Zipform Digital

Ricoh's Pro C7100X digital production printer has made a sharp impression at Zipform.

Shaanique is confident about Zipform Digital's future since installing their Ricoh Pro C7100X. It's clear to see why Shaanique believes in the power of print. With Ricoh, Zipform Digital deliver quick turnaround times and increased personalisation options at just a click of a button.

Specialising in business communications, Perth based Zipform Digital recently installed a Ricoh Pro C7100X digital production printer. Shaanique Davies, deputy general manager at Zipform, says, "At Zipform Digital, we enable our customers to communicate with their customers through their channel of choice."

Its services include direct mail; transactional/essential mail; data management, data enrichment, business analytics and data segmentation; multi-channel communications (email, Australia Post digital mail box, b‑pay view, sms, print and mail); archive and document management; payment solutions and; software development. She says, "Along with our transactional communications, we offer our customers a highly targeted direct mail solution using business analytics and data segmentation to produce direct mail pieces that are personalised for every individual."

"The Ricoh Pro C7100X meets the requirement for direct mail that complements the transactional contracts we have. The Ricoh has increased speed to market for our customers as well as eliminating the need to print and store base stocks. It also offers greater flexibility in regards to personalisation and targeted messaging. And the print quality is excellent."

One of the advantages of moving to the Ricoh device was the ability to carry out some of the service and maintenance ourselves... saving us many hours of downtime.

"One of the advantages of moving to the Ricoh device was the ability to carry out some of the service and maintenance ourselves. With training, our operators can now change their own fusers and drums saving us many hours of downtime. We were able to move from two full-colour digital devices to one. Our customers now benefit from the quicker turnaround times and increased personalisation options."

"With the Pro C7100X we can offer our customers the use of White Ink and Clear Toner. This enabled us to set ourselves apart and offer more creative options for unique outputs, no matter what the size of the run."

Evolving with Challenges

Employing a staff of just under 70, Zipform Digital provides business communication services in both WA and VIC. It started out in 1984 as a manufacture of computer stationery. In 1993, it expanded and began building a reputation as a print and mail house. Davies says, "As technology has evolved, Zipform has had to as well. Today we are more aligned to IT and technology than ever before and process a mix of both physical and digital communications for our direct mail and transactional customers." Zipform Digital faces general and specific challenges such as rising Australia Post Charges; new technology and the speed of change; and education of customers to see the value in print over digital communications.

She says, "We have seen a small increase in DM volumes in the last 12 months but Australia Post could have helped our industry more by offering larger incentives and savings on promotional mail. As the market goes through further consolidation it is tough out there, but we remain positive due to having a large customer base that value physical mail as well as our digital solutions."

A valuable partnership

Davies knows she can rely on Ricoh support. Our partnership with Ricoh is very valuable. We know we can rely on them for prompt responses when we have service and support queries. They have been exceptionally helpful when we have run more creative pieces for our customers using either the white ink or clear toner. The team are always responsive and have ensured we are up to date with new and innovative techniques which we have then been able to show and pass on to our customers."