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Axiohm plc appointed as Blazepoint distributor

In January Blazepoint were delighted to announce the appointment of Axiohm plc as a distributor for their new range of thermal printers.

As the appointment was announced Janet Barraclough, Blazepoint’s Head of Sales, said, “The relationship between Blazepoint Ltd and Axiohm plc, by creating a strategic alliance for sales co-operation, will offer both companies the opportunity to develop their existing channel partners and will allow expansion into the global market.”

The relationship is already proving to be very fruitful. In early April John Sparshott, Blazepoint’s Head of Technical Development, accompanied Janet to Lake Como in Italy where Axiohm were holding their partner conference. During the 2 day event John and Janet had the chance to introduce the Blazepoint range to representatives from over 30 of Axiohm’s partners and were very happy with the result. John commented, “We were extremely pleased at the level of interest shown in our products and at the positive feedback we received. We are now looking forward to working with Axiohm on the exciting projects outlined by their partners during the conference.”

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Blazepoint given Eltron distributor award

At Eltron’s annual conference held this year in Cancun, Mexico, Blazepoint received an award for achieving the greatest distribution sales growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa during 2002.

Blazepoint achieved a staggering 77% growth in their Eltron distributed sales during their last financial year.

Blazepoint’s commitment to their strategy of supporting their Value Added Reseller base was also recognised at the conference. The market trends presented at the conference show Eltron continuing to win market share in a competitive market. Lower capital investments will bring card printers to smaller organisations making distribution key to Eltron’s strategy for growth. They acknowledge the value proposition and service which their partners provide to the market as a key to their growth.

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IT Reseller, November 2002

European offerings unveiled.

The first Data Capture Europe event was held recently in Kõln, aimed at promoting ADC channels and links with other technologies. Here we look at a selection of the printing products on show at the convention:

Some of the new printers on show from Blazepoint were effectively PCs. Available in the new TRIO label printer range, powerful processors have been introduced to provide fast formatting of complex labels containing barcodes, text and graphics, but the PC-like quality opens up a wide range of applications. The device could for instance, become a server in itself, driving a network of other printers.

The TRIO label printers use direct thermal/thermal transfer technology designed for applications where long-life printing results are crucial. The TRIO provides printing speeds of up to 10 inches per second in an industrial grade metal case capable of working in toughest environments. The printer is available with a 200 and 300 dpi printhead. The series will be available in 10 versions. The introduction of the TRIO was part of a launch of the company’s own range of bar code label printers. The range is designed to combine a high performance printer capability with compactness, ruggedness and innovative technical standards. The printers will be distributed via a network of partners across Europe.

The other group of printers launched at Data Capture Europe by Blazepoint was the DUO — a direct thermal printer housed in a tough all-metal chassis designed to withstand the harshest environments. Print speeds of up to 10 inches per second are designed for fast throughput and high-volume printing. Its high performance and economic price make this printer series the market leader in price-performance in its class. Its small footprint makes it useful where space is at a premium.

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IT Reseller, October 2002

Blazepoint — rugged, innovative label printer range guarantees VARs to make the margins they need.

Blazepoint will launch its new range of high-quality barcode label printers at Data Capture Europe in Cologne at the beginning of November. The printer range combines a high performance printer capability with compactness, ruggedness and innovative technical standards.

Blazepoint welcome OEMs and true VARs who are looking to support complex solutions and to add a service component to their Auto ID Solution. The company is keen to build strategic partnerships in geographical and vertical markets across Europe.

Janet Barraclough, General Manager at Blazepoint, explains: “Analyst houses have recently been reporting that hardware sales are in decline and with the entry of American style distribution into the EMEA traditional Auto ID arena, dissatisfied resellers are looking to diversify. They do not want to be left in a position where having sold an idea to the customer they are undercut on price by a box shifter. The most successful resellers have understood the need to provide higher margin solutions around the latest technologies and are looking to find vendor partners to help them add true value. Avoiding price wars has highest priority in most channels minds. Businesses may be able to buy the same box from several different suppliers; but only by packaging a more bespoke product can VAR's make the margins needed to support an installation.”

Blazepoint, who have an impressive track record in the development of bespoke printer solutions for defence and commercial markets, have developed a competitive, high-quality label printer range. In addition to these standard products Blazepoint's team of experienced industrial designers and engineers is able to provide OEMs and VARs with customised barcode printers, which can be integrated into their higher-margin Auto ID Solution.

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OXFORD MAIL, 04 September 2002

Printers ordered to front.

Computer hardware manufacturer Blazepoint has won a key military order. The company, based in Chalgrove, has secured a £4.25m contract to supply its rugged printers for the BOWMAN communications system for the British Army.

