The Digital Divide

Dear Colleagues,

Once upon a time I attended the University of Nebraska. And yes, I later attended the University of California at Berkeley. You may consider that a sign of schizophrenia. It's probably also explains my transition from printing sales to software development, as well as other personality quirks.

But, we'll save those thoughts for another day.

Today, I want to discuss curves in the rocky road of life - at least as it relates to the wonderfully scenic highway traversing Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park and the breathtaking Continental Divide - a route I traveled several times in my youthful annual treks from Reno NV to Lincoln NE and back.

The unique feature of the Continental Divide, the highest summits of the Rockies running north/south through Colorado, is that it separates the watershed for the entire Western and Midwestern United States. On its western flank, snow and rain water flow to the Colorado River and eventually the Pacific Ocean. On its eastern flank, the waters flow to the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.

So, what's the point?

The point is that I see a comparable DIGITAL DIVIDE emerging in our Independent Print Services Industry. As I analyze Quantum Net e-commerce statistics, it's easy to spot those distributors who have embraced the marketing opportunities of e-commerce and digital technology. Their clients order thousands, tens of thousands, and even more than a hundred thousand items annually via e-commerce.

These distributors also request a constant stream of sophisticated software enhancements from e-Quantum in order to satisfy the demands of their customers for technology solutions. These distributors drive e-Quantum to the leading edge in order to properly service their client base. This results in a constructive synergy that provides us both a competitive advantage. We both view these challenges as an OPPORTUNITY to strengthen our relationships with our client base, an OPPORTUNITY to put separation between our companies and our competition.

We believe in living by the maxim, "You should be known for what YOU DO, not what YOU DID!"

However, it is distributorships with minimal to modest e-commerce and digital activity who constitute a majority of our e-Quantum Net client base.

Now, this is not judgment on those who have made a conscious decision to employ minimal technology, or simply find their business life happier or less complicated in its absence. Since I personally possess a technology aptitude rated in negative numbers, I can sympathize with your viewpoint.

But, if there is one thing I can promise about the status QUO - it rhymes with "GO." It's very transient. In fact, its train has already left the station. I hope you're on board and riding the rails toward future success.

For on the one side of the DIGITAL DIVIDE there are streams of orders greening digital forests and swelling technology reservoirs. There are distributors hiring young talent with a zeal for technology and services - as opposed to products - selling to their counterparts in their respective client bases. There is an emphasis on global solutions, conservation, cost efficiency, lightning service, and improved communications - all integrated with complementary technology.

And on the other side of the DIGITAL DIVIDE, well, they're complaining about climate change. The spring rains aren't what they used to be. The wells are drying up. The fields aren't as fertile. The topsoil is thinning. The client base is beginning to wither. The feedstock is moldy. The order yields are down. Life is more in survival mode.

BUT, it doesn't have to be that way!

Each of us is our own rain man. The good news about acquiring technology solutions is that it isn't that difficult. The seeds for digital success are available to everyone. e-Quantum has the required technology and the experts to help you apply it.

Our e-Quantum May 5-7 International Client Conference in Reno will provide two full days of Peer-To-Peer education, bringing you the best and brightest among our clients to teach how they generate success utilizing innovative technology and management. These are absolutely 'don't miss' sessions.

Our keynote consultant from InfoTrends will describe the services and technology necessary to become a Marketing Services Provider, a hot topic in our Industry as a potentially major source of new business.

You won't want to miss our presentation of e-Quantum's ALL-NEW technology modules, including the web-based Vendor Center, Sales Force Order Entry Center, and Client Online Job Tracking Center. These new modules simplify accurate supply chain communications within your distributorship and its clients and vendors.

Likewise, learn how the ALL-NEW Q-Store Profiler can boost web-store profits and sales opportunities by utilizing demographics of your retail site shoppers. And, our ALL-NEW Digital File Manager allows clients and design staff to upload, catalog, sort, file, and retrieve all digital images more readily.

Our expanded Vendor EXPO and e-vendor presentations provide an excellent forum to network with leading industry manufacturers and service providers. And, of course, there is an entire 2-day track devoted to software training.

So, display our Conference Agenda. Note the incredible amount of industry-leading technology, education and networking jam-packed into 2-1/2 days. See that it's being held at the beautiful Peppermill Resort Casino in Reno. Check out the entertainment. And then please REGISTER TO ATTEND!

e-Quantum's conference will be easy to find. Just look for us on the green side of the DIGITAL DIVIDE, with the distributors poised for challenge and growth.




Sincerely,



Ross Barker

P.S. If still you're undecided whether to attend, you may want to recall these words, "Things may come to those who wait... but only the things left by those who hustle." Abraham Lincoln



800-328-7804 | e-quantum.com