Fujitsu announced the launch of its first Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) in Australia. Located at the Macquarie University campus in Sydney, the new facility will provide a purpose-built technology-assisted workshop space and resources for current and prospective Fujitsu customers in Australia and New Zealand to develop innovative ways to address key challenges through digital transformation.
The facility utlises technology and processes to accelerate problem definition and solution design to help organisations on their digital transformation journey. Fujitsu has been actively using co-creation techniques to help define and develop solutions to address various business problems. Recent examples include a joint initiative that assists radiologists with the detection of brain aneurysms, the use of drones and video analytics to identify threatened species of plants, and the ‘Police Car of the Future’ that applies intelligent technology to improve the functionality of a police car.
The Australian DTC will add to Fujitsu’s worldwide capability, with already established DTCs in Tokyo, Osaka, Munich, London and New York.
The goal of the DTC is to organise customer ideas of the future and to develop measures to help them realise their vision and open up new ideas that could lead to new revenue sources or innovative solutions to complex problems. Businesses that can leverage emerging digital technologies to transform their business models, operating approaches, or product and service offerings, will be better positioned to compete.
The DTC will help to bring together diverse skills from technology, business, and academia to provide new perspectives and to create new value. Fujitsu’s technology and design experts will facilitate collaborative engagement with customers to achieve a dynamic mix of knowledge, creativity, ideation, and concept development. Fujitsu’s unique form of ‘design thinking’, Fujitsu Human Centric Experience Design (FUJITSU HXD), will be used to create innovative concepts faster than could be achieved if people worked in isolation.
Mike Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand said, “As Australian businesses continue to adapt to the challenges of the new digital age and what it means for their businesses, the DTC will provide an invaluable resource to help them identify ways to become a disruptor rather than be disrupted.
“We have a strong focus on encouraging innovation, and the DTC is a place where imagination can meet possibility to shape a successful digital future. Working closely with Macquarie University paves the way for future collaborative ventures between Fujitsu and the University, where corporate and academia can work together on innovative projects that would benefit from a diversity of talent.”
“Organisations can work with Fujitsu at the DTC to help address business challenges and redefine business problems with a view to jointly create a solution that takes into account different points of view. Our customers will benefit from Fujitsu’s extensive experience in helping organisations accelerate innovation by working together under the FUJITSU HXD methodology.”
The DTC will play host to regular workshops with themes around real-world problems and needs, to help generate ideas that can then be used to develop proofs-of-concept, which can be tested, modified, and turned into proofs-of-business focused on delivering tangible outcomes.
Bernard Mans, Interim Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, said, “Macquarie University has a strong record of innovation performance. Our students and researchers have been responsible for groundbreaking discoveries and solutions that have changed the world. The Fujitsu DTC will provide Fujitsu and its customers with access to exceptional Macquarie University talent and know-how, to help organisations create a clear roadmap to digital transformation success.”
Tim Sheedy, Principal Analyst at technology research and advisory firm Ecosystm said "Australian businesses are making the transition to become fast, innovative digital businesses – but every business needs help. They need somewhere to get away from their own prejudices; they need new perspectives; and they need innovation tools, processes and accelerators. Fujitsu's DTC could be a great starting point for senior executives to work with a diverse set of professionals, including academia, to design digital initiatives that help their business succeed."
Fujitsu will make the facilities of the DTC available to customers who are interested in running ‘Co-creation’ sessions to help solve specific business problems. All workshop materials and content will be translated to digital content on interactive whiteboards and screens, with scanners at each desk.
