In March, Konica Minolta IT Solutions Czech had the honour of welcoming Toshimi Shinchi from the OP Solution Planning Division in Japan. Together, we explored how the connection between physical devices and business systems can be transformed into real automation.
We also presented a concept that we believe is among the first of its kind globally, connecting multifunction printers, AI-powered document data extraction, and Automotive CRM into a single automated workflow. At the core of the concept lies a simple idea – scanned documents can directly trigger actions in Automotive CRM, such as:
- creating a new lead
- updating a test drive
- generating follow-up tasks
We focused on identifying practical ways to integrate hardware devices with business applications and build a seamless hybrid ecosystem. In practice, this means a document scanned on an MFP is automatically captured, processed via OCR (AI), and used to trigger the correct action in Automotive CRM without manual re-entry. Several of our solutions were discussed, including Automotive CRM and SQUARE4, which serves as the document automation layer.
Focus on Automotive CRM
Special attention was given to Automotive CRM, supported by real-world customer demonstrations. Initial Proof of Concept (POC) projects in real dealership environments have already validated the concept, with the support of Invelt and CarTec Group.
The objective is to eliminate manual data re-entry, ensure process transparency, and reduce administrative workload for sales and service teams.
Key benefits:
- elimination of duplicate data entry across processes
- automated tracking of actions and process steps
- measurable time savings for sales and service teams
These early implementations represent the first projects of their kind globally, demonstrating how physical devices and automotive software platforms can work together within real business environments.
Valuable Insights from Customers
As part of the visit, Toshimi Shinchi also met with our customers Invelt and CarTec, where we discussed the concept in day‑to‑day dealership operations. Both meetings provided valuable insights into how connected workflows can improve process clarity, reduce administrative effort, and create new opportunities for innovation in the automotive sector.
We thank representatives of both companies for hosting the meetings, showcasing their facilities, and sharing their experience.
We also extend our thanks to Toshimi Shinchi for the visit and the productive networking, which once again confirmed that connecting physical devices with intelligent digital systems offers great potential.
This visit represents an important step forward in developing solutions that meaningfully integrate hardware and software, enabling organizations to work more effectively with data, automate processes, and leverage the full power of modern technologies.
These results confirm that connected workflows between physical devices and business systems are not a future vision but a practical and scalable solution available today.
