Printacom, partners ink deal to enable `pay-per-print` on Oki printing solutions

Printacom, local brand representative for Oki Printing Solutions, has announced successful engagements with a number of South Africa`s leading independent office automation partners (OAPs). In the process, it has established a new channel that is aimed at providing a cost-effective print environment to small and medium-sized customers, based on Oki`s new MFP range of devices.

"This is a landmark move for Oki," says Peter Vieira, business development manager of Oki`s corporate solutions division. "Not only will our products benefit from the OAPs` extensive reach into the South African market, but this move marks the first time that customers will gain access to Oki solutions on a pay-per-print basis."

North Business Systems` Marc Olivier, explains that the decision to include the Oki colour range in the line-up stems from the exceptional level of quality the Oki products deliver as well as the competitive price point the solutions are pitched at.

"After identifying a gap in the entry-level segment of the colour copier market, which is currently experiencing a massive rise in demand for cost-effective solutions, we were attracted to the Oki range of solutions as they provided what our customers needed," says Olivier.

"In addition, the Oki range of products provides the excellence and reliability our customers have come to expect from our solutions, not to mention the attractive pricing. Taking all these factors into consideration allowed us to present this to the smaller companies in the South African landscape," he says.

Document Output Solutions` Gordon Menzies echoes Olivier`s sentiments: "The quality of the Oki product line is truly fantastic," he enthuses. "From print quality, through to performance and paper handling, the Oki range stands head and shoulders above its competitors. Even the manner in which the units are packaged is impressive.

"We have also been surprised by the market response to the new Oki line," Menzies adds. "On the back of this, we`re seeing healthy growth, quarter on quarter."

Mpumalanga Copiers` Francois Willemse says his customers have been most intrigued by Oki 9800GA`s outstanding print quality, which is perfect for the graphic design market; and the entry-level Oki 3200 because of its attractive price and even more attractive list of specifications. "Our customers find the versatility of the machines to be a massive benefit.

"The many additional features add to the overall attractiveness of the machines," he says. "For most businesses, instant short run print jobs like business card printing can become a headache. The ability to print jobs like this on demand, using Oki`s versatile colour lasers or MFPs can save time and money."

These benefits aside, Toshiba Winelands managing director, Konrad de Waal says the after sales service and support he and his clients get from Oki is phenomenal. "With other brands in the market, the footprint is too big - it takes days to get a support engineer on site. Oki`s service presence stretches across the whole of South Africa and the response to service calls is truly excellent.

"Furthermore, Printacom`s representation of Oki is far more hands on than their competitors. You just know there`s someone on the other end of the line when you call. Even Printacom`s MD is accessible and ready to offer a helping hand if necessary," De Waal adds.

Copier SA`s Shane Jameson says his company has made a strong name for itself and Oki in the Natal market, by being brand loyal. "This has been particularly important in the Natal market where products carried by resellers change on a weekly basis. By being loyal to the Oki brand, we were almost by default asked to join the OAP programme."

Jameson says that in his experience TCO (total cost of ownership) is a major component of what makes a company successful in the copier or multifunction device market. "The importance of having low running costs cannot be understated. At the end of the day, however, it`s about how you structure each deal to make it most cost-effective for the customer, and to make it worthwhile for your organisation. Oki`s solutions have enabled us to do this very effectively," he says.

"From the numerous comments we`ve received, it`s quite evident that the market response to the programme and the new units has been brilliant. This we believe has a great deal to do also, with the billboard and TV advertising Oki has undertaken so far.

"Since the MFP space is a relatively new market for Oki, the advertising and marketing support we are placing behind the new product line has helped with the brand awareness and paved the way for our OAPs to achieve success in the local market," Vieira concludes.