Diversified Computer Supplies, Inc Brian Leek, of Diversified Computer Supplies, Inc., heads up the DCS Managed Print Services and compatible imaging solutions. I had an opportunity to talk with Brian about their products and programs. Brian, tell me about DCS. Brian Leek: DCS has always focused on product quality and listening to the needs of our buying groups and dealers.  From the very beginning in 1988, our founder and CEO Joe Hollenshead has always looked to provide the products and services that fulfill the requirements of our clients. Over the years, Diversified Computer Supplies has lived up to its name by diversifying into the channels of products and services that best fulfill the purchasing requests of our ever-increasing customer base. Today, over 95% of DCS products are directly related to imaging supplies.  Currently, DCS is the fastest growing wholesale distributor of consumable imaging products in the United States. Our main goal is to be the premier imaging solutions provider for independent resellers, which may be through OEM imaging products, compatible copier and printer cartridges, MPS solutions, or multifunction hardware products. Our key customer groups include office supply dealers, the IT / VAR Channel and the BTA Channel of copier dealers. Our goal is to always provide optimum profit opportunities to the imaging reseller channel.   We offer products from all of the major manufacturers such as Brother, Canon, Copystar, DELL OEM & compatibles, Epson, Gestetner, HP, IBM, Imation, Konica-Minolta, Kyocera-Mita, Lanier, Lexmark, Muratec, NEC, OCE, Okidata, Panasonic, QMS-Minolta, Ricoh, Royal Copystar, Samsung, Savin, Sharp, Sharper Image, Toshiba, TREND, and Xerox-Tektronix. DCS’s product line includes supplies for copiers, inkjet printers, laser printers, and fax machines. DCS is committed to creating long-term value for our dealers. We understand what it takes to be successful in today’s extremely competitive marketplace by providing: • Extensive depth of product offerings • Excellent pricing leverage • High quality compatible solutions • Excellent logistic solutions for our partners throughout the country including next day delivery anywhere in the US for nearly ground rates. How does OptiPrint™ differ from other MPS solutions within the industry? Brian: We understand the MPS strategy is being implemented by an increasing number of independent dealers.  We also understand the technology is not for everyone. For those of our resellers in a position to exploit the market opportunities, DCS created OptiPrint™, a comprehensive print management solution that maximizes ease of use, end-user acceptance, and profitability. Clearly, one of the advantages for independent dealers embracing print management strategies will be to create a tighter bond between themselves and their customers. The DCS OptiPrint™ program will allow the independent resellers to maximize that bond…without creating an additional bond between the OEM and the end-users, as is typically seen in other MPS programs. The OEMs and chosen distribution partners continue to expand their own print management footprint… DCS doesn’t feel the dealers should leave the OEMs a path to their own customers! We recognized early on in the evaluation process of competing MPS programs that they were being designed with the intent that a dealer would have to make a significant upfront investment along with costly ongoing monthly reoccurring fees to offer MPS. DCS designed OptiPrint™ around this costly approach with a goal to provide an MPS solution that would eliminate both of these costly concerns. We feel strongly that MPS is a solution to empower dealers to increase their profits through a value creation relationship with their customers. OptiPrint™ is that solution and here are some of the benefits for the dealer. Dealer Benefits of OptiPrint™: 1. No upfront fees 2. No cost training 3. Industry leading proposal generator that is integrated to the monitoring software allowing for cost & profit analysis and easily generates a full proposal for the end-user 4. Direct access to a nationwide service provider with no inflated costs 5. Free ongoing marketing support 6. Coaching support for dealers on how to transition to a consultative selling approach How can DCS users put OptiPrint™ to work? Brian: OptiPrint™’s technology and tools allow dealers to effectively roll out a managed print strategy without the costly up-front investment in software or incremental capital expenses. This optimized managed print services program has all the components necessary to be successful in helping customers more effectively control the cost of printing. OptiPrint™ was created to help organizations control and reduce office printing costs. The technology has been developed to give a proactive approach to managing printing assets while increasing productivity and lowering costs. OptiPrint™’s program helps maximize ROI through fleet uptime and optimization, reliable support, and supplies management. More information can be viewed at www.optiprint.com. How are you supporting your OptiPrint™ users, supply resellers, traditional IT / VAR, and copier dealers with branded compatibles and other imaging solutions? Brian: DCS has increased our offering of superior quality compatible imaging supplies. TREND™ and Sharper Image™ enable our resellers to offer an extensive line of branded, compatible imaging supply products that are backed by the full strength and integrity of DCS. DCS responded to the market demands of 15,000 dealers by developing a high quality compatible line in the industry. TREND™ supplies offer a comprehensive line of facsimile, inkjet, laser, and MICR products delivering both performance and value. DCS enables our dealers to be extremely competitive by offering a high performance, low cost product line. Dealers can follow the TREND™ to compatibles and save up to 50%, while delivering page yields equal to or exceeding the OEM. The TREND™ line is backed by a 100% lifetime guarantee and warranty against defective parts and printer damage. We understand our dealers usually have one opportunity to convert customers from high priced OEMs to lower cost compatibles. If the product does not perform well, that sale is lost forever. Every TREND™ cartridge is built with this fact in mind. A comprehensive production process requires quality at every step of the production cycle. Each procedure is audited to ensure only those cartridges meeting our stringent quality standards are sold. In addition to our TREND™ line of compatible imaging supplies, we also offer our Sharper Image® line of products which has substantial name recognition. Again, DCS listened to the voice of the customer in establishing the Sharper Image® line: • Creation of a compatible brand that connects with end-users • Providing custom branding and marketing solutions for our Sharper Image® authorized resellers • Providing a very high quality compatible solution that matches the expectations of the brand:    Quality, Innovation and Excitement • Recognition of the fact that resellers are looking for ways to capitalize on compatible sales growth during the current economic environment. DCS recently introduced the micro-MICR line of 100% new MICR products, one of the very few Hewlett-Packard Accredited Solutions in the market. The micro-MICR brand fits very nicely within the portfolio of technical solutions that our partners have come to expect from DCS. With facilities in Ann Arbor Michigan, West Florida and Montreal Canada, DCS has evolved into the leading wholesaler of OEM and compatible consumables to thousands of independent dealers throughout the world. Over 70% of all products are shipped through blind drop shipping. Our resellers are maximizing the use of the DCS inventory and shipping expertise to provide their customers with on time delivery throughout North America. ENX thanks Brian Leek for sharing the latest offerings of Diversified Computer Supplies with our readers. For more information, contact a DCS sales team member at: Diversified Computer Supplies, Inc 4435 Concourse Dr.• Ann Arbor MI 48108 800.766.5400 • fax 734.994.5317 www.dcsbiz.com  • www.optiprint.com  • sales@dcsbiz.com