SCSK Unveils PROACTIVE: An AI-Native Next-Gen ERP System

SCSK Corporation, headquartered in Koto City, Tokyo, has announced the launch of its AI-native next-generation ERP system named PROACTIVE. This innovative solution has now incorporated a new feature called PROACTIVE Concierge. This concierge service allows users to complete expense reporting and approval processes entirely within Microsoft Teams' chat interface, handling everything from receipt management to adherence to company policies efficiently.

The introduction of PROACTIVE Concierge leads to a remarkable increase in efficiency, claiming up to an 80% reduction in operational times compared to traditional expense reporting methods. For instance, a recent comparison indicated that the time taken to authorize travel reimbursements was cut from ten minutes to just two minutes when using the new system.

Background of PROACTIVE’s Development

In recent years, Japan has faced significant demographic challenges, including a declining workforce due to aging and low birth rates, making employee productivity a critical concern. Many businesses still deal with cumbersome back-office tasks, particularly in expense management, which require adherence to internal regulations, leading to calls from clients for more efficient solutions. Common complaints included a significant amount of time spent on processing reimbursements, which interfered with their core operations, as well as an increase in errors and revision requests in less frequent expense claims related to international business trips.

SCSK responded by developing the PROACTIVE Concierge in collaboration with Microsoft Japan Corporation, leveraging tools such as Microsoft 365, comprising widely used applications like Word, Excel, and Teams. Teams alone boasts a user base of over 280 million people, serving as a multifaceted platform for communication and collaboration in the business setting.

By integrating expense management directly into Teams, SCSK aims to streamline clients' business operations and enhance overall productivity.

Overview of PROACTIVE Concierge

The PROACTIVE Concierge operates as an intelligent agent within Microsoft Teams, enabling expense-related functions such as submissions and approvals without needing a separate internal system. Employees can efficiently manage reimbursements anytime and anywhere, regardless of their location.

Key Features:

- Simple Submission Process: Users can effortlessly attach images of receipts (even handwritten ones) and send a message saying, "I want to reimburse this," automatically generating a submission form.
- Streamlined Approval Workflow: Notifications for created submissions are sent to approvers via Teams, allowing straightforward approval processes through chat.
- Automated AI Checks: The system automatically checks compliance with internal rules set by companies, such as overnight accommodations and entertainment expense thresholds, ensuring complete adherence before submission.
- Real-Time Notifications: Users receive instant alerts about approval requests or corrective measures through Teams notifications, which also pops up on their smartphones.
- Access Anywhere: Provided users have internet connectivity, they can utilize Teams across various devices, making expense management easy even during overseas trips.

Future Developments

SCSK is committed to continuous evolution, focusing on both maximizing productivity through elevated AI functionalities and streamlining operations. Future iterations of PROACTIVE Concierge will integrate intuitive interfaces—allowing for interactions via natural language as well as through images, voice, and video to enhance user engagement. The long-term goal is creating a world where business operations can progress seamlessly without opening traditional ERP interfaces, thus increasing productivity across various operational domains—beyond just expense reports and approvals. SCSK plans to introduce additional features progressively, ensuring ongoing enhancement of administrative tasks.

Insights from Leaders

Yasushi Kimura, an executive at Microsoft Japan, commented on this collaboration, highlighting how the merger of SCSK’s next-generation ERP, PROACTIVE, with Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI technology marks a transformative technological advancement aimed at improving efficiency and productivity.

In alignment with OECD's findings that emphasize the importance of increasing productivity in Japanese enterprises, Masayuki Kikuchi, Executive Officer at SCSK, reiterated the company's commitment alongside Microsoft to tackle this pressing issue by enhancing operational connectivity through PROACTIVE. The seamless integration achieved will elevate the overall efficiency of their clients' workflows.

About PROACTIVE

PROACTIVE stands as SCSK Group's digital offering service that integrates various intellectual properties and expertise. Central to this is an AI-native ERP designed to deliver targeted solutions across accounting, HR and payroll, and production management, positioned to address industry-specific challenges efficiently.

With over 7,300 installations, PROACTIVE continues to support countless organizations, aiding their operational improvement and decision-making capabilities. Ready to embrace the digital shift and leverage the burgeoning potential of generative AI by 2030, SCSK is unwavering in its pursuit of solutions that benefit clients and society at large.

For more information about the PROACTIVE ERP system and its functionalities, visit PROACTIVE.