Konica Minolta and Ricoh are both globally renowned brands thanks to their innovation and contribution to the printing industry. However, knowing which brand is right for your business can be tricky.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the differences and similarities between the two, and how they can help your business.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta is a Japanese tech company that pride themselves on making innovative printing solutions for a variety of different businesses and industries.
They are a global award winning multifunctional and digital print production company that comes at an affordable price, helping to streamline business operational efficiency and reduce the overall effect on the environment thanks to their green technology.
About Ricoh
Ricoh specialise in producing high quality office equipment and solutions to help organise and streamline the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
They are a global leader in workplace experience and process automation, offering unique integrated systems that drive positive office transformations and help to create people centred workplaces.
Key features of Konica Minolta printers and copiers
At Copy Print Services, we have a large collection of Konica Minolta printers and copiers, which are suitable for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need an all in one printer or a photocopier with advanced technologies, Konica Minolta will have the perfect product for you.
All of the Konica Minolta printers in our range feature their world renowned Bizhub technology that helps to maximise your output for ultimate productivity.
Some of the main features on the Bizhub range include:
- Mono and colour outputs
- Integrated cloud services with smartphone user interfaces
- GDPR compliant
- Scan speeds of 200ipm in duplex
- Print resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Intuitive and easy to use interfaces
Key features of Ricoh printers and copiers
Ricoh printers and copiers are known for their speed, capacity, reliability and versatility, making them ideal for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Ricoh's IM series are an ideal range of all-in-one printers that can help you to achieve your desired print infrastructure.
Some of the main features across the IM series include:
- Mono and colour outputs
- Copy resolutions of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Mobile printing capabilities
- Smart operational user panels
- Data overwrite security systems and data encryption
- “Low melt toners” operating at lower fusion temperatures
Konica Minolta Bizhub range vs Ricoh IM series
Both Konica Minolta’s Bizhub range and Ricoh’s IM series range are well-known systems amongst those in the tech world, however, if you are new to the world of printers, it can be daunting knowing which ones are the best for your business.
While both brands aim to provide efficient and environmentally friendly printing solutions, there are a few differences between the two.
Product ranges and models
Konica Minolta offers a wide range of different Bizhub models that are tailored to suit the specific needs of different sized businesses. The Bizhub range offers models with various printing speeds, paper handling capabilities and optional features such as advanced finishing options.
Ricoh's IM series is very similar to the Bizhub range and it includes a number of models with varying speeds, paper capacities and easy to implement security features.
Connectivity and integration
The Bizhub range offers extensive connectivity options, including mobile printing, cloud services, as well as integration with commonly used document management systems like Microsoft Sharepoint and Google Drive.
The IM series also offers great connectivity options with support for mobile printing too, as well as seamless integration with third-party solutions for advanced productivity and workflow automation.
Reliability
Based on a selection of reviews on popular review platforms, and threads on community discussion sites like Reddit, Konica Minolta are widely regarded as the more reliable brand. Many users report more technical issues with Ricoh, and a lack of support from the brand’s IT team when compared to Konica.
User interface and security
Both the Bizhub and IM series range heavily focus on intuitive user interfaces with customisable touchscreen displays for ease of use. They also both offer authentication solutions such as user ID, passcodes and proximity card readers.
These authentication methods help to prevent any unauthorised access and ensure sensitive documents are only accessed by specific users.
Technology and features
The Bizhub range heavily focuses on innovative technologies like the Simitri HD toner for high-quality printing and advanced scanning capabilities. They also aim to integrate seamlessly with document management systems to keep productivity high and downtime low.
The Ricoh IM series however, tends to focus more on user-friendly interfaces, robust security features and customisable workflow solutions. Like Konica Minolta, they also prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency in the product line.
Supporting Services
Here at Copy Print Services, we offer our Managed Print Services for businesses wanting to streamline their printing, with the full Konica Minolta Bizhub range to choose from.
Ultimately, the choice between the Konica Minolta and Ricoh IM series really depends on the needs of your business and your specific budget considerations. While they do have very similar features, they each have their own technology which may not suit every business.
