Kyocera Document Solutions UK embraces a new “Hachi” digital transformation strategy

July 23, 2024
Article

Kyocera Document Solutions UK has introduced a new brand identity to amplify its complete digital transformation offering. The company describes Hachi as ‘a symbol for our infinite digital transformation possibilities’ and hails its introduction as ‘the dawn of a new era, revolutionising our approach to Kyocera’s service offering’. The word Hachi means ‘eight’ in the company’s native Japanese, and its Kanji symbol, 八, broadens gradually, bringing connotations of becoming prosperous. In Roman numerals, figure 8 invokes infinity.

Building on the Kyocera corporate philosophy

Kyocera’s management philosophy has always been a powerful driver across the company’s global footprint. Its founder, Dr Kazuo Inamori, was a renowned business expert, and the core tenet to ‘do the right thing as a human being’ is always the starting point for Kyocera corporate strategy. This philosophy, originating with the company’s foundation in 1959, pre-dates much of the CSR and ESG movement as an early example of purpose-driven business.

Kyocera’s Hachi approach comprises eight sections, representing the eight divisions that Kyocera Document Solutions operates in the UK. It has been developed to mark a ‘year of innovation’ and is accompanied by an Innov8 logo. Each division has a visual identity and iconography designed to pay homage to Kyocera’s Japanese roots, based on nature-inspired Wagara, traditional Japanese patterns dating back to the eighth century.

Kyocera Document Solutions UK has a proud Japanese heritage, yet local management autonomy has always been a core element of the Kyocera approach. The uniting of the two in Hachi is evident and effective, with plenty of tightly UK-focused content creating a strong connection with the region. Hachi is currently a UK-only initiative.

A broad portfolio of services expertise

Kyocera Hachi covers the following eight key areas, reflecting Kyocera’s extensive expertise beyond traditional print.

Kyocera Cyber: Kyocera’s managed cybersecurity services are designed to help customers address skills gaps and budget and time constraints while meeting regulatory and compliance demands. Featured services include:

• Cyber assessments to establish the customer’s security posture and recommend improvements
• Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (M-EDR), combining advanced endpoint protection technology with Kyocera management and 24/7 support. Five levels are offered to meet the needs of different-sized organisations
• Managed Disaster Recovery: A cloud-based disaster recovery-as-a-service solution
• Managed Entra ID: Complete end-to-end support for customers to manage their Active Directory using Microsoft Entra ID

Document Solutions: Print, document capture, and workflow solutions, including:

• Printers and MFPs known for their long-life drum technology, low running costs, energy efficiency, and K-Level device security
• Cloud Print & scan management services
• Carbon-neutral print management
• Fleet management services
• Capture and storage solutions

Production Print Hub: Commercial print solutions:

• TASKalfa inkjet production presses support cut-sheet transactional, transpromo, graphic arts, and publishing applications. Light production toner devices, plus inkjet textile and photo printing devices, complete the portfolio.

Infrastructure Solutions: Tailored cloud, connectivity, security, and monitoring solutions, including:

• Managed hybrid public and private cloud services
• Enterprise WLAN
• Managed SD-WAN
• Managed firewall

Content Services: Information management, capture, analysis, structuring, and workflow optimisation, including business process automation. It is aimed at helping customers leverage their data for profit and productivity. Featured solutions include:

• Data analytics and business intelligence
• Automated accounts payable
• Kyocera Cloud Information Manager (KCIM): a SaaS platform providing storage and management in a secure online archive
• Kyocera Enterprise Information Manager: a sophisticated enterprise content management solution
• Process automation
• Data capture and digitisation solutions

Collaboration: Kyocera’s suite of technology and services seamlessly connect, supporting customer productivity, communication, and customer services. These include:

• Phone systems: cloud telephony services
• Microsoft365
• Enterprise UCaaS
• Contact Centre: a secure cloud-based contact centre solution
• Virtual desktop

Kyodo Consulting: Assessments, health checks, and consultancy to help customers improve their IT infrastructure performance, compliance, and efficiency. Options include:

• Microsoft Entra ID health check
• Essential health check
• Cyber assessments
• Comprehensive Wi-Fi audits
• Microsoft 365 health check

Managed Services: IT managed services ranging from complete outsourcing to specific support when needed. These include:

• Managed Service Desk
• Data centre management
• Managed EDR
• Managed backup and disaster recovery

Quocirca opinion

Kyocera UK’s Hachi initiative represents a strategic shift towards a comprehensive, integrated approach to digital transformation. It reflects the breadth and depth of Kyocera’s extensive solutions portfolio, enabling customers to expand their engagement with Kyocera to encompass a wider range of services. The Hachi approach should also help customers more easily navigate Kyocera’s offerings.

In addition, it positions Kyocera UK to capitalise on the growing demand for integrated solutions, solidifying the company’s role as a single source for comprehensive digital transformation support. This strategic direction also resonates with current market trends, supported by Quocirca Research. The research reveals a growing expectation among IT decision-makers for MPS providers to extend their offerings beyond core print services and encompass a wider range of complementary solutions.

According to this research, two thirds of organisations using a managed print service say they are more likely to select solutions from companies that also provide workplace services, 45% say they would choose an MPS vendor that also offers cloud print services, 42% seek collaboration services, and 41% would look more favourably on a vendor offering sustainability services.

Kyocera UK’s longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility presents a powerful opportunity for integration across all its offerings. While the Hachi approach doesn’t explicitly include sustainability as a separate business area, Kyocera UK’s established focus on environmental practices extends across all its divisions.

As a carbon-neutral business, the company reduces its emissions through organic initiatives and offsetting and further supports customers’ sustainability goals by making every printing product carbon-neutral.

By weaving this sustainability narrative into the fabric of the Hachi strategy, Kyocera UK can connect with a receptive audience, increasingly prioritising environmentally responsible solutions. This integrated approach will help position Kyocera UK as a leader in sustainable digital transformation, offering a distinct advantage to customers seeking to achieve their sustainability goals.