Konica Minolta has announced that its Workplace Pure, YSOFT SAFEQ Cloud and YSOFT SAFEQ print solutions all support the new Windows Protected Print (WPP) mode for enhanced security. Unveiled by Microsoft in October 2024, WPP is designed to enhance printing security and simplify the printing process by exclusively using the Windows modern print stack, eliminating the need to manage third-party print drivers and the potential security risks they could pose.

When enabled in Windows, WPP mode runs with lower privileges and uses Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), so a user's computer can no longer load third-party printer drivers, eliminating the risk of attackers loading malicious code through this route.

The additional security, flexibility and compatibility benefits of WPP perfectly complement Konica Minolta's print solutions. Konica Minolta's Workplace Pure, for instance, delivers cost-effective, 24/7 access to a marketplace of cloud services including cloud print — all from a single trusted source.

Konica Minolta's YSOFT SAFEQ is a comprehensive print management solution that integrates with its bizhub MFPs and multivendor fleets, to help organizations to better understand and manage the cost of document printing and capture operations, improves information security and centralizes user management.

YSOFT SAFEQ Cloud take this approach a step further as an all-in-one cloud print solution that is a secure, reliable and cost-effective alternative to managing your own on-premise print infrastructure. YSOFT SAFEQ Cloud also works with bizhub MFPs and multivendor fleets.

As well as security, WPP is also designed to offer an enhanced user experience with greater consistency, reliability, simplified management, future-proofing and enhanced compatibility by enabling users to utilize the same modern print stack. It also supports many Mopria-certified printers (a mobile printing standard that allows users to print and scan to certified printers, scanners and MFPs), which includes many Konica Minolta bizhub series MFPs.

"The print function in Windows has seen relatively few changes during the last 25 years," said Torben Mowka, manager of office product management, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe. "However, cyberthreats and security continue to evolve. Windows Protected Print is an important step forward in print security, adding modern standards and secure communication methods to ensure a robust and consistent printing experience. Our Workplace Pure, YSOFT SAFEQ Cloud and YSOFT SAFEQ print solutions all feature robust inbuilt security, but it is also essential that they support and integrate with WPP, working together to ensure print doesn't become the weak link in an organization's broader security regime."

In other news, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. has announced it has received first place in Brand Loyalty in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI) for the 18th consecutive year. The win confirms that Konica Minolta best meets, or exceeds, customer expectations among all brands competing in the "MFP Office Copier" category.

Brand Keys, a New York-based client loyalty and engagement consultancy, publishes the annual syndicated study, which recognized Konica Minolta for being the leader in Brand Loyalty among all MFP brands. The Brand Keys' data paints a detailed picture of the category drivers that engage customers, engender loyalty and drive real profits.

This year's results revealed dramatic differences in how loyalty operates as the most accurate predictor of consumer purchasing behavior, sales, brand market share and profits. The 2025 research revealed interesting data on the connection between loyalty and brand profitability. For example, an increase in loyalty of 5% can increase lifetime profits per customer by as much as 86% (down 9% from initial 1997 measures, but still exceptionally high, especially with e-commerce factored in.) Additionally, it now costs 15 to 22 times more to recruit a new customer than to keep an existing one — up 20% from 1997.

"Earning this recognition from Brand Keys for the 18th consecutive year reflects not just our commitment to excellence, but the strong partnerships we've built with our customers through two decades of innovation in the MFP market," said Jordan Liebman, senior vice president of marketing and communications, Konica Minolta. "This unprecedented achievement demonstrates how our customer-centric approach — delivering high-quality products and responsive service — consistently transforms first-time buyers into long-term brand advocates. As the research shows, customer loyalty directly impacts profitability and we're proud that our focus on exceeding customer expectations has resulted in enduring relationships that drive mutual success. The trust our customers place in Konica Minolta inspires us to continue innovating and delivering solutions that not only meet their current needs but anticipate future challenges in their digital transformation journey."

Brand Keys' 28th annual CLEI and research consultancy identifies brands that are best able to engage clients by meeting or exceeding their expectations, thereby creating client loyalty. The Index recognizes the brands that receive the highest loyalty and engagement assessments, and surpass competitors for responding to the category values customers desire most.

"The loyalty paradigm has changed dramatically over the past decade," said Robert Passikoff, founder and president, Brand Keys. "Happily, consumer loyalty can be measured, achieved and leveraged. But it isn't something that just shows up one day. As research has proven, brands best at building loyalty, such as Konica Minolta, win more customers, more sales and much bigger market shares. Kudos for their strong hold on this aspect of their business and congratulations for another year at number one."

This year's Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index survey included 81,348 consumers, 16 to 65 years of age, examining their relationships with 1,100 brands in 104 categories. View the complete list of the highest-rated brands online.