British Steel transforms IT solutions

Canon, a leader in imaging solutions, has today announced that British Steel, the manufacturer of high-quality steel products, has implemented Canon’s Managed Print Services to improve operational efficiency and tackle a decentralised print system.

This move is part of British Steel’s wider business transformation as it modernises the way it works with customers.

>See also: Legacy technology holds back companies keen for digital transformation

Andrew Grossett, IT director at British Steel said, “Through our partnership with Canon, we have carried out a detailed survey of the print estate leading to an entire technology refresh and the implementation of reliable new solutions, with excellent support services in place. The technology Canon can provide, such as follow-me printing and increased access for mobile users, has been a real differentiator and will no doubt transform the way we work across the business.”

The company had previously been using a 10 year old legacy IT system across its 20 sites, which it had inherited. It required a reliable print infrastructure to ensure deliveries weren’t delayed due to the correct documentation not being available, and to ensure important documents, such as invoices, were processed on time.

>See also: Digital transformation: an analysis of the potential and the challenges

British Steel has since been updating its IT infrastructure to enable its print services to be fit for purpose, and support the organisation in being more environmentally conscious.

Dominic Fahy, head of AEC and manufacturing at Canon UK said, “We understand the pressures manufacturers face to ensure consistent performance in a highly competitive marketplace. We are delighted that Canon’s services will help British Steel work more efficiently, cost effectively and reliably, to deliver a high-quality service to its customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with them to help grow and transform their business into the future.”

>See also: 95% of large companies woefully unprepared for ‘digital business’

Legacy IT systems and rigid infrastructure represent a major roadblock to digital transformation. A study by Telstra found that while 73% of companies are exposed to digital disruption today and 61% are trying to disrupt new or current markets themselves, inflexible technology and network platforms are major barriers to digitisation strategies.

British Steel has taken the initiative to efficiently propel its operations into the future, in order to compete in the continually disrupted sphere of manufacturing. The move is necessary with the rise of the 3D printing industry on the horizon.

 

Nominations are now open for the Tech Leaders Awards 2017, the UK’s flagship celebration of the business, IT and digital leaders driving disruptive innovation and demonstrating value from the application of technology in businesses and organisations. Nominating is free and simply: just click here to enter. Good luck!

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Nick Ismail

Nick Ismail is a former editor for Information Age (from 2018 to 2022) before moving on to become Global Head of Brand Journalism at HCLTech. He has a particular interest in smart technologies, AI and...