In this episode, Founder Frank G. Cannata and Chief Editor Mark Vruno resume their discussion of trends to watch in 2026. In addition to AI, why should dealers keep their eyes on cloud communications, distribution, and inkjet printing technology? Up in “the cloud,” Vruno points to PaperCut Hive’s latest managed print services (MPS) software release. Cannata lauds the ongoing success of Intermedia Cloud Communications, a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) provider that has won The Cannata Report’s “Best Diversification Partner” Frank Award for three consecutive years.
Two More Trends
The theme of improving dealer profitability continues with distribution as one of the major trends to watch this year. Frank explains how companies such as Distribution Management and TD Synnex are alleviating the inventory burden for many dealerships, allowing them to focus more intently on their core business. Going above and beyond equipment warehousing, these firms provide tools and have people in house, Frank notes, who “support the sale;so they’re not merely facilitating.”
Inkjet printing is the final trend the duo touches on: from more profitable A3 and A4 MPS and maintenance agreements to increasing applications on labels, packaging and even inkjet fabric printing, the technology “keeps advancing,” Cannata stresses. Inkjet printing is reliable, efficient and cost-effective, which is why several manufacturers are making significant investments in this space.
