#Japan #RPA #Komatsu #BizRobo! #Komatsu Kouki

Komatsu Kouki's Journey Towards Digital Transformation

Introduction

Komatsu Kouki Co., Ltd., based in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is making waves in the manufacturing community by generating significant efficiencies using the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tool, BizRobo!. By relying on in-house development, the company has created a remarkable annual saving of 1,000 hours of labor, a clear testament to its commitment to driving digital transformation (DX) in the local manufacturing industry.

Background to BizRobo!

With a workforce of approximately 120 employees, Komatsu Kouki specializes in steel wholesale, processing, and the sale of industrial machinery and tools. Its engineering division interacts with around 500 companies across the Hokuriku region, including Toyama and Fukui Prefectures. Seeking to address the challenges of manufacturing DX faced both internally and by its clients, Komatsu Kouki adopted a development service from a local system company focusing on RPA in 2019.

After implementing automation for some monthly closing tasks, the company saw a dramatic reduction in workload, cutting down the verification phase from six days to just a few hours. This success triggered a deeper interest in further exploring RPA applications. In 2020, Komatsu Kouki transitioned to using BizRobo! mini, a client-type RPA tool, before upgrading to the server-type BizRobo! Lite. This step-by-step scalability offered by BizRobo! was a significant factor in its decision-making process, alongside competitive aspects like pricing, Japanese language support, and AI-OCR integration capabilities.

Achievements Through RPA

Currently, Komatsu Kouki runs approximately 180 software robots that assist in around 20 business processes, including the matching of thousands of receipts every month. Young staff members dedicated to RPA development conduct the operation, fostering a culture of training and internal knowledge sharing. By engaging hands-on employees in the selection of tasks suitable for automation and hosting seminars to illustrate RPA basics and use cases, they enable efficient automation of tasks.

By leveraging BizRobo!, the generated resources have amounted to about 1,000 hours per year, significantly surpassing the costs associated with RPA licensing. One of the game-changers was the ability to distribute tasks that were previously reliant on specific individuals, ensuring continuity and efficiency, even during staff absences.

Furthermore, the company's accomplishments in promoting BizRobo! to its clients have yielded success stories. For instance, a nearby metal processing company, Haida Ironworks, has started RPA initiatives with Komatsu Kouki’s guidance, involving two employees in BizRobo! development while improving workflow efficiency in their administration sector.

Looking Ahead

As they continue to expand BizRobo! usage, Komatsu Kouki has plans to enhance the efficiency of sales operations while adapting to new compliance requirements such as electronic document retention laws. Moreover, they aspire to bolster their employees' digital skills and transition traditional roles toward more advanced digital business avenues.

Recognizing the lag in digital transformation across small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, Komatsu Kouki foresees a surge in demand for simpler yet effective digital practices like RPA. By advocating the implementation of RPA as a stepping stone towards broader DX, they aim to enhance their outreach to ten new clients annually, further driving the local manufacturing industry’s evolution.

The Open Group, the parent company of Komatsu Kouki, will provide ongoing support and development assistance to businesses eager to embrace RPA as part of their operations, alongside introducing AI-assisted service offerings slated for launch in 2025. This will ensure that organizations can optimize their processes while minimizing the impact on their teams, establishing a smoother path for overcoming challenges and fostering growth across the industry.

Conclusion

BizRobo! symbolizes a revolutionary shift in workplace efficiency, designed to free white-collar workers from monotonous tasks and elevate overall productivity. As Komatsu Kouki sets a compelling example of adaptability and innovation, other enterprises planning their digital growth can draw inspiration from their successful implementation of intelligent automation solutions.