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It is going to be a long time until clients will be flocking back to showrooms, if indeed they ever do.  Demonstrating cloud-based software services can be done online, even from one homeworker to another.  However, in the current business situation, it is proving very challenging to sell hardware, to differentiate a machine in the context of a client's specific business needs and to demonstrate how it can add value for them.

 

Most sales teams in most sectors are adapting to the new normal, but Konica Minolta PP have put in place a Virtual Showroom platform which is intended to be "a new immersive experience for customers and prospects."  The key difference to simple online marketing is that visitors to the Virtual Showroom (who will have registered for a site visit) will be welcomed one-to-one by a Konica Minolta rep capable of responding to detailed questions and giving demonstrations of complex functions such as in-line print quality monitoring and finishing.  This virtual tour of a commercial print showroom will even have appropriate sound effects!

 

Konica Minolta are starting this new sales approach with three high-volume production presses, the AccurioLabel 230 label press, the AccurioPress C14000 and the AccurioJet KM-1e UV inkjet press.  

 

“The rules have changed, many possibly forever.  The Virtual Showroom has been developed in line with our rethinking what’s possible for customers, and the initial reaction has been extremely positive. This new online way of presenting products will further evolve and continue to expand over time," said Ole Maaz, Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe.  "However, we recognise that people are not going to buy these products just from an online presentation. We still believe in the power of personal relationships and of seeing our portfolio and touching the print products in person. Our ultimate goal will always be to help shape ideas for our customers in a partnership approach – no matter which communication channel, whether face to face or virtually.”