Megaform Computer Products

The flu is on steroids this year. At least, that's how it seems as it travels across the country, making its powerful punch felt ahead of schedule (it typically peaks between January and March).

It's not just famous for its inner harbor and crab cakes. It's not just the backdrop of HBO's now defunct The Wire. Many know it as "Charm City," but for the printing industry it's the site of PSDA's annual Print Solutions Conference and Expo from May 24 to 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

A little change never hurt anyone. With that in mind, this year’s big show promises a change of pace, a change of scenery and a change in demand. The newly revamped PSDA (formerly DMIA) will host its annual Print Solutions Conference and Exposition on Oct. 23-25 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore. This year’s featured general session keynote speaker will be Charlie Pesko, founder and president of InfoTrends, a leading market research and consulting firm in the digital imaging and document solutions industries. Technological advances and refined marketing strategies are just some of the issues gaining momentum in a slowing economy. To encourage print

DMIA’s annual Print Solutions conference and exposition will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The conference will provide three days of educational sessions, including a presentation by this year’s keynote speaker, Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and co-author of “Contract with America.” Join Gingrich as he analyzes the current political climate in Washington, DC, and educates attendees on effective leadership. This year’s conference will feature equipment demonstrations, offering distributors better insight into how various applications are produced. In addition, exchange centers will be located on the show floor with more than 34 hours of

The health-care industry is arguably one of the most advanced business sectors in the United States. Despite this, the number of medical error-related deaths continues to escalate and a complex health-care system still compromises patients’ quality of life. As a result, society is involved in an ongoing blame game with no conclusion in sight. But evidence points to functional health literacy, which the Council of Scientific Affairs of the American Medical Association defines as “the ability to read and comprehend prescription bottles, appointment slips and the other essential related materials required to successfully function as a patient.” In addition, prescription fraud continues to threaten

A varied product mix creates account longevity The results of a recent survey of insurance companies conducted by In-Plant Graphics magazine should come as no surprise. Not only are in-house printing facilities on the rise, but equipment capabilities are increasing, and product categories are expanding. Respondents indicated that they're creating their own annual reports, brochures, stationery, forms, calendars, catalogs, directories, direct mail pieces, folders, magazines, manuals, newsletters and point-of-purchase displays. So, what are forms distributors to do? For starters, Nino Cuttone, director of sales and marketing for Wauconda, Illinois-based Continental Imaging Products (CIP), suggested that they change tactics and turn the

Serving the insurance market is a smart way for distributors to cover their assets. Got insurance? If not, it's a beneficial market for distributors to add to their prospecting lists. Like health-care, it's an industry driven by regulations and drowning in paperwork, conditions that signal strong potential for distributor opportunities. "Even with the integration of technology that allows for paperless transmissions, there will always be a need for a hard copy, which ensures continued growth," said Jim Magdaleno, marketing director for Oxnard, California-based TFP Data Systems. Other similarities include the tendency for larger organizations—such as one Allstate facility in Northbrook, Ill.—to do a

Distributors can profit by providing the voluminous amount of printed documents utilized in the insurance industry. There is insurance for just about everything these days—health, life, disability, home, auto, long-term care, travel, even J. Lo's... The bottom line is that the insurance industry generates tons of paperwork—both standard and non-standard documents necessary to comply with individual state regulations—creating opportunities for forms professionals to lend expertise in document design to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. "Forms don't sell themselves," observed Jenny Schidecker, sales and marketing professional for Vandalia, Ohio-based Megaform Computer Products, Inc. "We help distributors develop creative flow with forms by