Canon India, the Japanese imaging giant that many still associate primarily with cameras, has emerged as an unexpected champion of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India, offering technology solutions that are transforming how businesses operate, secure their data, and scale their operations.
"People often associate Canon with cameras or printers. But Canon is much more; it is an imaging company. If it can be imaged, Canon can manufacture it," explained Raj Tiwari, Senior Sales Manager at Canon India, speaking at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Surat. The summit, which had ‘Make in Surat, scale for the world’ as its theme, concluded on July 18, 2025. Canon was the tech enabler for the edition.
Tailored for India, built for growth
After establishing its India operations in 1997, Canon made a strategic shift around 2013-14 that would prove transformative for MSMEs.
"When I joined Canon in 2009 after a banking career, we were selling globally-designed models. But as the Indian market grew, Canon started designing products specifically for Indian requirements," Tiwari recalled.
This localisation strategy has yielded practical innovations that directly address small business needs. Canon introduced models supporting Indian Legal paper formats, different from international standards, and developed specialised cheque scanners aligned with RBI's same-day clearing policies. These UV and non-UV cheque scanners are now widely used across regional and cooperative banks, demonstrating the company’s deep understanding of India's unique business ecosystem.
The security imperative
For MSMEs operating in an increasingly digital landscape, security is paramount. Canon's approach addresses this critical concern through multiple layers of protection. "Here’s a real-world example: an international bank suffered a cyberattack. Investigations revealed the breach occurred via an internet-connected A3 multifunction device," Tiwari noted, highlighting the often-overlooked security vulnerabilities in office equipment.
Canon's multifunction devices come equipped with advanced whitelisting and blacklisting features to prevent such threats. It also offers secure, offline scanning solutions, ensuring sensitive business data remains protected.
Solving the productivity puzzle
One of the most significant challenges facing MSMEs is document management efficiency. Canon's research reveals that globally, employees spend 5.5 to 6 hours per week simply searching for documents— a staggering productivity drain that particularly impacts smaller businesses with limited resources.
Canon's Document Management System addresses this challenge by enabling quick document retrieval using keywords, while a Uniflow print management solution ensures secure printing through user authentication, prevents misuse by tracking print activities, and delivers substantial cost savings. With each sheet of 70 GSM paper costing approximately 38 paise, reducing wasteful printing directly impacts an MSME's bottom line.
Market leadership through service excellence
Canon's dominance in India's imaging market— it has held the number one position in the mono and IR series for ten consecutive years — stems from more than just product quality. "Achieving leadership is one thing, but maintaining it is even more challenging. Product quality is essential, but after-sales service is what sustains long-term success," Tiwari emphasised at the ET SME Summit.
Canon is now positioned as a crucial partner for the Diamond City’s MSME landscape. Its service-first approach resonates particularly well in a price-sensitive and value-driven market, where customers prioritise product quality, cost efficiency, timely service, and strong resale value. Canon's has a comprehensive service network with over 24 direct offices, 1,000 indirect service points, and 1,180-plus service partners covering every corner of India.
Innovation meets sustainability
The company’s commitment to MSMEs extends to environmental responsibility, which is crucial for businesses increasingly focused on sustainable operations. Technologies such as On-Demand Fixing save up to 40% energy, while managed print services reduce paper waste and carbon footprints. This alignment with eco-sustainability goals helps Indian MSMEs meet their environmental objectives while controlling operational costs.
Canon’s innovation credentials are impressive, ranking among the top five US patent recipients and leading in R&D investment. It also manufactures machines for other original equipment manufacturers, demonstrating the technological depth that benefits Indian MSMEs through advanced, reliable solutions.
A partnership built to last
Canon's approach to the Indian market reflects a deep understanding of local business culture and requirements. In Surat, a city Tiwari described as having "energetic vibes, Canon works through trusted partners such as the Messages Overseas Corporation, maintaining a remarkable 98.35% satisfaction rating.
This localised partnership model, combined with transparent agreements and industry-leading buyback values, creates a support ecosystem that MSMEs can rely on for long-term growth plans. Canon A3 multifunction devices come with a dedicated five-year life span and the highest buyback value in the industry, providing MSMEs with predictable technology investment returns.
As India's MSME sector continues its growth trajectory, Canon's vision of ‘Making Business Simple’ is increasingly relevant. The company's comprehensive portfolio, spanning multifunction devices, document solutions, surveillance systems with AI-based analytics, and cybersecurity features, positions it as a one-stop technology partner for growing businesses.
"To stay relevant in India, one must understand its people, its pulse, and its sentiment," Tiwari concluded at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit - Surat.
In a market where technology partnerships can make or break MSME growth ambitions, Canon's Japan-origin reliability combined with India-specific innovations offers a compelling proposition. As Indian businesses continue to digitise and scale, Canon's imaging expertise is proving to be much more than just about cameras. It's about capturing opportunities for sustainable business growth.
