MALVERN, Pa., January 12, 2017 – Ricoh USA, Inc. today unveiled its latest black-and-white multifunction printer (MFP) designed to help today’s businesses enhance worker productivity with fast print speeds, a more powerful processor and increased reliability. Equipped with a 10.1”-wide Super VGA Smart Operation Panel, the RICOH MP 402SPF further helps users more easily, intelligently and reliably get information where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.

The compact RICOH MP 402SPF provides printing, color scanning, copying and faxing for busy workgroups and offices. With a powerful Intel processor, standard 320GB hard disk drive and 2GB RAM, the RICOH MP 402SPF is ready to tackle the most complex jobs and busiest office environments. A compact footprint with fast print speeds of 42 pages per minute (ppm), advanced security and workflows make this MFP ideal for doctors’ offices, insurance agencies and banks.

The Smart Operation Panel, a component of Ricoh’s Workstyle Innovation Technology, enables users to utilize familiar gestures such as swiping, pinching and flicking, to complete tasks just as they do on their smartphones and tablets. It also offers one-click shortcuts for frequently used applications and pre-configured settings to help get jobs done faster. The RICOH Smart Device Connector application initiates printing, scanning, copying and faxing to and from smart devices without requiring a network connection, which further boosts productivity without compromising quality or security.

For busy users, the need for speed is crucial. To address this, the RICOH MP 402SPF enables customers to process and share information quickly, scanning double-sided documents in one pass at up to 80 images per minute (ipm) via its Single-Pass Document Feeder (SPDF) or via shortcuts like ID Card Copy. Even stapled, legal-sized documents scan quickly and easily on the legal-size platen.

In addition to the SPDF and Smart Operation Panel, the hard drive enables users to secure stored […]

Ricoh Europe, London, 09 December 2016 – Ricoh shared expert insights on the changing commercial and enterprise print, direct mail and publishing environments during a series of events at its European Customer Experience Centre (CEC) in Telford, UK

The different sector-themed events, held under the ‘Open New Worlds’ banner, were attended by more than 300 operations from across the EMEA print and communications landscape.

Future opportunities were highlighted by leading external consultants and Ricoh specialists, including:

• Ralf Schlözer, Director, On Demand Printing and Publishing Services, InfoTrends consultants, explaining how commercial printers can add synergistic capabilities to their existing businesses.
• British direct marketing thought leader Brian Thomas, highlighting renewed interest in direct mail supported by Royal Mail data reporting an increased return on investment – to £3.22 for every £1 spent.
• Mike Levaggi of publisher Harper Collins, explaining that change is evolutionary. He predicts the future is global thinking, reduced inventory, and e-publishing for some new authors.
• Ulf Sunnberg of North Bridge Consultancy, revealing that the challenge for in house corporate print operations is proving value, providing a more relevant offer and being proactive.

Benoit Chatelard, Vice President, Production Printing, Ricoh Europe, says, “Print production has changed dramatically. For print service providers, brand marketeers, agencies and publishers, identifying the most successful approach requires greater understanding and collaboration, whether that is for a book, leaflet, bill or direct mail campaign. There is a world of exciting new application opportunities that progressive operations can tap into. The CEC enables these challenges and opportunities to be addressed creatively.”

Ricoh experts presented the latest technology updates and provided advice and recommendations.

Among the attendees was Manfred Sattler, Digital Print Manager at Schmidbauer Druckerei GmbH, Austria, who said: “We are working on a direct mail campaign concept so we were keen to learn more about Ricoh’s data cleansing service /data.mill.” Paul Hepburn, Paramount Printers, UK, commented: “We […]

MALVERN, Pa., Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced the RICOH Pro C5200s series, a digital color production printer series designed to help reduce print costs for in-house print centers, corporate reprographics departments, print-for-pay and commercial printers. Today’s production print environments must adapt to many customer needs without breaking the bank. The RICOH Pro C5200s and RICOH Pro C5210s achieve this goal by maintaining high print speeds and quality across a wide range of media with a variety of finishing options, helping improve turnaround times and broaden capabilities. These devices boast an affordable price point and require less space, helping them fit easily into these varied environments.

The RICOH Pro C5200s series delivers print power by producing full-color and black-and-white documents at up to 65 and 80 pages per minute (ppm) at 1,200 x 4,800 dpi VCSEL quality.  They support media up to 360 gsm simplex and 300 gsm duplex at 13″ x 19.2″ standard, with optional oversized media support of 13″ x 27.5″. Print quality is boosted further through the use of an enhanced fusing belt, which provides more consistent transfers and toner adhesion on specialty stocks.

