By Amy Weiss | 2/23/16

MWAi Intelligence held its fifth Executive Connection Summit (ECS) February 18-20 at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. Featuring a solid day-and-a-half lineup of presentations from industry leaders as well as a press conference, awards ceremony, and multiple dinners and networking opportunities, the ECS has solidly established itself as the industry’s premier event.

News and Announcements

A newly promoted Rick Taylor kicked off the press conference, after making his own news with the announcement of his promotion to Executive Officer of Konica Minolta Inc. and President and CEO of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Taylor spoke about Konica Minolta’s support of MWAi’s FORZA product, which, said Taylor, Konica is going to “support, implement and do a great job with.” Taylor was also the first to note something that would become a recurring theme over the next two days — that FORZA has considerable potential for implementation outside the imaging industry, in industries with similar characteristics and needs.

Rick Taylor Konica Minolta

Konica MInolta’s new President and CEO Rick Taylor (left) and MWAi’s Mike Stramaglio kick off the ECS

Stramaglio followed up Taylor’s presentation with his own announcements regarding FORZA; specifically, that it would be moving from version 9.1 of SAP to the latest version, 9.2, which opens things up and allows users to make reports and manipulate data in real time. He also reiterated the idea that FORZA goes beyond imaging, as SAP HANA is ideal for all things required in adjacent businesses as well — security, medical equipment and robotics being just a few examples.

ECS sponsors had the opportunity to make announcements and presentations as well; Clover Imaging’s Luke Goldberg spoke about the rebranding of the Clover Imaging Group and new partnerships that include FORZA as well as Print Audit; PrintAudit’s West McDonald spoke about that company’s upcoming Top 100 Summit. Bud Karakey talked about BEI Services’ initiatives in big data, which it is using to address cost savings in labor. GreatAmerica’s Jennie Fisher spoke about the firm’s go-to-market strategies, particularly its PathShare HR Services suite that helps buisnesses develop hiring and retention models built on GreatAmerica’s own renowned corporate culture

Mike Stramaglio MWAi

LMI Solutions’ presentation featured possibly one of the company’s best new additions in the form of presenter Doug Johnson, announced as the company’s chief strategy officer earlier this year. Johnson spoke to the firm’s plans to build out three platforms: manufacturing, distribution and services, with particular growth in the services side. “I want a viable company 30 years from now when no one is printing anymore,” said Johnson, in a point that was, of course, debated throughout the event.

OKI Data’s Jennifer Jakubowicz spoke about the firm’s streamlined path for growth that included the development of a 12-member dealer council as well as focus on print production built around its new wide-format offerings. And Chris McFarlane of PrintFleet summed up the company’s decision to join with FORZA in words that were apropos for the entire summit: “We believe in connected.”


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