Konica Minolta is named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print in the Distributed Workforce 2022 Vendor Assessment due to its move from a print, copy provider to a digital services supplier to meet needs of a distributed workforce

February 24, 2022 (press release) –

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

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.

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