#Japan #Tokyo #SmartDB #DreamArts #HITOWA

Introduction to HITOWA's Challenges and SmartDB's Role

In the rapidly evolving world of business, companies constantly face the challenge of optimizing their internal workflows. HITOWA, a dynamic player in the franchise sector, exemplifies this struggle with its expansive reach across various services including cleaning, shoe care, and nursing support. With 2,148 outlets as of September 2025, the need for a robust operational backbone became increasingly evident. As HITOWA expanded, the complexity of workflows, particularly in approval processes, grew significantly. The legacy systems could no longer support their needs, resulting in cumbersome reliance on paper and Excel spreadsheets which hindered efficiency and decision-making speed.

To address these issues, HITOWA took a bold step by collaborating with DreamArts, a company specializing in cloud services for large enterprises. They focused on the implementation of SmartDB, a no-code digital transformation tool, designed to simplify and integrate their operational tasks.

Issues with Legacy Workflow Systems

Prior to adopting SmartDB, HITOWA encountered a plethora of challenges:

• - Imminent End of Support: The pressing deadline for phasing out outdated systems compelled necessary upgrades.
• - Inconsistencies in Application Formats: The disarray of approval formats led to confusion among applicants, making it difficult to navigate the approval process.
• - Continued Use of Analog Systems: Traditional methods remained in place, necessitating the manual transfer of data to other systems, contributing to inefficiencies.

Key Features of SmartDB

The integration of SmartDB presented several advantages that proved essential for HITOWA's needs:

• - Flexible Control Design: SmartDB offers a platform that can be utilized across various groups within HITOWA, ensuring standardized practices.
• - Unified Workflow and Database Functionality: It streamlines processes by combining workflow and database functionalities into a single framework.
• - Scalable Integration: The capacity for seamless collaboration with other systems enhances its applicability and future-proofing for HITOWA’s operations.

Outcomes of Adopting SmartDB

With the successful implementation of SmartDB, HITOWA experienced remarkable transformations:

• - Consolidation of Approval Formats: The previously fragmented 51 different approval formats were unified, greatly enhancing the ease of use for applicants and reducing the administrative burden for managers.
• - Digital Integration Across Processes: By centralizing the connection between approval requests and the accounting system, HITOWA achieved comprehensive digitization of its operational processes.
• - Reduced Risk from Centralized Data Management: Consolidating client and contract information allowed for better error management, significantly lowering the chances of payment mistakes, duplicate entries, or neglected contract conditions.

Insight from HITOWA's IT Leaders

In a detailed interview, two key players in the transition, Mr. Iwata from the General Affairs Division and Mr. Fujikawa from the Information Systems Department, elaborated on how HITOWA navigated these challenges effectively. They discussed insights from the SmartDB rollout and highlighted expectations for future operational advancements as the company continues its growth path.

Looking Ahead

The journey with SmartDB is just the beginning for HITOWA. DreamArts, committed to the principle of “co-creation”, aims to provide comprehensive solutions that enhance operational capabilities and competitiveness for its clients. With a mission to develop cloud services that are tailored to meet the evolving needs of large-scale enterprises, the collaboration is set to contribute further to HITOWA’s successful trajectory.

To discover more about HITOWA's journey and how they transformed their operations with SmartDB, read the full interview here.

About SmartDB

SmartDB is recognized as the market leader in business digitization for large enterprises. With its no-code capabilities, it facilitates the development of tailor-made solutions for both specific and company-wide operations. Coupled with features including flexible external system integration, granular access management, and high-security protocols, SmartDB supports diverse clients across various sectors.

About DreamArts

DreamArts, aiming to contribute to the development of people, organizations, and society, embodies the principle of co-creation in all its endeavors. Through innovative services like SmartDB, Shopラン, and InsuiteX, DreamArts continues to push the boundaries of operational excellence for its clientele.