Printers can tap into a network of 500 software writers in three countries to tweak systems and win contracts, said Kodak.

The vendors' new service, Marketmover Business Advantage Solutions, will help printers implement IT changes to become more automated, according to business services and solutions group manager Michael Smedley.

"To win that big printing account, you may need to change something in the software to do something special," he told ProPrint.

"You've got to have IT people help your company win those contracts and now we're saying we're here to help."

Smedley said Marketmover would end Kodak's traditional approach of selling products without then showing clients how they could be best deployed.

"Kodak has one of the biggest IP portfolios going around in our space… We're a technical partner and we not only deliver advice, we implement our advice," he said.

Marketmover's IT experts will help printers become more efficient manufacturers and move into marketing services, according to Kodak.

The company will also call on 400-500 software writers in Canada, Israel and China to customise their systems, said Smedley.

"Printers know they need to change, but they don’t always know where to start or how to identify the best opportunities," he said.

"Our goal is to show them their options and help them develop plans with the right resources to accomplish the goals they have for their businesses."