#Japan #Tokyo #IFS #Dentsu Research #Dream Incubator

Strategic Collaboration among Dentsu Research, IFS, and Dream Incubator

On May 26, 2026, Dentsu Research, IFS Japan, and Dream Incubator will initiate a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing production management and supply chain optimization across the manufacturing sector. This collaboration is designed to not only optimize processes but also significantly improve efficiencies by leveraging the strengths and capabilities of each organization involved.

Unlike traditional approaches that begin with the implementation of ERP systems, the unique strategy of this collaboration starts with a business unit-driven digital transformation (DX) vision. By leveraging standard functions, the aim is to enact change that enhances operations while ensuring those changes are maintained in the long term. This integrated framework connects strategy, execution, and IT, fostering rapid results and sustained competitive advantages.

Key Features of the Collaboration

The collaboration will leverage IFS's industry-specific ERP solution, the IFS Cloud, along with the comprehensive expertise of Dream Incubator in business transformation and Dentsu Research’s robust history in ERP implementations. This partnership is poised to offer a complete support system from conceptualization through operational maintenance, ultimately driving enhanced enterprise value.

Rapidly Changing Environment

In Japan, the manufacturing sector faces a rapidly evolving landscape characterized by escalating geopolitical risks, diversifying parts procurement, and increasingly intricate global supply chains. Acknowledging these challenges, the trio plans to create a holistic design that encompasses everything from planning to implementation. The focus will be on visualizing business processes and optimizing them in real-time to tackle structural issues within the manufacturing domain, thereby bolstering competitiveness.

Main Initiatives

1. Joint Proposals
The collaboration will roll out a solution centered around IFS Cloud for production management and supply chain optimization, providing seamless support from planning to implementation and integration.

2. Integrated Promotion Framework
Dream Incubator will spearhead upstream processes such as DX vision formulation, reform roadmaps, and execution planning, working closely with Dentsu Research to create a cohesive framework that covers all implementation phases.

3. Co-development of Use Cases
The partners will jointly develop use cases focused on optimizing parts procurement, shortening manufacturing lead times, and reducing inventory. They will disseminate valuable insights through collaborative workshops and seminars, fostering value creation across the entire ecosystem.

Optimizing Operations

By delineating roles based on the unique strengths of each organization, the collaboration aims to enhance the feasibility of achieving overall optimal operations concerning production, inventory, procurement, and supply. This initiative will not only reduce the time required for delivering results but will also elevate the speed of value creation throughout the entire process, from vision to execution.

Vision for the Future

Dentsu Research’s President, Hirohisa Iwamoto, expressed enthusiasm about the strategic collaboration, indicating that the partnership will provide a comprehensive foundation to support the manufacturing sector in its production management and supply chain optimization efforts. Similarly, IFS Japan's President, Hiroyuki Okuma, welcomed the collaboration, confident that combining DI’s exceptional planning capabilities with IFS’s specialized solutions and Dentsu Research’s implementation strength will significantly accelerate production and supply chain transformations.

According to Takayuki Miyake, President of Dream Incubator, the focus is not solely on technological utilization but rather on achieving an ideal state that emphasizes transformative business actions. Through collaboration with Dentsu Research and IFS, DI aims to facilitate comprehensive process reforms, from conceptual strategies to practical system applications and execution. The goal is to support a sustainable DX that leads to enduring growth by remaining committed to achieving tangible outcomes.

Upcoming Developments

In 2026, the partnership will host several seminars aimed at promoting DX within the manufacturing sector. Additionally, ongoing support for the initial IFS-related project for DI involves aiding a major manufacturing organization with its implementation plan. The collaboration anticipates strengthening relations with partners responsible for IFS Cloud's execution, ultimately contributing to Japan's manufacturing productivity and sustainable growth.

Conclusion

As one of the leading providers in the field of industrial AI and enterprise software, IFS brings a wealth of experience to aid manufacturing entities in enhancing their productivity and sustainability. The fusion of Dentsu Research’s consulting expertise, IFS’s specialized solutions, and Dream Incubator’s transformation capabilities heralds a new era of manufacturing efficiency in Japan. The combination of these three formidable organizations is set to transform challenges into strategic opportunities, fostering innovation and growth within the sector.