“With the RICOH Pro C5200s series, we are helping expand customers’ capabilities so they can serve as a one-stop shop for their clients, whether they’re an in-plant or print-for-pay,” said John Fulena, Vice President, Production Printing Business Group, Ricoh USA, Inc. “At Ricoh, we understand that communicators really have to go the extra mile to stand out to their customers, which means they need to equip their shops with the right technology that can do just that. This series is designed to fit easily on our customers’ production floors, within their information flows, and within their budgets.”

With a total paper capacity of up to 8,250 sheets and four paper trays available standard, users can maintain long […]

Ricoh Europe, London, 21 April 2017 – Ricoh today announced the launch of two new Industrial Inkjet Printheads: the RICOH MH5421F and the RICOH MH5421MF. Ricoh will start taking orders for both of these printheads from June 2017.

The RICOH MH5421MF and RICOH MH5421F printheads were designed for both low viscosity (6 mPas) and medium viscosity fluids (11 mPas) respectively. These printheads enable highly stable jetting performance through the incorporation of an ink recirculating structure. This structure enables continuous ink flow directly behind the nozzle, reducing the risk of jetting failure caused by either clogged ink or entrapped air bubbles.  Each printhead has enhanced bonding technology for improved durability. With these new features, the Ricoh MH5421 MF and MH5421F printheads offer enhanced compatibility with a wider range of fluids. These features result in:

• Increased reliability for single-pass printing by delivering improved print quality and productivity
• Increased reliability for systems with rapid setting ink, such as pigment ink, white or metallic materials
• Increased reliability for systems with fast drying ink
• The removal of air bubbles in the ink chamber to achieve  self-recovery from jetting failure
  • *Single-pass system：the printhead carriage remains in a fixed position and completes image printing in a single pass while the print material is conveyed underneath.

In the Industrial printing market for textiles, labels, packaging and ceramics tiles, there is an increasing need to meet a wide variety of customer needs such as smaller lot sizes and shorter delivery times.  This requires the rapid digitisation of industrial printing in order to deliver greater flexibility and productivity, resulting in increased demand for printheads that deliver finer image quality as well as high productivity and greater reliability. RICOH MH5421 F and RICOH MH5421MF offer high resolution printing to support its industrial partners and customers to meet these market needs.

Ricoh will introduce RICOH MH5421F and RICOH MH5421MF as well as […]

MALVERN, Pa., April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — For the second year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Ricoh with the highly-coveted ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award. This latest accolade acknowledges Ricoh’s diligent work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products, adopting sustainable approaches to its operations and supply chain, and educating consumers and employees about energy efficiency.

Ricoh, an ENERGY STAR partner for imaging equipment since its inception, will be honored for:

• Technology Innovation in support of ENERGY STAR – Ricoh designs and develops products with ENERGY STAR specifications in mind, creating energy efficiency without sacrificing business productivity. Ricoh continuously looks for ways to drive both sustainability and productivity at once in many ways. For example:
• Ricoh introduced motion sensors into its product line, allowing multifunction printers (MFPs) to power up from sleep mode promptly by touching the panel screen, so they are ready to use on approach.
• The number of Ricoh product models that are ENERGY STAR certified has increased 27.2 percent since last year.
• 100 percent of Ricoh’s multifunctional printers (MFPs) qualify under ENERGY STAR version 2.0.
• Ricoh earned the Coalition for Government Procurement’s Green Excellence in Partnership award, a recognition awarded to only one manufacturer per year.
• Continued to build on sustainable operational practices – Ricoh’s West Caldwell, N.J., office facility achieved ENERGY STAR Building Certification for the third year running.
• Challenged all employees to take the ENERGY STAR pledge – Ricoh reached 100 percent of the employee population, and others via outreach to employees’ children during Bring Your Daughters/Sons to Work Day for this pledge challenge. The program began in January and continued with emails, posters, “plantable” bookmarks, PowerPoint presentations and a selfie station to encourage employees to take the pledge. The emissions savings of the Ricoh employees’ ENERGY STAR pledge commitments include:

• Educating customers – Ricoh’s Global Accounts team, […]
  

Ricoh Europe, 04 April 2017 – Businesses have never faced such complex political, economic, social and digital forces as they do today. For example:

• In the UK, Theresa May has formally announced the country’s intention to leave the European Union
• Gartner predicts 20.8 billion connected devices in use by 2020
• Organisations face a constant tide of new laws and regulation, such as, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set to come into force next year

In short, businesses of all sizes are being tasked with quickly getting to grips with a new reality. As our World of Change research report explains, disruption is here to stay. But success in turbulent times depends on the ability to anticipate the long-term benefits of change.

