Konica Minolta Revamps Smart Workplace Solutions
Konica Minolta is a pioneer and leader in the field of Digital Production Printing & imaging technologies for Industrial Printing. They have been investing in innovation in diverse fields like Advanced Monitoring, Digital Manufacturing, and Smart Workplaces Solutions. The organisation is poised to usher in the AI/IoT-inspired transition to cyber-physical systems that are heralding the industry to the 4.0 Era and are also working in Analytics and Deep Learning for a Society 5.0 transformation. During an interaction with Vidushi, Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Business Solutions India and Eric Lee, CEO of FunTech Innovation threw light upon how their new products would contribute to a smart workplace.
When are you planning to start the distribution of this innovative product in the Indian market?
We are currently strategizing the commencement of the distribution of our innovative product in the Indian market. Both our direct sales channel and the indirect channel will be utilized for this purpose. While the specific date is yet to be confirmed, all the products are prepared, and the Go-to-Market plan is in place. We aim to finalize the launch date post-Diwali, with the tentative timeline extending at least until the festival for the initiation of this product.
Why have you chosen India as the target audience?
I represent a Japanese entity that has been operating in India for the past 13 years, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth. India is currently garnering considerable global attention due to its growth prospects, emerging as a potential third-largest GDP contributor. The influx of foreign direct investment is anticipated to persist, with numerous companies, including ours, experiencing substantial growth. The demographic dividend in India presents numerous expansion opportunities, and the nation is poised for extensive economic development.
The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, is undertaking ambitious initiatives such as the development of smart cities and fostering growth in tier 2, tier 3, and tier 4 cities. This expansion is not limited to metropolitan areas but extends to various smaller cities where many enterprises are anticipated to establish a presence. Consequently, the demand for our products and services is expected to witness a significant upsurge, transcending the existing levels.
Considering the vastness of the country and its burgeoning population, connecting with stakeholders individually poses a formidable challenge. In light of this, we recognize the importance of embracing remote and virtual interactions that simulate a genuine face-to-face experience. We believe that such approaches will witness a surge in demand in India, facilitating effective communication and collaboration across diverse geographies.
Can we expect customized packages for different meeting room models?
The service encompasses multiple product lines, offering four to six types of meeting room packages. It includes a comprehensive video system with varying camera specifications, catering to different room sizes. Depending on the size, there are cost-effective cameras and high-spec feature cameras, allowing customization based on customer requirements. It is essential to continually enhance our understanding. As customer demands increase, our commitment is to endeavor to create distinct value propositions for each customer in the future.
Will this product be a business-to-business model or business-to-customer model?
At present, our primary operational model is business-to-business (B2B). We possess a well-established customer base engaged in printing business activities, and our extensive network includes robust partnerships in both enterprise and government sectors. Our strategic approach is to leverage these existing assets as a starting point. It is worth noting that the current demand for business-to-consumer (B2C) engagement is minimal. However, we acknowledge the potential for increased B2C demand, particularly in light of the prevailing work-from-home options offered by many companies. There is also the possibility of companies sponsoring the establishment of small conference rooms within private residences. We posit that latent demand exists in the B2C segment. As our success in the B2B domain grows, we anticipate garnering more attention from end-users in the B2C sector, thereby generating demand in the future.
How does Funtech Innovation plan to leverage Konica Minolta’s distribution network and service expertise to ensure successful adoption in India?
Funtech Innovation aims to strategically leverage Konica Minolta’s robust distribution network and service expertise to ensure the successful adoption of its products in India. Konica Minolta possesses strong direct channels, along with significant indirect channels, which is pivotal for Funtech in effectively assessing its target audience, primarily focusing on Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and small to medium-sized segments within larger corporations.
The key aspect lies in Konica Minolta’s powerful business model, particularly in the realm of rental or services, which aligns seamlessly with Funtech’s objectives. This strategic alignment becomes crucial for Funtech as it seeks to tap into the burgeoning demand for easily installable products, driven by the popularity of cloud-based software such as Teams and Zoom, and other Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. The vision is to transform Unified Communications (UC) into a service, a topical focus in the current landscape. This not only involves managing printing and data but extends to overseeing meeting spaces, thus capitalizing on the recurrent business model.
Furthermore, the distinctive value proposition of Konica Minolta’s channel model is accentuated. In contrast to traditional IT channels that often function as mere “box movers” or Audio-Visual (AV) channels relying on project-based system integration, Konica Minolta’s channel stands out. It provides continuous services and support to clients, establishing a sustained and valuable connection. This unique characteristic forms the crux of the partnership between Funtech and Konica Minolta, as it aligns with Funtech’s vision for establishing enduring relationships and recurrent business models in the market.
