shredders & Guillotines – SA Distributors Press Products - BindQuip Rexel Office Products - SmartCut and ClassicCut

LABELS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Nor Paper Pyrotec - Tower stationery, inkjet-laser labels Redfern Print Services - Redfern Inkjet/laser/ copier labels and a full range of stationery labels Rotunda (Pty) Ltd. Specialised Filing Systems - Filing Tidy Files - Filing solutions

I

LABELLING MACHINES Kemtek Imaging Systems - Distributor of Brother P-Touch Labelling System

INDEX TABBING AND DIVIDERS CTP Stationery - DONAU Brand board and P.P Flip File - Index Tabs, Flip tabs Freedom Stationery - Marlin Grip Binders Palm Stationery Manufacturers Rexel Office Products - Rexel, Mylar and Prima board

LAMINATING MACHINES AZ Trading - DSB, Speedlam, Lamiace Kolok - GEHA and Galaxy Parrot Products - Parrot A4 and A3 Laminators Press Products - GMP Rexel Office Products - GBC and Rexel ranges

INKS KMP - for computer consumables.

Max Frank - Shachihata, Artline Rexel Office Products - Numbering machine ink Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Trodat, Noris fastdry, security, numbering, franking.

Laundry.

J

LAMINATING POUCHES AND MATERIALS AZ Trading - A0 to ID card size Kolok - GEHA, Penguin laminating pouches and rolls Parrot Products Press Products - GMP Rexel Office Products - GBC LEGAL STATIONERY Hortors Stationery - All legal registers, forms, diaries etc LETTER TRAYS Krost Office Products

JANITORIAL Kolok - Goldenmarc (Cleaning products), Brooms, Mops and equipment.

M MAILING TUBES CTP Stationery

MARKERS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Permanent Markers, Highlighters, whiteboard Freedom Stationery - Marlin Interstat Agencies - Edding Max Frank - Artline , Maxi, Uni Parrot Products - White board, permanent and OHP markers. Wide range of highlighters Penflex - White board, flipchart, permanent markers, highlighters Pentel (Pty) Ltd. - Maxiflo, white board marker and paint marker Power Stationery - Powerstar MATHEMATICAL GEOMETRY SETS & ACCESSORIES Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers Power Stationery - Powerstar MINUTE AND GUARD BOOKS Hortors Stationery - Company registers, minute books and other legal registers

N NUMBERING MACHINES Rexel Office Products Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Reiner Dater/Numberer (manual/electronic), Trodat

O OFFICE ERGONOMICS Rexel Office Products - Kensington copyholders, risers, footrests, Rexel range of electric staplers and punches which reduces chances of RSI (repetitive strain injury) OFFICE FURNITURE IXAXA Office Furniture - Office furniture (Desks and Chairs) from reception to CEO’S office

Simply faster to the finish...

TM

Introducing the new line of Fusion Laminators

Fusion 1000L

Fusion 1100L

Fusion 3000L

buyers’ guide

See page 46 for contact details

OVERHEAD PROJECTION AND ACCESSORIES Kolok - Penguin Transparencies Max Frank - Artline Parrot Products - Data Projectors, OHPs, screens and rear projection film Penflex - Penflex Overhead projector pens Rexel Office Products - NOBO

Rexel Office Products - Rexel HB & Derwent Staedtler SA (Pty) Ltd - Tradition, Wopex, Technical, Clutch Pencils and lead PENCIL LEADS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Criterium 0.5mm leads Freedom Stationery - Marlin Max Frank - Uni Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd - Ain lead, standard lead - various grades

