Konica Minolta Named Exclusive Distribution Partner for MGI in Japan

MGI Digital Graphic Technology has announced Konica Minolta Business Solutions Inc. as the exclusive distributor of the MGI product line in Japan.

“We are very proud of becoming the Exclusive Distributor of MGI in Japan,” states Mr. Kanji Wada, President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Inc., Japan. “By adding the innovative and creative products of MGI to our lineup and consolidating them, we will be able to provide digital printing products and solutions that bring innovative changes to the commercial printing market in Japan.”

Looking to continually increase their presence in the Japanese graphic arts market, Konica Minolta intends to take full advantage of the wide array of products in the MGI product line. This opportunity will allow Konica Minolta to open new doors and capitalize on the growth of the professional digital commercial printing market.

“We are honored to be expanding our collaboration with Konica Minolta,” states Michael Abergel, Executive Vice President of MGI. “Konica Minolta is the ideal partner to expand our sales and service into Japan. I am confident this strategic partnership will continue to further increase the presence of both companies in the Japanese print industry.”

Konica Minolta US Selects Digital Dog Direct for Customer Success Profile

BACKGROUND:

Digital Dog Direct provides single-source printing, mailing and direct marketing solutions to businesses across the United States. With more than 30 years of experience servicing the direct mail community, Digital Dog Direct is a leader in digital variable data printing. Six years ago, Digital Dog Direct embarked on an aggressive company growth strategy to expand its service offerings beyond traditional high-volume black-and white mailings to include targeted, higher-quality color mailings. The company’s long-term goal is to provide customers with end-to-end direct marketing solutions from content creation, design and execution across multiple marketing channels such as print, email, mobile and social media.
To help meet its business goals, Digital Dog Direct standardized on Konica Minolta production print systems and software solutions. Over the course of five years, the company installed four bizhub PRESS C8000 Color Digital Presses, four bizhub PRO 1200 Black and White Production Print Systems and one bizhub PRESS 1250 Black and White Production Print System. Jay Adcock, information technologies director at Digital Dog, said the company selected Konica Minolta for its exceptional digital color capabilities, device reliability, superior customer support and production print finishing and software solutions. “Since working with Konica Minolta, we have seen our business double and triple,” says Adcock. “To meet the increased demand by customers, we are currently running all four bizhub PRESS C8000s at capacity and, during our busy periods, we are running the devices beyond the suggested duty cycle. We are excited to expand our business with the newest production print systems from Konica Minolta.”

DIGITAL PRESSES FOR COLOR ACCURACY:

To address the need for increased color printing capacity, Digital Dog Direct added a two Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C1100 Color Digital Press to their arsenal. The new bizhub PRESS C1100s offer Digital Dog Direct faster speeds of 100 pages per minute and double the monthly volume with a million-page duty cycle. “We have been very impressed with the performance of the bizhub PRESS C1100,” says Adcock. “It runs as advertised. We are especially pleased with the speed, registration, quality and stability of the system. Over long runs, the bizhub PRESS C1100 is very consistent. This means that the press can run longer without operators stopping to check and calibrate it for color accuracy. This will save us a significant amount of time.” Having achieved G7 certification for outstanding color capabilities, Digital Dog Direct uses the Konica Minolta Color Care Suite across all its digital presses to ensure color accuracy and consistency. Color Care provides exact installation and calibration of the bizhub PRESS C1100 and bizhub PRESS C8000. Adcock comments that the bizhub PRESS C1100 easily passed all G7 testing they have performed on the device.

