The US digital signage market is often a bellwether for European industry shifts. One of the most notable trends is the growing influence of IT service providers, which raises the question: Are IT integrators like Ricoh the future dominant force in digital signage? Ricoh’s evolution from copiers to digital services.
Originally known for copiers and cameras, Ricoh has transformed into a global digital service provider. Alongside meeting room solutions and digital signage, the company has solidified its position in the industry worldwide.
In the latest SCN Top 50 ranking of integrators, Ricoh holds third place, trailing only AVI-SPL and Diversified. In 2024, the company’s Workplace Experience Division generated USD 614 million in revenue, deploying 11,600 AV installations – a relatively small part of Ricoh’s USD 15.5 billion global revenue, but a major force within the mid-sized-dominated digital signage industry.
Expanding Through Strategic Acquisitions
Ricoh has accelerated its digital signage and ProAV growth through acquisitions, securing companies such as:
- Cenero (USA)
- Datavision (Germany)
- PureAV (UK)
- AVC (Denmark)
- Videocorp (Chile)
- Go2Next (Brazil) – its most recent acquisition in May 2025
Ricoh reinforced its ambitions in fall 2024, stating: “We aim to become the world’s largest ProAV integrator.”
Certifications: A Competitive Advantage
Ricoh’s size and scale give it an edge, particularly in managed services and certifications, areas where mid-sized firms often struggle. The company holds:
- Ecovadis Platinum sustainability certification
- ISO-certified processes
- Dozens of manufacturer certifications
Strategic Partnership with LG
In September 2024, Ricoh formed its first global collaboration with LG Electronics, partnering with LG’s Digital Signage Business Unit to develop advanced workplace solutions.
This alliance strengthens Ricoh’s Workplace Experience division, integrating hardware, software, and managed services into a globally unified digital signage and ProAV offering. A standardized global service catalog is in development.
AI-Powered Service Enhancement
Most recently, Ricoh entered a strategic collaboration with Servicenow, leveraging Servicenow’s AI-driven business transformation platform to provide a unified service delivery system.
Using Servicenow’s GenAI, Ricoh plans to standardize service management across its portfolio, provide seamless, intelligent workplace solutions as well as enhance cross-border collaboration through dynamic translations.
Looking Ahead
With strategic acquisitions, global partnerships, and AI integration, Ricoh is making rapid strides toward becoming a digital signage powerhouse. As Infoomm 2025 kicks off, expect further insights into the IT-driven future of the industry.
Commentary by Florian Rotberg
Workplace experience solutions are the most scalable segment of ProAV, now closely linked to digital signage. Key players – including Ricoh, Econocom, Cancom, and software providers such as Poppulo, Appspace, and Korbyt – are capitalizing on this overlap.
With managed services becoming increasingly central, financially strong IT integrators are gaining market access despite lacking traditional digital signage expertise. These services require not only technical execution but also significant financial backing – a gap Ricoh and similar firms are well-positioned to fill.
