In 2023, the print industry will remain vulnerable to the impact of economic uncertainty, the energy crisis and supply chain disruption. The Great Resignation is turning into the Great Layoff, creating a further shift in employer and employee dynamics. Although remote and hybrid working will not disappear, 2023 may see a wider return to the office, which could help improve print volume recovery. However, customer behaviour is changing, which is accelerating print and digital convergence. Industry players must adapt their product and service offerings to drive relevance in a rapidly changing technology landscape.
Quocirca has identified the following 10 key trends that will shape the print industry in 2023:
1. The Great Layoff may signal a wider return to the office
The Great Resignation has now given way to the Great Layoff, primarily in the tech sector. This is creating a shift in the balance of power between employer and employee. Although hybrid working will continue, both employers and employees will re-evaluate expectations around remote working. in 2023 we may see less resistance to a return to the office which will lead to a rise in office occupancy levels.
2. Cloud adoption will drive print infrastructure modernisation
Cloud adoption will continue to increase creating opportunities for print vendors and ISVs. Varying levels of cloud maturity will require tailored and clear differentiation in an increasingly fragmented cloud print market.
3. Sustainability performance will come under scrutiny
As net-zero targets loom, vendors will come under pressure to provide transparency around circular economy initiatives. In 2023 we can expect to see more sustainability-led products and service offerings around hardware, software and MPS as vendors look to further differentiate.
4. Digitisation will continue to pressure print volumes
While some businesses will continue to rely on print for certain business processes, digitisation initiatives will be driven by the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and lower environmental impact.
5. Gen Z will reshape workspace dynamics
As more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, their expectations around workplace technology and productivity will have an increasing influence on print and digital collaboration.
6. Print security will be elevated to the application level
As print security hardware features become more standardised, differentiation will be around expertise in adjacent software and services that can deliver a multi-layered approach to securing the print infrastructure.
7. Smart buildings and IoT will offer new opportunities
The office space has to adapt to provide sociable and collaborative workspaces that improve employee productivity. As organisations redesign their office space, MPS providers have an opportunity to deliver innovative workplace technology that integrates with broader smart building and IoT ecosystems.
8. Data innovation will separate leaders from followers
Leading industry players will be those that derive value from data. Data-driven business models will enable vendors to better understand customer behaviour and identify opportunities to deliver services adjacent to print. OEMs should adopt a cloud-native architecture to drive real time insights from connected MFPs.
9. Partnerships and collaborations will drive channel growth
To build competitive advantage, MPS providers must work with a range of specialists in adjacent areas such as cybersecurity, sustainability, IT services and workplace technology to jointly deliver a full suite of workplace solutions.
10. The metaverse will guide new office experiences
Adoption of VR and AR will continue to rise in support of hybrid working and demand for immersive digital collaboration. Those vendors that innovate or partner in areas such as virtual collaboration will be best positioned for success.
Find out more in Quocirca’s full Print Industry 2023 trends report available to clients and Quocirca Premium Subscribers. The report includes detailed commentary, including the impact of each trend on the print industry and recommendations on how suppliers should build and adapt product and service propositions.
