Konica Minolta named a Leader in Worldwide Print for the Distributed Workforce by IDC MarketScape

| 24 February 2022

Vision of the Intelligent Connected Workplace helps clients face unprecedented challenges of pandemic and beyond

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 organization.”


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, organizations were forced to collectively operate remotely, mostly in home offices, while aiming to demonstrate no decline in productivity.”  
 
Empowering the Intelligent Connected Workplace
 

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We are proud to be named a ‘Leader’ bythe 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.

Olaf Lorenz

Head of International Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe

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 customized 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 for Imaging, Printing, and Document Solutions research 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 organization 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 Europe


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society.


As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2023 Vendor Assessment’ has named Konica Minolta a “Leader” in print transformation. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021.


Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource).


For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals.


The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta received a GOLD Level Recognition Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for 2024.


For its remote services, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023-2024 Pacesetter Award in Remote Service for the Western European market’ from Keypoint Intelligence.


Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 8,800 employees (as of April 2024), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 2.13 billion in financial year 2023/2024.


Worldwide, the company has over 40,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries.


For more information, please visit https://www.konicaminolta.eu/eu-en/news and follow Konica Minolta on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.


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Contact

Contact

Melanie Olbrich

Senior Expert Content Strategy & Development, Corporate Communications

melanie.olbrich@konicaminolta.eu

+49 (0)511 7404-5337