To remain at the forefront of change, Ricoh maintains a fully integrated research and development structure that has accelerated the introduction of innovative, competitive products to the marketplace. Ricoh has spearheaded the worldwide move towards the digital office, providing the latest in digital office technology to a wide range of users, from top 500 corporations and government to sophisticated home offices. The company invests over 8% of its global nett sales in research and development annually. Ricoh has ten research and development plants to conduct basic and applied research into a broad array of technologies. These include optics, chemicals, mechatronics, semiconductors and digital electronics. Its research and development structure promotes overall advances in image processing, multimedia technologies and telecommunications systems. These multi-functional, PC connective products are a gateway to multimedia.