Will 2002 See the "Internet Ipex?"

Major exhibitions seem to attract labels, such as was the case with last year's "Digital Drupa," and already the race is on to define next year's Ipex.

One suggestion is that Ipex 2002 will be named the "Internet Ipex," which may seem strange with the inventory of failed or dormant printing-specific dot-coms who've left behind a host of clever names, catchy slogans, and silent Web sites.

But just because something fails the first time around doesn't mean it's the wrong idea. Just look back to the dawn of electronic prepress and the early adopters who survived oversold, over-hyped proprietary systems because they knew the concept of digital reproduction was fundamentally sound.

A similar situation exists now with the Internet. No one seriously doubts that it will have a major impact on the industry; the question is how big, and when.

There are numerous reasons for the failure of many of the print dot-coms: over-optimism, impatient or fickle financial backers, and, in a number of cases, a simple lack of understanding of what the Internet could offer the complex, people-dependent graphic arts industry.

One thing is certain, however: when they have reviewed their options, those among the dot-com pioneers who are committed to the industry will be back, with new ideas and renewed energy. They may come back with new businesses, or work with Web-based firms that are still up and running. The process already has begun, as those survivors pick through the remains of their competitors, acquiring software here, and people and customer bases there.

The dot-com consolidation began sooner than most had expected more than a year ago at Drupa 2000, but the end result will be good for the industry.

In the first place, it means that the second wave of Internet businesses will comprise those companies with business models that are more robust, relevant, and reliable. Beneath the contemporary, clever names that live on, there is a core of understanding and expertise that no amount of excitement can compensate for.

Secondly, the consolidation provides a breathing space in which to absorb the lessons learned from the heady days of the Internet bubble. Even those printers who only watched from the periphery as the industry struggled to assess the new medium now have a better idea of what the Internet can and cannot do.