Microfilm - Where are we going? by Bruce Anderson - Managing Director of Harper Klempgate Ltd. One could almost rephrase this to ,“Where have we been?” , because as an industry we have all been guilty of being rather introverted, not aggressive enough and doing everything too cheap! For example, we look at drawings, we advise the customer, we collect his drawings, film them, mount them, all done to B.S., and for an average of only 25 - 30p each; what an incredible deal. It is quite amazing, on the one hand our clients are progressively expecting us to, at least, hold our prices, certainly not increase them ,'and at the same time get ourselves involved in all these new technologies, most of which are immigrants from the States, you can tell that because they are identified by initials! Yet, on the other hand, they probably have difficulty in accepting the basic principle - WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get). I suggest that one of the major reasons for this state of affairs is that microfilming, like all other reprographics, has never enjoyed any particular prestige in business and commerce, unlike, say, computing, and, in common with other reprographics, it interfaces with almost every business and commercial activity, but in so doing loses some of its own identity. Change of Image “If you take the first three issues of The Micrographics Market Place and lie them side by side, it is not easy to immediately distinguish one from another.” This is one piece of constructive criticism that I have received, and one that I have, hopefully, rectified. The spot colour (used only on the outside covers of the magazine) will, in future, be different on each edition throughout the year. Another point that has been made is that it is not made obvious how or where to contact the editor - this omission has also been corrected by adding the address and ‘phone number on page 3. Any other CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions from our readership will be gratefully accepted and, if practical, be incorporated. It is, clearly, very important that we ‘get it right’, so please do not hesitate to put forward any ideas that you may have to improve the general interest or image of the publication.
This situation can change if we, as an industry, keep working to change it - but this can only happen at a pace which people are able to assimilate, and it follows that they will be reluctant to accept things they don’t fully understand. Therefore, our customers have to be educated as to which new technologies will best suit their specific needs and how and when to introduce them into their organisation, for if they wait too long, just to prove that they know best and are not hooked on the latest craze, they will get left behind. Alternatively, if they jump too soon to prove that they are ‘with it’, they may finish up ‘without it’. Using this argument we have to convince them to allow us to advise them what technology they require and, more to the point, provide it for them at a reasonable price. This way we will earn, not only the prestige that we deserve, but also a reasonable living. Article by: Bruce Anderson, Managing Director o f Harper Klempgate Ltd., Unit 1, Indescon Court, Millharbour, Millwall, London EI4. Tel: 01-538 0221.
All advertising copy, editorial material or enquiries to be directed to:Tim Nixon, The Micrographics Market Place, 65 Winchester Drive, Burbage, Leics. LE10 2BA Tel: Hinckley (0455) 632523 If any additional personnel require copies o f the m agazine or if you w ould like your copy to be sent to an alternative address, please write to the editor and w e will adjust our m ailing list to suit.
Tim Nixon - Editor
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