Smart workplace boosts efficiency for French retail giant

The tidal wave of information technology and artificial intelligence has not only revolutionised the way in which we work, but also seen companies speed up their pace of digital transformation. Meanwhile, the emergence of smart workplace is gradually changing the way the business world defines workplace. How to boost work efficiency through changes in the workplace is an issue facing many companies in the future. With that in mind, SIPLEC International Ltd. is taking advantage of a recent opportunity to relocate office by establishing a future-proof smart workplace.

SIPLEC International Ltd. is the sourcing officer of E.leclerc, the largest retail chain in France. Servicing European supermarket chains and general customers, it mainly engages in sourcing, quality assurance, product development, price negotiation, transportation control and logistics. Its mission is to provide high-quality, reasonably priced and sustainably sourced products. Recently, SIPLEC had to move office locations as the building where their office was situated had to be demolished. At the recommendation of property agent Knight Frank, they turned to Ricoh Hong Kong Limited.

Content

1. Acclaimed smart workplace solution
2. Design incorporated in new technologies & bespoke suggestions
3. More shared spaces, greater efficiency
4. Positive employee feedback to one-stop solutions

Acclaimed smart workplace solution

Steve Ng, Senior Director, Knight Frank’s Head of Kowloon Office Strategy & Solutions, Greater China, says: “One tricky issue in this collaboration with SIPLEC was that we had to work within a very tight timeframe. As the building where their office was situated had to be demolished and rebuilt, SIPLEC couldn’t renew their existing tenancy and had to move their office. We previously had collaborated with Ricoh and there was a good understanding between us, which was why we suggested SIPLEC to involve Ricoh as our partner to take care of the project design and build.” To help SIPLEC with the new office, Ricoh came up with a solution: its Workplace Design Services.

According to Jean-Benoît Pujol, Managing Director of SIPLEC International Ltd, SIPLEC’s old office had many limitations that undermined employees’ performance. For example, there was a lack of advanced audio-visual equipment in the meeting rooms, making it difficult for employees to hold meetings with great efficiency. Another problem was that while employees needed more meeting rooms and showrooms to cope with the company’s expansion, the old office did not have enough space. There was also a dearth of shared spaces. Although there was a pantry, it was too small and ill-equipped for employees to properly enjoy their lunch and interact with colleagues. 

Extended reading: More space or less space? Workplace design strategies to adapt to the hybrid working style

In light of the limitations of SIPLEC’s office space and the needs of its employees, Ricoh’s professional team integrates design ideas and technology to create a comprehensive smart workplace solution with features addressing SIPLEC’s specific needs.

Design incorporated in new technologies & bespoke suggestions

In light of the limitations of SIPLEC’s office space and employees’ needs, Ricoh’s professional team integrated various design ideas and technology to create a comprehensive smart workplace solution, complete with features addressing SIPLEC’s specific needs. To optimise the workflow, Ricoh’s team installed brand new video conference equipment in the meeting rooms of the new office. The equipment has significantly improved the overall quality of work meetings and coordination among employees. In addition, with an integrated server, and by using the Cisco Meraki Network Solution, SIPLEC can now centrally manage IT resources, thus easing employees’ workload. On the security front, the new office is now equipped with a cutting-edge surveillance and security system that enables easier access control and implementation of security measures. 

How Cisco Meraki adapt to the hybrid working style?

More shared spaces, greater efficiency

To promote effective communication in SIPLEC’s new office, Ricoh has created different shared spaces for staff members to interact with each other outside the workplace and to meet customers in a more pleasant setting. The new shared spaces allow SIPLEC’s employees to present the company’s products physically or online to clients and be more efficient at work. Also, the new pantry is a cosy space where employees can take a break, mingle with others or take meals and enjoy a better in-office dining experience. 

The new shared spaces allow SIPLEC’s employees to present the company’s products physically or online and be more efficient at work.

Positive employee feedback to one-stop solutions

SIPLEC’s staff members are thoroughly pleased with the new office. According to Pujol, feedback from employees has been positive, as the new design enables them to interact with each other in a way like never before. Visitors such as buying teams and shop owners meeting SIPLEC’s employees in the new office have also expressed delight at the change. 

Commenting on the collaboration with Ricoh, Pujol says: “Ricoh understands very clearly and very well our expectation and our needs. They also managed to execute the whole project in the very tight timeline. Both design and onsite work teams, executed the project very well. The one-stop solution provided by Ricoh, both workplace design and technology integration showed a lot of advantages. Having an in-house IT specialist to support the shole project was a key factor of success. Overall, the performance of Ricoh on the whole project has been remarkable.”

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