London, UK, 10 March 2022
Konica Minolta was recently named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print in the Distributed Workforce 2022 Vendor Assessment (doc #US48596221, January 2022). According to the report, “Konica Minolta’s approach to providing for a more distributed workforce begins with a mindset that “work is not where you are, but work is what you get done.” Businesses need technology that’s right for them with the service behind it to support the organisation.”
The report notes, “This IDC MarketScape assesses the strategies and capabilities of the major office printing vendors to support an increasingly distributed workforce on a worldwide basis. The concept of a distributed workforce is not new, but its expansion caused by the ripple effect of the COVID-19 global pandemic is a significant development on how work will be conducted in the future. During the pandemic, organisations were forced to collectively operate remotely, mostly in home offices, while aiming to demonstrate no decline in productivity.”
Empowering the Intelligent Connected Workplace
Olaf Lorenz, Head of International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe stated, “We are proud to be named a ‘Leader’ by the IDC MarketScape. Key to Konica Minolta’s success is our ability to help businesses succeed with digital transformation to meet the challenges of the pandemic and beyond. Konica Minolta’s foresight pre-empted the transformations in the world of work that have subsequently been accelerated by Covid-19. The company has been transforming its business for some time from a print/copy provider to a digital services supplier. Its vision of the Intelligent Connected Workplace (ICW) was in place long before the onset of the pandemic and provides an array of document-related services (workflow and automation, information management, managed application, infrastructure management, security, and cloud, with more to come) that naturally extend into supporting a more distributed workforce.”
Furthermore, the IDC MarketScape observed that, “Konica Minolta demonstrates holistic thinking in its go-to-market strategy that is more than just a focus on print. It includes IT services, workflow, security, voice over IP, enterprise content management (ECM), BPO, and vertical-specific applications. While initially intended for the traditional office, all can be ported to new ways of work in the office and home hybrid model.”
Key to this transition, has been Konica Minolta’s anticipation of emerging requirements. For example, the ability to secure and measure print and document activities undertaken irrespective of location – whether in the office or from home. For example, in the field of cloud printing, Konica Minolta provides the solutions and platforms, such as bizhub Evolution, as well as the ability to host the services. The IDC MarketScape report noted, “The company’s managed print-as-a-service offerings are intimately intertwined with the company’s approach to a distributed workforce. It means having several options available for the delivery of print, a focus on the highest level of security (SHIELD GUARD and bizhub SECURE) and service (CS Remote Care/vCare) for the company’s equipment, and a customised user interface with the use of the company’s Personalize with Follow-You Persona, which enables the workstyle of each employee to be tailored to their use requirements, regardless of device.”
“One of the most significant developments anticipated out of the global COVID-19 pandemic is the development of a more hybrid business operating model that combines the traditional office setting along with home/remote locations. Over the past several months, organisations learned how to effectively work outside of the normal office environment, and we expect that this business model will be maintained in the future,” said Keith Kmetz, Program Vice President, Imaging, Printing & Document Solutions at IDC. “As such, both print providers and end-user organisations will need to consider the adjustments needed within the print infrastructure to support an increasingly distributed workforce. If done correctly, there are numerous benefits to be gained. On the other hand, if done incorrectly, the organisation could suffer with undue costs and productivity shortcomings.”
About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology, based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria, that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd
Konica Minolta’s innovations help businesses to shape the future, today, changing the way people conduct business and use technology to work smarter, faster and better. As a leading Smart Data and Digital IT Services company, we meet the changing needs of customers with our Digital Print, IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality solutions.
As a provider of comprehensive IT services, Konica Minolta also delivers consultancy and services to optimise business processes with intelligent workflow automation, and implements solutions in the field of IT infrastructure and IT security as well as cloud environments.
Konica Minolta’s solutions are proven to improve quality, reduce cost, eradicate risk, increase accuracy and streamline business processes. Recognising there are no two businesses the same, we pride ourselves on our customer partnerships and tailor our solutions to our customer needs, giving them the competitive edge they need to remain at the forefront of their markets.
Combining our market leading, award winning and easy to integrate technological platforms, with our strategic partnerships, business solutions and services portfolio, Konica Minolta is continually improving quality, reducing cost, eradicating risk, increasing accuracy and streamlining business processes for our customers. Our strategy has our customers at its core. With strong and mutually beneficial customer partnerships, our aim is to achieve mutual sustainable growth through technological innovation – giving shape to our customers’ ideas. We bring flexible solutions that not only meet our customer expectations, but exceed them, time after time.
Part of the global Konica Minolta Group, Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is headquartered in Basildon, Essex and operates out of 10 offices across the UK, employing over 750 people.
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