#Japan #Fukuoka #Fukuoka City #Lecre #Kuraemon

Fukuoka City and Lecre's Partnership

Fukuoka City has officially selected Lecre's innovative construction DX platform, Kuraemon, to spearhead its construction digital transformation (DX) pilot project. This initiative, part of the city’s public-private partnership program known as 'mirai@', seeks to utilize cutting-edge technologies such as AI to significantly boost productivity within the local construction sector. The pilot demonstration will take place at a sewer construction site commissioned by the Fukuoka City Bureau of Roads and Sewers.

Addressing Local Construction Industry Challenges

The construction industry in Fukuoka recognizes the need for modernization, particularly in how it manages the vast amounts of data generated on job sites. A significant issue is the extensive administrative task of sorting and classifying numerous photographs taken during construction, which often leads to prolonged working hours. By implementing Kuraemon, Fukuoka aims to alleviate these burdens which seem to be a contributor to the long working hours prevalent in the sector.

In particular, this project will feature sophisticated functionalities for photo management, including guidance for photo taking that is specific to sewer construction and automated sorting of images. These improvements are expected to lead to a reduction in labor hours associated with photo management tasks and prevent the occurrence of missed photographs that could impede effective quality control.

Goals of the Pilot Project

The primary focus of this pilot project is to enhance operational efficiency at construction sites by improving the management of photographic records concerning project progress. Given the demands of construction activities, ensuring that each stage is thoroughly documented is crucial.

Main Objectives:

• - Increase Efficiency: Streamlining the classification process of large quantities of photos captured daily.
• - Prevent Oversights: Implementing preventative measures to ensure that all necessary photos are taken during each construction phase, thus maintaining comprehensive documentation for quality assurance.

Envisioned Future

The collaboration between Lecre and Fukuoka City intends to establish an industry standard where prolonged working hours due to photo management will decrease, along with the consistent quality assurance across construction phases made possible through diligent photo documentation.

About mirai@

The 'mirai@' initiative is Fukuoka City's one-stop public-private partnership window, aimed at resolving social and administrative challenges faced by the community. It serves as a platform where relevant stakeholders can collaborate, offering local coordination, field testing opportunities, access to governmental data, promotional support, and engagement with national policy reforms aimed at facilitating business operations for startups and private enterprises wishing to engage with the Fukuoka region. More information can be found here.

Future Prospects

Going forward, Lecre is committed to serving as a robust partner in construction DX across Japan, supporting local governments in their pursuit of efficiency in construction operations. The goal is to increase productivity within local construction enterprises, secure skilled personnel, and ensure the delivery of high-quality public works projects. The company is optimistic that Kuraemon will play a vital role in revolutionizing how construction work is managed moving into the future.

About Kuraemon

Launched in 1999, Kuraemon is a comprehensive photo management software solution that alleviates the pressures faced by site supervisors, allowing for better document creation and management of site activities. The platform is recognized nationwide for its efficiency, having gained accolades such as the highest NETIS rating for new technology. Its tools, including the Kuraemon Pad launched in 2014, support the construction industry’s aims toward modern efficiency through digital means.

In response to the excess hours imposed on site managers due to the nature of construction work, Kuraemon introduced an all-encompassing platform solution in April 2022. This combination of site apps, shared cloud services, and desktop software facilitates seamless operations that are easily integrated into everyday construction activities. By focusing on construction photography as a central operational pillar, Kuraemon aims to enhance the workload of all individuals involved in the construction process efficiently.

Company Background - Lecre

Lecre, founded in 1995, is an innovative services company based on the belief that it can guide individuals towards a 'next world' through design, ideas, and IT. Their mission encompasses understanding existing paradigms in various scenes including life and business, and transforming them into lighter, more innovative services. For more information, visit their official website here.