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS DRIVE BUSINESS GROWTH:

In the past 12 months, Digital Dog Direct has implemented a number of production print solutions to help automate workflow and expand the company’s service offerings. Leveraging Konica Minolta’s EngageIT XMedia marketing software, Digital Dog
Direct has a multi-channel platform that makes data management, segmentation, creative design and deployment of multi-channel marketing campaigns simple. “We see a lot of new business opportunity with the XMedia platform and it aligns with our long-term growth strategy of becoming a one-stop shop for all direct marketing initiatives,” says Adcock. “We have launched the platform with a new customer and are working on integrating it with their CRM system, allowing us to create and send email campaigns. We hope to expand their marketing campaigns to include real-time text message offers to their customers. We are excited about the possibilities the platform provides.” Digital Dog Direct has also created a digital storefront using PageDNA and integrated it with Konica Minolta’s EngageIT Automation workflow software. Customers can now submit work orders through a branded storefront. The jobs are automated and pushed to the appropriate digital press for printing. The process is seamless and improves the efficiency of print operations. Adcock believes the storefront will appeal to its larger customers that need to maintain brand consistency across multiple locations.

BUSINESS IMPACT:

Digital Dog Direct views Konica Minolta as a true partner that is heavily invested in helping the company grow its business. “When we first started talking with Konica Minolta, our hope was to achieve a monthly volume of 100,000 color and 500,000 black-and-white impressions,” says Adcock. “Six years later, our monthly volume is 1.2 million color and 2.5 million black-and white impressions. Konica Minolta production print presses have been able to grow with us and are a key part of our success.” Digital Dog Direct attributes its rapid growth to its standardization on Konica Minolta production print systems and solutions. The company has 100 percent confidence in the Konica Minolta digital presses. With the new EngageIT XMedia in place, Digital Dog Direct is able to manage a multi-channel marketing campaign to attract new customers. Combining the XMedia platform with the expertise of Digital Dog Direct’s in-house creative and marketing specialists has helped the company reach its goal of becoming a full-service direct marketing provider. Adcock believes this will help drive the company’s growth over the next five years. Through it all, Adcock knows he will have a trusted provider in Konica Minolta to help Digital Dog Direct achieve new business goals.

Konica Minolta’s H1 turnover in Romania, up 10 pc to EUR 8.7 M

Konica Minolta recorded a turnover of 8.7 million euros in Romania, in H1 2014, up by 10% from that in the same period of 2013.

Approximately 45% of revenues came from the sale of equipment, whilst the remaining 55% of turnover was generated from services and solutions provided by the company on office and digital production segments.

In H1 of this year, the best-selling Konica Minolta products were black-and-white colour multi-purpose printers, with printing speeds between 21 and 30 pages per minute. A significant increase in sales in the said period was recorded on the segment of A3 colour office equipment. The company holds a 31% share on the local market for A3 laser multi-purpose office equipment, whilst on the segment of production systems, Konica Minolta has maintained its leading position on the market, with a market share of over 56%.

The most important services provided by Konica Minolta locally are OPS (Optimized Print Services), based on complete document management solutions that enable increased productivity and lower costs, document processing software solutions, security solutions, solutions for management and monitoring of devices and users, as well as servicing and maintenance.

Also, Konica Minolta has extended its Enterprise Content Management (ECM) solutions that enable companies to optimize work processes with information and documents, increased productivity and optimized costs, and the company estimates the demand for such solutions in the next four years will double.

‘The growth of Konica Minolta in H1 2014 was backed by several factors: investments made locally in innovation, diversification of product and service portfolio, as well as the continuous improvement in the experience we offer our clients. I expect solid results also in H2 2014 and thus exceed in 2014 the turnover of 20 million euros posted last year,’ said Konica Minolta Business Solutions Romania CEO Helmut Ignat.

Konica Minolta Opens New Office In Chennai

Konica Minolta business solutions India Pvt Limited, a subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Japan, has opened of a new office in Chennai, India.

The newly established Chennai office will be offering the same services as Gurgaon based head office, strategically located at the bustling area of Nungambakkam the new office will be better equipped to handle the needs of our Tamil Nadu based customers and partners.

Konica Minolta now has branches in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai is the latest addition into the Tamil Nadu region and aims to cater to the Southern part of India. The advantageous location of Chennai will help to offer their expertise in this region. Konica Minolta assures to offer quality services to customers and help realize their potential.

