Konica Minolta has been awarded ACT Leader status in Quocirca’s Print Industry Ecosystem Report 2026, which assesses vendors across automation and AI, cloud, and technology ecosystems.
Quocirca said print is “no longer viewed as a standalone discipline, but rather as an integral part of a comprehensive digital workplace ecosystem,” adding that “customers increasingly expect print infrastructure to align with cloud platforms, identity systems, security architectures, and workflow automation tools.”
The report evaluates how vendors support these expectations, including their ability to align with “cloud adoption, AI enablement, security, compliance, and workplace transformation.”
Quocirca ranked Konica Minolta as a leader, stating it “has developed a strong proposition around automation, cloud and technology ecosystems as it evolves its portfolio on a global basis…Across its portfolio, Konica Minolta demonstrates a clear cloud-first and analytics-driven strategy.” It also said the company “is positioning itself as a credible long-term partner for organisations pursuing digital workplace transformation”.
Automation and AI focus
Quocirca’s ACT framework identifies automation and AI as key to optimising print infrastructure and document workflows, including predictive maintenance, intelligent document processing, workflow automation, security, and sustainability applications.
Research included in the report found 32 per cent of organisations say AI should help reduce the environmental impact of print infrastructure, while 31 per cent highlighted workflow automation. Other priorities included optimising toner and ink use (28 per cent), AI assistants for document tasks (27 per cent), improving print quality (26 per cent), and predicting maintenance issues (25 per cent).
Quocirca said that at Konica Minolta, “AI plays a central role in enhancing data processing, automating workflows, and enabling predictive and intelligent services across digital workplace, professional print, industrial, and imaging solutions.”
The report said AI is embedded across multifunction devices to support predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, workflow automation and document processing. It also said AI is used for security functions including detection and response to anomalies and threats, and for analytics and reporting across areas such as sales, finance, logistics and ESG. Environmental reporting tools are also used to track energy and consumables use and identify potential savings in costs and CO2 emissions.
Cloud transition
The cloud element of the ACT framework examines the shift to cloud-based printing and document access, enabling users to “print, scan, and access documents from any location.”
Quocirca said 35 per cent of organisations have fully cloud-based print management systems, while 43 per cent operate hybrid models, often due to data sovereignty and compliance requirements.
It highlighted Konica Minolta’s cloud-native print, scan and workflow platforms, which integrate “with Microsoft 365 and other hyperscale ecosystems, reducing infrastructure complexity while supporting hybrid work”.
Technology ecosystems
The third pillar focuses on vendor partnerships and integration within wider IT environments. Quocirca said IT service providers are the first choice for delivering print services for 28 per cent of organisations, ahead of traditional print providers at 22 per cent.
Konica Minolta was described as having “a broad network of strategic technology partnerships that collectively drive its innovation agenda by expanding AI capabilities, strengthening cloud ecosystems, and enabling secure, scalable digital workplace solutions”. Its partners include OpenText, Box, ABBYY, Kodak Alaris, PaperCut, and YSoft.
Konica Minolta response
Melissa Dempsey, chief marketing officer, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Konica Minolta is proud to be recognised as a leader in Quocirca’s inaugural ACT Print Industry Ecosystem Report. This acknowledgement reflects the strength of Konica Minolta’s global innovation and continued investment in automation, cloud, and AI-enabled solutions for the digital workplace.
“Here in Australia, organisations are rapidly evolving how they connect print, data, and workflows within broader IT environments. This recognition reinforces our commitment to supporting customers locally with solutions that are secure, scalable, and aligned to their transformation goals. We’re focused on helping Australian organisations unlock greater efficiency, insight, and value as they navigate their digital workplace journey.”