Prepress
Ricoh research on secure document governance presents opportunity for printers to add value to corporate clients
Monday 22. March 2010 - Ricoh UK has announced the most recent findings from its Ricoh Document Governance Index series.
The latest results which look at how companies across industry are safeguarding their confidential information, has confirmed that many are regularly putting their confidential data and printed information at risk. Ricoh believes the reports findings provide printing organisations with a clear opportunity to add value to their relationship with corporate clients by demonstrating their expertise in managing the transition and transportation of sensitive data – assisting clients in the management of data destined for printing in a more secure and effective manner.
This research states that although European business leaders have shown a strong understanding and awareness of the need for document security, less than half (47 per cent) have a strict policy in place to control the printing of commercially sensitive information. There is also considerable duplication and inefficiency as a result of many corporates decentralised approach to the management of data and document printing, which is having a negative impact on productivity and sustainability. However, 68 per cent of business leaders interviewed also believe that an optimised print environment would lead to better security measures.
These findings confirm that although secure document governance is high on the agenda for most companies, there is still a real need for them to develop and set secure document policies within the corporate environment. This means there is a great opportunity for printers – who already boast strong expertise in the secure management of data – to add value by working with their clients to set the parameters when it comes to managing and processing data for printing.
Stephen Palmer, Ricoh UKs Director of Production Print comments: “The latest findings of the Ricoh Document Governance Survey demonstrate that despite an awareness of document security across European businesses, only a minority of leaders are implementing policies to address it. As a result, they are exposing themselves to what is potentially a considerable security risk. This research clearly shows there is a real, tangible opportunity for printers to add value to their corporate customers and build stronger strategic partnerships by providing consultation services in an area they know extremely well. Printers deal with huge volumes of highly sensitive information on a daily basis and most have dedicated workflow processes in place to ensure both the transition and transportation of data is carefully and securely managed. The research states that corporates are taking secure document governance seriously, but there is a gap between recognition and action. Its here that printers can step in and demonstrate their true strategic worth to the customer, which will help to transition them from being simply a provider of print to a strategic partner.”