CAP Ventures Announces New E-Commerce Study for the Office Equipment Market

Business Wire, May 8, 2000

Business/Technology Editors

NORWELL, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2000

CAP Ventures Inc., the leading worldwide strategic consulting and market research firm for the document technologies and supplies industry, today announced a new multi-client study entitled "Building an E-Commerce Strategy for the Office Equipment and Printer Marketplace."

The copier, printer and fax industry is already witnessing the emergence of new Internet advertising channels and on-line markets for used equipment. In fact, recent CAP Ventures research indicates that 40% of customers plan to use the Internet to identify products, select suppliers and/or purchase their next copier, printer or fax machine.

Another potential impact is the decoupling of the critical hardware and supplies annuity stream. CAP Ventures' now projects that over 50% of office equipment supplies (toner, ink and paper) will be sold through Internet channels by 2004.

"The Internet is fundamentally altering the relationships between vendors, resellers and end customers for office equipment," said Charles A. Pesko, Managing Director, CAP Ventures. "Vendors and resellers need to re-examine their role in the industry value chain or risk being displaced by more efficient business models.

The market research will include profiles of 20 existing Web-based office equipment vendors and resellers, interviews with over 200 medium to large corporate customers and over 500 interviews with SOHO customers. Through this extensive research, CAP Ventures will provide a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, issues and strategies for Internet-based sales of office equipment in this dynamic market.

"Our recent research in the paper and toner markets indicated that once a customer starts using an Internet channel they often quickly migrate most all of their purchasing to the web," noted Jeff Hayes, Research Director, CAP Ventures. "This new study will examine in detail the impact of the Web on customer attitudes and purchase behavior related to copiers, laser printers, ink jet printers and fax."

Companies can arrange for advanced participation now at a discounted price of $11,995 and help direct the focus of the research. CAP Ventures will deliver "Building an E-Commerce Strategy for the Office Equipment and Printer Marketplace" by September 2000. For more information, please access our web site at www.capv.com or contact Keith LaVangie at 781-871-9000.

CAP Ventures is a strategic consulting firm for providers and users of business communication technologies and services. We deliver the key research, analysis, forecasting, benchmarking, counsel, marketing education and implementation to both leverage industry opportunities and make a competitive difference in our clients' business. Additional information about CAP Ventures is available on the Web at: www.capv.com