Konica Minolta, a global technology innovator, has launched a Virtual Showroom platform to create a new immersive experience for customers and prospects as part its holistic approach in the “new normal”.
Finding new ways of engaging with prospects and clients to help them rethink what’s possible has never been more important than in Covid-19 times. Replacing elements of interaction that have been face-to-face until now with virtual environments may sound challenging. However, Konica Minolta recognises that delivering successful online platforms to deliver impact and value in print, often alongside other media channels, is key to the future.
The Virtual Showroom will be initially available for prospects of three of Konica Minolta’s mainstay products within commercial and industrial printing. They are the toner-based AccurioLabel 230 label press and AccurioPress C14000 high-volume production printer, as well as the AccurioJet KM-1e UV inkjet production press. More product lines will be added in the future.
Customers and prospects sign up to the Virtual Showroom via a dedicated landing page on Konica Minolta websites. Accompanied by a Konica Minolta representative, they are given a 3D virtual tour of an industrial or commercial print showroom, complete with appropriate ambient sounds in the background.
They view galleries of print samples, are being presented video content and are given detailed presentations on the specific production press. Interactive elements provide live virtual running of the machines, including animated paper flow demonstrations, the different ink colours and paper loading and product post-print stacking.
Specialist functions can also be explored in detail during the tour. These cover areas such as inline finishing, IQ-501 auto inspection technology in the intelligent quality care system and Konica Minolta’s unique Dot Freeze Technology (DFT) for the AccurioJet KM-1e.
Ole Maaz, Manager Marketing & Corporate Communications at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: “The coronavirus pandemic has given everybody opportunities to re-evaluate business working practices – not least here at Konica Minolta Europe. And the rules have changed, many possibly forever. The Virtual Showroom has been developed in line with our rethinking what’s possible for customers, and the initial reaction has been extremely positive. This new online way of presenting products will further evolve and continue to expand over time.”
“However, we recognise that people are not going to buy these products just from an online presentation. We still believe in the power of personal relationships and of seeing our portfolio and touching the print products in person. Our ultimate goal will always be to help shape ideas for our customers in a partnership approach – no matter which communication channel, whether face to face or virtually.”
