Inside Ricoh’s Grand Opening of Customer Experience Centre: AI, Hybrid Work, Innovation, and Sustainability

The grand opening of Ricoh's Customer Experience Centre (CEC) at our Sydney headquarters brought together over 100 attendees from our valued network of customers, partners, and vendors, making it a day to remember. 

With our commitment to digital transformation and sustainability on full display, the Workplace Reimagined: Shaping the New Era of Work event offered unique insights into the future of hybrid work and how advanced technologies are reshaping productivity and collaboration. We were thrilled to welcome a diverse group of partners, customers, and vendors, all integral to Ricoh’s mission of creating efficient, sustainable, and innovative workplace solutions.

Yasu Takahashi, Managing Director of Ricoh Australia, set the tone for the day in his opening remarks, sharing Ricoh's vision for the CEC. "We created this space to offer our customers, vendors, and partners a hands-on environment to engage with solutions tailored to the demands of modern workplaces. It’s a demonstration to our commitment to digital transformation and sustainable practices." Yasu also emphasised that the CEC is available to our customers, vendors and partners to host their own events, reinforcing our commitment to bettering the community in which we operate.  

Exploring the Future of (human) Work: Dr. Sean Gallagher's Keynote

One of the event's highlights was a keynote by Dr. Sean Gallagher, an internationally recognised thought leader on the future of work. His engaging presentation on generative AI (GenAI) captivated the audience, who were eager to learn how AI tools can boost productivity when used thoughtfully.

Dr. Gallagher presented thought-provoking data and examples, such as Moderna’s plans to launch 15 new products with just 6,000 employees empowered by AI, compared to a projected 10,000 without it. Gallagher emphasised the importance of ongoing engagement with AI tools to maximise their potential: "The more we integrate AI into our workflows, the more we can unlock its efficiency benefits." He was also impressed with the high engagement from attendees, sharing, “It’s great to see so many professionals invested in understanding GenAI’s potential and asking questions that show a real interest in its applications now and in the future.”

Gallagher also challenged traditional views, explaining that AI shouldn't be seen as a replacement for human talent but as an empowering tool. One “Did You Know” moment was when Gallagher mentioned that AI-driven productivity could increase task efficiency by 25%. With AI’s potential for creating new outputs in text, images, audio, and video, Gallagher encouraged attendees to see AI as a complement to human creativity and capability.

Immersive Tours of the Ricoh Experience Centre

The event also included guided tours showcasing the different zones within the CEC, each designed to represent the future of collaborative workspaces and digital innovation.

1. The Collaboration Space: This central hub is a proof to Ricoh’s human-centric hybrid solutions, complete with a stunning 180” LED display and integrated cameras and audio zones that elevate the experience for virtual and in-person meetings alike.
2. The Ricoh Graphic Communications (RGC)Print Showroom: Visitors explored our graphic communications solutions and were impressed by the innovative technology and print quality on display, offering a glimpse into the future of commercial & industrial printing.
3. The National Technical Support Diagnostic Lab: This lab is where we replicate and troubleshoot customer-reported issues, ensuring operational reliability. It’s an essential element of Ricoh’s end-to-end technical support, demonstrating our commitment to customer success.
4. The Pilot Zone: Designed to showcase Ricoh’s ability to transform workspaces, this area features advanced human-centric technologies that support both flexible and productive hybrid work environments. 

Ricoh’s Vision for Sustainable Transformation

Ricoh’s commitment to sustainability was highlighted in a powerful opening video, showcasing our more than 80 years legacy of environmental stewardship globally. From the energy-efficient design of the CEC to our eco-friendly practices, we remain dedicated to minimising our environmental impact. As Yasu Takahashi said, “Our new CEC is proof of our commitment to sustainable digital transformation, and we’re eager for our customers, vendors, and partners to make the most of these facilities.”

The Power of Partnership and Innovation

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Steve Barkla, Director, APAC Partners & Alliances at Nintex remarked, “Having partnerships with companies like Ricoh, who champion technology innovation, is invaluable. We’re thrilled to be part of this journey and to explore more opportunities together.” 

Emmanuel Buhagiar, Director at Imagination Graphics, shared his positive impressions of Ricoh’s Customer Experience Centre opening. "It was great to attend and listen to Dr. Sean Gallagher’s talk on AI. I found it both interesting and highly relevant to our work, offering new insights into how AI can be effectively applied in our business," he said. Emmanuel also appreciated the guided tour of the CEC, noting, "the tour of the new facility was valuable, and the viewing of a couple of the machines was most impressive."

Couldn’t make it to our event?

Ricoh’s Customer Experience Centre launch was a window into the future of work, innovation, and sustainability. From Dr. Gallagher’s insights on GenAI and hybrid work to the immersive tours and lively discussions, the day embodied how Ricoh continues to lead in digital solutions that meet competitive market needs.

If you couldn’t attend, we invite you to schedule a guided tour to experience firsthand how Ricoh is shaping the new era of work. 

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