Inkjet & Digital Printing

Ricoh and Digital Gateway partner to enhance dealer experience

Wednesday 17. October 2012 - Streamlined dealer resource is expected to increase business efficiencies

Ricoh Americas Corporation is joining with Digital Gateway, Inc. (DGI) to develop and deliver a robust software integration solution that will provide dealers with real-time access to information via Ricoh’s Oracle ERP system through a consolidated dealer portal that interfaces with DGI’s e-automate() system and similar ERP systems from DGI’s sister companies, OMD Corporation and La Crosse Management Systems, Inc.
“Ricoh continues to be a strong business partner focused on helping us succeed and meet our customers’ needs,” said Susie Woodhull, Owner and President of Woodhull LLC, a Ricoh-authorized dealer based in Ohio. “This consolidated dealer portal is another example of the tools Ricoh continues to provide, helping us save time, improve accuracies and efficiencies, and ultimately, enabling us to concentrate on growing our business.”
DGI has become the fastest growing, most utilized dealer management software provider in the office equipment industry and will help Ricoh provide dealers with the ability to submit and track orders, check inventory availability, submit meter reads and more. This integration will create a more streamlined experience to help save time and money.
“Digital Gateway is in alignment with the commitment Ricoh has consistently expressed to the dealer community, through hearing the needs and wants of their dealers and responding with high impact solutions to drive their success,” said Jim Phillips, President and CEO of Digital Gateway. “The Ricoh integration is an exceptional example of what I had always hoped to see accomplished for manufacturers and dealers in this market.”
This resource will be implemented using a two-phased approach. Launch of the first “information and data sharing” phase is scheduled for this fall. After a full analysis of dealer feedback, phase two is anticipated for spring 2013. The final solution will enable dealers to place product, supply and parts orders, integrate service alerts and provide meter synchronization directly from the dealer’s system into Ricoh’s Oracle system.
“Dealers are a critical element of Ricoh’s growth strategy, and we’re committed to providing new technologies and tools that make it easier to do business,” said Jim Coriddi, Vice President, Dealer Division, Ricoh Americas Corporation.