P PACKAGING Merpak Envelopes - Postsafe packaging range PAPER AND BOARD Antalis South Africa - Office paper and packaging solutions CTP Stationery - DONAU A4 poster boards Empire Toy & Stationery - Butterfly paper Freedom Stationery Grafton/Star Kolok - Geha (paper media), EPSON, HP, CANON, Nor Paper Palm Stationery Manufacturers - Cubes and board Paper World Handmade Paper, Embossed Paper, Specialty Papers, Scented Paper Board, Paper Products Peters Papers - Rotatrim, Typek and Smart Copy Power Stationery - Powerstar RBE - Papersmart Rexel Office Products - Prima Paper & Board TRIBE - TRIBE Inkjet Paper and Film PAPER FOLDING MACHINES Maynards Office Technology - IDEAL Shredders & Guillotines – SA Distributors PENCILS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - BIC Evolution Graphite, BIC Matic Clutch ,Velocity Clutch, Atlantis Clutch, BU4 Clutch Freedom Stationery - Marlin / Edo Max Frank - Uni Palm Stationery Manufacturers Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd - Hotshot, Mechanical Pencil, Techniclick Pencil.

Power Stationery - Powerstar

PENCIL SHARPENERS Freedom Stationery Palm Stationery Manufacturers Power Stationery - Powerstar PENS BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Clic, Crystal, Orange and Prismo Freedom Stationery - Marlin and Edo Max Frank - Artline, Maxi, Uni Palm Stationery Manufacturers Penflex - Penflex ballpoints and rollerballs Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd - Superb Ballpoint, Energel Pen Power Stationery - Powerstar Staedtler SA (Pty) Ltd - Ball point, Fineliner, Gel and Pigment liner pens PEN CARBON BOOKS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Power Stationery - Powerstar RBE - NCR Business Books PERSONAL STATIONERY CTP Stationery - Home office and personal filing system, diaries Grafton/Star PLANNING BOARDS AND ACCESSORIES Parrot Products - Range of year planners, term planners, maps and in/out boards. custom printed boards designed to specification.

Rexel Office Products - NOBO planners POINT OF SALE PRINTER ROLLS PaperGeni Rotunda (Pty) Ltd.

PRINTING Kolok - Epson, Lexmark (Hardware), Hp Printers, Oki (Hardware) Olivetti Imports - Distributors of Multifunctional Printers / Copiers Star Stationers and Printers Unicopy & Stationers CC - for all your printing & stationery requirements PRINTER CONSUMABLES Impression Management - Prinart, Logic, Q-Ink, Sanchi, Oliser and ATI KMP - For computer consumables.

Ink Spot Suppliers - Suppliers of all brands of inkjet and LaserJet cartridges Kolok - EPSON (inkjet, large format etc), LEXMARK, HP, Brother (Toners and Inks), Oki (Toners, inks and Ribbons), Tally Genicom (Ribbons), Seikosha (Ribbons), Panasonic (Toners and Ribbons), Kyocera (Toners), Printronix (Ribbons), IBM (Ribbons), Ricoh (Toners), Fujitsu (Ribbons) Nor Paper PaperGeni Royce Imaging Industries - Remanufacturers and suppliers of inkjet and laser cartridges Technical Systems Engineering - Suppliers of quality compatible cartridges and bulk inks for Epson, Canon, Lexmark, HP and Samsung

43

PUNCHES AND PERFORATORS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Krost Office Products Parrot Products - Parrot range of punches Power Stationery - Powerstar Rexel Office Products - Rexel

R RUBBER STAMPS Max Frank - Schachihata X Stampers Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co. - Trodat RUBBER STAMP MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - AZ Liquid polymer, TROTEC laser engraver, flash system

www.rexelsa.co.za Fusion 3100L

Fusion 5000L

Fusion 5100L

SOURCE PRODUCTS HERE RULERS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers Power Stationery - Powerstar Penflex - PENFLEX rulers

Nikki Distributors - Nikki shredders Parrot Products - Parrot range of value shredders Rexel Office Products - Rexel range Maynards Office Technology - IDEAL Shredders & Guillotines – SA Distributors

S

44

SCHOLASTIC SUPPLIES BSC Stationery Sales - Treeline CTP Stationery Empire Toy & Stationery - Butterfly Flip File - Flip File display books A5, A4, A2, A3 Freedom Stationery - Marlin and Edo Gordon’s Productions - contact paper woodgrain, marble, pattern designs. Magic cover back to school clear and coloured self adhesive paper. (4M rolls, A4 and lever arch). Plastic coated brownkraft rolls and pre-cut polythene covers.

