For the officeless, a place to call home; not just a copy shop any longer, Kinko's pushes its computer services
Article Abstract:
Kinko's has repositioned itself by providing a range of computer services to accommodate the digital age. The 902-store international chain, which leads the competitive $7 billion copy-services market, introduced computer services in the late 1980s. Business travelers frequently visit a Kinko's branch to utilize its E-mail and Internet access. Computer services presently account for a third of Kinko's business, and it continues to grow without any significant national competition. The introduction of data services in 1996 forced Kinko's to tighten its organization. Paul Orfalea opened the first Kinko's in 1970 to serve students at the University of California, Santa Barbara. An ad hoc structure allowed regional stores to install different brands and technologies, plus Kinko's required capital to compete in the digital printing market. Joseph Hardin Jr. replaced Orfalea as CEO in mid-1997. Orfalea has retained his chairman position, visiting stores and seeking to expand Kinko's beyond its current 43 offshore branches.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Battle begun on Internet ad blocking
Article Abstract:
A fight that television has already gone through, the Internet is now trying to cope with the plethora of Internet software that blocks advertising. Internet operators may rejoice, noting also faster performance without advertisements, but industry officials say that ads pay for free use of the Web. Last year alone, advertisers spent around $2 billion on mostly banner advertisements. Now, significant numbers of Web site operators are using ad-blocking software which is causing advertisers to turn to more glitz and trickery in their ads, with graphics and music - thus slowing down the waiting process even more. But many small businesses say ad-blocking will be very damaging to their businesses.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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For the officeless, a place to call home
Article Abstract:
Kinko's Inc. is not just a copy shop any longer. It has recast itself for the digital age. Kinko's now features fax machines, ultra-fast color printers and networks of computers equipped with popular software programs and high-speed Internet connections. It has become the office away from home for many traveling business people and for many who work at home. Kinko's is the largest company in the copy-services market. The privately held chain now has revenues estimated at $1 billion. The company may go public in 1999.
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Kinko's pushes its computer services
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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