The ET Make in India SME Regional Summits, ET MSME Day, and ET MSME Awards are flagship initiatives to celebrate the versatility and success of India’s MSME sector. If you lead or are part of a micro, small, or medium enterprise, register for the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
"People often associate Canon with cameras or printers. But Canon is much more; it is an imaging company. If it can be imaged, Canon can manufacture it," explained Raj Tiwari, Senior Sales Manager at Canon India, speaking at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit in Surat. The summit, which had ‘Make in Surat, scale for the world’ as its theme, concluded on July 18, 2025. Canon was the tech enabler for the edition.
Tailored for India, built for growth
After establishing its India operations in 1997, Canon made a strategic shift around 2013-14 that would prove transformative for MSMEs.
"When I joined Canon in 2009 after a banking career, we were selling globally-designed models. But as the Indian market grew, Canon started designing products specifically for Indian requirements," Tiwari recalled.
This localisation strategy has yielded practical innovations that directly address small business needs. Canon introduced models supporting Indian Legal paper formats, different from international standards, and developed specialised cheque scanners aligned with RBI's same-day clearing policies. These UV and non-UV cheque scanners are now widely used across regional and cooperative banks, demonstrating the company’s deep understanding of India's unique business ecosystem.
The security imperative
For MSMEs operating in an increasingly digital landscape, security is paramount. Canon's approach addresses this critical concern through multiple layers of protection. "Here’s a real-world example: an international bank suffered a cyberattack. Investigations revealed the breach occurred via an internet-connected A3 multifunction device," Tiwari noted, highlighting the often-overlooked security vulnerabilities in office equipment.
Canon's multifunction devices come equipped with advanced whitelisting and blacklisting features to prevent such threats. It also offers secure, offline scanning solutions, ensuring sensitive business data remains protected.
Solving the productivity puzzle
One of the most significant challenges facing MSMEs is document management efficiency. Canon's research reveals that globally, employees spend 5.5 to 6 hours per week simply searching for documents— a staggering productivity drain that particularly impacts smaller businesses with limited resources.
Canon's Document Management System addresses this challenge by enabling quick document retrieval using keywords, while a Uniflow print management solution ensures secure printing through user authentication, prevents misuse by tracking print activities, and delivers substantial cost savings. With each sheet of 70 GSM paper costing approximately 38 paise, reducing wasteful printing directly impacts an MSME's bottom line.
Market leadership through service excellence
Canon's dominance in India's imaging market— it has held the number one position in the mono and IR series for ten consecutive years — stems from more than just product quality. "Achieving leadership is one thing, but maintaining it is even more challenging. Product quality is essential, but after-sales service is what sustains long-term success," Tiwari emphasised at the ET SME Summit.
Canon is now positioned as a crucial partner for the Diamond City’s MSME landscape. Its service-first approach resonates particularly well in a price-sensitive and value-driven market, where customers prioritise product quality, cost efficiency, timely service, and strong resale value. Canon's has a comprehensive service network with over 24 direct offices, 1,000 indirect service points, and 1,180-plus service partners covering every corner of India.
Innovation meets sustainability
The company’s commitment to MSMEs extends to environmental responsibility, which is crucial for businesses increasingly focused on sustainable operations. Technologies such as On-Demand Fixing save up to 40% energy, while managed print services reduce paper waste and carbon footprints. This alignment with eco-sustainability goals helps Indian MSMEs meet their environmental objectives while controlling operational costs.
Canon’s innovation credentials are impressive, ranking among the top five US patent recipients and leading in R&D investment. It also manufactures machines for other original equipment manufacturers, demonstrating the technological depth that benefits Indian MSMEs through advanced, reliable solutions.
A partnership built to last
Canon's approach to the Indian market reflects a deep understanding of local business culture and requirements. In Surat, a city Tiwari described as having "energetic vibes, Canon works through trusted partners such as the Messages Overseas Corporation, maintaining a remarkable 98.35% satisfaction rating.
This localised partnership model, combined with transparent agreements and industry-leading buyback values, creates a support ecosystem that MSMEs can rely on for long-term growth plans. Canon A3 multifunction devices come with a dedicated five-year life span and the highest buyback value in the industry, providing MSMEs with predictable technology investment returns.
As India's MSME sector continues its growth trajectory, Canon's vision of ‘Making Business Simple’ is increasingly relevant. The company's comprehensive portfolio, spanning multifunction devices, document solutions, surveillance systems with AI-based analytics, and cybersecurity features, positions it as a one-stop technology partner for growing businesses.
"To stay relevant in India, one must understand its people, its pulse, and its sentiment," Tiwari concluded at the ET Make in India SME Regional Summit - Surat.
In a market where technology partnerships can make or break MSME growth ambitions, Canon's Japan-origin reliability combined with India-specific innovations offers a compelling proposition. As Indian businesses continue to digitise and scale, Canon's imaging expertise is proving to be much more than just about cameras. It's about capturing opportunities for sustainable business growth.
The ET Make in India SME Regional Summits, ET MSME Day, and ET MSME Awards are flagship initiatives to celebrate the versatility and success of India’s MSME sector. If you lead or are part of a micro, small, or medium enterprise, register for the ET MSME Awards 2025 before August 31, 2025.