Grafton Paper Products Impala Vuwa Stationery Manufacturers Max Frank - Artline, Maxi, Uni Palm Stationery Manufacturers Parrot Products - chalk boards/slates Power Stationery - Powerstar Pyrotec - Tower Adhesive Book Cover 45cm x 2m SCISSORS AND CUTTERS Freedom Stationery - Marlin Palm Stationery Manufacturers Power Stationery - Powerstar Rexel Office Products

SPIKE FILES Grip Binders

SHREDDERS AND ACCESSORIES AZ Trading - DSB, Kobra, Roto, Repairs to all makes D.O.S - Kobra Kolok - GEHA entry level and high-end shredders

STAMPS, STAMP PADS AND INKS Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Trodat, pre-inked stamps, stamp and fingerprint pads

STAPLING MACHINES AND STAPLES Freedom Stationery - Marlin Interstat Agencies - Genmes Krost Office Products Parrot Products - Parrot range of staplers Rexel Office Products - Rexel range

STENCILS Freedom Stationery

TABLET AND ACCESSORIES D.O.S - Clarys, iStay TAPES Freedom Stationery Palm Stationery Manufacturers

TELEX ROLLS AND TELETEX PAPER Rotunda (Pty) Ltd. THERMAL ROLLS Rotunda (Pty) Ltd. TONERS AND CARTRIDGES KMP - Computer consumables Kolok - PENGUIN (Inkjets and Laser toners), EPSON, LEXMARK, HP. PaperGeni TOP RETRIEVAL FILING Optiplan a div of Waltons - Paper based top retrieval filing systems Specialised Filing Systems - Total Solution and more Tidy Files - Complete onsite and offsite filing solutions TOYS, HOBBIES AND GAMES Freedom Stationery Pyrotec - Toby Tower Stickers and Activities TRANSFER LETTERING AND SIGNS Parrot Products - Vinyl lettering

STORAGE SYSTEMS CTP Stationery - Archiving Systems Suspension Files Kolok - VERBATIM (hard drives, USB sticks etc), HP Rexel Office Products - Storage boxes Specialised Filing Systems - Filing

STACK SHUT DONE

T

TELECOMMUNICATIONS Nikki Distributors - Siemens office phones

STATIONERY SUNDRIES - SCHOLASTIC CTP Stationery - DONAU Scissors and cutting knives Freedom Stationery - Marlin, Edo and Unifile Palm Stationery Manufacturers - New Wave Power Stationery - Powerstar

SCRAPBOOKING Rexel Office Products - Trimmers and guillotines Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Making memories, Clearsnap, Marvy, Ranger, Bazzill, Carl

The World Leader in Auto Feed Shredding

SLATES Freedom Stationery - Marlin Parrot Products - Whiteboard and chalk board

Tidy Files - Filing solutions

Auto+ 60X

TRANSPARENCIES Kolok - Penguin transparencies for inkjet and laser OEM, Penguin and HP Transparencies Rexel Office Products - NOBO range

Auto+ 80X

Auto+ 100X | 100M

buyers’ guide

See page 46 for contact details

45

DID YOU KNOW? • The Buyers’ Guide is an affordable way to highlight your brands while simultaneously introducing up-and-coming stockists to the trade.

• The Buyers’ Guide is a valuable sourcing tool to market your business and the brands that you carry.

