Like many of our clients, peers and partners, we at Fujitsu have been through a period of reflection and self-assessment in the past number of years, pre-dating Covid but certainly amplified and accelerated by the events of the past 24 months. Having considered who we are, what we do and what we want to achieve, both as a company and for society, we felt that there was a need to better represent and articulate what being Fujitsu means to us. This has led to the launch of our new business brand, Uvance.
Those of you of a literary bent will recognise that Uvance is a portmanteau, a combination of the form and meaning of two or more other words. Uvance embodies a concept of making all (Universal) things move forward (Advance) in a sustainable direction, a combination not just of words, but of concepts and ideals that we feel best represents the kind of company Fujitsu wants to be.
As many other businesses are now attempting, Fujitsu has previously made the transition to become a digital first company. We’ve done this to be able to support our customers in the many challenges they are facing. While every customer’s challenges are unique, often the biggest and most complex problems of all are universal.
We recognise and understand the inflection point that we are at as a society and believe strongly that technology can play a leading role in solving these problems. The widening socioeconomic disparities and the growing threat of environmental disasters exacerbated by climate change pose immense challenges.
Furthermore, the COVID -19 pandemic has laid bare divisions and inequalities across the world, posing fundamental questions about people’s values and lifestyles, as well as previously unforeseen challenges that threaten the future of humanity and earth. All companies are now faced with the same choice: to shrug our shoulders and continue as we were, or grasp the nettle – as difficult as that might be – and decide to be a force for good in this world, even if it means making some short-to-medium-term sacrifices.
Acknowledging the importance of this pivotal moment, Fujitsu established its new purpose in 2020, taking a new path to transform into a business that’s based on the ideal vision of society to realise a more sustainable world.
This requires us to anticipate the problems that will arise in 2030 and beyond. Fujitsu has identified four specific verticals with which we believe we can make real, meaningful impact: sustainable manufacturing, consumer experience, healthy living and trusted society.
So what does this mean for Fujitsu Ireland? In many ways, Ireland presents an interesting dichotomy. In some respects, we are at the forefront of digital transformation but in others we lag behind significantly, such as:
- The new paradigm of Industry 4.0 presents a tipping point for many organisations. To thrive and remain relevant, they must adapt and lead or risk becoming obsolete.
- Security is at a premium. Following the HSE cyber-attack last year, there will be an increased appetite for public sector organisations moving workloads to the cloud. A connected citizenry is key to a trusted society.
- ESG reporting is vital for organisations. Whilst organisations are getting their heads around directives, they must implement platforms that comply with recognised standards to start them on their journey.
- Organisations are hiring new personnel to enable change (CDO) but the competition for talent remains a key factor in the rate and success of digital transformation. “The Great Resignation” continues apace and no sector or industry is immune.
As already noted, many of these issues are universal and at Fujitsu Ireland we are deeply committed to helping Irish businesses, public bodies and the Government to meet these challenges head-on. A rising tide floats all boats, and we believe it is incumbent on us as a company to develop and offer a suite of products, services and strategies that enable all of our clients and partners to drive their – and our – businesses forward in a sustainable manner. It may sound trite, but like most clichés, it’s true – we really are all in this together.
Sustainability is at the very heart of what Uvance is all about. The UN has set out a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Fujitsu has committed to meeting them by 2030. Uvance aims to generate innovation that delivers value to people, resolves societal problems and create a green and sustainable society where no-one is left behind.
We at Fujitsu Ireland are incredibly excited to begin this journey, and we look forward to bringing you – our clients, customers and partners – along with us.