posted on Newsweek on 2.6.2024
Ricoh is known the world over as a premium manufacturer and distributor of office equipment, including multifunction devices, printers, consumables, image equipment, and other information and communications technology products. However, while maintaining its commitment to manufacturing high-quality electronics and hardware, Ricoh is now evolving into an integrated digital service provider focused on the changing workplace.
"Utilizing digital solutions presents a viable option for alleviating the modern issues that companies face."
Akira Oyama, President & CEO, Ricoh
The company's President and CEO, Akira Oyama explains, "The work styles of our customers have been evolving in recent years, driven in part by the diversification of values in the world and the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic," says Mr. Oyama. "This has led to an increasingly hybrid work environment where remote work has become prevalent. To support a dispersed workforce, our customers must now digitize various business processes and workflows, and our digital solutions have successfully met their needs in this respect."
Mr. Oyama explains: "During Ricoh's 21st Mid-Term Management Strategy, Ricoh is focusing on three areas. First, IT services that support the construction and operation of the information and communications infrastructure that form the foundation of the workplace. Second, business process automation, which helps customers improve their productivity by digitizing their business processes. Lastly, the communication services that help our clients strengthen their creativity through meeting room design and the construction of hybrid work environments."
"Ricoh has a broad base of approximately 1.4 million customers around the world - from global companies to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in various industries - and a network of sales and service touch points. One of the challenges Japanese SMBs face is the labor shortage due to the declining birthrate, aging population, and slow ICT utilization. Inequality and information disparity caused by the digital divide are becoming global issues as well. One of the most promising ways to address these challenges is to promote digital solutions usage. Recognizing that SMBs often lack the necessary resources for digital implementation, Ricoh offers comprehensive solutions tailored to customer needs, encompassing a packaged approach that demands minimal maintenance and effort."
Also, Ricoh is building a strong track record in IT services, communication services, and business process services for companies around the world. Mr. Oyama outlines that it is Ricoh's objective to provide a holistic solution to address the modern challenges companies face. Ricoh is committed to creating value at the customer interface in every region of the world it does business in by enhancing the expertise of its digital workforce and localizing offerings per customer needs.
"As a workplace services provider, Ricoh focuses on developing comprehensive solutions for customers," explains Mr. Oyama. "While continuing to enhance edge devices that convert analog data into digital workflows, our research and development focus is on software, cloud technology, and platform. For example, by combining low-code/no-code development with the problem-solving capabilities of Ricoh's global sales and support structure, we can help customers to improve their field-driven operations led by frontline workers. Furthermore, cloud-based platform RICOH Smart Integration is the key to unifying hardware and software components to provide a consistent digital workflow experience. We are making substantial investments in these areas to ensure continuous innovation and service improvement."
As Ricoh continues to evolve from manufacturer to digital services provider, its business philosophy remains steadfastly the same – which is broadly to support its customers' creativity and contribute to their "Fulfillment through Work."
"I believe that creative work is worth doing in person, and the office will be a space that helps people to be more creative," stresses the CEO.
"Similarly, with the advent of generative AI, tasks traditionally performed solely by humans have become more specified, highlighting that creativity is a unique value only humans can provide. While the traditional purpose of work has been earning a salary, finding satisfaction and fulfillment in one's work has become increasingly important for overall happiness in life. We believe our digital services unleash our customers' and employees' creativity by releasing people from the tedium of repetitive tasks and enhance productivity, and ultimately increase the happiness of their lives."