Our customers working in a ubiquitous environment seek solutions
to improve productivity and support their knowledge creation,
which require unprecedented epoch-making intelligence sharing
and rich communication schemes. Ricoh is working to bring
about a new work style in offices by providing advanced "multimedia
solutions" using text, still pictures, videos, audio and 3D-CAD,
all of which fall under the heading "multimedia."
For example, video and sound provide real world energy as if you were at the scene. If we make the most of this advantage, we can greatly improve the circulation of varied knowledge and information inside the office as well as communication beyond the organization, time and place.
3D-CAD use is advancing in manufacturing facilities. Designing a product in three dimensions, rather than the conventional two-dimensional method, not only comes closer to the real product but also reduces the cost of component standardization and virtual prototyping (without physically making the piece). Further, using 3D-CAD data in divisions other than design is expected to dramatically improve efficiency across the board in manufacturing.
However, we face various issues in realizing "multimedia solutions."
For example, the labor to process video and sound is high, with many hours required. And to produce contents of advanced quality requires more money, higher skills and professional knowledge in film-making and editing, distribution, and control. These are the reasons multimedia has not spread throughout offices as fast as we might like.
To overcome these bottlenecks, we are developing a tool that encompasses filming, editing, distribution, and management efficiently and with high quality. We are focusing our research and development on such technologies as the user interface to ease video handling, the generation of added information (metadata) and their links with the video, and the generation of contents and presentations corresponding to the scenes where they need.
In extending 3D-CAD data beyond the organization, other hurdles are faced: lack of data integrity between the design division and others, and the need to keep sensitive data inside the organization. With these problems in mind, we are focusing research and development on core technologies to promote the use of 3D-CAD data: effective presentation technology, technology that responds dynamic design changes and seamless handlings of shape transformations while accommodating security needs.
Beyond researching and developing new technologies, we are
also providing our business customers concrete solutions to
find customer requirements and to search for new business.
Ricoh aims at developing useful technologies and expanding
the value we offer to customers. Ultimately, we will be the
top runner of multimedia application in offices.
