London, 10 December, 2014 – The majority of financial services companies (73%) believe that achieving digital maturity will have a positive effect on organic business growth. An additional 69% say that it will make them more attractive to investors or potential buyers, according to research commissioned by Ricoh and conducted by Coleman Parkes.
Within the financial services sector, small businesses are the most enthusiastic about the benefits digital maturity will bring.
- 79% say that their ability to optimise processes quickly gives them a distinct advantage when pursuing digital maturity
- 70% believe they are able to understand, deploy and benefit from new technology more quickly than larger competitors
- 63% expect to reach digital maturity more quickly than larger enterprises
The confidence felt by small financial services businesses is perhaps a result of their general agility, as well as their ability to adopt new ways of working more quickly than enterprise organisations. However, 67% say they will need external help – either with all projects or in conjunction with their own internal team – to reach optimal digital maturity.
Phil Keoghan, CEO, Ricoh UK, said: “Financial services companies across the sector have been quick to recognise the enhancements and efficiencies technology can deliver, and the positive impact this can have on the bottom line. Improvements can range from a more personalized client service and the introduction of exciting apps and interactive displays, to the automation of basic admin tasks that can help increase employee productivity. Companies that are not currently looking at ways to innovate and provide better client service should start doing so. Otherwise, they will quickly find the young upstarts snapping at their heels.”
With the exception of retail, financial services have had to become the most digitally orientated in response to customer demand for easy access to transactions online and via mobile. The need to reach digital maturity is heightened further for the sector, asdigitally-savvy Generation Y (those born between 1980 and 2000) and their families will be the main buyers of financial services in the next 20 years and beyond.
Ricoh is a global technology company specializing in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in about 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2014, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,195 billion yen based on the IFRS accounting standard (approx. 21.3 billion USD).
The majority of the company’s revenue comes from products, solutions and services that improve the interaction between people and information. Ricoh also produces award-winning digital cameras and specialised industrial products. It is known for the quality of its technology, the exceptional standard of its customer service and sustainability initiatives.
Under its corporate tagline, imagine. change. Ricoh helps companies transform the way they work and harness the collective imagination of their employees.
For further information, please visit www.ricoh.co.uk
