Ricoh 2000 Annual Report Download - page 11

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Excellent imaging systems are pointless if they are unaf-
fordable to own or operate. In recent years, Ricoh has
accorded top priority to lowering the total cost of owner-
ship of its office systems. We have made leaps and bounds
in this regard because we manage all aspects of our
equipment—from hardware and software to supplies and
maintenance.
Our products are renowned worldwide for their
excellent value for money. We are highly price-competi-
tive but not “cheap.” We pride ourselves on delivering a
total package of unequaled performance and clear sav-
ings to the customer over the entire life cycle of every
machine. We meet real needs with real solutions.
These considerations underscored the March 2000
decision of Poste Italiene S.p.A., Italy’s post office, to order
5,600 Aficio series digital copier/printer/fax models and
500 high-end G4 laser fax machines. After installation, we
will maintain all this equipment under a full supplies
and maintenance contract. All the equipment will be
computer-connective and within a uniform operating
environment.
One of the keys to ensuring that the equipment net-
work minimizes costs and maximizes efficiency for Poste
Italiene is an innovative applications package that the
Ricoh European Digital Solution Center (REDSC) in
Düsseldorf developed with a Canadian partner to track
and administer output from equipment everywhere on the
network. We established REDSC several years ago to devel-
op printer drivers, network management systems, and
other software. The package provides Poste Italiene with
tailored document administration systems.
Elsewhere, Ricoh Group members run a host of
online systems and training and support programs
designed to maximize internal communications and cus-
tomer responsiveness. In the United States, for example,
Ricoh Corporation maintains an online dealer system,
while Ricoh University has a PC laboratory that demon-
strates how Ricoh LAN-based products enhance office effi-
ciency. In Europe, we train business partners from around
the region in digital systems and networked products
through Linc, which stands for Learning Incorporated. All
our support operations are constantly upgrading their
capabilities to keep abreast of our advances in office
equipment technology.
We love to compete, and a central thrust of our doc-
ument solutions drive is to meet open, de facto global
standards. We consider it crucial that our products work
with those of other companies. This obviously provides
customers with peace of mind and is an important edge
over much of our competition because commonality
means familiarity and ease of use. By pursuing efficiency,
cost-performance, an open architecture, and appliance-
like ease, Ricoh is making document solutions a reality.
Meeting New Challenges with Innovative Solutions
Solutions in Action
Corrado Passera, President and CEO of
Poste Italiene S.p.A (seated, left), Mirko
Bianchi, President of Ricoh subsidiary NRG
Italia S.p.A. (seated, right), and Attilio
Gecchele, President of Ricoh Italia S.p.A.
(standing, second from right), signed a
full-service contract in Milan in late
February 2000. Also present at the ceremo-
ny was Masami Takeiri (standing, second
from left), General Manager of our
International Marketing Group and a Ricoh
Managing Director.