Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, concluded its two-day Analyst Summit, an invitation-only event inspiring attendees to embrace the spirit of Canon See Impossible by providing a glimpse into the Company’s vision for the future of its Business Imaging Solutions Group (BISG). “One Canon,” a corporate vision specifically for its B-to-B divisions was revealed. Canon designed this strategy with the intent to help ensure its customers and partners benefit from all of Canon’s offerings and to not only strive for success, but also for the impossible.
At the Summit, hosted at Canon Americas Headquarters in Melville, New York, Company leadership, industry analysts and customers convened to discuss the current state of business, share in customer best practices and review Canon’s strategy to address today’s changing business environment.
Focusing on the theme of Canon See Impossible, newly appointed executive vice president and general manager of the Business Imaging Solutions Group (BISG), Canon U.S.A., Inc., Toyo Kuwamura, elaborated on his new business strategy, named “One Canon,” and how this new strategy can help transform business. Through his collaborative approach, “One Canon,” the Company will deliver more integrated solutions offerings and leverage the full power of Canon’s capabilities, enabling customers to unlock the impossible and drive business forward into the future.
“I am absolutely amazed by the expertise, insight and passion that drives Canon, our partners and customers,” said Toyo Kuwamura, executive vice president and general manager, BISG, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The attendees at our Summit share a common goal—to help simplify the complexity that often plagues most businesses and their many processes.
“Our mutual success in achieving this goal can unlock the potential value in all businesses and this is precisely why we wanted to share the stories of our customers and partners as well as insight into the future of Canon.”
Providing informative presentations by leveraging the expertise of the Canon Group Companies, including Canon U.S.A, Canon Solutions America, Canon Information and Imaging Solutions, Canon Financial Services, and Canon Business Process Services, attendees heard firsthand the forward thinking possibilities One Canon will offer the market. Based on three pillars, (1) see innovation, (2) see possibility, and (3) see smart solutions, sessions encompassed a wide range of topics and success stories, including:
Engaging the Canon Reseller Community
Included in the “One Canon” approach is Canon’s ongoing commitment to establishing strong partnerships with independent dealers. This is demonstrated through services such as the recently announced Canon Business Services Platform, a self-service online marketplace and virtual storefront providing authorized dealers a simple way to offer, order, manage, bill, and deliver subscription-based document and information management solutions from Canon.
Mason Olds, senior vice president and general manager of Sales, BISG, leads the charge to empower Canon dealers with the opportunity to enhance relationships with their customers by helping them navigate through a rapidly changing business environment where offering smart solutions is the key to success. To speak on this partnership was Leo Bonetti, chief executive officer of Flo-Tech, a Canon authorized dealer and service provider, recognized as one of Canon’s Top 30 Independent Dealers. Bonetti spoke of how his organization worked with Canon to help facilitate the needs of their customers.
By example, Mr. Bonetti discussed his cooperative approach with Canon to secure business at RSM (formerly McGladrey), the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax, and consulting services focused on the middle market. Satisfied with the service provided by Flo-Tech but looking to improve their prior printing fleet, RSM wanted the direct service provided by Flo-Tech with the technology of a worldwide imaging leader. As a result of this cooperation, RSM now has nearly 500 Canon printers installed with uniFLOW solutions across the United States, providing RSM with an efficient workflow in a high volume office environment.
The collaboration between these three parties illustrates how Canon and independent dealers can work together to help satisfy the needs of the end-user.
Fueling Innovation in the Production and Large Format Sector
Showcasing award-winning innovations from across its comprehensive and expanding production and large format portfolio, Canon’s mission is clear—to empower customers to grow their businesses. Canon works with customers to identify what equipment makes the most sense and helps drive their business to new heights.
The approach is clearly being embraced by customers as Canon highlighted its successes at the recent drupa event, fueled by the imagePRESS Series, ColorStream, imageStream and VarioPrint i300. Canon continues to be a pioneer, bringing to market innovative technology like Voyager. Still in development, this B2+ press shown at drupa has been said to have the potential to set a new benchmark for photo quality inkjet output.
Joining Canon in propelling the production industry forward is one of the largest direct mail and marketing service providers in the United States—Access Direct. Lori Messina, executive vice president of Access Direct, discussed the company’s decision to partner with Canon with the goal of being an industry leader, not industry followers. Today Access Direct is one hundred percent equipped with Canon and Océ branded equipment including the renowned Océ VarioPrint i300 color digital press offering a level of flexibility that allows greater options in total print production and the ability to take on additional customer applications thereby contributing new opportunities for business growth.
Igniting Possibilities for Customers
With uniFLOW, Canon has ignited a world of possibilities for customers, demonstrating Canon’s evergreen commitment to helping businesses optimize their workflow.
“uniFLOW is the only true ‘One Platform’ system acting as a single platform for printing and scanning, requiring only one system to manage users, groups, cost centers, rules and security permissions,” said Karsten Huster, founder of NT-ware. “With the latest addition of uniFLOW Online to this award-winning lineup of solution offerings, Canon has expanded its technology to customers that may not have previously had the infrastructure or personnel in place to host an in-house, server-based solution.”
Furthering Canon’s integrated approach to customer problem solving, solutions and services from Canon Information and Imaging Solutions (CIIS) were also highlighted. Via CIIS, Canon has established a local software and services R&D center capable of driving near customer development and delivery activities leveraged across all Canon customer facing business units.
Working in combination with Canon partners and its global R&D centers, CIIS is positioned to rapidly respond to unique customer needs aiding Canon business units in effectively meeting customer’s most vexing challenges.
During the summit, CIIS demonstrated how it is utilizing its technology and service capabilities to meet Canon’s own internal workflow challenges and, in doing so, is leveraging itself to better support end customers.
