Tarek Akl, Business Development Manager – MEA at PFU EMEA Limited (A Ricoh company), explains that PFU supports digital transformation in the Middle East by improving hybrid workspaces and optimizing workflows for both private and government sectors. Their AI-powered document management solutions enhance productivity, strengthen data security, and ensure regulatory compliance.
How is PFU supporting digital transformation efforts in the Middle East, particularly in the private and government sectors?
Digital transformation is enabling collaborative work environments in the Middle East. As businesses re-evaluate and reshape their hybrid work capabilities, there is enormous opportunity to support flexible and hybrid meeting spaces focused on technology. Unfortunately, remote work office technology is not set up to be portable and taken outside of the office when needed. This is where PFU is helping hybrid meetings become more seamlessly integrated into daily business routines across organizations in the private and government sectors. We are also supporting the Middle East Governments’ digitalization agenda, with technologically advanced solutions to transform and optimize business operations.
What are the unique challenges and opportunities PFU has encountered while implementing digital transformation solutions in the Middle East?
One of the biggest challenges is getting senior management to support the digital transformation journey. Insufficient leadership support and varying opinions can slow down the pace of adoption and leave organizations behind. Once senior leadership teams set benchmarks and create a sense of urgency and enthusiasm around digital transformation, there is enormous opportunity to prioritize digital initiatives and tie it to the organization’s goals and core business objectives and get tangible results.
How does PFU tailor its document management solutions to meet the specific needs of Middle Eastern governments and businesses?
PFU’s Smart Meeting Device category includes a suite of products to elevate collaboration quality and boost meeting productivity, catering to individuals and large organizations alike. Specifically in the document management category, PFU has embedded a form of AI across its range of high-quality scanners that allow users to scan documents quickly and efficiently. It includes optical character recognition (OCR), which is based on machine learning and computer vision. Paperstream Capture, which is the capture software for the ‘fi’ and ‘SPSeries’ uses OCR to automate business workflows so that users save time with manual tasks.
What role does PFU play in helping governments in the Middle East modernize their document management systems while ensuring data security and compliance?
PFU’s technology is at the heart of simplifying workflows for organizations. With its single button scanning and release options, the end-to-end workflow for scanning to release is simple and fast, offering powerful image capture optimization as well as data extraction and organizational capabilities. These innovative solutions come with robust security controls, and are enabling organizations to streamline their workflows and solve common challenges, ultimately leading to increased productivity and innovation.
How does PFU address the cultural and regulatory differences in the Middle East when deploying digital transformation initiatives?
PFU’s products can be easily adapted to suit specific market needs. Our product portfolio comprises three distinct segments. Firstly, we offer an imaging capture solution consisting of 34 different scanners along with our PaperStream Capture Pro application. Secondly, we’ve introduced a premium projector AV range into the GCC market. Thirdly, we provide office applications including monitors and 360-degree cameras for meeting devices. Each of these supports digital transformation by boosting productivity.
What trends do you see shaping the future of digital transformation in the Middle East, and how is PFU preparing to meet these evolving needs?
We foresee more and more organizations and their employees using digital tools to complete their work, and not necessarily from a conventional office set up. The digital transformation needed to power this shift can be quite challenging. From the typically the high cost of implementation, to data integration, resistance to adoption, compatibility with other existing systems and end-user satisfaction. PFU is looking to plug these gaps by working closely with Middle East organizations to identify and adopt the most user-friendly and integrated digital solutions.
How is PFU collaborating with local partners or governments to accelerate digital transformation in the region?
We employ a two-tier distribution model in the region. We partner with authorized distributors in the GCC and Africa, who then distribute our imaging capture solutions to end-users through a network of reseller partners. These end-users span various sectors, including finance, banking, and predominantly government departments that are adopting compliance measures for document management.
What measures does PFU take to ensure that its digital transformation solutions are sustainable and adaptable to future technological advancements?
PFU invests in R&D to ensure that our products are future-proofed and ready to address specific gaps. We conduct regular seminars across different regions, including West Africa, East Africa, South Africa, and the GCC, where we showcase our products and services to both partners and end-users, highlighting their evolving capabilities. Our products have been widely adopted by numerous government departments throughout the UAE, demonstrating our capabilities to address the most pressing needs in the region.
How does PFU view the role of AI and automation in the ongoing digital transformation of the Middle East’s private and public sectors?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a major disruptor. As IoT, quantum computing, and Augmented reality become more center-field, these technologies collectively have the potential to disrupt many aspects of business, including financial models, buying and selling, company structure, and the way collaboration is done. PFU is enabling business across the private and public sectors to prepare for this shift and thoughtfully plan out their digital transformation journeys.
Can you share examples of successful digital transformation projects PFU has completed in the region, and what lessons were learned?
PFU has been supporting digital transformation in the region by streamlining inefficient workflows across industries. For example, in the banking sector, we sold 25,000 scanners to support front desk operations, enabling smooth processing of tasks, like ID scanning, internal archiving and accurately capturing data into core banking systems, as well as supporting integration of scanners with ATMs. In the past two years alone, we have sold more than 70,000 scanners to various government entities in the region, accelerating their digital ambitions. Our continued commitment to the region is reflected in the trust in our brand and services.
