Well, just a few days after covering Amazon’s CreateSpace in a previous article, I come to learn about HP’s Print 2.0 strategy first from Drew McLellan’s post. I was pleasantly surprised to see Eric Kintz himself (Vice President of Marketing, Digital Photography and Entertainment for HP), reply to my pondering on fulfillment and channel strategy.
Monsieur Eric, etes vous Francais?
So I did a Google blog search of course to find out more. Here is some additional links for your delightful reading pleasure:
Digital Printing – Basic article from Wikipedia
EWeek article on Print 2.0
Partner Reactions from ChannelWeb
A Perspective from Patrick Scaglia – HP’s CTO for Imaging and Printing
Okay, so printing options are exploding…that’s a given. I see 3 enablers are making this happen: software, lean digital-publishing, and a tight logistics/distribution system.
The big question is on how VARs (value-added resellers) and retailers are going to be reacting in their own regard. Partner with HP, make your own model, or a combination of both? That will depend on the unique business opportunity presented and what other options are available. Wal-Mart is already using SnapFish by HP for the software, and digital printing and shipping by Fuji.
I’d like to know what Costco, Target, CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens have up their sleeves. Are their standard photo services just enough? What is the sales potential of custom photo books? I would have to say there’s a huge potential there. Building your own photo album (supplies & time) can be a chore. However, you really have to present the consumer with a menu of what’s possible and price it accordingly. You have to create that vision beyond the 30 second commercial. Establishments must have displays that explains how the process works and have a few live samples on hand.
In all, I wish all parties luck. This is an exciting time to be in for digital publishing. Will HP become the Dell for printing? We’ll have to wait and see…
There are a lot case studies at the Podi website http://www.podi.org where the power of digital print is illustrated.
Pieter,
Thank-you for the reference. I hope to learn more about the advantages of digital printing, in addition to how this publication industry will be changing in the coming years.
I’m not sure how long it’ll be, but I am curious about how global competition may affect the availability of printing options, when we’re at least looking toward high volumes. Perhaps HP and a few others like Kinko’s will become the one-stop-shops, like how 4th party logistics providers today manage the entire supply chains of major corporations.
Yes I am French
There are numerous opportunities for creativity in retail beyond custom photo books. We just announced a partnership with Meijer – a midwestern retailer – for a co-branded snapfish as well as for creatives in retail. E.g. posters and calendars made in 1min while you shop.
Eric
Mario,
What I find interesting to think about in this mix is which retailers will have the foresight to jump on board first.
Who will capture the marketplace while it is still up for grabs? Will Target for example see the true potential of this? I think they’re a very savvy retailer so it will be fun to see where they take this.
Will I be able to print a 24 x 36 poster of my vacation photo? Will they have frames etc. ready? Will I be able to create a scrapbook and let my dad pick up his copy in another state?
Cool stuff!
Drew