• To book space, contact Wendy on wendy@shop-sa.co.za or (011) 781 0370.

www.rexelsa.co.za Auto+ 200X

Auto+ 300X | 300M

Auto+ 500X | 500M

Auto+ 750X | 750M

CONTACT DETAILS HERE African Filing Systems 011 614 9445

www.africanfiling.co.za

(

011 624 8000

Box 86173, City Deep, 2049

(

021 521 2400

Box 36964, Chempet, 7442

7

086 540 6892

info@africanfiling.co.za

7

0866 101 185

labelling@kemtek.co.za

7

021 521 2402/3

info@penflex.co.za

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Kemtek Imaging Systems - Cape

Pentel S.A (Pty) Ltd

(

011 688 6000

Box 6893, Johannesburg, 2000

(

021 521 9600

Box 181, Cape Town, 8000

(

011 474 1427/8

Box 202, Crown Mines, 2025

7

011 688 6162

marketing.office@antalis.co.za

7

021 551 5032

brenth@kemtek.co.za

7

011 474 5563

www.pentel.co.za

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town (

021 959 9600

7

021 959 9640

Box 19231, Tygerberg, 7505

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Durban (

031 714 4000

7

031 700 9253

Box 284, Umhlanga, 4320

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Pretoria (

012 379 0060

7

012 379 0052

Box 4013, Pretoria, 0001

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Bloemfontein (

051 447 8681

7

051 447 6765

Box 1795, Bloemfontein, 9300

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Port Elizabeth (

041 486 2020

7

041 486 2219

Box 9088, Estadeal, 6012

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Pietermaritzburg (

033 386 2078

7

033 386 2078

Box 1425, Pietermaritzburg, 3200

Antalis South Africa (Pty) Ltd - Botswana (

00267 391 2139

7

00267 397 5459

Box 1705, Gaborone

AZ Trading

Kemtek Imaging Systems - KZN

Peters Papers

(

031 700 9363

Box 15685, Westmead, 3608

(

011 677 9000

sadlerly@peterspapers.co.za

7

031 700 9369

Sandim@kemtek.co.za

7

011 622 6646

www.peterspapers.co.za

Kemtek Imaging Systems - PE

Powerhouse Dictation

(

041 582 5222

Box 15685, Westmead, 3608

(

011 887 1056

info@speech.co.za

7

041 582 5224

clinth@kemtek.co.za

7

086 555 3833

www.speech.co.za

Kemtek Imaging Systems - PTA

Power Stationery

(

012 804 1410

PO Box 816, Silverton, 0127

(

032 533 4003

Box 1305, Verulam, 4340

7

012 804 4286

johlettat@kemtek.co.za

7

032 533 3254

powersta@netactive.co.za

Press Products

KMP (

021 709 0190

Box 183, Steenberg, 7947

(

011 493 6332

marketing@pressproducts.co.za

7

021 709 0199

kmppty@iafrica.com

7

011 499 1019

www.pressproducts.co.za

Pyrotec

Kolok - Head Office (

011 248 0300

Box 4151, Johannesburg, 2000

(

021 787 9600

PvtBag X1, Capricorn Square, 7948

7

011 248 0381

infojhb@koloksa.co.za

7

021 787 9791

tower@pyrotec.co.za

RBE Stationery Manufacturers (Pty) Limited

Kolok - Cape Town (

021 597 2700

Box 6385, Roggebaai, 8012

(

011 793 7321

7

021 297 2799

infoctn@koloksa.co.za

7

011 793 7348

sales@rbe.co.za www.rbe.co.za

Reboni Furniture Group

Kolok - Durban (

031 570 4900

Box 4206, Riverhorse Valley East, 4017

(

086 173 2664

www.reboni.co.za

7

031 569 6880

infodbn@koloksa.co.za

7

086 627 7737

sales@reboni.co.za

Redfern Print Services - Cape Town

Kolok Polokwane

(

086 111 4407

www.aztradingcc.co.za

(

015 298 8795

Box 862, Ladanna, 0704

(

021 552 9680

Box 403, Milnerton, 7435

7

011 792 9732

sales@aztradingcc.co.za

7

015 298 8315

infopol@koloksa.co.za

7

021 552 9681

sales@redfern.co.za

BIC South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Redfern Print Services - Durban

