Canon Solutions America Announces User Group Steering Committee and Digital Print Advisory Council

MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canon Solutions America, Inc., a subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., today announced it has established the first Canon Solutions America User Group Steering Committee and has launched a second advisory group – the Digital Print Advisory Council (DPAC).

Both initiatives are aimed at continuing its commitment to customers. Through knowledge sharing events and advisory programs, Canon Solutions America and its customers are helping to shape the future of the industry, while ensuring continued growth and opportunity in digital print.
 
"We are true partners with our customers in every sense of the word," said Francis A. McMahon, Vice President, Marketing, Production Print Solutions division of Canon Solutions America. "We value their insights to help us define our business and product line strategy, and they know they can count on us to keep delivering the solutions they need to grow their businesses – now and in the future."
 
A First User Group

Canon Solutions America has taken the first step toward establishing a User Group for the printing community. A steering committee, comprised of 10 Canon Solutions America customers and representing leaders across markets, has been assembled to determine the path forward.

The committee will begin meeting in April with the goal of a 2015 launch of the User Group and an inaugural event. Its focus will be on delivering world-class education that accommodates the widest portfolio in the industry – from cut-sheet monochrome to continuous-feed color and everywhere in between.
 
I'm thrilled to be on the steering committee, but even more thrilled that Canon Solutions America is taking this on," said Bob Radzis, Chief Customer Officer at SG360° a Chicago-based digital printer and recognized national leader in direct mail marketing. "As both a Canon imagePRESS^® and Océ ColorStream^® 3700 owner, it will be a huge help to learn new efficiencies and operational gains between the products."
 
"We're excited to have these companies work with us to develop a User Group that will provide long-lasting benefits for the entire print community," said Eric Hawkinson, Director of Marketing, Production Print Solutions division of Canon Solutions America. "We have knowledge and experience to share, and are committed to making this User Group a truly educational event created in the customer's image."
 
A Second Advisory Council

As part of its ongoing efforts to integrate the voice of the customer into current and future product offerings, Canon Solutions America will launch a second advisory council. The Digital Print Advisory Council (DPAC) will kick off in March with 13 senior executives representing some of the largest companies in the world in financial services, book printing, direct mail and commercial print. Members will meet annually to discuss current industry trends, market changes and business conditions – and provide valuable feedback to help guide Canon Solutions America's ongoing solutions and service development.
 
"I appreciate Canon Solutions America hosting events that allow us to network and discuss common problems on neutral ground," said Henry Perez, Chief Operating Officer, Financial Statement Services Inc. (FSSI) a full-service print and mail leader based in Santa Ana, California. "Technology is changing daily. Staying abreast of the changes and the ability to influence future products and media expansions will be a real advantage for us as a company."
 
The idea for DPAC was conceived at the conclusion of Canon Solutions America's first advisory council. The Transactional Printers Advisory Council (TPAC) included 13 digital print executives who met six times over two years. In those two years, TPAC was instrumental in the development of new premium pigment ink technology and a media program, as well as providing meaningful guidance that is driving Canon Solutions America business and product strategy.
 
Based on the success of the first advisory council, members recommended not only continuing the council, but also expanding it to include book and commercial printers who face similar challenges. 
 
"It's an honor to have customers who want to work with us to further each other's growth," said McMahon. "Customer feedback is crucial to our future development and growth strategy and helps us make the right decisions on behalf of our customers."
 
About Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Combining the strengths of the former Canon Business Solutions, Inc. and Océ North America, Inc., Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise services, advanced production print technology and large format solutions supported by exceptional professional service offerings. Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes to improve their business by increasing efficiency, controlling costs and becoming more environmentally conscious.  A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A, Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, NY and has nearly 7,000 employees in over 150 offices across the country. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit www.csa.canon.com.
 
Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners.
 
© 2014 Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved.