May (05-06) - Keeping up with the Slowskys

May 2006 Editorial

The burdens of small business are varied and infinite. Entrepreneurs deal with 1001 sleepless nights. In order to continue, we must all constantly innovate. The variables that must be considered are beyond the scope of any forward vision. So, in the face of challenge to position, we grow our way out. We put forth more effort, work longer hours, and press on. The strong are tested, the competition takes on new battlefields.

There's currently an ad campaign by Comcast that features a couple of turtles, the Slowskys. It resonates with me becase it seems that we are all, every one of us, constantly running, catching up, get as much done as we can. Almost out of breath with the constancy of it. "Make each moment count." The toll it takes, I think, is the gradual accumulation of stresses. Less than full sleep requirements. The burden is heavy. So here's to all my colleagues: Every day we hear of issues, problems, and challenges. Add that to gravity, and it doesn't bode well for we mortals. But until I can find an alternative life, I'll keep slaving away with a smile. So fortunate are we that get to carry the world on our shoulders. Bravo!

Last couple of weeks we learned of retirements and others leaving the industry. This down time is taking its toll on all our patience. I'm sad to see them go, truely some great people, but the weening taking place in this marketplace will spur new opportunities.

Things are mvoing ahead at a good clip on our new web site. We should have it rolled under the Argecy banner shortly. One of the nice features is th ability to log on and review your purchase history. We will also be able to offer discount levels for frequent and wholesale buyers.

Lexmark's new T644 is an awesome performer at under $900. So long as you din't mind a $300 toner cartridge!

Its funny, actually. IBM has announced discontinuance of some Infoprint lasers almost immediately after announcing them. No longer is there even a hint of reliable supply. How are fleets going to standardize in this crazy paradigm?

TallyGenicom has a new printer that is well worth mentioning. Their new 2265+ offers IPDS ETHERNET. This is the only alternative (if you want to buy a new desktop printer) to IBM's 4247 for internal IPDS Ethernet functionality. It is fairly priced and looks like a nice solution.

All of the sudden, bunches of IP 70's (2770-001) printers have hit the scene, between these and the sporadic 2085's coming to market, now is an excellent time for end users to acquire one. Any department that pumps out a lot of paper will save serious money on these industrial machines. No matter how much I work with the IBM 4000 high speed lasers, I'm still amazed at them. Over 1000 pages per minute? Imagine the miles and miles of paper going through it and the total cost per page measured down to the thousandths of a cent!

I know this is a short one, but I expect to be doing a major announcement regarding the new web site soon. It really is a big deal to us.

Oh, and by the way, wish me happy 21st Anniversary on June 6 (Or after).

Sweet:
IBM 4519-001 Infoprint 1312
IBM 4528-n01 Infoprint 1352n new in sealed $995
IBM 4528-001 Infoprint 1352 new sealed $795
IBM 4526-001 Infoprint 1226 $1100 new sealed
IBM 4230-102 Printer $750
IBM 4230-4i3 Printer $950
IBM 4232-302 Printer $850
IBM 4247-A00 Printer new sealed $950
IBM 4400-004 Thermal $950
IBM 4400-008 Thermal $1900
Lexmark C752dn new sealed $1199
Lexmark C762n Factory Refurb, 1 year on-site warranty. $1399 (Regularly $ 1799.00)
Lexmark Optra W810 $599
Lexmark Optra 4026-070 E+ $99
Lexmark Optra E 310 $179
Lexmark Optra E 312 $189
Lexmark Optra E 322 $229
Lexmark E323n new sealed $495
Lexmark Optra M410 $249
Lexmark Optra S1250 $275
Lexmark Optra S1625 $300
Lexmark Optra S2455 $450
Lexmark T522 $550
Lexmark Optra T612n $515
Lexmark Optra T614 $550
Lexmark T620n $825
Lexmark T630 $599
Lexmark 4227plus Printer (4227-002) $625
Dell M5200N Printer $550
Epson DFX5000 printer $550
Epson DFX8000 printer $550
CLI ET2000 Terminals $195

Tighter:
IBM 2074's-
IBM 1100 (45xx series) series (1120, 1125, 1140, 1145) (we have a few)
Lexmark Optra T622
Lexmark Optra T520
Lexmark Optra T616
Lexmark T632, T634 family
IBM 1312, 1332
IBM 4247-V03
IBM 4232-302
IBM 4224-1e3 twinax

David T. Mendelson