PREVIEW 2026
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Many of the trends that emerged in 2025 will continue into 2026, gaining momentum and shaping the direction of the industry. Customers and partners will increasingly prioritise simplicity, security, intelligent automation and sustainability. These trends reflect evolving expectations and technological advancements. Success will require agility, with businesses able to respond quickly to changing demands through informed decision-making and flexible strategies.
One of the main challenges in 2026 will be redefining the role of print in today’s workplaces. As customer needs become more complex, OEMs and partners will need to show how their solutions drive efficiency and integrate seamlessly into broader workflows and IT systems. While this shift presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for those who can deliver meaningful, end-to-end value and adapt their approach to each customer’s unique requirements. n
Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar , director of partner channel, Ricoh UK Following a year of great results and growth we’re entering 2026 with real momentum. We’ve just launched the Ricoh Unity Partner Programme in the UK to help redefine partner collaboration and accelerate growth for our partners.
for solutions that genuinely support their ESG ambitions, and those who can clearly demonstrate progress, not just intent, will stand out and build stronger, longer-term relationships. Too often, print, digital and IT systems are still managed separately, creating inefficiencies and unnecessary risk. Print needs to sit comfortably within broader IT and security strategies, supported by analytics and automation that help close gaps and improve resilience. At Ricoh, our role is to help partners bring these elements together using automation, cloud-native platforms, and secure integrations to simplify document processes, protect data, and turn information into something genuinely useful. Many of the challenges facing the channel come from familiar pressures: Fragmented workflows, inconsistent security approaches, rising costs, tighter margins, skills shortages and the pace of technological change. Skills gaps, particularly around cybersecurity and workflow automation, mean businesses will need to invest not just in technology, but in people and partnerships too. Success will increasingly come from smarter, service-led models, deeper customer relationships, and
As market consolidation continues and service-led, subscription-based models mature, partners will see new opportunities for recurring revenue and stronger, long-term customer value. What will really matter is how confidently businesses approach this change, seeing transformation as an opportunity to strengthen their offer rather than a reaction to short-term pressure. AI has a growing role to play in improving workflows and enabling predictive maintenance, helping reduce downtime and deliver a better day-to-day experience for employees. Partners that use these technologies to drive practical, real-world outcomes will be in a strong position, especially as customers ask tougher questions about value and how print fits alongside digital. Sustainability will remain high on the agenda, continuing to broaden beyond environmental impact alone to include wider corporate responsibility goals. More and more customers are looking
Rowan Jeffreys-Hoar
ricoh.co.uk
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