Speaking on the occasion Yuji Nakata MD Konica Minolta Business Solutions India. “We had our customers and channel partners in mind, the decision to open a new branch in Chennai will help us strengthen our presence in the India Market specially in Southern India, with the most up-to-date technological offerings, is an exciting step to provide our loyal customers the most modern technological experience”

ImagePilot Sigma CR Now Includes TCO Options

 

Konica Minolta Medical Imaging announced today a new cost effective digital imaging solution that combines the ImagePilot Sigma state-of-the-art CR technology with Konica Minolta’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) long-term support plan. By bringing together technology and service solutions, ImagePilot Sigma TCO simplifies the transition to digital imaging and controls ongoing costs for imaging facilities and private practices.

The new all-inclusive ImagePilot Sigma TCO solution extends customer satisfaction and economic value with long-term coverage of remote technical support, replacement parts, software upgrades, cassette repairs and data archiving. Informity, Konica Minolta’s cloud-based subscription service that automatically backs up patient and system data to a secure data center, can help satisfy HIPAA requirements by securing protected health data.

ImagePilot Sigma achieves outstanding, consistent image quality with the AutoPilot image processing software, featuring single-click technology that eliminates the need to specify body part, exam or view. The all-in-one ImagePilot Sigma provides simple image acquisition and review capabilities, and integrates with most EMR software and PACS to simplify workflow and improve efficiency.

“The introduction of TCO plans for the ImagePilot Sigma provide economic value and peace of mind for practitioners who want to convert to Digital Radiography or upgrade their existing CR solution without worrying about service issues and technology upgrades,” says Steve Eisner, Senior Product Manager, Konica Minolta Medical Imaging. “This simple, cost effective purchase will help clinicians stay focused on their patients, knowing their technology is backed by a leader in CR solutions.”

Konica Minolta Redefines Document Security and Compliance With the Launch of Konica Minolta Enterprise Content Management (ECM)

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia is proud and excited to launch its Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Solution, a dynamic system to help offices manage content across enterprise to maximise how data can be used, in Singapore and Malaysia.

Konica Minolta understands that as content continues to grow, enterprises need help to process the data securely and use it effectively. The company’s ECM Solution addresses the rising concern of security and compliance while optimising the process flow, making it productive and secure from the entire document lifecycle. The ECM Solution enables businesses to minimise risks, providing customers with a total visibility of the process, documents and information while reducing total cost. In addition, the ECM Solution also helps to capture, manage, process, distribute and centralise important business content in secure location without compromising compliance. It can help boost productivity while encouraging collaboration among users and allow for easy sharing of information, as users can work on the same document at the same time, eliminating non value-added tasks and saving time.

“Konica Minolta recognizes the changing needs that occur with the changes in how people work and mobility. With Konica Minolta ECM Solution, users have the ability to manage the workflow across departments and externally, and make faster decisions with optimized processes, resulting in improved productivity,” said Mr. Jonathan Yeo, General Manager, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia.

Konica Minolta leverages the power of technology with its bizhub Extended Solution Technology (bEST), where it is an open interface technology incorporated into Konica Minolta devices to serve as a shared platform for enhancing the work environment. With this, third party applications can be integrated into Konica Minolta devices and users can move information faster with integrated control at the touchscreen of the bizhub Multi-Function Printers. With Konica Minolta ECM solution, users just need to scan and let system do the work of auto capturing, indexing, foldering and initiating workflows for processing or approvals.

To manage the dispersed information, Konica Minolta Enterprise Content Management Solution captures the information right at the source regardless of the format and organises them in a unified system. In addition, by automating repeatable steps in the processes, it can reduce errors and ensure consistency and accuracy. Reports can be generated, providing users with full visibility to take control of the processes. Organisations are also able to define records retention policies while adhering to regulatory and legal compliance.

With ECM Solutions, organisations enjoy multiple benefits of reduction in operating costs, minimisation of risks and improvement of customer service as time and effort are saved in locating documents. The new product, supported by Konica Minolta’s top-notch customer service, is simply the perfect solution for organisations which would like to address the concerns of modern enterprises at the same time.

