by Emily Drzewiecki
Fifty Xerox channel partners from around the globe gathered in Webster, N.Y. last month to explore money-making opportunities for creating personalized workflow solutions. The Personalized Application Builder Forum (PAB) covered everything a channel partner needs to know to take advantage of the program, including strategies for marketing, pricing and selling apps; skills required for app development; and Xerox tools and support available to help them with their apps initiatives.
The profitability of this market strategy is on the rise. App development now accounts for 10 percent of channel partner Just-Tech’s revenue. “Our app sales keep growing and we continue to reinvest,” said Just-Tech president Joshua Justice.
These and other off-the-shelf apps developed by Xerox, systems integrators and Xerox channel partners are available in the Xerox App Gallery, and partners can also develop custom apps to address the specific needs of their customers’ workflows using the Xerox App Studio.
“Apps for multifunction printers are the new frontier in the connected office, mirroring how smartphone apps have permeated our personal lives,” said Tracey Koziol, senior vice president, Workplace Solutions Business Group, Xerox.
“We’re building a community of ConnectKey app developers and resellers, helping our channel partners differentiate their businesses, generate new recurring revenue, and bring added value that enables them to build tighter relationships with their customers.”
Learn more about printer apps
On Demand Webinar: Learn How Apps Turn Multifunction Printers into Workplace Assistants. (30 minutes)
12 Fantastic Apps Developed By Xerox Partners To Make Doing Business Easier on CRN.com provides an overview of all 12 apps featured at the Xerox PAB Forum.
More articles in this blog about our ConnectKey technology.
3 Apps That Transform the Workplace
One PAB Forum highlight was the partner showcase, in which partners presented apps that transform the way their customers work, including these three.
- SignMe App
A simple, one-step process for signing, editing and storing documents. The app displays documents on the touchscreen of Xerox VersaLink or AltaLink devices, where the user can scroll through them, make notes and sign off. The completed document can then be printed or converted into a text-searchable PDF file, and archived in a content management system, such as Dropbox or Xerox DocuShare Flex. Developed by MidAmerica Technology, Bloomington, Ind. - Mywork
Mywork connects multifunction printers to meetings on Cisco Spark. Use Mywork to scan meeting documents and instantly share them on-screen or through remote printers during your meeting. Cisco Spark enables easy setup of secure, remote meetings among people using a range of devices, including your printer. Developed by Mywork, Huissignies, Belgium. - Support Connect
Support Connect simplifies service needs of Xerox ConnectKey multifunction devices. With the app, channel partner customers can communicate with their solutions provider via the device’s user interface to request service, supplies and eco boxes for return and recycling of supplies, and to offer feedback. Developed by Just-Tech, La Plata, Md.
Many of the channel partners in attendance were eager to explore the opportunities in apps sales and development. “Software development is a natural progression for our business, but we weren’t sure where to start,” said T. Robin Cole, CEO of The Rite Group, a Missouri-based IT services provider. “Hearing from organizations that have experienced a similar transition and pursued comparable opportunities was invaluable in helping define our strategy. I’m energized and excited to take the next step.”
(Editor’s note: This article was first published in the Channel Partner Connection, a Xerox blog for businesses that sell print technology and services. Articles in this blog share ideas to win new business, strengthen existing customer relationships, build loyalty and increase sales.)
