Commercial printer overhauls digital business to streamline workflows, cut downtime and add capabilities  

MALVERN, PA – Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced that Alta Systems, a communications company focused on professional, personable and creative print and mail services, has overhauled its digital print operations with solutions and professional services from Ricoh. Since signing on with Ricoh, Alta Systems has grown its digital print business faster than its traditional offset base by implementing RICOH Pro C7100X, RICOH Pro 8100se and RICOH Pro C901 platforms; utilizing advanced workflow software; and capitalizing on in-depth, expert training. As a result, the Gainesville, Florida-based printer now sees increased uptime, tighter turnaround times and happier customers. 

Alta Systems first added digital capabilities in 2004 to meet customer needs for short runs, faster turnarounds, variable data printing (VDP) and specialty product offerings. However, after more than a decade in digital, Alta Systems found that component of its business struggling. Presses were often down for days or weeks at a time, lacking both durability and robust support. These long stretches of downtime combined with lack of visibility into and centralized control over workflows to cause dropped deadlines. Customer relationships were suffering, and some even withdrew their business. Alta Systems’ management knew a change was needed. 

“We simply could not provide reliable service with presses breaking down so often,” said Rick Nesbit, Owner, Alta Systems. “We needed solutions we could depend on, which meant we needed the right partner that could offer the right hardware and the level of support our shop needed. We learned of Heidelberg’s global relationship with Ricoh and instantly saw credibility. Now, I can say that trust was well placed. Our digital operation is incredibly reliable, and now we can produce unbelievable five-color applications, thanks to the RICOH Pro C7100X and Ricoh’s pragmatic training. If there is a problem, we know we have a Ricoh expert nearby who is willing and able to drop by and solve it quickly.” 

Together, Alta Systems and Ricoh revamped the entire digital operation. The printer replaced its struggling color devices with a five-color RICOH Pro C7100X, empowering operators to produce creative, eye-catching applications. This platform’s 80 ppm speed, 1,200 x 4,800 dpi image quality, broad range of substrate and color capabilities, and reliability, help turn creative, complex jobs around quickly. Alta Systems replaced its struggling monochrome devices with a pair of RICOH Pro 8100se devices, helping make fast turns for even the most demanding jobs manageable. These installations, combined with EFI’s Fiery^® SeeQuence Suite and Fiery^® JobMaster™ makeready and workflow management software, enabled jobs to move swiftly through Alta Systems’ operation. 

“Alta Systems turned to Ricoh, at first, for two reasons: our strong partnerships and our unmatched level of service,” said Andre Brazeau, Vice President, Production Printing Business Group, Ricoh USA, Inc. “We are proud to build our reputation based on these criteria, which speak to our dedication to always looking for ways to better serve our customers. To that end, it’s incredibly encouraging to see how Alta Systems has been able to turn its digital operations around, producing beautiful, outside-the-box applications while also keeping on top of customers’ speed, volume and reliability needs.”