Customers can expect more accurate counts with digital printing: Samsung

SEOUL, KOREA: Samsung Electronics has been the no. 1 player in mobile phones for over a year now, at least in India. Now, it is venturing into new printing solutions. It recently released new models in Suwon, Korea, especially targeted at the SMB segment.

Here is an interview with David SW Song, senior VP/team leader, Strategic Sales and Marketing Team, Printing Solution Business, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Excerpts:

CIOL: Please talk about Samsung's printer line-up for 2014.

David Song: Samsung has introduced new printing solutions that will push the boundaries of innovation in the printing industry. Samsung has unveiled the following range this year in Asia:

NFC (Near Field Communication)-enabled colour laser printer

and multi-function printers (MFPs) Xpress C4XX series - The company has introduced these two series to let users print high quality photos and documents from their smartphones with ease.

The new A3 mono and color printers-

In May 2014, The MultiXpress CLX-9301 color series and SCX-8128 mono series were launched specifically for the Asian market. The range is designed to deliver exceptional performance and efficient printing solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

In 2013, Samsung forayed in the A3 category in India with the launch of MultiXpress K2200 series comprising two models, K2200 and K2200ND which are customized for the Indian market.

Apart from these, for on-the-go printing that combines NFC and Wi-Fi Direct technologies, Samsung has its mono laser printer Xpress M2885 series and color laser printer Xpress C1860 series. These printers enable easy and convenient mobile printing for SMB users with outstanding print speeds.

CIOL: What are the advantages of digital vs. litho? Is there any progress in the area?

DS: The industry is moving toward digital printing. The same can be owed to various advantages that the digital printing technology brings with it. Digital printing has brought technical advancements, has given way to more opportunities, and boasts of new features to today's commercial printing.

Digital printing uses electronic files and is cost effective for small print runs because there is less initial setup involved. Customers can expect more accurate counts, less waste and fewer variations with Digital printing as there is no need to balance ink and water during press run.

Samsung offers a wide range of digital printers with the introduction of Multi-function printers (MFPs) Xpress C4XX series, MultiXpress CLX-9301 color series and SCX-8128 Mono series especially for the Asian market. Apart from these, the new NFC enabled Mono laser printer Xpress M2885 series and color laser printer Xpress C1860 series with improved print speed are also helping Samsung to cater to our small to medium consumers' needs.

CIOL:Some sophisticated online procurement software enables customers to enter their details online and view instant on-screen proofs of　their prints. What is Samsung doing in this area?

DS: For copier class, Samsung provides ‘Document in Box' feature which is a real document pre-view function. For laser class, Samsung provides ‘Eco driver', which let users check the printed image at the monitor.

CIOL: How is Samsung handling the requirement for dual-language business cards? Is this process instantaneous?

DS: Samsung is not catering to dual-language business cards category, at this point. However, as a leading global player, Samsung is perfectly positioned to help companies achieve their office printing goals. Samsung is focused to give solutions to deliver an exemplary experience and at the same time provide a great value to its customers.

CIOL: How sophisticated is cloud-based printing today?

DS: Market analysts expect print volume from mobile device grow up to 20 percent by 2016. The total print volume is expected to grow by 2.2 percent by 2016.

Also, it is forecasted that 50 percent of smartphone users and 58 percent of tablet users will use mobile printing in 2015. Thus, we can say that mobility is driving the new document process imperatives.

Introduction of mobile office and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy has increased the need for convenient cloud printing, mainly in the B2B markets. However, user convenience and security are considered as setbacks. By offering ‘Samsung Cloud Print' with enhanced security and user convenience compared to the former cloud service, Samsung aims to solidify the market leadership in the mobile printing.

Samsung has proven its market competitiveness by launching a Mobile Print App in 2010 and the world's first NFC-enabled printer in 2013. With this new concept Samsung Cloud Print, Samsung demonstrate its leadership in mobile printing field.

CIOL: Finaly, what is Samsung doing in the 3D printing area?

DS: The use purposes of 3D printers and laser printers are totally different. 3D printing is mostly for the various industrial uses, such as mock-up creation. Samsung Electronics' laser printers are used for information printing.

(The author was invited by Samsung Electronics to Seoul, Korea for the Samsung Printing Solutions Media event.)