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Ricoh has given video conferencing and the humble whiteboard a serious makeover.

It’s part of the new Ricoh Unified Communication System (UCS) technology suite that allows users to scan from a multifunctional device to an interconnected and interactive whiteboard, access documents in virtual meetings via a network or the cloud, and host secure video conferences linking up to 20 sites. Communicator investigates the technology that’s reducing business travel costs and improving time utilisation and office collaboration.

Adding value and saving money, that’s the objective of Ricoh’s new Unified Communication System or UCS, which includes the next-generation in video communication. The UCS is an innovative video conferencing solution that integrates video, audio, text and interactive media. And, it doesn’t require a dedicated video conference room because the system is portable and uses a WiFi network to connect.

The device itself (P3500) is lightweight and has an A4 footprint making it extremely portable. Staff can carry the

P3500 unit for collaborative meetings and link it up to 20 sites. The unit has all the bells and whistles you’d expect – HD picture quality, 125-degree wide angle camera with a zoom function, exceptional sound quality – and it’s scalable, meaning you can add on external microphones, speakers and a sophisticated camera for larger groups. It also integrates PC data so that participants can share spreadsheets, text documents and other data for interactive conference sessions with the security of data encryption. Participants can also join video conferences through their laptops or tablets from anywhere.

Sitting alongside the UCS is Ricoh’s new interactive whiteboard (with sizes varying from 22” to a staggering 84”). It makes collaboration easy and takes brainstorming to another level.

The Ricoh controller allows remote information sharing and collaboration between up to 20 devices and 20 PC or tablet users. It allows for graphics, images, diagrams and videos to be displayed and annotated – you can even share your work and save it into PDF format.

With the whiteboard it’s as simple as switching on and interacting – write, draw, edit, erase, move, flip through pages, print, share and save. Train your teams in different branches, review plans and analyse data, all without leaving the office.

Michael Ishak is overseeing Ricoh’s Live Office Programme, which is tasked with setting up a working example of all of the solutions Ricoh provides. He, like his colleagues at Ricoh NZ, is a huge fan of the technology.

“We’re rolling out the video conferencing and interactive whiteboards to our branch network so that we can hold meetings any day of the week with everyone. While it’s important to have face-to-face time, our Managing Director can now get the nationwide management team together at the push of a button and save significantly on travel costs,” says Michael.

“We estimate businesses will save around 30 per cent of their internal travel costs by utilising our UCS,” he adds.

But it’s not only business that’s reaping the benefits of this technology. Ishak says the technology is widely used in the education sector as a teaching tool and a number of sports teams use it to review game performance. “Within the Ricoh network we know of rugby teams that are using the technology to review training and review their games. Coaches can replay the game via the whiteboard and annotate different plays to illustrate where and how players can improve technique.”

For more information on this brand new technology contact your nearest Ricoh office, go online at www.ricoh.co.nz or call 0800 80 76 76.