IBM, Ricoh Deliver Intelligent Print Monitoring & Mgmt System

IBM and Ricoh have developed an advanced device and printing management system, which infuses office devices with real-time tracking and monitoring to help firms significantly reduce their print-related costs, improve service and cut back on carbon footprints.

Through an Application Specific Licencing agreement with IBM, Ricoh will bundle the new system, which is based on IBM Tivoli software, with its multi-function products (MFPs) making the new systems available for enterprise clients.

While IT services have become more managed and optimised, most businesses still do not have enough insight into and control of their printing devices’ use and costs. These costs extend beyond the hardware and printers to include consumables, labour for repairs and system updates as well as the high cost of energy and the resulting carbon footprint.

“This new, enterprise-class system will give our global customers complete visibility across their fleet of printers and MFP devices, helping them to better manage and optimise printing as an office function,” said Hede Nonaka, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Document Solutions and Services Division, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “The solution will also be a core technology for our Managed Document Services (MDS) offering.”

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In addition to print management and monitoring carbon footprints, the new system can identify service issues with devices and automatically route alerts to local service desks for remediation before service is affected. It will also capture and manage assets and supplies information, improving accounting processes.