Bell and Bain becomes first to sign up for bizhub C1085 from Konica Minolta

The first UK order for a bizhub C1085 from Konica Minolta has been placed by Glasgow-based print house Bell and Bain.

Bell & Bain founded on 4 April 1831 by James Bell and Andrew Bain is one of the oldest established printing companies still in existence in Scotland.

The C1085 offers printing speeds of 85ppm and handles paper stock from 55 to 350gsm. Bell and Bain intend for the new device to take on a central role in producing its core products, which include journal and book printing for the scientific, educational, medical and financial sectors, among others.

“We have always had a strong commitment to process and product quality and also investing in the future of our business so it was an easy decision for us to purchase the C1085 from Konica Minolta,” says Stephen Docherty, managing director at Bell and Bain. “Specifically, we were impressed with the colour consistency, uptime and performance that it offered us.”

 

 

 

Source: Ben McCabe & bell-bain.com

HID OEM-embedded modules setting the pace

“One big-name MFP provider currently utilizing HID’s OEM modules is Konica Minolta.”

HID Global’s OEM-embedded modules are now expanding their footprints into various new applications; amongst them, multifunction printers, the healthcare sector, and time attendance solutions.

HID Global’s offerings of OEM-embedded modules continue to expand and consolidate into an extremely precise subsystem catered towards rewriting subsystems specifically designed for HID’s own in-house designed modules. Expanding beyond access control and card readers, HID’s modules are specifically catered being utilized in the healthcare sector, and for time attendance and secure printing. In addition, another of HID’s goals for their embedded solutions is to bring added value to their end customers. By working with partner companies to extend the capabilities of their customers’ existing HID credentials beyond just opening doors, HID is able to create solutions more specifically catered towards customer needs. As Jack Cheung, Director of Sales for Embedded Solutions in Asia Pacific at HID Global put it, “We offer our technology in big varieties. The subsystem can really speed up time to market, and can construct customers’ target applications from scratch. It’s proven in quality, and can greatly speed up development time.

One of the biggest applications currently utilizing HID’s modules is secure printing. One is a module that can integrate into multifunction printers (MFP). Another is a USB reader with an embedded reader that can connect to printers. One of the trending drivers for this right now is the ability for companies to control printing usage. “Because a lot of companies are using employee cards, they would like to use those credentials to manage printing usage,” Cheung said. One big-name MFP provider currently utilizing HID’s OEM modules is Konica Minolta.

HID Providing Smooth Migration Options to iCLASS SE Platforms
According to Cheung, there are 4 million HID cards actively in use right now. That means that HID has established a large installed customer base, with well-established brand awareness. As they continue to expand their ecosystem, HID’s OEM modules will continue to establish themselves in future applications, pushing them further into the time attendance, healthcare, and secure printing sector. One of the notable trends in this direction is the beginning of phase-outs of old 125 KHz modules in favor of HID’s own iCLASS SE platform. “The trend is moving towards higher frequencies. The important thing for modules is security. As far as basic principles, higher frequency modules should host a variety of better security features, so the market is heading to this direction.”

This is not to say that older frequency modules are no longer productive or useful anymore though. Adapting to the current trends, HID also produces modules called multiclass SE that is two-way adaptable for both the old 125 KHz standard as well as the new iCLASS SE. That, according to Cheung, is to continue to support legacy products, including solutions like older access control and time attendance systems, as well as older MFPs. For companies looking to move up from the old standard, multiCLASS SE supports various card technologies that capaciates a transition period to migrate from 125KHZ to high-frequency solutions, instead of swapping out all the cards at once.

HID Modules Prove its Worth by Shortening Time-to-Market
HID’s Modules have helped companies shorten the time-to-market for their products because of less-needed investments in R&D, as well as better, and more adaptable smart card readers that are adjustable for a host of different solutions. Keep an eye out for the aforementioned migration to iCLASS SE platforms, especially in regards to mobile applications. An example of this usage would be using mobile phones for payments at electric vehicle charging stations (with iCLASS SE modules embedded in the charging terminals).

