Canon cuts ribbon on latest Business Centre with IT@Spectrum

It has been two years since Canon kicked off its strategy of working with partners to establish a network of its Business Centres across England.

The scheme started in November 2018 with the vendor opting to work with long-standing partner DMC Canotec to increase its reach into the South West region from offices in Bristol.

At the time, Canon’s UK channel boss made it clear that the plan was to build on that move with further Business Centres, although he made it clear they would not litter the landscape and only be established in areas where Canon was looking for more of a presence. He has been true to his word with the decision to cut the ribbon on a centre in the North East.

The firm has collaborated with Platinum Partner IT@Spectrum, which it has worked with for 37 years, to open the latest centre with a brief to specialise in delivering data management solutions along with traditional print and document services. There will also be a focus on helping local business reduce costs and improve productivity with the latest technology and services.

James Pittick, director of business-to-business (B2B) indirect sales at Canon UK, had indicated in late 2018 that it would add more centres to the list, and he has welcomed the latest one.

“This move is a key element of our focus on partners and highlights our firm commitment to growing our B2B channel business,” he said.

The Business Centre model has been used elsewhere across Europe by Canon, with a network of more than 130 already set up, as an opportunity to drive sales into a specific region. The latest one is seen as a chance to tap into current customer needs.

“In the race to digital transformation, businesses are looking for a technology partner that can offer best-in-class expertise and innovative solutions to stay ahead of the curve. By launching the Canon Business Centre North East with IT@Spectrum, customers in the region can access the products they need to drive efficiencies, cut costs and strengthen their offering at a local level,” said Pittick.

IT@Spectrum has made quite a commitment to the centre by recruiting a regional director, head of digital sales, and head of digital transformation to give more depth to the operation.

“This launch represents a big step in our company’s history and we’re immensely proud to continue to build on our 37-year heritage with Canon. Our local expertise will offer businesses in the region unrivalled levels of support, as well as access to products from a global brand renowned for its innovation," said Rob Cavill, managing director at IT@Spectrum.

“Our new base in Gateshead means customers will be in a great position to advance their digital transformation objectives. We’re determined to continue to support businesses in the region and demonstrate how we can help them diversify their offering and strengthen their services, not only throughout the pandemic, but beyond,” he added.

Canon added that the launch of the latest Business Centre would not have an impact on relationships that it already had established with other partners in the region.