HP strengthens its position with print service providers through new large format strategy

HP's OEM partnership with Seiko I Infotech and partnerships with key independent software and hardware vendors have created new opportunities for PSPs in the region to meet increased customer demand, increase printing capacity and improve print quality. At the show, HP announced details of the first products resulting from an agreement with Seiko I Infotech to jointly develop and market low solvent-based large-format printers intended primarily for the outdoor graphics printing market.

The PSP market, which comprises repro-houses, digital print shops, sign makers, quick printers/copy shops, screen printers and commercial printers, is one of HP's most important printing markets. It is estimated that in 2005 the worldwide PSP market was worth $4.9 billion and is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8 percent by 2008.1

Driving the move from analogue to digital

"With 85 percent of outdoor printing currently produced on analogue equipment, there is a huge opportunity for HP and its customers to drive adoption of digital technology," said Amr Hassan, General Manager, Imaging and Printing Group, HP Middle East. "HP is well positioned to provide PSPs with printing solutions that open them to new possibilities as they make this transition. These solutions will enable them to meet higher customer demand, increase printing capacity and improve print quality."

HP has expanded its large format product portfolio with high-performing and cost-effective solutions that make it easier for PSPs who want to switch from analogue to digital-based printing.

This expansion includes the HP Designjet 8000s and HP Designjet 9000s Printer series - two low-solvent, low-cost printing solutions that offer high productivity and excellent image quality. Both printer series are the first products resulting from the OEM partnership sealed between HP and Seiko I Infotech in September 2005. The Designjet 9000, available from March 1st 20 06, was showcased for the first time globally at the exhibition. In addition, HP unveiled details of the Designjet 8000, for lower capacity printing, which will be commercially introduced later this year.

The Seiko I Infotech partnership reinforces HP's position as a one-stop-shop partner for PSPs with a uniquely comprehensive product portfolio. To strengthen its large format product offerings further, HP has established partnerships with key independent software vendors (ISVs) such as Adobe, Autodesk, Bentley, Ratio and Solidworks plus independent hardware vendors (IHVs) like Contex and Es-Te for technical production printing, as well as Onyx, Caldera, ColorGATE, Eisfeld PosterJet and Scanvec Amiable for graphics production printing.

These partnerships help PSPs better meet their customer's needs. The partnerships provide an array of third-party software applications and extended hardware solutions that work alongside the HP Designjet printers. PSPs can expand their portfolio of printing services by creating customised workflows reflecting their individual needs. These third-party workflow solutions include print production planning, file preparation, print management and finishing.

A complete large format printing portfolio

HP's complete large format product portfolio comprises solutions for PSPs that specialise in durable graphics production printing like the HP Designjet 8000s and HP Designjet 9000s Printer series as well as printing solutions for technical production printing.

On the technical production printing side, HP introduced the HP Designjet 4500 Printer series in December 2005. The series is especially suited for repro-houses as well as architecture, engineering and construction companies (AEC), mechanical computer aided design (MCAD) and geographical information systems (GIS) professionals. It is a low-cost, high volume printing solution that makes unattended colour production a viable and cost-effective choice.