EDSF FINDS MAJOR CHALLENGES FOR PRINT PROVIDERS OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO THE RETAIL INDUSTRY Gartner and George Mason University Collaborate for New EDSF Study, “Criticality of Printed Information in the Retail Industry” ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. U.S.A (Oct. 16, 2006) - In a new study "Criticality of Printed Information in the Retail Industry" EDSF (The Electronic Document Systems Foundation) identifies major challenges for print providers offering solutions to the retail industry. EDSF, the non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and communications marketplace, in collaboration with Gartner and George Mason University, examines how store managers view and utilize print as part of their customer communication and business processes. The EDSF study is available at GraphExpo and as a free download at www.edsf.org. Gartner Research Director Pete Basiliere said, "Print providers who focus on selling only to retail corporate buyers do so at their peril. Our study clearly illustrates the fact they must also understand the store managers' needs." The new EDSF study points to the following major challenges for providers offering solutions to retailers: Retail store managers do not perceive print to be a critical element of their operations, yet are well aware of the price they pay for it. Thus, only 25 percent of store managers indicate that print is highly critical to their operations. The growing acceptance of electronic signage indicates an imminent challenge to suppliers. Thirty-seven percent of managers use in-store electronic signs today, while another 12 percent are actively considering their use. Nearly two-thirds of current users anticipate usage will increase over the next two years. While store managers have a high level of awareness of printed sales materials cost, there is little interest in print content tailored to the store’s specific retail environment and competitive market pressures. Most signage printed in-store is for general pricing rather than display purposes, lending itself to the centralized, in-house production practices noted by survey respondents. There is a fracture in the management of electronic and paper advertising materials. A significant majority of store managers indicate less than half of their company’s print catalog was derived from its web catalog. Most retailers do not integrate inventory information between store and web, and most manage print and Internet consumer communications as independent channels. According to the study, retail store managers are a critical part of the feedback process because they interact with customers daily. Yet, store managers’ opinions are often overlooked by suppliers, who ignore them at their peril. The report explains that suppliers must understand what the managers need to be successful and provide offerings that fulfill their objectives. “Although decisions on what is printed and by whom is typically made on a corporate level,” says Gartner’s Basiliere, “only by knowing how the store managers view and utilize print and electronic media will suppliers be able to sell equipment and build a profitable long-term relationship.” For additional information on EDSF, or to find a downloadable PDF of the report, visit www.edsf.org. About EDSF EDSF is a charitable foundation dedicated to preparing the next generation of professionals for the document management and communications marketplace. EDSF supports the industry's future by granting scholarships to students in support of their academic careers, by providing research grants to colleges and universities, by building awareness about industry careers, and by recognizing innovative educators and educational programs. EDSF serves vendors and users who design and implement document solutions for business applications. For more information about EDSF, call 310-265-5510, write info@edsf.org, or visit the EDSF website at www.edsf.org. About Gartner Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) delivers the technology-related insight necessary for its clients to make the right decisions, every day. Gartner serves 10,000 organizations, including chief information officers and other senior IT executives in corporations and government agencies, as well as technology companies and the investment community. The Company consists of Gartner Research, Gartner Executive Programs, Gartner Consulting and Gartner Events. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and has 3,700 associates, including 1,200 research analysts and consultants in 75 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.gartner.com. About George Mason University The School of Management at George Mason University offers both undergraduate and graduate programs and is ranked in the top 100 worldwide in the 2006 survey of business schools by US News and World Report. Founded in 1972, George Mason University (GMU) has campuses in Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun counties of Virginia, with almost 30,000 students the largest enrollment in Virginia. As the largest university in Virginia, GMU has become a major educational force and earned a reputation as an innovative, entrepreneurial institution that has gained national distinction in a range of academic fields. For more information, visit www.som.gmu.edu. Media Contact for EDSF: Aaron Kiel ak PR Group 562-983-8113 akiel@akprgroup.com EDSF Contact: Jeanne Mowlds Executive Director 310-265-5510 jmowlds@edsf.org