New background-check Web sites are advertising their ability to find out background information about people online by a subscription to their Web-search service.

Web-based search services such as Spock and Wink have received some play in business media and have some attractive components. All you have to do is sign up and they'll search for information on anybody.

But Copier Careers articles on the subject of background checks still apply: Know what you are doing. In this era when online searches seem to be capable of almost anything, sometimes it's the old-fashioned gumshoe method checking physical records that works the best and can verify information about a potential employee. In the litigation-dominated USA, reliability of information becomes even more paramount.

According to experts, you really do get what you pay for, and there's no such thing as an in-depth background check for 10 bucks. In the article on the Copier Careers Website, "Are Background Checks Worth It?," Jared Callahan, director of sales and marketing for ESR, a company that does pre-employment screening in Novato, Calif., said the employer may spend more by getting an on-site check of the history of a potential employee, but receives checks of court records and verification by professionals in the record-checking industry that have a better track record for accuracy.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind about background checks:

- A consent form signed by the potential employee is necessary for a background check to be done by the employer, no matter what information is sought. It's also necessary that the search be relevant for that job - checking financial records for a controller, for example.

- Such laws as the Fair Credit Reporting Act require it and say adverse information found from a background check also entitle the person to a response.

- Make sure there is a clause in the application by the employer saying that if false or misleading information is given, it's grounds to not hire or terminate the employee.

- Remember that access to criminal records varies according to state and locale, so be sure you know how the search is conducted. Most professional background checks will do physical checks of records at the places where the potential employee has resided.

- Finally, watch for "red flags" in the application yourself. While most people are honest, some people will fudge on educational, professional and other background, so peruse the application thoroughly and look for gaps in the application. And be sure and ask the employee what former employers would say about him or her when contacted.

And for employees, be honest to the potential employer and explain something in your history that may be considered averse. You don't have to consent to a background check, though most employers may think you have something to hide if you do not.

The hiring process is still undergoing modification and laws are constantly reaching in to do so. But the advice to "trust your sources" is good advice for any potential employer who wants to take steps to assure pre-employment information about a job candidate is as accurate as it can be.

Read the 2007 Copier Careers Salary Surveys about the copier industry. Here are the links:

Copier Careers Technician Salary Survey Web site:
http://www.copiercareers.com/salary_survey/cc07_salary_survey_tech_f.pdf

Copier Careers Sales Managers' Salary Survey Web site:
http://www.copiercareers.com/salary_survey/cc07_salary_survey_salesmgr_f.pdf

Copier Careers Service Managers' Salary Survey Web site:
http://www.copiercareers.com/salary_survey/cc07_salary_survey_svcmgr_f.pdf

Please visit the following link to participate in the 2008 Copier Careers survey:
http://www.copiercareers.com/salary_survey/salarysurveys_form.shtml

The dog days of summer include not only a short time until fall, but also the showcasing of a number of new products, mostly an array of multifunctional machines. Here are some of them:

Xerox has nine new MFPs. The WorkCentre 7675 (starting price $28,300, 50 pages per minute color, 75 ppm monochrome) advanced color multifunction system is now available. The WorkCentre 5687 will be available later this year for $6,475 in the 5600 Series black-and-white multifunction systems that have capacities of 32 to 87 ppm.

Kyocera has a handful of new MFPs. The KM-C4035E has speeds of 40 ppm in monochrome, and 35 pages per minute in color for $13,109. Also available: The KM-C3232E ($10,711, 32 ppm color and monochrome), KM-C3225E ($9,722, 25 ppm color and 32 monochrome) and KM-C2525E ($9,062, 25 ppm color and 32 monochrome) MFPs.

Konica Minolta launches bizhub C650. The MFP has biometric authentication and a speed of 50 ppm color, 65 ppm black and white, with a suggested price of $31,000.

Canon adds economical imageCLASS MF4270 Laser MFP. The cost is under $300 for the monochrome printer and speeds of 21 ppm.

Sharp introduces high-volume MFP system. The MX-6201N and MX-7001N models are have monochrome speeds of 62-70 ppm and 50 ppm in color. Prices are not given.

A study of over 60 printers by the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, showed about 17 studied had high numbers of particles of unspecified origin, and at least one had the equivalent particles of those from cigarette smoke, according to the article about the research appearing in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, published by the American Chemical Society, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

The content of the particles has not been established, but researchers say this is the first step and the team intends to analyze the particle chemistry in the future.

Those conducting the study did a monitor of printers and also toner cartridges from full and new to empty. Some printers were tested in a chamber to monitor the size and distribution of the particles and some were large.

The particles may be toner, also found in copiers, but monitoring of copiers in the office environment didn't find comparable particles.