Kolok - Port Elizabeth

(

011 474 0181

PO BOX 43144, Industria, 2042

(

041 406 9900

Box 3163, North End, 6056

(

031 205 9598

dbnoffice@redfern.co.za

7

011 474 6068

16 Maraisburg Road, Industria, 2042

7

041 406 9920

infope@koloksa.co.za

7

031 205 7092

www.redfern.co.za

BSC Stationery Sales

Redfern Print Services - Johannesburg

Kolok - Namibia

(

011 086 2900

Box 278, Brakpan, 1540

(

00264 (61)370500

Box 40797, Ausspannplatz, Namibia

(

011 837 4119

Box 1445, Crown Mines, 2025

7

011 420 3322

sales@treeline.co.za

7

00264 (61)370525

valne@kolok.com.na

7

011 837 8917

jhboffice@redfern.co.za

CTP Stationery

Kolok - Nelspruit

Rexel Office Products

(

011 226 5600

Box 43501, Industria, 2042

(

013 758 2233

Box 4338, White River, 1240

(

011 226 3300

www.rexelsa.co.za

7

011 474 9242

sales@versafile.co.za

7

013 758 2235

infonel@koloksa.co.za

7

011 837 2781

sales@rexelsa.co.za

D.O.S (Denton Office Solutions)

Kolok - Bloemfontein

Rotunda (Pty) Ltd.

