IVRy Partners with Hokuriku Bank to Combat Labor Shortages Using AI Technology

IVRy Collaborates with Hokuriku Bank

IVRy, a Tokyo-based company specializing in interactive voice AI, has recently entered into a business matching agreement with Hokuriku Bank. This partnership, finalized in October, aims to leverage AI technology to address the pressing labor shortages faced by local companies in the Hokuriku region.

What is IVRy?

IVRy provides a unique SaaS known as "AIBURY", which automates telephone responses with customizable settings. The platform offers numerous features including automatic call answering, reservation management, call recording, transcription, summarization, SMS notifications, customer relationship management (CRM), and notifications through LINE or chat tools.

The Challenges of Labor Shortages

According to a survey conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 60% of small businesses report facing labor shortages. In specific sectors, 60-80% of businesses indicate that these shortages are either severely distressing or critical, potentially threatening their operations. As a result, there is a growing interest in efficiency and automation among companies, making this partnership quite timely.

The Partnership Objectives

With Hokuriku Bank's expansive regional network, IVRy aims to promote business efficiency in local enterprises through the deployment of AIBURY. This agreement allows Hokuriku Bank to introduce IVRy’s services to its small business clients, addressing their operational needs and supporting their management from multiple angles.

IVRy is committed to ensuring that small businesses can easily and affordably utilize AI services by maintaining a stable platform for AIBURY and enhancing its functionalities. The partnership also aligns with the sixth medium-term management plan of the Hokuhoku Financial Group, titled "NEXT STAGE", which focuses on regional revitalization initiatives. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to contribute to the creation of new value across Hokuriku and the broader community.

The Impact of AI on Efficiency

The AIBURY service operates seamlessly 24/7, standardizing and automating call answering processes. It significantly enhances operational efficiency and improves customer experience. The platform automatically transcribes, summarizes, and analyzes call content and is capable of generating FAQs, classifying intents, and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs). Furthermore, AIBURY integrates with major data warehouses and CRM systems like Salesforce to transform unstructured data into actionable business resources.

IVRy’s proprietary technology ensures accuracy and reliability, thanks to its unique "Zero Hallucination" feature that prevents misinformation. The system also supports hybrid operations that combine automated and human responses, facilitating ongoing business improvement based on call data and driving data-informed decision-making.

Currently, AIBURY has been implemented across a wide range of industries and enterprises, serving as a vital tool for companies of all sizes—over 40,000 accounts have been issued across 96 industries nationwide, with total call counts exceeding 60 million.

Future Developments

Although IVRy currently focuses on telephony-based products, it is looking to expand its AI capabilities to provide diverse solutions addressing issues like labor shortages and customer harassment (CASH). This expansion is aimed at enhancing productivity and operational efficiency across Japanese businesses.

Join IVRy’s Team

IVRy is on the lookout for talented individuals to help build and grow its innovative products. Interested candidates can visit the company's career page for opportunities in various positions.

Additional Resources

Conclusion

With the strategic partnership between IVRy and Hokuriku Bank, local businesses in the Hokuriku region now have access to advanced AI solutions that could alleviate their workforce challenges. This collaboration not only promises to enhance operational efficiency but also contributes to broader economic revitalization efforts in the area.