This summer I worked as a Research Analyst at Infotrends, a market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. They provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow businesses.

My main focus was with Production Workflow and Customized 
Communications Consulting Services, where I helped developed InfoTrends’ Ultimate Guide to Web-to-Print Solutions. This guide analyzes Web-to-print solutions of almost 30 companies across the nation. My job was to research and talk with vendors to write company and product reviews. At the end of my co-op I compiled the whole guide. The guide gave me an insight on the software behind many of the small and large print companies. Companies highlighted in the guide included Xerox, Canon, Rochester Software Associates, XMPie, and others.

My other main project was creating InfoTrends’ Ultimate Guides Online database. InfoTrends has four different Ultimate Guides, relating to Web-to-print, multi-channel communications, variable data publishing, and transpromo solutions. I worked with other co-workers to create an interactive online version of the printed guides. Other tasks included helping with e-learning, consulting projects, white papers, and forecasts.

InfoTrends provided me with experience in research and analysis of markets within the print industry. It allowed me to become familiarized with companies and their products/services, more then I could ever learn in the classroom. My most valuable knowledge gained from my co-op was the look into the outside world. Without this experience, I would have never realized all the companies in the print industry, all of which have unique niches in the market.

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