Southern Solutions | Proudly Serving Southern Maryland

Southern Solutions
2784 Old Washington Rd
Waldorf, MD 20601
(301)632-5555
info@southernsolution.com

Utilize Data Capture to Minimize Cost and Errors

Submitted by Webmaster on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 22:44

Document Management

Keying in data off of business forms is often a very monotonous and time-consuming process. Plus, the more the processes are rushed, the more errors are made.

Fortunately, you can utilize your multifunction systems to automatically enter routine data. Data Capture software has the ability to read data from scanned documents and translate it into your business applications. It can also index the scanned documents for easy retrieval later on.

Data Capture software uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to translate scanned text into editable text. When the document is scanned using a multifunction system, it is routed to a folder where it is processed.

The software allows you to set up capture zones to handle multiple areas of information. These OCR zones can acquire the data and insert them into their respective data fields. In order for this to work correctly, all you need is a uniform form that is structured similarly every time such as an invoice, delivery ticket or an explanation of benefits. Consistent layout is key.

Data Capture technology provides the ability to replace manual data entry in a variety of ways. A couple of examples include: processing invoices, storing scanned documents for retrieval at a later date, organizing delivery/shipping tickets and even managing payroll.

Minimizing manual data entry can drastically improve the cost-efficiency of your office and it can be applied to a variety of situations. continue reading...

Utilize Print Management Software for Easy Reporting

Submitted by Webmaster on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 21:03

In today’s work environment, expenses rarely go unchecked. It is very common for a department of a company to be required to create monthly or quarterly expense reports. However, tracking printing costs can be quite the task. Therefore, many companies simply lump the expense in with other various office costs such as supplies or furniture. Although this may seem like the easiest way to complete expense reports, it may also be the most expensive.

Print management software is an easy way to control, monitor and report the printing done by your company. Not only will your monthly reports be made simple, but you will become more aware of where your budget is spent. You will also be able to use access controls to limit printing to certain departments and set up defaults to save ink and paper.

Today’s innovative print management software provides the latest techniques to help users change their printing habits and decrease their costs. The software features easy-to-use interfaces that can be used with nearly any multifunction device, even if on a network. You can even be sent notification reports when your printers are down or low on toner. This will help your office run more efficiently.

Quarterly, monthly, or even weekly reporting is made very easy with print management software. Authorized users merely log in to the software using a pin code or password to access the reports. When installing your software, you will set it up for your needs. Therefore, reports can be printed with the touch of a single button.

Never again will you have to worry about expense reports. By utilizing print management software, you will be able to spend your time working on more important things, rather than trying to collect data on your company’s printing habits. To set up print management software in your office, be sure to contact us today!

continue reading...

New Xerox Color 800/1000 Presses Attract Industry Attention: Image Quality and Speed Driving Install

Submitted by Webmaster on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 20:55

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 20, 2010 – Xerox Corporation’s (NYSE: XRX) new Color 800/1000 Presses have made a great first impression as printers around the world install the devices to produce vivid images on a wide range of paper stocks.
The systems, printing 80 and 100 pages per minute respectively, are ideal for print service providers looking to expand their digital businesses to produce sophisticated, full-color applications including sales collateral and direct-marketing pieces.
“This is the first time that the ability to add a special effect, such as this clear coating, has been made available through a fifth imaging station in a Xerox production color product,” said Jim Hamilton, group director, InfoTrends’ Production Hardware Consulting Services. “I am sure customers will be able to use it to great advantage as they create and sell value-added content that goes beyond the four process colors.”

Recent installations of the Xerox Color 800/1000 Presses include:

James River Press, together with Mailing Services Inc., will use the Xerox Color 800 Press to offer high-end variable-data print jobs to a broad spectrum of clients and prospects. The two companies, located in Richmond, Va., are producing a 5,000 piece three-part mailer with seven different versions and personalized imaging on both sides.
“All of this will be done in one pass on the Xerox Color 800,” said Easley Johnson, vice president, Sales and Marketing, James River Press. “There will be tremendous savings in time and costs running a job like this on the 800 versus offset.”
The official printer of the Denver Broncos, Publication Printers, purchased the Xerox Color 1000 Press to broaden its digital printing capabilities. The full-service print company will use the press and its clear dry ink feature to enhance short-run color applications, variable-data print jobs and proofing web press applications.

