#Japan #Tokyo #SmartDB #C-United #DreamArts

Streamlining Operations: C-United's SmartDB Journey

C-United, a company known for its dedication to creating and promoting coffee culture, operates renowned brands like 'Café Véloce', 'Kohi-kan', and 'Café de Crié'. Formed through the merger of Chanoah Co., Ltd. and Kohi-kan Co., Ltd. in 2021, and their subsequent merger with Pokka Create in 2023, C-United faced a significant challenge: integrating its internal workflow systems across multiple business entities.

To address this issue, C-United decided to transition from its outdated and convoluted system to the innovative SmartDB (Smart Database), a cloud service developed by DreamArts Inc. This transition aimed to enhance operational efficiency and eliminate the burdens associated with maintaining an antiquated system.

Pre-Implementation Challenges

Before adopting SmartDB, C-United encountered several obstacles:

• - Lack of Unified Workflow: Each of the three business units utilized different systems and processes, which resulted in inefficiencies.
• - Old System Complexity: The legacy systems became increasingly opaque due to low-code development, complicating operations significantly.
• - High Costs for System Modifications: The existing system incurred substantial costs for updates, making it difficult to adapt to organizational changes.

Why SmartDB? The Key Features

C-United chose SmartDB for its adaptable and user-friendly features:

• - Reproducible Complex Workflows: SmartDB allows for various approval processes and collaborative workflows that suit the company’s complex operational needs.
• - Ease of No-Code Development: The platform supports future citizen development, making it accessible for non-technical users to create necessary applications.
• - Extensibility for External Integrations: SmartDB’s capability to connect with other systems offers much-needed flexibility and scalability.

Results Following SmartDB Implementation

Since implementing SmartDB, C-United has observed substantial improvements in its operations:

• - Accelerated Approvals: The speed of drafting and approving requests has significantly increased, streamlining decision-making processes.
• - Improved Maintenance: The simpler application designs and developments lead to enhanced maintainability, reducing the workload for IT staff.
• - Increased User Engagement: Employees now feel a greater sense of ownership toward the system, fostering a more proactive work environment.

In an exclusive interview, we spoke with Yuichi Koi, the head of the information systems department, and Hideki Watabe, a senior manager within the same department, who were crucial in promoting the SmartDB project from implementation through to internal deployment.

Looking Ahead

C-United successfully navigated integration challenges and capitalized on the benefits SmartDB offers. The full details on how the company overcame these hurdles, along with insights into the outcomes achieved and future directions, can be explored further in the complete interview article available at here.

DreamArts continues to uphold the principle of 'co-creation', aspiring to offer total solutions that enhance on-site capacity and elevate corporate competitiveness.

About SmartDB

SmartDB, recognized as the market leader for large enterprises, provides a cloud solution for business digitization. The platform enables no-code development for both specific operational tasks and cross-company activities, boasting extensive features centered around workflows and web databases. Furthermore, it ensures finely-tuned permission management and adheres to high-level security protocols. Notable clients include major corporations such as MUFG Bank, Daiwa House Industry, and Ritsumeikan University.

About DreamArts

DreamArts, with a mission to contribute to the joy-filled development of individuals, organizations, and society, embodies the spirit of co-creation. They serve as a comprehensive solution partner to clients facing various challenges, offering services like SmartDB, ShopRan to optimize multi-store operations, and InsuiteX, a groundbreaking business cockpit to transform enterprise work styles. Learn more at here.