UPWARD Registers with Digital Marketplace to Enhance Public Sector Software Procurement

UPWARD Registers with Digital Marketplace

UPWARD Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has officially registered its innovative mobile AI agent, UPWARD, on the Digital Marketplace (DMP), which is managed by the Digital Agency of the Japanese government. This strategic move aims to facilitate public agencies in swiftly searching for and procuring software solutions through the DMP platform.

Background of DMP Registration

The impetus for UPWARD's registration stems from its ongoing contribution to solving local challenges within public administration, leveraging its unique location-based technology and mobile CRM expertise. Over the years, UPWARD has committed itself to assist administrative bodies and municipalities. Notably, during the heavy rainfall disaster in July 2020, UPWARD provided vital support to areas like Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture, helping authorities expedite the issuance of disaster certificates. This initiative was recognized at the Regional Revitalization SDGs International Forum 2021 as a commendable example of effective disaster recovery assistance.

Recently, UPWARD has also provided technological support for the Data Utilization Case Creation Initiative to bolster efficient disaster response in the Kumamoto region, illustrating their ongoing commitment to administrative support. With DMP registration, UPWARD aims to extend its services beyond disaster recovery assistance, promoting digital transformation (DX) in everyday administrative operations.

Challenges in Administrative Field Operations

Administrative bodies face diverse on-site operations requiring continuous visits, including hygiene inspections of restaurants, patrol inspections of public facilities, and management of vacant properties. However, significant challenges persist, primarily due to:

- Staff shortages and reliance on veteran employees leading to information miscommunication and dependency.
- Inability to efficiently share and utilize data as many records are still managed on paper or handwritten.

To address these challenges, UPWARD offers solutions that leverage advanced technologies, such as:

- Automatic Stay Detection: This mobile feature senses the time spent at various locations, balancing time savings in reporting with accurate traceability.
- Spatial Visualization: Upscaling visits by visually displaying information such as inspection or guidance history, along with pre-registered facility details on Salesforce, streamlining planning for site visits.
- AI-Driven Data Recording: Analyzing voice and images to extract necessary information and register it in Salesforce automatically, significantly reducing the time needed for reporting tasks.

You can find examples of the UPWARD and Salesforce solution in the following video.

Understanding the Digital Marketplace (DMP)

The Digital Marketplace (DMP) aims to expedite the procurement of cloud software for government agencies while promoting a diverse range of available vendors. On this platform, service information is openly available, enabling administrative and municipal users to compare and evaluate various services through comprehensive searches. Businesses can register and showcase their software or sales services, allowing users to swiftly procure the needed solutions. For more details on the DMP, visit Digital Marketplace.

About UPWARD Inc.

Founded in July 2016, UPWARD Inc. specializes in providing DX services tailored to solve the challenges faced by field workers, driven by the purpose of unlocking their creativity and accelerating growth for businesses and society. By integrating technology, UPWARD fosters environments where tasks can be executed with just a mobile device, empowering workers to thrive irrespective of their location or context.

Company Overview:

- Company Name: UPWARD Inc.
- Established: July 2016
- CEO: Ryusuke Kaneki
- Location: 26th Floor, Marunouchi Eiraku Building, 1-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business Focus: Development and provision of the field sales AI agent UPWARD.
- Website: UPWARD Corp