“This new technology will amp up our digital capabilities and we expect an increase in business,” said Kerri Rosenberg-Hallet, director, Sales and Marketing, Publication Printers. “As the print-on-demand market grows, we need to constantly improve our arsenal of equipment and offerings to stay ahead of the pack.”
Serbin Printing selected the Xerox Color 1000 Press after serving as a customer test site. “We had the opportunity to ‘kick the tires’ of the Xerox 1000 Press before it launched and we were impressed with what we saw; we knew the press could help drive our growing book business,” said Mark Serbin, president, Serbin Printing.
The Sarasota, Fla.-based full-service commercial print shop utilizes Xerox FreeFlow® Web Services and XMPie’s UDirect® Studio to enable more applications and new revenue streams. They have also found the Xerox ProfitAccelerator® Business Development Tools beneficial in attracting new customers.
Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services located in eastern Tampa, is the first Sir Speedy franchise to purchase the Xerox Color 800 Press. Serving the business-to-business market, Sir Speedy will use the device to print booklets, postcards, door hangers, fliers and business cards. Personalized print jobs will be supported with XMPie’s uDirect Classic.
“We have a diverse customer base, and the applications coming off the Xerox Color 800 Press – particularly with its color quality and clear dry ink –will appeal to all of them,” said Steve Albritton, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Sir Speedy.
Herts Display, a Xerox Premier Partner located in the U.K. and also a customer test site for the press, purchased the first two Xerox Color 1000 Presses in Europe. The printing and stationery company will use the machines to produce a wide range of applications including fliers, newsletters, brochures and variable-data documents.
“We expect the Xerox Color 1000 Press to have a massive impact on the digital printing world, giving users like Herts Display both a competitive edge and a superior product,” said Pete Watkins, director, Herts Display.

This article was originally posted on Bertl. continue reading...

Add new comment

Ignite Productivity Through Managed Print Services

Submitted by Webmaster on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 20:54

In the office, it seems we are always in a hurry. For this reason, very rarely does anyone take the time to fix a printer. Instead, they are forced to find a different device so they can complete their task in a time-efficient manner.

iStock_000000080171Medium Furthermore, IT departments rarely have the time or resources to fix mechanical issues in office devices. But still, they are forced to take control of the issue and organize some sort of fix, whether it is an easy paper jam or having to schedule a repair from a local company.

Often this type of situation is multiplied many times a week or even in a single day. It is not wonder why an unmanaged print environment can be a drain on the productivity of your office. Luckily, there is a better way. Managed Print Services Programs continually monitor your printer fleet and deliver valuable productivity benefits to your business.

Proactive Service: Managed Print Service means there will be someone monitoring your printer fleet for you. If a printer is out of service, it can often be fixed before it becomes an issue for your business’ productivity.

Automatic Supplies: Managing supplies for an entire fleet can be incredibly difficult. However, running out of toner at an inopportune time can be worse. With Managed Print Services, supplies can be shipped to you automatically as they are needed. This will reduce inventory costs and ensure you always have the supplies you need.

Preventative Maintenance: As with most machines, preventative maintenance can help avoid many problems. Managed Print Services will keep your devices proper tuned so they remain productive and last for years.

Continuous Optimization: As you company grows, your printing needs will change. It is important that your print environment keeps up with your fluctuating needs so everything runs at its most productive. Managed Print Services can monitor usage rates and reallocate print resources and update technology as necessary.

It is easy to stimulate the productivity of your office with Managed Print Services. Best of all, it can even save you money.

Pharos Systems Announces Integrated Solution for Xerox MFPs

Submitted by Webmaster on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 21:11

Pharos Systems International, the leading provider of print management and optimization software and services, has announced the launch of the Pharos iMFP solution for Xerox Corporation’s Extensible Interface Platform (EIP), an open development platform for Xerox multifunction printers (MFPs), such as the ColorQube™ 9200 Series. The solution provides authentication, print/copy accounting, print release, and printing security and is available integrated with Pharos Blueprint® Enterprise or Pharos Uniprint® software.

With the Pharos iMFP solution, users can swipe their ID card at the MFP to provide authentication and choose the function they would like to use. The MFP’s customized user interface displays all jobs submitted over a period of time, and users can select the ones they need to print. Printing and copying costs can be deducted from the user’s personal account or charged to a budget center.

The iMFP solution enables organizations to secure their devices from unauthorized use, track print and copy activity, recover output costs, and support sustainability initiatives by reducing unnecessary printing. End users benefit from the convenience of being able to walk up to any iMFP-enabled device in the organization and release their print jobs. Confidential documents are protected because no job is printed until its owner is physically present at the device and provides authentication to print.

The Pharos iMFP solution has passed the compatibility testing offered by the Xerox Business Innovation Partner Program. Visit Pharos Web site to see a list of the currently supported Xerox MFP models.

This article was originally posted on Buyer’s Laboratory. continue reading...