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Ricoh SA embraces digital workplace

Kgaogelo Letsebe
By Kgaogelo Letsebe, Portals journalist
Johannesburg, 27 Nov 2017

Ricoh SA, formerly wholly-owned by Ricoh Europe, has unveiled a digital workspace solutions lab, fitted with the latest offerings, at its new offices in Linbro Business Park, Johannesburg.

According to Lauren Timmer-Somer, head of Marketing and Technology Services at Ricoh SA, the move was prompted by the need to specialise and customise office solutions for customers. "Digitalisation has challenged businesses of all sizes for a number of years already. It demands operations be reinvented for maximum benefit. But the challenge arises from the fact that it is not a straightforward swap of analogue to digital because no two transformation projects are alike. Through the show centre gives us a tactile opportunity to allow customers to engage future solutions and extend the potential into their own businesses."

The interactive centre has its own WiFi network. Customers can use it to download Ricoh's Smart Device Connector app from the Play Store or Apple App Store, connect directly to any of the demonstration devices, and begin interacting for live and visceral engagement.

"We see time and again the keen level of interaction opens customers' imaginations to the broad possibilities of the innovative digitalised solutions in their own organisations," says Jacques van Wyk, COO of Ricoh SA. "They may initially be interested in a simple, high lumen projector but see the strategic benefits of interactive, short throw projectors and smart boards for dispersed or mobile project teams and their own customers. The glimpse into paperless offices and digitalised workflows that feed accurate, reliable data to decision-making business processes that lead strategic activities really highlights their way forward."

New offerings from Ricoh include a digital white board that is fully collaborative with 20 other connected devices, comes standard with Skype for business and can be viewed on browser to include more participants.

Referring to a study commissioned by Ricoh, Timmer-Somer says 65% of the 3 600 workers surveyed say automation technology will enable them to be more productive. "Workers want innovative technology and digital solutions to help them increase their productivity. While 52% agree that artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on their role. More than 41% of employees see e-mail and 37% meetings as their biggest daily time wasters. That's even more than the 29% who think the same of commuting. Meanwhile 98% are positive about the potential of new technology to empower them to work in smarter ways. This includes 44% who perceive more immediate access to data, 42% the ability to work from home more frequently, and 41% a reduction in repetitive tasks."

Product Manager Zelda Emmerick adds that the company's new Smart Device Connector app provides an easier method to send documents for printing and collect scanned images using your Apple or NFC-compatible Android-based smart device. "With the app installed on your smart device, you can connect to a compatible Ricoh multifunction printer without the need to register your smart device or join your organisation's network."

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