(

086 000 7468

info@dosptyltd.biz

(

051 433 1876

PvtBag X01, Brandhof, Bloemfontein

(

021 552 5135

Box 189, Maitland, 7404

7

086 237 4614

www.dosptyltd.biz

7

051 433 2451

infobfn@koloksa.co.za

7

021 551 3070

rotunda@iafrca.com

Empire Toy & Stationery

Royce Imaging Industries

Kolok - Botswana

(

011 614 2243

Box 261524, Excom, 2023

(

00267 393 2669

PvtBag B0226, Bontleng, Gaborone

(

011 792 9530

www.royceimaging.co.za

7

011 614 3075

empire@netactive.co.za

7

00267 317 0762

clemencem@vbn.co.bw

7

011 792 9480

sales@royceimaging.co.za

Flip File

Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Head Office

Krost Office Products

(

021 638 3105

Box 2190, Clareinch, 7740

(

011 626 2067

Box 75401, Gardenview, 2047

(

011 262 1400

Box 931, Wendywood, 2144

7

021 633 6942

ashly@flipfile.co.za

7

011 626 2912

sales@krost.co.za

7

011 262 1414

trodat@rse.co.za

Freedom Stationery - Johannesburg

Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Cape Town

KZN ENVELOPES

(

011 314 0953/4

Box 6459, Halfway House, 1685

(

031 465 3992

P O Box 41259, Rossburgh, 4072

(

021 448 7008

Box 931, Wendywood, 2144

7

011 314 0957

gpsales@freedomstationery.co.za

7

031 465 1669

info@kznenvelopes.co.za

7

021 448 7014

cpt@trodat.co.za

Freedom Stationery - Cape Town

Rubber Stamp & Engraving Co - Durban

Max Frank

(

021 557 9152/3

36-38 Silverstone Rd Killarney Gardens

(

011 921 1811

Box 200, Isando, 1600

(

083 377 4109

Box 931, Wendywood, 2144

7

021 557 9155

cptsales@freedomstationery.co.za

7

011 921 1569

sarah.schoeman@tigerbrands.com

7

031 266 1082

dbn@rse.co.za

Freedom Stationery KZN (Head Office) (

032 459 2820

Box 478, Mandini, 4490

7

032 459 3255

sales@freedomstationery.co.za

Freedom Stationery - East London

Maynards - Olympus Audio S.A / Olivetti Distributors (

0860 00 1922

South African Diaries

sales@maynards.co.za

(

021 442 2340

Box 4862, Cape Town, 8000

www.maynards.co.za

7

021 442 2341

phoneyman@sadiaries.co.za

Staedtler SA (Pty) Ltd

Merpak Envelopes

(

043 731 2422

Box 14111 West Bank 5218

(

011 719 7700

sales@merpak.co.za

(

011 579 1600

www.staedtler.co.za

7

043 731 2421

elsales@freedomstationery.co.za

7

011 885 3174

www.merpak.co.za

7

011 608 3497

admin@staedtler.co.za

Global Bag And Sportswear Manufactures

Specialised Filing Systems

Narayan Wholesaler

(

031 305 6507

P.O Box 18586, Dalbridge, 4014

(

083 444 0959

7

031 301 6553

www.globalbags.co.za

7

011 869 7243

Global Envelopes

narayantextiles@gmail.com

(

011 477 0640

7

011 477 3528

www.specfiling.co.za

Star Stationers and Printers

New Era Office cc

(

031 465 5544

envelopes@absamail.co.za

(

011 334 2013

Box 10383, Lenasia, 1821

(

031 569 1061

luke@starstat.co.za

7

031 465 5634

www.envelopes.co.za

7

011 334 7358

kuban@neweraoffice.co.za

7

031 569 1094

www.starstat.co.za

Gordon’s Productions

Technical Systems Engineering

Nikki - Cape Town

(

031 705 8713

Suite 69, PvtBag X4, Kloof, 3640

(

0860 006731

cpt@nikki.co.za

(

011 708 2304

Box 1532, Northriding, 2162

7

031 705 8714

jacquie@gordons.co.za

7

0800 204868

www.nikki.co.za

7

011 708 1799

sales@tse.co.za

Grafton/Star Paper Products

Tidy Files

Nikki - Durban

011 943 4210

(

011 262 0777

Box 550, Bergvlei, 2012

(

0860 006731

dbn@nikki.co.za

(

7

011 262 0780

sales@graftonpaper.co.za

7

0800 204868

www.nikki.co.za

Topmark

Grip Binders (

011 421 1300

Nikki - Johannesburg orders@tigerpaper.co.za

Hortors Stationery

(

011 837 8045 011 837 7442

www.tidyfiles.co.za info@topmarksa.com

(

0860 006731

jhb@nikki.co.za

7

7

0800 204868

www.nikki.co.za

Tower (Division of Pyrotec) - Cape Town

(

011 620 4800

Box 1020, Johannesburg, 2000

Nikki - Pretoria

(

021 787 9600

7

086 612 4663

orders@hortors.co.za

(

0860 006731

pta@nikki.co.za

7

021 787 9791

7

0800 204868

www.nikki.co.za

Tower (Division of Pyrotec) - Johannesburg

Impala Vuwa Stationery Manufacturers (

036 634 1535

Box 389, Ladysmith, 3370

Nor Paper

7

036 634 1890

impalastat@mweb.co.za

(

011 011 3900

7

011 011 4099

Ink Spot Suppliers (

011 854 3013

7

011 852 3013

sales@nor.co.za

Optiplan a division of Waltons info@inkspotsuppliers.co.za

Interstat Agencies - Durban

PvtBag X1, Capricorn Square, 7948

(

011 611 1820

59 Lepus Rd, Crown Mines, 2025

7

011 611 1834

tower@pyrotec.co.za

Tower (Division of Pyrotec) Durban (

031 701 0192

Box 594, Pinetown, 3600

(

011 620 4000

Pencil Park, Croxley Close, Herriotdale

7

031 701 1285

tower@pyrotec.co.za

7

086 681 8256

rcurrin@gp.waltons.co.za

Tribe (

011 314 4746 (Jhb)

