Where We’ve Been/What We’ve Seen
The Cannata Report visits Ray Morgan Company and interviews its resilient employees impacted by the Chico Camp Fire; EFI Connect turns 20; Ricoh hosts an Analyst Event at its Experience Center in New York City; and Toshiba exhibits at the National Retail Foundation (NRF) Annual Convention and EXPO in New York City.
I Will Survive (Top)
Our recent visit to Ray Morgan Company in Chico, CA left us in awe of the courageous employees who lost everything in the Camp Fire, the largest and deadliest fire in California’s history. We will publish an in-depth report in a future issue featuring interviews conducted by CJ Cannata and Frank Cannata with some of these brave individuals, including (from left to right) Jennifer Putnam, Diane Lewandowski, Dustin Wandtke, Laura RÅtton, and Jennifer Christensen. Their personal stories and how they are coping with the trauma of the fire and persevering in its aftermath were humbling.
Hats off
We salute RMC, including President Greg Martin and EVP Chris Scarff, for establishing the RMC Community Camp Fire Relief Fund to assist those devastated by the Camp Fire that ravaged Butte County, CA in November of last year killing 85 people. To date, RMC has raised $620,000 including the $200,000 it contributed. In Paradise, CA, 14,000 homes were destroyed including the homes of 17 Ray Morgan Company employees and their families, many of who are still without a permanent place to live (pictured here is a neighborhood in Paradise).
Fashion Forward
A highlight of EFI Connect 2019, the company’s Annual Worldwide Users’ Conference, was a fashion show featuring creations by teen textile designer Ariel Swedroe whose fabric designs were printed on EFI Reggiani and FabriVU printers during the event. Held at the Wynn in Las Vegas last month, EFI Connect celebrated 20 years with an array of breakout sessions and networking events in addition to a unique lineup of speakers.
New Connection
EFI’s new CEO Bill Muir addresses attendees on the first day of EFI Connect 2019, by recapping the history of Connect and providing observations on key printing industry trends and milestones as well as what attendees will see at this year’s conference.
Behind the Scenes
A keynote presentation by the creative minds at Cirque du Soleil described how they use EFI technology to design, costumes, props, and sets for the troupe’s many worldwide productions. The keynote concluded with an appearance by two striped performers.
On Demand
Ricoh America’s Corp. President and CEO Joji Tokunaga welcomes analysts to Ricoh’s analyst event in New York City on January 17. This marked the company’s official rollout of its new IM Series MFPs with Always Current Technology. The technology allows for regular updates to firmware and other applications available to customers on demand, and as needed.
Secure Strategy
Steve Burger, vice president/general manager, International Business, Imaging Systems Business Center, discusses Ricoh’s vision for empowering digital workplaces, including reliably securing information while still making it accessible. In addition to IEEE 2600 security certification, the company’s new IM Series MFPs are equipped with Ricoh Intelligent Support, a collection of tools, apps, and services that help businesses stay productive with continuous support, ultimately delivering better results by driving higher device uptime.
You Better Shop Around
Toshiba unveiled its frictionless shopping proof-of-concept at NRF 2019 in New York. The frictionless store means no scanning, no hassle. Toshiba’s R&D Innovation Lab is focused on retail transformation with major enabling technologies such as computer vision, artificial intelligence, sensor technologies, edge computing, and mesh networks.
Retail Therapy
At NRF 2019, Toshiba highlighted how it is Empowering the Art of Retail. Toshiba believes “your business is unique and managing it successfully is an art.” Toshiba closely collaborates with its partners to deliver brilliant commerce with people and solutions that inspire organizations to create their own future.
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