In particular, the mid-market is acutely aware of today’s wider economic, political and social pressures. The engine room of Europe’s economy, mid-sized businesses (MSBs) account for 75,000 companies across the continent and provide over 30% of all revenue.

Although MSBs are hugely ambitious, the vast majority report barriers preventing them from reaching their full potential. These include complex and costly regulation, difficulty in attracting top talent and in sourcing the right technology. As a result, the current uncertainty makes what seems like an already difficult path to growth almost impossible.

But are MSB leaders overlooking one of their best assets for growth – their people? Despite the changes happening around them, their employees are feeling extremely positive and settled in the roles. Only 8% expect to change job and just 12% believe they will have fewer career opportunities in 2017.

According to the research we commissioned, mid-market employees are confident that digital disruption will result in their company being in a stronger position by the end of 2017 than it is now. They are clearly up for the challenge and want to overcome the barriers standing in their way.

Setting employees up to […]

Ricoh Europe, London, 23 March 2017 – Ricoh’s Pro™ L4100 Series is the first latex system to achieve global Color-Logic™ certification. It will be demonstrated at FESPA 2017 in Hamburg from 8 to 12 May.

The Ricoh Pro L4100, combined with the ColorGATE Productionserver software, is now certified for use with the Color-Logic process, a global standard in metallic and decorative effect colour communications for a variety of special effect printing applications. Color-Logic’s decorative effects use existing workflows to achieve dynamic results without the use of special equipment.  Its simple print production process enables print service providers to provide brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies with the ability to differentiate.

The Ricoh Pro L4100 Series, with Ricoh’s own non-solvent based aqueous resin inks, features the latest generation of Ricoh’s piezo variable drop print heads. These can deliver latex ink droplets as small as four picolitres. It can run metallic and transparent vinyl, PET films, backlit display media and polyester substrates.

“The engine did a great job of reproducing all Color-Logic’s decorative effects and 250 metallic colours,” states, Richard Ainge, Chief Technology Officer for Color-Logic. “The samples received were printed on KernowJET Gloss Silver 119gsm substrate. The benefit of Ricoh’s latex engine, combined with the dramatic effects created by Color-Logic’s software, will create new revenue opportunities for Ricoh’s print service providers and their clients.”

Benoit Chatelard, Vice President, Production Printing, Ricoh Europe, says: “With the Color-Logic certification we can open new worlds of applications. With improved latex possibilities and expanded media options, including metallic, we can enable clients in the label, packaging, commercial print, POS and signage markets, or from industrial sectors such as screen printing companies, to create impactful results. This will help set them apart from the competition.”

Print service providers using RIP technology other than ColorGate should check with their local Ricoh office for further details on how to utilise the […]

Ricoh Europe, 02 February 2017 – Europe’s mid-market is defined by three things; ambition, hard work and confidence. Our research shows that they averaged an impressive growth rate of 16.5% last year. Compared to the total EU business growth rate of just 1.8%, the success of mid-sized businesses (MSBs) is remarkable.

What’s more, MSBs have rejected the stereotype of cautious, domestic businesses. These companies are aiming for significant growth. To increase their competitive strength, 40% plan an IPO in the near-future. Their ambitious plans also include increased M&A activity and cross border commerce.  Despite these clearly defined aspirations it’s concerning that a 33% doubt they’ll achieve them. The changes brought on by revenue and staff growth pose a number of barriers for MSBs. These range from stifling regulations to financing difficulties. Forging new partnerships and embracing new cultures also concerned a quarter of those surveyed.

The barriers to growth are well known, and it’s interesting to see that MSBs seem to know how to make their ambitions a reality. Collectively they have identified key steps to staying competitive. MSB’s largely recognise they need to:

• Embrace digital tech to meet business goals (75%)
• Innovate existing processes by utilising digital tech (73%)
• Define a long term digital vision (71%)

It’s perhaps telling that 96% of MSBs in Europe have already invested in digital tech to advance their goals. But why are so many doubtful of their chance of success? It’s true that tech can yield high growth results. But it’s vitally important that the right tech is chosen to support these ambitions. This selection process is where MSBs can easily fall down. Indeed, 24% claim difficulty sourcing the right tech is a major barrier to growth.

So what technology should ambitious MSBs invest in? Business growth is often characterised by rapid change and international expansion. These both require flexible working practices and a commitment […]