A new IDC MarketScape report names Ricoh as a worldwide leader in high speed inkjet, citing Ricoh’s broad strengths, including technological innovation, attentiveness to client feedback and a large installed base.
The report, IDC MarketScape: Worldwide High-Speed Inkjet Press 2019-2020 Vendor Assessment, notes Ricoh’s “business development programmes with high visibility and strong reputation” as powerful complements to a robust technology portfolio”.
IDC singled out the Ricoh Pro VC70000’s dryer technology adding that Ricoh’s commitment to its clients’ success helped earn its global leader position. Analysts cite Ricoh’s continual technological advancements and heavy investments in ensuring client feedback is a part of its research and development process as a major positive. Recently, this approach has driven successes such as the award-winning Ricoh Pro VC70000, which introduced Ricoh patented drying technology and Extended Gamut Inks.
Amy Machado, research manager for IDC’s Imaging, Printing, and Document Solutions, says, “Expanding beyond its transactional and direct mail roots, Ricoh’s introduction of the Ricoh Pro VC70000 dovetails perfectly with its expanding software and services to empower the company to more actively target the commercial print and graphics space.
Ricoh says these innovations work together to increase ink limits for higher image quality, drive down turnaround times to help meet SLAs and increase throughput, and empower printing on uncoated, offset coated, inkjet treated and inkjet coated stocks without pre-treatment or priming, offering greater creative flexibility and lower paper costs.
Continuing to invest more than US$1bn ($1.55bn) dollars annually in research and development, the company says innovations in response to real world pain points and client goals are the norm at Ricoh.
Ricoh builds long term alliances, with a consultative, tailored approach to implementation that does not end with a sale. Its representatives pursue a high touch strategy, so as business needs evolve, Ricoh’s ways of addressing them evolve, too. The IDC MarketScape cites Ricoh’s plans to continue growing its business services to help its clients continue to grow revenues and page volumes long after implementation as another key contributing factor to Ricoh’s strong market position.
Machado adds, “Beyond its own growth in more diverse segments, Ricoh is looking to help its customers expand their offerings, as well.”
Ricoh adds that its clients benefit from the deep expertise of its dedicated production service team of technicians, engineers and managers. Ricoh’s team supports clients with consulting and training services, as well as Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings. Consultation and training ranges from the technical, such as colour management, to the back office, sales plan development, operational excellence, and so on. This enables clients to improve their business on multiple fronts.
Eef de Ridder, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Printing Group, Ricoh Europe, says, “Collaboratively working with clients to understand their needs, how they can adapt to market demands and developing the solutions and services to support them, is the foundation of everything we do at Ricoh.
“The ability to work together openly and fully investigate all options from every angle enables us to develop technology that, not only performs, but elevates quality, productivity and creativity. The results speak for themselves in the longstanding relationships we have formed that go far beyond the sale and installation. While we help clients flourish, they help us create solutions that will shape both our futures.”
