We proudly present: #HotspotSubscription

By Andreas Weber, Head of Value

I am delighted that #HotspotSubscription has launched the first international blog dedicated to one of the most important topics for rapid and profitable growth with and through print. 

The aim is to link experts with market knowledge and the practical expertise of innovative print companies and thus make sound future trends tangible and usable. The new blog offers opportunities to get involved; be it as a user / reader who subscribes to the blog for free and comments on contributions; or be it even more active as a discussion partner or author of exclusive, relevant technical contributions. You can even suggest topics! 

The credo: Nothing is more constant than change!

Why is that going to happen? First, because we need a new culture of debate. And secondly, because the print industry, as a driver of innovation, knows permanent changes as a permanent state since its beginnings — transformation is part of the DNA of all those who deal with print.

But never before had it been necessary to react to current digital technology developments with such dynamism as today. 

What are the challenges? 

While the focus to date has been on Industry 4.0 and process automation, in the future it will focus on reshaping business models through #Subscription. This is necessary to escape the optimization and availability trap and seamlessly translate the technical benefits into sustainable business success. 

The Subscription Economy plays a central role. Why? 

The ever more complex technology scenarios and the effects of IoT and AI in the industrial environment harbor opportunities, but also unforeseen risks. It therefore makes sense to look for new ways of cooperating with manufacturers. Motto: Get strong together! 

As a reminder, it has been customary in the print industry to gain a competitive edge through permanent new investments in hardware and software. Modern machinery means being attractive to customers — but at the same time cost-intensive, requiring high liquidity, and capturing the majority of entrepreneurial attention. 

There is little time left for the innovation of the go-to-market. What's more, print shop customers are still paying for the effort they make with their orders. The actual values and advantages of print in the digital age and the derived benefits are taking a back seat. This can and will change with subscriptions, as printers can access the extensive expertise of their technology partner / solution provider, who has to manage the technology and to share the risk. 

Our topics / activities in the first step: 

1. Demonstration of a current and future market scenario from the manufacturer, investor and user point of view. 
   
2. Who are the pioneers? Which effects occur? 
   
3. What are the priorities in science and research? 
   

Last but not least: Our expert advisory committee is formed. We will inform you shortly. So stay tuned. It will be worth it! 

And besides the free subscription option, you can also use the contact form for individual aspects. BTW: we created the first media partnership with the organizers of the 1. Subscription Leaders Summit, taking place in Francfort/German, 16. October 2019.