Ramsey, NJ (June 2, 2020) — Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), is proud to introduce its Return to Work program, a comprehensive solution that supports employees’ safe return to office locations and provides ongoing, best-in-class security with facial recognition and access control.
With COVID-19 accelerating digital transformation, the workplace has seen an unprecedented rate of change in recent weeks. Konica Minolta recognizes the paradigms of work will continue to change in the post-pandemic climate. Technology is expected to take center stage more than ever, not only to ensure business continuity but to help monitor the health of the workforce.
Remote working will continue to be part of the new normal, and new health check practices will ensure a truly safe workplace that complies with new regulations. As new practices emerge, Konica Minolta will continue to pivot to support its customers as they respond to the new environment of hybrid working models.
New requirements from state governments and recommendations from the CDC will require a system through which organizations can check the health of individuals before leaving for the office, and prior to entering their building. Konica Minolta’s new program thoughtfully provides customers with an end-to-end solution, with simple steps for employers to navigate the safe and efficient return to work for employees.
The Return to Work program clearly sets Konica Minolta apart as the first organization to offer a comprehensive solution to address new legal guidelines as businesses reopen, as well as the challenges employers will face to ensure employee safety. Return to Work streamlines the process of assessing and monitoring employees as they enter their building. Through an integrated cloud-based application for data collection, the solution ensures businesses can track, manage and report on each individual’s entry in compliance with company and state requirements.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have remained focused on using innovation and technology to solve business challenges, providing IT products and services to companies through our IT Services Division, All Covered, to enable collaboration and secure access for employees working remotely,” said Rick Taylor, president and CEO, Konica Minolta. “The reopening of businesses has created an immediate need to address controlled entry into facilities, and we knew our technologies could help facilitate employees’ safe and efficient return to physical office locations. I am incredibly proud of our organization’s agility to continually meet the changing needs of our customers and support their transition back into physical offices.”
Return to Work combines Konica Minolta’s proprietary software and workflow solutions through its Enterprise Content Management (ECM) business with its MOBOTIX Thermal TR cameras, which have recently been deployed at hospitals to help frontline healthcare workers assess patient symptoms faster. From installation to support to service, the products, software and technology are developed, owned and implemented by Konica Minolta. Service calls are handled by Konica Minolta service technicians and its software development team addresses any software integration.
Designed to bridge the gap between physical and IT security practices, MOBOTIX offers innovative features that provide businesses with actionable information that go well beyond outdated CCTV (closed-circuit television) systems. Similar to a SMART phone, MOBOTIX camera systems feature multiple on-board sensors, programmable microprocessors, a decentralized architecture and IoT technology, all of which can be customized to meet the specific needs of any business or public facility. Customers find that the German-built MOBOTIX product line has unparalleled features that enable them to configure cameras and services that fit the needs of their specific location.
“Our Return to Work offering encompasses unique Konica Minolta technology and leverages our past investments in the area of digital content, imaging and IT services to create a single platform for our customers,” said Sam Errigo, executive vice president, sales and business development, Konica Minolta. “As we see the world of work changing, we continue to pivot, shaping the idea of what returning to the office will look like. This was the perfect opportunity to leverage our expertise in technology, products and workflow services to bring to market a solution to help businesses reopen the workplace as quickly as possible while helping to keep employees, customers, partners and communities safe.”
Virtual health check and first-level screening
A company’s Return to Work journey begins with daily employee self reporting, which can be done before arrival at the office by completing and submitting an eform via email or text. Based on the response, the employee is either advised to stay at home or report to work.
Second-level screening
Upon arrival at the office, employees proceed to a second level of screening with a MOBOTIX Thermal Camera. If results are in compliance with company guidelines, employees move to Corporate Access Control and enter the office through normal authentication protocols. If results are out of compliance with company guidelines, HR advises the employee per company policy, (e.g., go home).
Contact tracing and incident management
Incident management is initiated by opening a case with the COVID Employee Disease Control Management System to track employees until they return to work. Throughout the entire process, data from eforms, thermal screenings and HR records are securely stored in a centralized, cloud-based digital repository for retrieval, review and COVID-19 reporting.
Return to Work can also incorporate Konica Minolta’s virtual receptionist technology, ALICE, a virtual visitor management system that interacts with visitors entering a lobby. ALICE uses a touch screen and live video technology to directly connect visitors with employees, greeting them and notifying staff when a visitor enters an office space.
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About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the Workplace of the Future with its expansive smart office product portfolio from IT Services (All Covered), ECM, managed print services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for 13 consecutive years and is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2017 America’s Best Employers list. The World Technology Awards recently named the company a finalist in the IT Software category. Konica Minolta, Inc. has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for eight consecutive years and has spent three years on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list. It partners with its clients to give shape to ideas and work to bring value to our society.
