How FS System provided Ricoh with tailored order data for new managed service

For 16 years, Ricoh has been a loyal client of FS System. When one of Ricoh’s customers needed help to develop a new technical solution, Ricoh turned to FS System for guidance. With FS System’s technical expertise, the right supplier could be identified, and an integration could be set up, resulting in a successful collaboration and a new managed service.

Ricoh provides document services, consulting, software, and hardware to companies worldwide, specializing in printers, toner, and dictation equipment. As one of FS System’s earliest clients, the partnership began by helping Ricoh meet their need for efficient order handling and seamless integration with various suppliers. Over the years, Ricoh has grown, and today, FS System delivers its services to 13 of Ricoh’s subsidiaries.

Challenge: Automated features for label printers

In 2024, Ricoh approached FS System with a specific challenge: their customer, a regional health system with various healthcare facilities, needed a new setup for their label printers. In healthcare, countless labels are generated daily for blood vials, bags, and documents, information that must be accurate, legible, and durable to ensure patient safety.

The region wanted an easier way to set up new printers without relying on IT support, as many users lacked advanced IT skills. The goal was for staff to simply plug in the power cable and allow Ricoh to handle the rest. In order for Ricoh to be able to deliver the service, the MAC address is needed.

Ricoh asked if FS System could solve it within BIS (Business Integration Server), our product that streamlines the purchasing department’s work with suppliers and enhances entire purchase order management. It was possible, but first, they had to do an initial evaluation of Ricoh’s suppliers to identify the ones who could meet the needs. Fredrik Svärd, CEO and co-founder of FS System, elaborates:

"To automate such a service, the supplier must have a managed service that reads MAC addresses and is capable of XML integration. However, none of Ricoh’s integrated suppliers met these requirements, which led us to review their other suppliers."

The solution: The right supplier with the right capabilities

As a result, FS System and Ricoh reviewed the remaining suppliers and ultimately identified Jarltech, which offered the necessary label printer and technical functionality via automated order integration with Ricoh. FS System then conducted a technical evaluation with Jarltech to confirm the feasibility of the integration, which was indeed possible. 

This led to a fully managed solution where labels and information could be handled effortlessly. With this solution they didn’t need to  involve IT for each setup and they could implement rules to, for instance, detect low toner levels. Jarltech then became Ricoh’s chosen label printer supplier for this project.

The outcome: A fully managed, customized service solution

With the help of BIS and the integration made to Jarltech, FS System provided the data needed for Ricoh's managed service, enabling Ricoh to offer a user-friendly, specialized solution for their customer. The robust solution addresses technical needs and supports ongoing growth and development. It exemplifies how FS System can tailor and deliver comprehensive technical solutions that go beyond software alone.