For finance professionals this isn’t simply about saying yes or no to proposed big ticket IT investments that profess to be a silver bullet for the company’s prospects. Digital transformation has been identified as the number one priority for CFOs in 2021*. So it’s time for finance and IT collaboration. This will ensure that digital financial management systems such as automated accounts payable and accounts receivable can be implemented in the smoothest possible way. This results in minimum disruption and maximum business benefit going forward.

See what you could save by automating your accounts payable – use our ROI calculator

Now is the right time for finance and IT collaboration

Increased remote and hybrid working has applied an accelerator to many finance technology investments. Many of these investments have long been aspired by finance departments to improve their efficiency and the financial performance of their organisations. But without the pressure of external influences these have never been realised. Increased automation in FinTech is a major trend that many of us want to embrace. Even more so as we look to move beyond paper-based workflows into a more agile digital future.

The benefit of finance and IT collaboration

Decisions on technology implementations should be taken in conjunction with the IT experts. Constructive finance and IT collaboration will reveal the existing state of systems within the enterprise, identify the best solutions and partners in the market to integrate with this infrastructure, and provide the right levels of ongoing support and training. With finance and IT in close collaboration you can plot the steps that need to be taken. For example, identifying the potential pitfalls that might arise as well as the additional opportunities that can arise with close collaboration.

Why finance and IT collaboration is so important

Latest statistics indicate that some 25 per cent of technology implementations are regarded as unsuccessful. This is a result of them failing to meet the originally defined project objectives and expectations.

If finance and IT teams apply genuine collaboration you are more likely to ensure you don’t join this lengthy list. With the right application of expertise and planning, combined with support from an expert integration partner, you can realise success and positive return on investment comparatively quickly.

The digital technology finance teams should adopting

Discover more about the technology finance departments need to adopt a hybrid working approach. Realise greater efficiency, accuracy as well as future continuity. Digital solutions such as automated accounts payable and accounts receivable are obvious first key steps. Learn more about these technologies by accessing useful reading and resources here.

Further reading and resources for finance teams

Further reading and resources for IT teams

The post How Finance and IT collaboration can accelerate digital transformation appeared first on Insights - Empowering Digital Workplaces.

Remote and agile working is here to stay. No matter what the future holds, it’s safe to say the workplace as we knew it has changed forever. Yes, many workers will return to the workplace. But it is unlikely that a large percentage will work exclusively in an office location. More likely, a majority of people will want to maintain a hybrid working style, primarily as they enjoy the flexibility and work-life balance provided by remote working. But with a large proportion of your people working in this way, will this create challenges for your business?

Read our Executive White Paper to learn more.

Remote workers frustrated and undermined by poor device technology

Recent research by Ricoh has discovered that 78% of managers and 53% of employees who are remote working will have experienced technology concerns. Which, in turn, has led to a lack of productivity, frustrations, and unhappiness. Interestingly, managers, in particular, seem to have struggled with the technology demands of a home working set-up. Perhaps this is due to a long history and familiarity of a traditional office environment. Or a reflection of a lesser affinity or experience with technology than their younger counterparts.

Inferior technology has also been an issue with many employees raising issues with poor communication, collaboration, and process. 66% of remote working managers and 42% of employees state that they are struggling with procedures such as reporting and administration. 

So, employee technology has a vital part to play in a hybrid workplace to ensure future business success. It will also play a crucial role in the experience for your employees, their contentment with the organisation, and, potentially their job satisfaction. 

Why Microsoft Surface as a Service could be the best solution

The starting point to address these challenges is reviewing the technology itself. You need to equip your people with devices that are efficient, flexible, powerful, and agile. Allowing you to adapt to every type of role and function across your remote workforce. Your IT team will require a proven supplier who can provide a range of devices that adhere to a common standard across all device types and software ensuring ease of operation, security, and support organisation-wide.

A proven solution for business

Designed for the modern workplace and loved by employees due to the number of elegant, light, and high-performance options Microsoft Surface as a Service delivers. From the sublime Surface Pro X with its sleek 2-in-1 design to the ever-popular Surface Laptop 3 with its two screen size options and outstanding performance. Whatever the needs of the business or its employees, Microsoft has a Surface for all situations or usages. And in every case, you can be confident you are supplying your people with a robust, secure, and reliable device.