Blazepoint chairman, Roger Wadsworth, and managing director, Paul Cooper, are pictured (see PDF, link below). The contract has come from lead contractor General Dynamics and agreement has been reached for further work for the project. BOWMAN is a digital voice and data communication system for the Army. It will replace 25-year-old systems. Mr Cooper said, “We believe the printer will become the market leader and standard for defence printer applications.”

Press cutting (30 KB PDF).

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WESTERN DAILY PRESS, 03 September 2002

Hardware that can take a rap.

Old-fashioned British Army communications equipment which cannot cope with desert heat is to be given a hi-tech upgrade by Oxfordshire firm Blazepoint. The £4.3million contract was awarded to modify computer printers for use in extreme conditions on 2,000 army vehicles. The printers will allow personnel to transmit complex information such as maps of enemy positions.

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Paul Cooper’s BOWMAN contract award interview

To listen (3101kb) to Paul Cooper’s BOWMAN contract award interview on Radio Oxford.

To view the BBC’s news report about Blazepoint’s BOWMAN contract award select one of the links below:

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DOW JONES INTERNATIONAL NEWS, 02 September 2002

Blazepoint Wins GBP4.25 Million Supply Contract.

LONDON (Dow Jones) — Blazepoint, the specialist computer hardware manufacturer, on Monday said that it has been awarded a GBP4.25 million contract from General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd (“General Dynamics U.K.”), the prime contractor for the BOWMAN Communication System, to supply ruggedized printers that are compatible with the BOWMAN system. Blazepoint has also signed a Heads of Agreement with General Dynamics U.K. for further contracts related to the BOWMAN project.

BOWMAN is a digital voice and data communication system for the U.K. armed forces and will replace a technology that is now 25 years old. By 2007, all 18,000 army vehicles will be equipped with the new system and the 60,000 service personnel will be trained accordingly.

Blazepoint will supply General Dynamics U.K. with 1,989 HQP ruggedised A4 printers and has already started shipping some of the printers to General Dynamics. The initial order will cover the General Dynamics U.K.'s recently won contract to provide an infrastructure to support digitalisation applications over the next 30 years for the British Army.

Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Blazepoint, said: "The defence division of our business is making excellent progress and we anticipate further major contract wins this year."

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ATX News, 03 September 2002

Blazepoint wins 4.25 mln stg MOD contract; upbeat on defence division ops.

LONDON (AFX) — Blazepoint said it has won a 4.25 mln stg contract from General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd, the prime contractor for the BOWMAN Communication System, to supply ruggedized printers that are compatible with the BOWMAN system.

Blazepoint has also signed a Heads of Agreement with General Dynamics UK for further contracts related to the BOWMAN project.

BOWMAN is a secure digital voice and data communication system for the UK armed forces and will replace a technology that is now 25 years old.

By 2007, all 18,000 army vehicles will be equipped with the new system and the 60,000 service personnel will be trained accordingly, it added.

Paul Cooper, Managing Director said: “The defence division of our business is making excellent progress and we anticipate further major contract wins this year as we develop standard products that are critical to, and compatible with, prime defence contractor’s needs. Specifically, we believe that the printer product range which Blazepoint is using for the BOWMAN project will become the market leader and standard for defence printer applications.”

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BLAZEPOINT WIN £4.25M ‘BOWMAN’ BRITISH ARMY CONTRACT

Blazepoint, the specialist computer hardware manufacturer, today announced that it has been awarded a £4.25m contract from General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd, the prime contractor for the BOWMAN Communication System, to supply ruggedised printers that are compatible with the BOWMAN system. Blazepoint has also signed a Heads of Agreement with General Dynamics for further contracts related to the BOWMAN project.

BOWMAN is a secure digital voice and data communication system for the UK armed forces and will replace a technology that is now 25 years old. By 2007, all 18,000 army vehicles will be equipped with the new system and the 60,000 service personnel will be trained accordingly.

Blazepoint will supply General Dynamics UK with 1989 HQP ruggedised A4 printers and has already started shipping some of the printers to General Dynamics. The ruggedisation and certification will be to the rigorous standards demanded by the MOD. The initial order will cover the General Dynamics UK’s recently won contract to provide an infrastructure to support digitisation applications over the next 30 years for the British Army.

Paul Cooper, Managing Director of Blazepoint, said: “The defence division of our business is making excellent progress and we anticipate further major contract wins this year as we develop standard products that are critical to, and compatible with, prime defence contractor’s needs. Specifically we believe that the printer product range which Blazepoint is using for the BOWMAN project will become the market leader and standard for defence printer applications.”

Jonathan Murday, BOWMAN Programme Manager for General Dynamics UK added: “The MoD are undergoing the largest defence communications programme in the UK for 50 years. General Dynamics UK welcomes Blazepoint onto the BOWMAN team providing their well designed and good value printer products.”

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