Dalintis
In the IDC MarketScape: ‘Worldwide Print Transformation 2020 Vendor Assessment’ (doc #US45354420, August 2020), Konica Minolta was named a ‘Leader’. The company has pursued an approach to significantly grow its product portfolio and capabilities in IT services. The IDC MarketScape states that “Konica Minolta has successfully executed this plan in targeted areas such as managed IT services, security, voice over IP (VoIP), enterprise content management, business process outsourcing, and vertical specific ERP and CRM solutions”. The report notes that “…customers seeking more than just a refresh of their printer/MFP portfolio and more of a vision of the workplace’s evolution into the future may want to consider Konica Minolta.”
“This assessment acknowledges: We are a Leader in Print Transformation,” Olaf Lorenz, Senior General Manager, Digital Transformation Division at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, states proudly. Referencing current events that led to a surge in digital work, he explains the potential for its customers: “As a result of the pandemic, we have all been part of the world’s biggest home-office project. Over night, companies around the globe needed to ensure that work gets done and business continues. At the same time, they had to ensure the protection of their employees’ health – this surely has made digital transformation a prime concern.” He continues: “The ‘new normal’ of hybrid offices will accelerate the need for a more connected and intelligent digital workplace – one that enables remote access to business critical workflows and data at all times. Our mission is to help our customers reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation. We help them to efficiently drive and control this transformation process by simplifying and leveraging IT on their terms, based on their specific needs. We provide the tools and knowledge to achieve this.”
Konica Minolta’s respective portfolio is also recognised by the IDC MarketScape in its report: “Thus Konica Minolta’s product evolution involves a continuum of products and services including hardware, managed services, and business process automation integrated into an Intelligent Connected Workplace.”
IDC MarketScape assessed that “Konica Minolta believes that technology needs to be human centred, so understanding the motivations, wants, and needs of the worker is essential. The company will focus on the ‘why’ when implementing new technology and not just the ‘how’.”
One main reason for the classification as a leader is Konica Minolta becoming a partner for holistic printing and office IT solutions. The report highlights a specific product example of Konica Minolta’s digital solutions: “Konica Minolta’s MarketPlace platform represents a key element in the company’s Intelligent Connected Workplace vision. The Konica Minolta MarketPlace platform makes it easy for customers to access the tools they need to connect their MFPs to various industry-related, security, and cloud service apps.” Konica Minolta’s bizhub i-Series devices are increasingly becoming the centrepiece of the ‘Intelligent Connected Workplace’ of its customers.
Amongst its IT solutions, Konica Minolta is also providing its small and medium-sized business customers with a literal ‘hub’ for their IT: Workplace Hub. Available in different versions, it brings together best-in-class hardware with compatible software and managed services, unburdening and empowering their IT. Konica Minolta’s leadership role in driving the digitalisation makes it an attractive partner both for customers as well as investors: Within the framework of their DX Stock 2020 programme, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) organised the Competitive IT Strategy Company Stock Selection. It highlights companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange that are particularly attractive for investors that prioritise improving corporate value over the medium to long term. Konica Minolta is one of these companies. The company has been highly rated with regard to the potential of its new business model, including digital transformation support services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) under its Intelligent Connected Workplace.