Infomation Ricoh completes feasibility study to digitalize work sites in the Philippines lacking electrification Digital transformation of educational and agricultural sites with small-scale hydroelectric power generation using 3D Printers and image scanner ScanSnap
TOKYO, November 19, 2024 - Ricoh Company, Ltd. today announced it has completed its feasibility study that aims to digitalize work sites in the Philippines lacking electrification, which was selected for the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) Small and Medium Enterprises and SDGs Business Support Project in FY2020 and the project has moved into the proof-of-concept phase on site, in partnership with PFU Limited, a Ricoh Group company.
The feasibility study examined the business potential of providing a one-stop package that uses a small-scale hydroelectric power generation system (3D-pico hydroelectric power generation*1) with uniquely shaped wings made using a 3D printer to supply electricity in areas of the Philippines that are not electrified or have insufficient electricity, and promotes digital ways of working for people engaged in education and agriculture. Proposed by WEeeT-CAM, an internal team of TRIBUS, Ricoh's accelerator program for new business creation, this project was selected by JICA in 2020 and now has been completed as of 2024.
As a result of this study, the project has selected multiple educational and agricultural sites in the Philippines to demonstrate the feasibility. In particular, this proof-of-concept phase done in cooperation with PFU, using a Ricoh scanner has shown the potential of building win-win business models by promoting digital transformation locally in an emerging nation through the digitalization of parts of work routines often done manually in order to create more time to focus on creative tasks. In the future, Ricoh will consider providing packages with the 3D-pico hydroelectric power generation as LIFE PARTS service while identifying locally specific challenges and learning regional differences.
Educational and agricultural sites in the Philippines are struggling to improve productivity and increase revenue due to the scarce existence of the middle class despite the increasing population. Ricoh will promote new innovations for maximizing fulfillment through work for local people through digital services while also contributing to achieve the SDGs through its businesses.
Proof-of-Concept testing in the Philippines using ScanSnap (educational site)
Proof-of-Concept testing in the Philippines using ScanSnap (Agricultural Cooperative)
Project Overview
Proof-of-concept testing using image scanner ScanSnap iX1600 and ScanSnap SV600 scanners have demonstrated the following benefits.
Higher accounting efficiency
The main office of an agricultural cooperative was able to simplify a large volume of processes conventionally done manually by using a scanner, which reduces the amount of time required monthly for these tasks by 26 hours. A shift to paperless work processes also successfully lowered the use of paper by 1.3 kg per month, equivalent to approximately 260 sheets of A4 paper*2. ScanSnap iX1600 even realized faster responses to customers by directly sending the scanned documents to them.
Lower workload on educational sites
At education institutions, teachers are required to submit both paper and digital reports and data development was taking significant time and effort. The implementation of ScanSnap iX1600 reduced scanning time, increased efficiency in creating these reports, and dramatically mitigated time burden on teachers. This has allowed them to have more time to prepare for classes, which in turn improves the quality of education.
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*1Small-scale hydroelectric power generation of about several kW or less
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*2Equivalent to approximately 260 sheets of A4 paper. Calculating that a sheet of typical A4 paper weighs approximately 5g.
| About Ricoh |
Ricoh is a leading provider of integrated digital services and print and imaging solutions designed to support digital transformation of workplaces, workspaces and optimize business performance.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh's global operation reaches customers in approximately 200 countries and regions, supported by cultivated knowledge, technologies, and organizational capabilities nurtured over its 85-year history. In the financial year ended March 2024, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,348 billion yen (approx. 15.5 billion USD).
It is Ricoh's mission and vision to empower individuals to find Fulfillment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future.
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