Malvern, PA (Aug. 29, 2017) — Ricoh USA Inc. has announced portfolio enhancements that empower digital workplaces, enabling users to work smarter. These Workstyle Innovation Technologies—ranging from new applications, Smart Support capabilities, Smart Operation Panel updates and device enhancements—help deliver maximum device uptime and increased profitability for both large and small business environments. Additionally, Ricoh’s ongoing innovation has been recognized by the prestigious Buyers Lab awards. Buyers Lab’s Summer 2017 Picks highlighted five Ricoh devices, and Ricoh’s broader portfolio was recognized by Buyers Lab’s PaceSetter awards for MFP Platforms & App Ecosystems.
“As technology continues to advance, the ‘one size fits all’ approach just doesn’t work for customers,” said Randy Dazo, group director, Keypoint Intelligence. “Customers need solutions specific to their industry and organization. Ricoh’s approach to delivering customizable products, supported by services designed for the individual customer’s business, allows them to deliver the best possible solutions.”
The black and white RICOH MP 2555 series won “Outstanding 25-ppm Copier MFP.” The device’s Smart Operation Panel and related capabilities helped differentiate it from the competition. This family of Smart Operation Panel-enabled features also helped the case for the RICOH MP 402SPF (“Outstanding MFP for Mid-size Workgroups”), RICOH MP 501SPF (“Outstanding MFP for Large Workgroups”) and RICOH MP 601SPF (“Outstanding Departmental Multifunction Printer”). The RICOH SP 5310DN earned the “Outstanding Departmental Printer” recognition. Its 62-ppm speed, 1200 dpi print quality and media flexibility make it a versatile choice for a department with diverse tasks. The SP 5310DN’s simple, 4-line LCD control panel minimizes the need for training, as well as the risk of productivity-slowing confusion.
Additionally, Ricoh’s blend of software, hardware and services won Buyers Lab’s PaceSetter award for MFP Platforms & App Ecosystems. Buyers Lab’s analysts cited Ricoh’s suite of Integrated Cloud Environment (ICE) apps and their strong integration with the Smart Operation Panel as key differentiators. In its announcement of winners, Buyers Lab cited Ricoh as “one of the pioneers in developing [platforms that] extend the functionality of the MFP,” an ongoing and growing commitment for the company.
“The synergy of Ricoh ICE and the Smart Operation Panel create an intuitive, efficient, and tablet-like experience for the user at the MFP,” noted Jamie Bsales, director, Solutions Analysis at Keypoint Intelligence. “And with the company’s ESA technology underpinning traditional MFP-resident applets and connectors, Ricoh literally has all the bases covered when it comes to platforms and apps.”
A major part of productivity is high device uptime, and these portfolio enhancements go directly to the heart of that issue. Smart Support features including the Ricoh Service Request (SR) App, RemoteConnect Support and Remote Panel Operation help keep devices with the latest Smart Operation Panel running smoothly and quickly rebound when they are not. The SR App plugs the Smart Operation Panel directly into Ricoh’s Global Knowledge Base to assist in troubleshooting without requiring users to go back to their desks and search for answers. If users’ own troubleshooting doesn’t address an issue, the SR App can automatically place a service request with a Ricoh technician. RemoteConnect Support allows service technicians to remotely access the device to quickly diagnose and fix issues without having to deploy an on-site technician allowing you to be more productive while Remote Panel Operation allows IT and network administrators to monitor, diagnose and fix issues on devices that are on their Local Area Network.
These Smart Support features come standard on the newest additions to Ricoh’s fast-evolving color multifunction printer (MFP) lineup, including the RICOH MP C2004ex/MP C2504ex/MP C3004ex/MP C3504ex/MP C4504ex and MP C6004ex, which print from 20 to 60 pages per minute (ppm). In addition to smart support, these MFPs use the 10.1-inch-wide Smart Operation Panel to leverage one-touch shortcuts and tablet-like touch screen controls. From the Smart Operation Panel, users can quickly and easily copy, scan, print and fax, as well as move information into customized, automated workflows. With the Smart Device Connector app, users can integrate their smartphones and tablets, printing from and scanning to them with ease. Fast, high-quality prints with impressive finishing options make these devices a great fit for busy workgroups looking to work smarter.
Joining them in the smart support-enabled category is the RICOH SP 8400DN, a 60-ppm black-and-white laser printer. The RICOH SP 8400DN has the same 10.1-inch-wide Smart Operation Panel and workflow-enhancing functionality on a powerful print engine with great finishing options. This printer marries the simplicity of information movement Ricoh’s devices are known for—including near-field communication (NFC) mobile device interaction—to a 4,700-sheet-capacity device with high print speeds. Standard PostScript 3 and PDF emulation make getting information from the screen to the page a snap. Meanwhile, new and innovative finishing options, such as the Internal Multi-Folding Unit, which produces multiple paper folding options without increasing device real estate footprint, and a 1,000-sheet Hybrid finisher, take realizing a vision for printed communication to the next level. Today’s businesses need to be able to communicate in a variety of ways, even while everything else is moving fast. The RICOH SP 8400DN’s 4-Bin Mailbox and Attention Light options, along with high toner yields, help keep things running smoothly even when users have to split their attention across multiple projects and screens.
Ricoh recognizes that different industries have different information needs. As part of the company’s defining commitment to serving customers based on their individual environments, needs and preferences, Ricoh’s ICE now offers a variety of industry-specific packages to help get information where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, in the format users need it. Optical character recognition-enabled (OCR) scanning directly to email and popular third-party cloud services meets mobile printing in an intuitive user interface to facilitate information flow. Industry-specific packages add features and compatibility to help empower digital workplaces no matter their business, such as an Education Package that enables seamless integration with learning management systems (LMS).
One of the ways digital workplaces are driving efficiencies is by better utilizing real estate. From hoteling environments to increased numbers of mobile workers, businesses are looking to dedicate less space to devices. This means an increased demand for versatile devices with small footprints, such as the RICOH SP C262SFNw MFP and RICOH SP C262DNw printer. These color devices are an excellent fit, quite literally, for countertops and under desks in reception areas, pharmacies and small government offices. These 21-ppm offerings can be easily added to a network, including Wi-Fi networks, so sharing their capabilities across multiple employees is simple. With WiFi Direct and near-field communication (NFC) connectivity, even visiting employees can easily walk up and connect to copy, print, scan and fax. The RICOH SP C262SFNw’s 4.3-inch-wide touch panel and 50-sheet single-pass document feeder (SPDF) make handling information—whether printed, faxed or emailed—swift and straightforward. Additionally, the Locked Print feature helps protect documents by requiring users to enter a passcode before releasing jobs.
“At Ricoh, we are continually striving to show our customers that we are a brand they can trust, one that offers irresistible appeal and can deliver products, services and solutions to help them meet business goals,” said John Brophy, vice president, Product Marketing, Ricoh USA Inc. “It’s this customer-first mindset that guides us in our pursuit of improving workplaces through innovative technologies and services. We know businesses need to work smarter in today’s competitive global marketplace, and today’s announcement is one step toward supporting that customer need.”
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About Ricoh
Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.
