Digital print solutions manufacturer Ricoh sells its Canadian subsidiary Avanti Computer Systems to eProductivity Software, in a move that marks a refocusing on its digital print-compatible workflow solutions. Based in Pennsylvania, eProductivity Software specializes in management and automation software for the printing and packaging industries.
Acquired by Ricoh in 2017, Avanti is a management information system (MIS) that centralizes all production and sales management data. This solution is mainly deployed at mid-sized printers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The sale of Avanti to Print ePS, eProductivity Software's operating unit, is part of a strategy to redeploy priorities within the Ricoh Graphic Communications division. The Japanese group wishes to concentrate its investments on its own software tools compatible with digital printing systems, and to support its customers' transition from offset to high-speed inkjet and color sheetfed presses more effectively.
Ricoh, which posted sales of 2.527 billion yen (15.3 billion euros), considers the impact of this operation on its results as follows "minimal" according to the statement issued from Tokyo.
For existing Avanti users, the transition should be seamless. Print ePS plans to integrate Avanti into its existing portfolio, and to provide support equivalent to that provided to date. Dan Vertachnik, CEO of Print ePS, welcomed the integration of Avanti as a strategic lever to meet the growing demand for connected, automated and scalable platforms.
