Case Study: Kyowa Kirin Adopts Logitech Video Collaboration Solutions

Before 2020, Kyowa Kirin used telephone and e-mail as the basic means of communication and face-to-face conferences were the norm. But over the last few years, the company has transitioned to a hybrid work model, using Microsoft Teams as their primary communication tool. 

"We had conference rooms equipped with a teleconference system for conferencing with overseas sites, but we encountered usage limitations due to connection difficulties," says Masayoshi Shibutani, Head of Cloud & Global Infrastructure Group of the ICT Solutions Division. 

When several people gathered in a conference room at the office, employees oftentimes had to arrive early in order to set up equipment and ensure the meeting started on time. Frequent impediments like network instability, interruptions, and sound issues often occurred. These issues resulted in a notable number of complaints being reported to IT, with some employees expressing a preference for working from home. 

Recognizing that future meetings will rarely involve all participants being physically present in the same room, the company decided to evaluate its current video conferencing equipment at the office and see how it measured up to the demands of hybrid work.

To improve the video conferencing environment at the office and enable more flexible hybrid work, Kyowa Kirin introduced a range of Logitech video collaboration solutions to accommodate their various spaces – from larger boardrooms, to shared desks, to huddle spaces.

Kyowa Kirin deployed Rally Plus, Rally Bar, and Rally Bar Mini to allow for simple virtual meetings using Microsoft Teams Rooms. Using Logitech Tap, employees now have the ability to start and join meetings with one touch. Additionally, Kyowa Kirin decided to deploy Logi Dock, an all-in-one docking station with meeting controls and speakerphone that can launch Microsoft Teams meetings in smaller focus rooms for one or two people. 

“In rooms where Logi Dock was installed, we were impressed by the audio range and quality of the sound, and how well it integrated with desk webcams to allow for quick calls in smaller spaces,” says Yoonji Hong at the ICT Solutions Division.

"Since overseas members also participate in our conferences, we wanted to foster an environment that brings a sense of intimacy among attendees to enhance communication,” says Mr. Shibutani. “Logitech video collaboration solutions were appealing to use because they offered superior image and sound quality compared to the PCs and smartphones normally used in video conferencing. Also, the devices were easy to use, and didn’t require manuals or training to deploy.”

Kyowa Kirin also found the ceiling-mounted Rally mic pod could be adopted for larger conference rooms, eliminating concerns about accidentally dropping the microphone pod or dealing with tangled wires. 

Ms. Hong puts it this way:

"It effectively captures low-volume sounds, so we don't need to worry about hearing the voices from far corners of larger conference rooms. The simplicity of the conference room layout further enhances the immersive and true-to-life feel during conferences."

The availability to manage devices and perform firmware updates with Logitech Sync was another plus for Kyowa Kirin, as was the high level of scalability across locations. Also, the ability for Teams Rooms users to easily participate in Zoom meetings, which are widely used by healthcare professionals, further influenced the decision to deploy Logitech video collaboration solutions.

Logitech video collaboration solutions significantly improved the conferencing experience for Kyowa Kirin employees.

“We realized the importance of Logitech video collaboration solutions after experiencing the inconvenience of a meeting room without them,” says Ms. Hong. “I’ll admit, we take them for granted now – just like how we got used to smartphones instead of basic cell phones.” 

The feedback was so positive, Kyowa Kirin decided to create an “Innovation Lab” built around Logitech Scribe, an AI-equipped whiteboard camera that can share content directly into virtual meetings. 

“People really like the way the Rally camera captures everyone seated at the table because it helps our remote participants feel like they’re part of the group. It’s a great way to bring employees together,” added Ms. Hong. 

From improving communication in conference rooms to enabling easier collaboration with remote employees, Logitech solutions have helped Kyowa Kirin create workspaces where everyone can perform at their best.  

“We look forward to using Logitech products for years to come, as they offer the flexibility we need to adapt to the new ways of working,” Ms. Hong and Mr. Shibutani concluded.