Ricoh inks Microsoft deal
Ricoh is looking to strengthen its cloud and IT services offering by inking a deal to become a Microsoft reseller, introducing a suite of Microsoft technologies to its offering including Microsoft Azure, in a move that will shore up its capabilities as a major IT services provider.
Ricoh recently joined the Microsoft Partner Network and has achieved Gold Competency as a Midmarket Solution Provider, placing it within the top tier of Microsoft's partners.
The achievement comes as Ricoh attempts to strengthens its cloud, mobility, digital transformation and collaboration offerings to deliver more versatile and integrated solutions to its growing IT services customer base.
"Ricoh Australia is three years into building a strong local IT services offering, and partnering with leading vendors is a critical component of our strategy to expand beyond managed print services. Working with Microsoft demonstrates our ability and commitment to delivering best-in-class technology and services that meets the evolving IT needs of businesses today, and creates true value for our customers," explains Matt Dixon, general manager, IT Services at Ricoh Australia.
"As a reseller of Microsoft technologies, including Office 365 and Microsoft Azure, Ricoh can provide customers with advanced productivity and cloud solutions. Coupled with Ricoh Finance, which offers flexible payment options, customers can access this technology without any immediate capital expenditure," he says.
Microsoft Azure is the latest addition to Ricoh's expanding Integrated Cloud practice offering, enabling the company to deliver value hybrid cloud offerings. These include cloud migration project services; legacy workload engineering; management of complex hybrid cloud models; performance monitoring, management and support for cloud apps and infrastructure; and managing consumption and commercial applications to support public cloud platforms.
"Ricoh is serious about supporting customers' transition to the cloud," says Dixon.
"Our strong global commitment to IT services and a team of more than 1,500 service delivery professionals worldwide is backed by more than 20 years of IT services expertise in Australia. We also offer a complete cloud advisory and readiness assessment to guide customers through the transition, ensuring the right solution is chosen to maximise value for their business," he explains.
"The Microsoft products resonate strongly with our customers and we look forward to extending our scope of work with them, providing them with market-leading technology and capability that facilitates more efficient, connected and convenient workplaces."
The Microsoft partnership is the latest in a series of strategic vendor agreements with leading players, including Cisco, Veeam, Citrix, HP and Kaseya, Dixon adds.
