Latest News | Automation One

June 7, 2026CanonAI supportimageFORCE

Canon is pushing the office MFP from hardware into smarter service.

Canon's latest office story is twofold: new imageFORCE A3 devices for dealers and customers, plus AI-assisted support tools that help technicians diagnose and resolve printer issues faster.

Canon launched Smart Support Chat, an AI-based support system for office multifunction device maintenance, with expansion planned into the U.S. and Japan in 2026.
The system uses printer operating data, manuals, parts information, and remote panel access to support field service and call-center teams.
Canon has also expanded its imageFORCE lineup, including the C3100 and 4100 Series A3 multifunction printers.

Why it mattersFor customers, the direction is clear: the value of an office fleet is increasingly tied to uptime, remote service visibility, energy efficiency, and workflow software — not just pages per minute.

Canon Smart Support Chat imageFORCE expansion

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June 6, 2026XeroxAIManaged IT

Xerox is leaning hard into AI-enabled workplace services.

Xerox's 2026 news centers on the company becoming a services-led, software-enabled workplace technology provider, while broadening its portfolio after the Lexmark acquisition.

Xerox launched Xerox IT as a Service, an AI-powered ServiceNow platform for SMB and mid-market technology operations.
Quocirca named Xerox a leader in its 2026 AI and ACT assessments, citing workflow automation, cloud, and ecosystem integration.
Xerox is also integrating Lexmark devices and software into a broader print and managed services portfolio.

Why it mattersThe Xerox story is moving beyond print alone: managed IT, AI workflow, document intelligence, and device fleet service are becoming part of one workplace stack.

Xerox IT as a Service Quocirca AI Leader

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June 5, 2026LexmarkXerox integrationA3 portfolio

Lexmark's latest chapter is about scale and integration.

After Xerox completed its Lexmark acquisition in 2025, the combined company has moved quickly to align portfolios, sales motions, and software compatibility.

Xerox completed its acquisition of Lexmark in 2025, positioning the combined company among the top five in major print segments and strengthening managed print services.
Lexmark's 9-Series A3 printers and MFPs are being made available through Xerox sellers in a unified market approach.
Lexmark devices are being tied into Xerox Managed Print Services, Easy Assist, Print & Scan Experience, App Gallery, ConnectKey apps, and Workflow Central.

Why it mattersFor buyers, the practical question becomes compatibility: mixed Xerox and Lexmark environments are being positioned as easier to manage under one service and workflow model.

Acquisition completed Unified A3 portfolio

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June 4, 2026FPMailingDigital business

FP is narrowing focus around mailing, shipping, and digital process automation.

Francotyp-Postalia's recent updates point to a more focused company: mailing and shipping equipment, digital business solutions, and dealer support infrastructure.

FP describes its core work as Mailing & Shipping Solutions plus Digital Business Solutions for office and workflow efficiency.
After selling its Mail Services division in 2024, FP's public updates emphasize mailing, shipping, office solutions, and process automation.
FP North America set a 2026 direction around net-new customer growth, smarter workflows, AI-driven service, and upgraded dealer infrastructure.

Why it mattersMailrooms are no longer just postage meters. Customers increasingly want shipping workflows, dealer support visibility, hybrid mail, and document automation in the same conversation.

FP business areas FP 2026 dealer summit

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June 3, 2026Ideal.MBMSecurityFinishing

Ideal.MBM remains focused on secure paper handling.

The Ideal.MBM story is less about splashy corporate news and more about dependable categories: Destroyit shredders, Triumph cutters, AeroCut finishing systems, and high-security destruction.

MBM Corporation highlights Destroyit business shredders, Triumph paper cutters and trimmers, AeroCut finishing equipment, folders, bookletmakers, and related office finishing tools.
Current high-security shredder guidance emphasizes model fit by office scale, automatic oiling, ECC, Smart Shred Control, and NSA/CSS-listed options for sensitive environments.
Ideal.MBM's relevance is tied to data protection, print-room finishing, and physical document lifecycle control.

Why it mattersAs businesses digitize, the paper that remains is often sensitive. Shredding, cutting, and finishing equipment still matter for security, compliance, and in-house document production.

MBM product portfolio High-security Destroyit guide

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June 2, 2026MoreIndustry trendsAutomation

The whole category is shifting from devices to connected workflow.

The latest industry research frames office equipment as part of a broader technology ecosystem: AI, cloud print, capture, security, sustainability, and workflow automation.

Quocirca's ACT framework evaluates vendors on Automation and AI, Cloud and Collaboration, and Technology Ecosystems.
Its 2026 trends report says differentiation is moving toward software and services, with AI-ready print and capture environments creating new value.
Managed print and multifunction devices are being treated as connected nodes in the smart office, not standalone hardware.

Why it mattersThe buying decision is becoming less about a single box and more about the partner who can connect printing, scanning, service, security, supplies, and digital processes.

Quocirca ACT framework Print industry trends 2026

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Brand updates.Useful context.

Canon is pushing the office MFP from hardware into smarter service.

Xerox is leaning hard into AI-enabled workplace services.

Lexmark's latest chapter is about scale and integration.

FP is narrowing focus around mailing, shipping, and digital process automation.

Ideal.MBM remains focused on secure paper handling.

The whole category is shifting from devices to connected workflow.

Canon

Xerox

Lexmark

FP

Ideal.MBM

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