Secondly, you need to consider the communication and collaboration requirements of the business. Software, tools, and systems that work seamlessly and support productivity, efficiency, and simplicity of use.

Powerful cloud software and productivity apps

Again, Microsoft Surface as a Service is hard to beat in this respect. With their powerful Office 365, Cloud architecture as the productivity backbone for many organisations, coupled with the flexibility and agility of the Surface range, remote workers are provided with an optimum solution. Plus the inclusion of apps including Office, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint makes remote collaboration easy, helping your people work together, anywhere.

Finally, and very much of equal importance is employee experience. For those workers who choose to work remotely, their device is in essence, their new office experience. Historically your organisation has invested heavily to create highly desirable office spaces, meeting rooms, and comfortable breakout areas. Now, with a high proportion of employees actively choosing to work remotely. Businesses need to apply a similar focus to the quality and performance of the device technology, software, and connectivity that they provide to these workers.

Devices that perform and inspire

Support your people with Microsoft Surface-as-a-Service and provide them with devices that not only work but inspire. Remote working now enables employees to work how and when they like. Whether that’s in the kitchen, the lounge, or the cafe. So give them a device that can adapt to their work style, has excellent battery life and is thoughtfully designed. Surface Laptop Go, and Surface Pro 7 are versatile and powerful business-orientated devices which provide a great user experience.

Microsoft Surface-as-a-Service also makes financial sense

We know device technology is going to play a pivotal role in the future, in terms of productivity and experience. And we also know that Microsoft Surface, coupled with 365, provides a desirable, reliable, and dependable platform for businesses. The question now is, how should this technology be procured when cash flow and expenditure is challenging for many businesses?

CapEx vs OpEx

Typically devices are purchased outright by businesses. A lumpy capital investment (CapEx) that sits on the balance sheet and depreciates over time. This style of purchasing is now outdated and not fit for today’s agile economy. As in many other areas of purchasing. It is more beneficially active to finance as an operating expense (OpEx). Which only requires a monthly fee for the items purchased, does not depreciate, and provides far greater flexibility and agility during the agreement.

Outsourcing as a managed service

Beyond the operational process of purchasing, there are also issues of maintenance and support. For IT devices, these responsibilities currently fall to the IT department who are already massively busy maintaining the IT operations and infrastructure of the organisation. Managing numerous IT devices and support calls are not necessarily their speciality. And quite frankly, something that they would rather avoid if possible.

Flexibility to scale

Device as a Service, or to use its acronym, DaaS, is a far more appropriate way for businesses to manage their device fleet. Software is now purchased as a service (SaaS), the same will now apply to  IT and devices that your organisation require. Buying on demand, as a monthly fee and scaled to the number of users you have is a far more efficient purchasing method. So, outsourcing the supply and day-to-day management of devices is a far smarter, more modern way to purchase for your organisation.

Microsoft Surface-as-a-Service benefits

Buying Microsoft Surface and 365 ‘as a service’ from Ricoh will solve the many challenges that your organisation is struggling to overcome. It will enhance the employee experience, improve security, increase productivity, and save your organisation money. Microsoft Surface as a Service makes business sense.

• Improve employee experience by providing better tools for the job and a faster response to IT software and hardware requests
• Familiarity with Office 365, plus the latest updates, will mean users can work from anywhere and collaborate easily through the use of Microsoft Teams
• A continuous replacement programme will maintain the latest advanced equipment. Meaning employees can work faster and be more productive, resulting in them achieving more and improving their overall wellbeing
• New devices also ensure that the latest accessibility solutions are available, helping to create more inclusivity through technology
• Protect employees from cyber attacks with the latest built-in, cloud-powered security
• End of life management procedures ensure full data protection and GDPR compliance 

Read our Executive White Paper

To learn more about DaaS and the business reasons behind moving to this model of purchasing,  read our Executive White Paper. 

About Ricoh UK:

Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, communication services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.co.uk

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