Digital Transformation
Message
Respecting unchanging values and new challenges, we are proud of our long history and traditions as a trading company, while at the same time making it our mission to continue innovating for the future. In recent years in particular, advances in digital technology have dramatically changed the way business is conducted.
In response to these changes, our company has been proactively promoting digital transformation (DX).
Specifically, we have been working on automating business processes using RPA (Robotic Process Automation), bringing in in-house data scientists, quickly grasping market trends through data analysis, and introducing generative AI and the latest digital tools and providing literacy education.
Going forward, we will continue to leverage digital technology to innovate our business and strive for sustainable growth. We appreciate your support and cooperation.
President & CEO
MasaKi Morohoshi
Progress of DX Promotion
To promote DX, it is essential to utilize data and introduce digital technology.
First, we have reviewed our internal business processes and are utilizing RPA to automate and streamline operations.
We also began developing digital talent early on and were able to bring data scientists in-house. In 2021, we formed a DS (Data Solution) team composed of data scientists, which enabled us to improve the efficiency of internal operations and perform data analysis by utilizing on-site domain knowledge, and we have also begun providing data visualization, analysis, and simulation services to external parties.
In addition, in 2024, we have newly established a DX strategy team and introduced generative AI and no-code/low-code tools to achieve faster and more accurate business operations than ever before.
History of major initiatives
DX Initiative Goals
Our medium-term plan is to create and provide new added value to solve social issues and aim for sustainable growth.
In particular, the plan includes reviewing and improving existing business, improving adaptability to changes in the environment surrounding the company and the VUCA environment, and utilizing the latest digital technologies to upgrade employees' standard equipment and improve productivity. To achieve these goals, we will plan and devise various DX measures and promote company-wide initiatives.
Main measures
- Introduction and stable use of the latest digital technologies
- Introduction of generative AI (Copilot) and Microsoft Power Platform
- Introduction of AI chatbots
- Introduction of business operation efficiency tools (AI translation, minutes creation, AI-OCR, etc.)
- Business efficiency improvement projects using Python and stable operation of RPA
- Data transfer to cloud file server Box
- Setup of guidelines for electronic signatures
- Actions based on the Electronic Bookkeeping Act
- DX Human Resource Development
- Activities to promote the use of the latest digital tools (training, workshops, etc.)
- Excel training
- Introduction of E-Learning for DX education
DX Promotion Structure
In order to accelerate our digital transformation activities, we have built the following digital transformation promotion structure in collaboration with external partners, centered around the DX Strategy Team, which was newly established under the Business Department in April 2024, along with the ICT Infrastructure Team and Data Solution Team. At the same time, we are also working on developing DX talent through various training programs, in-house seminars, workshops, and the introduction of e-learning.
DX Case Studies
IT infrastructure development
- Setup of cloud analysis environment (AWS, Azure)
- Introduction of Microsoft 365 E5 plan
- Introduction of generation AI (Copilot)
- Introduction of Microsoft Power Platform
- Introduction of cloud storage service Box
Data utilization
- Data visualization, analysis, and simulation using AWS and Python,Automating internal business operations
- In-house development, maintenance, and operation of chatbots using generative AI
DX human resource development
- Training of data scientists
- Python training
- Data science training
- Power Automate training and workshops
- Excel training
- Generative AI training and workshops
- Introduction of E-Learning for DX education
Introducing tools to improve work efficiency
- RPA development, maintenance and operation
- Introduction of Sansan, a business card management tool
- Introduction of Kintone, an application for improving business efficiency
- Introduction of the AI translation tool YarakuZen
- Introduction of a minutes-taking tool