Box 6280, Halfway House, 1685

021 386 4261 (Cpt)

tribe@global.co.za

(

031 569 6550

Box 201707, Durban North, 4016

Palm Stationery

7

031 569 6559

interstat@mweb.co.za

(

031 507 7051

viran@palmstat.co.za

7

7

031 507 7053

www.palmstat.co.za

Unicopy & Stationers CC

Interstat Agencies - Cape Town (

021 551 9555

Box 36696, Chempet, 7442

PaperGeni

(

031 201 8415

122 Che Guevara Road, Glenwood, 4001

7

021 557 5456

Capetown@interstat.co.za

(

011 011 3900

info@papergeni.co.za

7

031 201 8672

sales@unicopy.co.za

7

011 011 4099

www.papergeni.co.za

Versafile

Interstat Agencies - Port Elizabeth (

041 453 2558

Box 27693, Greenacres, 6057

Paper World

7

041 453 8504

pe@interstat.co.za

(

012 250 1477/8

info@paperworldsa.com.

7

012 250 0322

www.paperworldsa.com

IXAXA Office Furniture (

46

Penflex

Kemtek Imaging Systems

(

011 392 3628

14 Isando Road Isando

Parrot Products

IXAXoffice@gmail.com

(

011 607 7600

debbie@parrot.co.za

7

011 615 2502

www.parrotproducts.biz

my office magazine

(

011 226 5600

Box 43501, Industria, 2042

7

011 474 9242

sales@versafile.co.za

Vol 99 - August 2015

the real stuff

The real stuff Not marketing fluff Rob Matthews What’s your job title and company name?

IT-Online Publishing and I’m still working on a job title.

What’s your favourite gadget?

My iPhone, although it is frustrating

What’s the highlight of your working career?

I get great satisfaction being part of a team that makes a difference

What’s your favourite movie?

The Godfather

If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be?

To be more outward-looking What do you like best about the office products industry?

The untapped potential of the digital world What’s your greatest personal achievement?

Being a father of two wonderful girls Describe yourself in three words?

Determined, my wife says stubborn (sorry, five words) Where did you grow up?

Gauteng

What’s your favourite meal?

Anything to do with fish Do you have a hobby?

I love cycling and fishing. When I slow down, I will have to start looking for a hobby What music did you listen to in the car this morning?

Radio 702, couldn’t find the music channel!

Do you have any pets?

Three Shih Tzus What was your first car?

1959 VW Beetle that I bought for R175

What was your first CD? I’m much older than that. My generation bought vinyls, and look what’s back in fashion …

www.myofficemagazine.co.za

my office magazine

47

punchline

Caption this!

Send us your funniest caption for the photograph below and you stand a chance to win a Rexel Laminator GBC Fusion 1100 A4 valued at R2 000. Send your Punchline and contact details to competitions@ shop-sa.co.za with Punchline in the subject line

Win

The Rexel Laminator is 33% faster than competitor machines, taking just 45 seconds to laminate a standard A4 pouch or 80 pouches per hour, with an additional cold setting for heat sensitive documents. Other features include: • Automatic switch off after 30 minutes of inactivity.

• Exit tray keeps pouches straight as they come through the heated rollers for a perfect, warp-free finish • Incorporates SureFlow™ Technology that reduces jamming significantly for stress-free laminating and maximum productivity • Laminates up to A4 size including ID cards, notices and certificates • Modern, compact design is easy to move around and suits most office and home environments • Single touch button interface: simple to use, no previous experience required • Three heat settings • Accepts 2 x 75 micron (150 in total) pouches, 2 x 100 micron (200 in total) and 2 x 125 micron (250 in total).

WIN ME

48

my office magazine

WINNING CAPTION JULY ISSUE

WINNER OF THE WIN THIS! TOWER HAMPER

Winning Caption: “Sooooo tired!! Really need a vacation.” – David Grebe, Bic SA (PTY) LTD

Jon Castle – Port Alfred

Vol 99 - August 2015