With hybrid working becoming the norm, PFU (EMEA) Ltd, a Ricoh company, has launched the first of a raft of products in its new smart meeting category to help users experience a greater collaborative experience in meetings.
While the pandemic is – hopefully – over, it has still nonetheless left fundamental changes to the working landscape. Hybrid working – where an employee works at one at least one day a week at home with the remainder spent in the office – is now a firmly established practice. Indeed, by the end of 2023, 39% of global knowledge workers will work hybrid, up from 37% in 2022, according to research by Gartner, Inc.
“Hybrid is no longer just an employee perk but an employee expectation,” said Ranjit Atwal, senior director analyst at Gartner. “Many employees started to partially return to the office in 2022, but the hybrid workstyle will remain prominent in 2023 and beyond. To adapt, employers have been implementing a human-centric work design – including flexibility, intentional collaboration and empathy-based management – which suits hybrid employees.”
For example, IT workers are more inclined to quit their jobs than employees in other functions as they look for greater flexibility, improved work-life balance and better career opportunities. CIOs can maximise retention and attraction of talent by resetting their employee value proposition with a more human deal.
Smart meeting devices
It also means that demand for videoconferencing software has increased markedly – and for higher quality equipment. Users are increasingly wanting equipment that gives them opportunity to collaborate in more depth and quality wherever the participants are.
To cater for this growing demand, PFU (EMEA) Ltd – a RICOH company, has launched a new Smart Meeting Device category. Launched in EMEA exclusively through PFU and designed with hybrid workers in mind, the new suite of products will comprise audio visual devices that will improve collaboration quality and enhance meeting productivity for anyone from individuals to large organisations.
The Smart Meeting Device category will offer products that not only align with collaboration software, but also make meetings more immersive, engaging and collaborative. The first products to launch in this specialist category are the Ricoh Portable Monitors, with more products to arrive later in the year.
The Ricoh Smart Meeting Device Category will also provide channel resellers with an additional market opportunity. Resellers will be able to package and cross-sell the products from one vendor and have conversations not only about product specifications but about the value they can deliver across an organisation, supporting strategic goals.
“Hybrid working has changed how we meet for good,” says Hiroaki Kashiwagi, president and CEO of PFU (EMEA) Ltd. “Businesses need flexible, scalable options for running engaging and productive meetings. They require smarter technology – and our new Ricoh Smart Meeting Device category will bring significant benefits to businesses all over the world, and all from the same trusted brand.
“With our new product suite presentations can be more visually impactful and meetings more immersive, bringing an in-person energy to hybrid environments.”
Portable monitors
The Ricoh Portable Monitors – the Portable Monitor 150 and 150BW are the first products to launch within the Ricoh Smart Device category.
The monitors are equipped with high-quality, high-contrast 15.6-inch OLED screens, which deliver vivid images, making content easier to consume, review and create. The touchscreen (with optional stylus) enables the user to highlight, directly draw on or annotate content, delivering instant capture of feedback and fast, efficient communication of thoughts and ideas. Portable monitor convenience also makes the RICOH Portable Monitor 150 an ideal second screen for busy users on-the-go because it’s easy to carry, set up and use in small spaces or when travelling.
The mains powered RICOH Portable Monitor 150 provides an accessible second screen experience that’s easy to carry, set up and use anytime, anywhere. At just 560g, it’s ultra-lightweight for such a large panel.
This Portable Monitor offers value for one-to-one meetings or larger groups, and for face-to-face or hybrid meeting formats, whether in or out of the office. Using the 10-point multi-touch touchscreen (with or without stylus), users can work collaboratively, quickly and clearly by highlighting text and graphics on shared content.
Meanwhile, the 150BW is slightly heavier at 715g, but it is battery-powered and provides wireless connectivity. With no wires or cables, this portable monitor is even more convenient and easy to use.
These monitors are ideal to provide to customers or colleagues for full visibility of content and a more personal and engaging sharing experience.
Both monitors also come with a three-year warranty, to give users peace of mind, as you would expect from a leading brand.
Stylus pen
An optional stylus pen is also available to be used with the portable monitors. The stylus pen enables users to draw, annotate and mark-up content quickly and with ease. The lightweight design – incorporating a Wacom AES2.0 sensor in the nib – can detect more than 4,000 levels of pressure, and the palm rejection function allows users to continue to write on the panel screen even when part of their hand is resting on or touching the surface.
The stylus pen is just 140mm in length and 9.5mm in diameter – and weighs just 18g. So, it’s slim, tactile and comfortable to use. In addition, two function buttons on the casing enable users to change between operations with a single press – and the stylus also features a convenient clip for attaching to a pocket or folder.
These products are available now through Amazon or from the PFU (EMEA) Ltd website www.pfuemea.com. The devices will be available through channel partners soon. Further products in this category will be released later in the year.