#Japan #Tokyo #Hybrid Cloud #DX #Nihon Book Service

Nihon Book Service Launches Innovative Hybrid Cloud Solutions

Nihon Book Service, based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, is set to officially launch its latest offering, which combines the robust reliability of traditional mainframe systems with the agility and scalability of cloud solutions. This new service aims to address common challenges faced by mid-sized specialty trading companies, warehousing, and transportation businesses from April 2025. The combination of these technologies is tailored to accelerate "defensive DX" initiatives, enhancing business performance while reducing operational costs and risks.

Services Overview

The essence of this service lies in its ability to fuse existing legacy systems, such as mainframes and IBMi, with cloud environments, thereby creating a unified operational and data integration base. This architecture allows companies to transform their DX investments into actionable strategies that can directly impact business outcomes. Whether it’s increasing sales, streamlining operations, or improving governance, the new platform is designed to turn companies' legacy systems into assets that drive growth.

Background for the Offering

In an era where merely maintaining IT isn't sufficient for survival, businesses that have relied on legacy systems for many years now face critical risks, including:

• - Fragmented order, inventory, and operational data due to independently managed systems.
• - Increased labor demands to address backlogs in outdated systems.
• - Rising maintenance costs due to vendor lock-in that hinders forward investment.
• - Challenges in establishing systems capable of supporting AI, automation, and data utilization to optimize operations.

As cloud play a pivotal role in unlocking speed and scalability for business growth, abandoning all legacy assets at once poses significant risks in terms of cost and speed. Nihon Book Service plans to shift these legacy resources into advantageous positions, ensuring the reliability of past systems while embracing the agility of the cloud, thereby facilitating a robust IT and business foundation.

Key Advantages of the New Services

1. Increased Profitability: By integrating data across the organization and leveraging AI for activities like demand forecasting and order optimization, businesses can achieve significant improvements in revenue and gross profits.
2. Optimized Costs: Utilizing a hybrid environment allows for a reduction in operational costs through effective management of both legacy assets and cloud resources.
3. Enhanced Governance: Improved system and data governance through well-structured security planning and guidelines.

The solution embraces the core reliability of legacy systems while incorporating the advantages of cloud capabilities, achieving a powerful, resilient IT foundation that adapts to change. The method includes cloud integration based on existing system preservation, phased Pilot projects to minimize operational strains, and adherence to ISMS/cloud security certifications to reduce risks associated with investments and security.

Expected Outcomes

Here are examples of the improved metrics expected in various sectors:

• - Specialty Trading Companies: A reduction of processing time for order management by 30%, improving sales capability and customer lifetime value (LTV).
• - Warehouse Operations: Achieving 98% accuracy in stock levels, resulting in a 15% improvement in inventory turnover and enhanced cash flow.
• - Transportation Sector: An increase of 10-15% in loading rates, optimizing vehicle utilization and overall consolidation.
• - Common Benefits: A 20% reduction in annual maintenance costs for IT departments, equalizing IT personnel expenses.

Nihon Book Service's Distinct Edge

Nihon Book Service stands out with over 50 years of experience in supporting the logistics of the Japanese publishing sector, managing the development, maintenance, and operation of systems for Nihon Shuppan Hanbai Co. This blend of long-standing heritage with innovative technology positions Nihon Book Service to effectively contribute to business transformation through IT.

Key examples include:

• - The launch of a state-of-the-art logistics center, integrating robotic operations with the IBMi order and cloud-based warehouse management functions.
• - Streamlining purchasing operations by enabling real-time data connections between publishers and mainframe functionalities through selective cloud integration, leading to significant cost reductions.

Comprehensive Support Services

Nihon Book Service provides extensive assistance from strategy formulation to operations:

• - Comprehensively addressing both "Defense (Infrastructure)" and "Offense (AI)" to meet simultaneous system and management enhancement goals.
• - BPO services combined with project management to ensure DX advancement despite workforce shortages.
• - Phased introduction models to visualize investment amounts, timelines, and expected results.
• - Long-term IT strategy planning for a 3-5 year outlook, inclusive of CIO support services.
• - Full-service operational monitoring and management available 24/7.

Service Launch Date

The new hybrid cloud services are set to begin in April 2025.

Contact Information

For more details and inquiries, please visit the official website of Nihon Book Service.