Konica Minolta has launched an Information Management Services (IMS) division to offer an outsourced managed print service (MPS) to corporate and public sector companies.
According to the company, the IMS division will enable customers with print room facilities and large fleets of print devices to outsource management of these facilities to Konica.
Konica says that the platform is suitable for print fleets of ten and upward, and the company can also provide on-site staff, enabling instant support. Print rooms can also be fully staffed and managed, the company says.
All aspects of print provision can be managed, including the contracts of any legacy equipment and the provision of new bizhub multifunctionals and printers. All consumable items, the provisioning of equipment, engineering support and asset management of devices are also covered by IMS MPS.
With the economy heading towards a recession, CEOs and CIOs are looking to reduce costs across the board, and many believe that an efficient print management system could save companies money.
A report by document technology strategy and consulting firm InfoTrends suggested that for every £1 spent on printing a document in the office, a further £9 is spent on other burdened costs.
Christian Grauwiler, heading up the new division at Konica, said: “Many customers are now aware of the huge cost savings which are achievable through efficient print management. However, effective management requires constant attention; this is where IMS can help the customer focus on his core business while we do what we do best, manage print.”
The service aims to optimise the way in which print devices are used and minimise the wastage of paper and toner. IMS MPS should also be able to offer clearer transparency of cost, reliability and SLA compliance.
Konica Minolta has also opened a Digital Imaging Centre in London. Called ihub London, the facility offers the company offices, conferencing facilities, meeting rooms and a showroom. The showroom will enable Konica to demonstrate its range of bizhub printers and multifunctional devices.
The development is located on London’s Baker Street.
Speaking at the opening of the new facility, Jos Kelly, Konica’s director of strategic business development, said ihub London was evidence that the company made the correct decision in entering the production market in 2005.
Kelly said: “Entering a market and becoming established are two very different things. We have to prove to others that we’re in it for the long haul and prove to ourselves that it was the right choice. Ihub London is about confidence in ourselves.”