There is some disagreement about the role of toner in the emissions from printers, but some of those studying the phenomenon theorize toner is the most likely source of the particles. It has been 10 years since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the emissions of copiers and printers.

It doesn't matter what profession you're in, you make sales pitches to your wife, to your kids, your boss and if you're a salesperson, you know when you need a sale and a good pitch.

Making an effective one means research and asking a few questions about the goals of the pitch. For instance, do you know what the people need and want from that imaging system or expanded document-management services?

Sales professionals give this advice for those entering the sales arena and wanting to make an effective pitch:

- Practice, practice, practice. You know that's the only way to get to Carnegie Hall if you're a violinist or for pitches, to get the sale. Use a mirror, colleague or a spouse - just practice enough to make it natural and comfortable.

- Make a pitch, but be likeable, too. Those qualities you like in other people you trust are the same ones people want in the salesperson in front of them. You have to sell yourself before you make the sale.

- Stay with a few main points. The human mind can only absorb a certain amount of information, so keep your pitch to the most important points when you make the first pitch. Telltale body cues let you know if you're boring them.

- Try for a 'maybe.' High pressure is usually a turn-off. People need time to decide and room to do so, so if you think it's proper, give the prospect a chance to think over your proposal and call you later if they're interested.

- Make your word sound. If you say your product will do something, make sure it can. If you don't know, be honest and check with someone else, then come back with an answer as quickly as possible.

"Image, capture, print," the new brand of Imperial Copy Products, takes the initials of Imperial Copy Products and remarkets the Randolph, New Jersey company for today's digital, multifunctional imaging world.

"In our industry, we're doing a lot of solution selling - it's image, capture, print," said Brian S. Abrams, owner and president of the company since 1992, "and that's how we are re-branding our marketing material. Everything is now MFPs and consultative selling."

ICP dates back to 1962, when Brian's father, Dave Abrams, established it. In 1985, Brian entered the business shortly after attending Purdue University. Dave Abrams said after Brian gained experience in sales, accounting, warehouse and management, he bought the business in 1992 from his father and brother, Craig. ICP also adopted the registered slogan: "In a world full of copies, we treat every customer like an original."

Knowing about multiple facets of the business is something Brian has passed along to the service department at ICP, who are cross-trained to solve all service issues at each account. Dave Abrams, who is now a consultant to the business, says the average technician has been there 20 years.

"The quality of our service technicians is phenomenal and we have over 100 years of combined technical expertise," Brian Abrams said. "We constantly train and enhance their knowledge and skills."

ICP sales personnel teach each customer throughout New Jersey efficient methods to improve their business using Kyocera MFPs and Riso digital duplicators. Our ultimate goal is to lower their cost of ownership, while improving speed and efficiency.

"I practice what I preach," Brian said. "I utilize today's technology inside of our business. We use color scanning, printing and archiving documents in an easy, retrievable format so all of our outside sales personnel can use today's technology and inform our customers how to be more efficient in their businesses."

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), a four-campus college with about 56,000 students in the Milwaukee area, has teamed up with Xerox to change the document-management systems so the school can save money.

The agreement between MATC and Xerox is part of the Midwest Higher Education Compact, which was established in 1991 to promote interstate cooperation and the sharing of resources in higher education. The estimate is that the school could save $3.5 million in five years through the imaging overhaul.

The process will include installing 160 multifunction devices to replace about 620 laser printers, standalone copiers and fax machines. Also on the agenda is a fax server to reduce fax costs and convert incoming faxes to e-mail. Software will track use of consumables and automatic ordering of supplies in the system. Swipe-card software will be used to manage student-printing payments.

Part of the process involves Xerox evaluating MATC's production printing environment, replacing equipment with updated machines, where indicated.

FedEx Kinko's, which acquired Kinko's for $2.4 billion in February, 2004, and has 1,700 locations today, has an aggressive plan to open 300 more centers through FY 2008.

The company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, plans to launch 20 new international locations and overhaul 110 centers to a retail model and also ease access to the office and print and delivery services of the company for traveling professionals.

A smaller store format and opening 200 centers was announced in August, 2006. The 300 locations that will open in FY 2008 are also scheduled to use the small-format design. The 20 new international centers will primarily be in the Australasia area, with stores in Japan, Korea and 12 in China, plus one in Canada. This will bring to 179 the number of locations of FedEx Kinko's has outside the USA.

The 110 USA-based retail-model centers will not only be largely retail, but will have expanded ability for computer rental, Internet and shipping services.

Field Service Technician with Networking background - West Texas

Sales Representative - Denver, CO

Sales Representative - Washington DC

Field Service Technician - Montana

Service Manager - North Carolina

Selling Sales Manager - South Carolina

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