#Japan #Yokohama #Okamura #ELEMENTS #SugeKae

Okamura's Innovative Leap with 'SugeKae'

In a groundbreaking move for the furniture industry, Okamura Corporation has rolled out the AI image generation tool, 'SugeKae', in collaboration with ELEMENTS, a firm renowned for its biometric and image recognition services. This integration marks Okamura as the first company in the furniture sector to utilize this technology, aiming to streamline the production of product images for proposals, especially those that involve diverse color variations.

Challenges Before Implementing 'SugeKae'

Okamura’s previous method relied on manually creating product images using their in-house 3D computer graphics (CG) data. However, they faced several hurdles:

• - Inconsistent Image Availability: Not all color variations for their products were available in every instance, which necessitated frequent requests to external CG producers whenever a specific image was needed.
• - Increased Workload: The additional requests often led to a heavier workload for their teams, needing to coordinate with external agencies repeatedly.
• - Extended Deadlines: The inability to provide images promptly resulted in delays in the sales process, hampering their responsiveness to customer demands.
• - Escalating Costs: Continuous outsourcing to third-party producers not only inflated costs but also required additional resources for quality checks of the final images.
• - New Product Adjustments: With new products being added annually, managing color variations demanded continuous updates that were hard to keep up with.

Achievements Post-'SugeKae' Integration

The adoption of 'SugeKae' has completely turned the tables on Okamura’s image production process, yielding notable improvements:

• - No Specialized Skills Necessary: Previously, creating color variant images required advanced skills in design software. Now, any team member can effortlessly produce high-quality images, significantly reducing the burden on the design departments and facilitating broader creative opportunities.
• - Reduced Lead Times: With 'SugeKae', the process of generating necessary images has become more efficient, enabling prompt internal production when images were requested during proposal preparations. This capability only enhances Okamura's ability to support sales efforts.
• - Cost Efficiency: By internalizing the image production process and minimizing reliance on external services, 'SugeKae' has helped lower production costs and streamline timelines dramatically.

Comments from Okamura's Digital Promotion Group

Sato, the head of the Digital Promotion Group at Okamura, remarked, "Our company has consistently aimed to deliver product information tailored to our customers' needs; however, preparing specific images for every color variant has presented challenges. The introduction of 'SugeKae' allows us to swiftly and easily generate the necessary images, considerably enhancing our field operations and sales support efficiency. We anticipate that this will substantially improve our delivery of information and service quality to customers." Going forward, Okamura is also contemplating integrating 'SugeKae' into their online catalog services, further expanding its utilization.

About 'SugeKae'

'SugeKae' is a user-friendly tool designed for even those without image editing expertise. It allows users to switch backgrounds or product colors by simply uploading original data and reference images, eliminating the need for complicated prompts. The primary features include changing backgrounds, clearing backgrounds, altering colors, and generating galleries.

Color Variation Functionality

Uploading a base color image alongside the desired color information enables automatic identification and replacement of specific product parts, facilitating a nuanced color deployment without the hassle of individual photoshoots for each color variant. This capability is especially beneficial for furniture elements like textile colors or paint finishes, allowing quick generation of diverse color variant images, thus enhancing the pace of catalog updates and sales materials.

About Okamura Corporation

Founded in 1945, Okamura Corporation aims to foster a vibrant society through quality products and services across various settings, including offices, educational and medical institutions, research facilities, commercial spaces, and logistics centers. Their mission reflects a commitment to elevating social value and tackling societal challenges.

Location: 19F Tenri Building, 1-4-1 Kitasaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa,
Website: Okamura Website

About ELEMENTS

ELEMENTS, founded in 2013, leverages advanced biometric and personal data management solutions aimed at addressing social issues, including financial crime and environmental concerns. Their key service—an online identity verification system—is utilized by approximately 600 companies across various sectors.

Location: 35F Nihonbashi Life Science Building, 3-8-3 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo,
Website: ELEMENTS Website

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