The concept was developed a year ago to give Premier Partner customers the ability to receive jobs from Xerox and, now, from any print buyer in the world.

According to Xerox marketing manager for graphic arts Pete Smith, this means that print jobs can be done in proximity to the customer anywhere in the world with no risk of losing data in transit. It also enables businesses to get multiple quotes for jobs, ensuring print buyers are working cost-effectively.

Anoush Dowlatshahi-Gordon, Xerox UK sales and marketing director, production business, said the service would allow buyers to match their specific creative and budget requirements.

Xerox vets all its Premier Partners with regards to turnover, financial stability, quality of work, quality of establishment and staff training, so end users know they are getting the best and can have their jobs printed where they want, added Smith.

If someone is running a course in Manhattan, but is currently based in the UK, they can log on and find a Premier Partner in the US that will deliver it to the building, he said.

To use the free service, print buyers must register on www.ppcommunity.com, where they are given a password. Users then fill in the job specifications and the place they want it printed, and the service will come up with Premier Partners in that area with those capabilities. At this point Xerox plays no further part, leaving the printer to deal directly with the print buyer.

When Xerox closed its print shops it needed a model to outsource work to. Now with this mechanism we can offer businesses a global organisation that they can turn to for print, said Smith.

Story by Rachel Barnes

Picture: Gordon - matching needs