 

 

Source: Steve Chin

Konica Minolta Takes Lead in Environmentally Conscious Printing

Konica Minolta has joined Two Sides North America, a rapidly growing non-profit organization that promotes the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper. Konica Minolta’s Vice President of Strategic Business Development, Kay Du Fernandez will also serve on Two Sides’ Sustainability Committee.

Two Sides aims to dispel common misconceptions about paper, including the belief that using paper is always bad. In fact, paper comes from trees which are a renewable resource if they are grown in responsibly managed forests. The continuing demand for sustainably sourced paper gives North American landowners and families a financial incentive to continue managing their lands responsibly and keep them forested rather than selling them for development or other non-forest uses.

“It’s an honor to have a sustainability leader such as Konica Minolta join our organization,” says Phil Riebel, President, Two Sides North America. “Their global sustainability recognitions are numerous and their engagement in Two Sides will further strengthen our reputation, our credibility, and our reach.”

“Konica Minolta views environmental awareness as an integral part of our management philosophy. Our leaders and employees strive to uphold the highest standards of responsible citizenship,” says Kay Du Fernandez, Vice President, Strategic Business Development, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Inc.  “We are excited to join Two Sides in its mission to promote the responsible production and use of print and paper, and dispel common environmental misconceptions about paper to ensure the future of this important industry.”

 

About Two Sides

Two Sides is an independent, non-profit organization created to promote the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper.  Two Sides is active globally in Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.  Our members span the entire Graphic Communication Industry, including pulp and paper producers, paper distributors, ink and chemical manufacturers, printers, converters, direct and transactional mail, postal operators, equipment manufacturers and publishers.

Marketers need to adopt a more operational mindset to cope with social

Lithium VP also announces research that shows most Australians do not trust advertising but do trust peer online reviews and forums

 

The role of marketing is increasingly being driven by what happens with the customer after they have purchased a product, and CMOs must take more responsibility as a result.

That’s the view of Lithium vice-president of social strategy, Dave Evans, who spoke at today’s Forrester Summit for Marketing and Strategy Professionals in Sydney about how social is changing the way individuals engage with brands, and why more organisations need to strengthen their social customer experience strategies.

His presentation also touched on Lithium’s new Australian consumer research released today, which found 28 per cent of Australians don’t trust advertising at all. In contrast, 63 per cent trust online product reviews, 60 per cent trust like-minded peer-to-peer communities, and 43 per cent trust social networks.

The research was based on a poll done in Australia by Harris Poll in May among more than 1000 consumers between 18 and 64 years of age.

When questioned about the role CMOs must assume in social strategy leadership, Evans told attendees it was inevitable that marketers deal with the ramifications of customers communicating about their products and services through these new public digital channels.

In particular, he noted the impact post-purchase social conversations have had on the consideration process for other potential customers.

“All this social stuff interrupts the marketing process and buyer journey marketers have set in place,” Evans said. “The savvy marketing person therefore is now moving over into operations.”

The thing that drives conversations in social is not the sale itself, but how the consumer utilises those products afterwards, Evans continued.

“Marketers are finding themselves in the middle of those operations [issues] and they have to start taking ownership of those conversations,” he said. “The reality of consumer expectations today has shifted that job.”

Evans also commented on the traditional approach to advertising versus the new two-way dynamic consumers expect to engage in with brands today.

“As advertisers, we have been used to getting to interrupt you in personal or key moments of your life,” he said. “Now as a consumer armed with social channels that are mine, or that I can at least participate in, I have the ability to interrupt your brand. And I am looking for the assurance that you are listening and are as happy to be interrupted as I am by you.”

Among Evans’ key tips for a strong social media strategy are to be the messenger, listen and respond to customers through social networks, give customers a place to connect and share information, review your historical spend mix and reinvest in social, and make a commitment to change.

 

 

Article by Nadia Cameron