Milton Keynes UK, 28 April 2008
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has published the results of independent research regarding print output sponsored by the company. The research has produced some revelatory results. The most startling fact to emerge is that 72 percent of business managers questioned admitted to having no idea what printing and copying cost their organisation!

When broken down between IT managers and non-IT managers the lack of knowledge proved to be even higher amongst non-IT managers with a staggering 82 percent saying they had no knowledge of their organisation's print output costs against 62 percent of IT managers. These results are even more surprising given that print output can be a significant cost for many organisations and the potential savings to be made through efficient management can be substantial.

Konica Minolta offers a print audit consultation service that can advise customers of the most effective print management solution for their business. The audit process takes in both hardware and software solutions for effective management of print output processes.

Another major revelation to come out of the research was regarding attitudes to colour output. Nearly half of all recipients thought that colour output was important, or very important to their organisation. Only a third of respondents thought that their organisations would increase colour print output if the cost were cheaper, indicating that price is not the major obstacle to increased colour usage by most businesses.

On a positive note the survey shows that nearly 70 percent of the companies surveyed scan and archive documents electronically. This rises to over three quarters for IT manager respondents, showing that electronic document storage is recognised as beneficial by most businesses now.

Commenting on the research, John Howard, head of UK marketing for Konica Minolta says, "The rate of change brought about by technology innovation is fast and increasing. Making sense of it and staying on the edge of the technology wave is a real challenge, as our recent survey results make clear. The results show that even IT managers are not always aware of the changes and benefits of new technical innovations. We know from experience with our print audit consultation service that taking a structured approach to print output reaps enormous benefits including substantial cost savings. Using networked multifunctional devices such as our bizhub systems reduces operating costs; saves space and storage requirements; and has significant environmental benefits".

Ends.

Editors note: The survey was conducted independently by The Survey Shop during September 2007. A total of 50 IT managers and 50 non-IT managers were questioned, in organisations with more than 50 employees. For a full set of results including full methodology details such as geographic area, industry sector and so on, please contact Konica Minolta Marketing on 01908 200400.
 

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd markets business machines manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc, in the United Kingdom through a direct sales force and a network of independent dealerships. Konica Minolta digital imaging systems are manufactured in Japan and China. All are ISO9002 accredited for quality procedures. 

UK turnover for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is in excess of £150 million, placing the company fifth in the digital copier market with a 6.8 per cent share of the black and white market and a dominant 30.5 per cent share of the colour market (not including colour capable systems) according to InfoSource.

In Europe overall, Konica Minolta occupies the number 1 market position in true colour.

With a total workforce of 19,800 employees world wide, Konica Minolta Business Technologies generated net sales of over £3.15 billion in fiscal 2005/2006. Globally Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. has a turnover £5.07 billion. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.

For further information contact:    
John Howard
Head of Marketing
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd  
Tel: 01908 200400
Fax: 08701 321751
E-mail: John.Howardkonicaminolta.co.uk
Web: www.konicaminolta.co.uk

Editorial enquiries:
Glyn Pritchard
Vox Communications
Tel: 01892 825043
Fax: 0870 162 3983
E-mail: glyn.pritchardvoxcomm.co.uk