#Japan #Tokyo #Microsoft #Kobelco #Sakreiss

Sakreiss and Kobelco Team Up for Enhanced Digital Solutions

Sakreiss Inc., an IT company based in Tokyo specializing in digital solutions to support corporate growth, has announced a collaboration with Kobelco Environment Solutions, a KOBELCO Group company based in Kobe that focuses on environmental-related plants such as water and waste treatment. This partnership aims to leverage Microsoft's autonomous AI and automation technologies to drive digital transformation (DX), enhancing work quality and output while addressing societal challenges.

Objectives and Background of the Collaboration

The collaboration between Sakreiss and Kobelco Environment Solutions aims to fortify the latter's response to changes in the business environment, enhancing its management foundation through the application of autonomous AI and automation technologies from Microsoft.

Kobelco Environment Solutions envisions being a top company for carbon neutrality by fiscal year 2030 and is expediting the use of digital transformation to achieve this goal. Recent societal trends, such as population decline and rising workforce costs, have complicated manpower acquisition for water treatment and waste management plants. To counter this, there is an urgent need to develop systems that facilitate operational automation and remote operation, along with efficiencies in construction and design due to soaring costs and personnel shortages.

Kobelco aims to accelerate its initiatives toward AI and DX through the standardization of operations and reduction of manual labor, making it essential to navigate the current landscape effectively.

The partnership is expected to not only advance Kobelco's DX but also provide higher value to tackle Japan's pressing societal issues, contributing to a more prosperous society overall.

Overview of the Collaboration

Provision of Expertise and Technology

Sakreiss positions itself as a pioneer in solving societal challenges related to demographic decline, AI talent shortages, and a lack of DX personnel, through its access to some of the world’s leading technologies. The company brings extensive knowledge in implementing Microsoft's autonomous AI capabilities and provides consulting and operational support to effectively leverage business, operations, and data strategies.

Additionally, Kobelco Environment Solutions will establish the "Digital Innovation Lab Nagasaki" on July 1, 2024, pooling IT expertise to drive efficiency, labor reduction, and advanced operationalising of plants through DX, ultimately sharing its know-how in addressing environmental challenges.

This collaboration is set to evolve both companies into multi-solution platform providers capable of significant societal impact based on value co-creation.

Expected Outcomes

By accelerating Kobelco Environment Solutions' DX capabilities, the collaboration not only increases operational efficiency but also redefines both companies as valuable partners in facilitating solutions to societal challenges.

Comments from Leadership

Scott Sato, Chairman and CEO of Sakreiss, expressed confidence that this partnership will further accelerate Kobelco Environment Solutions' journey toward an advanced DX state. By combining the latter’s detailed industry knowledge with Sakreiss’ technological prowess, the collaboration aims to deliver enhanced value for the growth of Japan’s industries and businesses.

Naoya Hamada, Executive Officer in charge of DX at Kobelco Environment Solutions, believes this synergy of Sakreiss’ advanced cloud technologies and their extensive industry experiences will fast-track digital transformation and amplify solutions to domestic environmental challenges.

About Sakreiss

Sakreiss is an all-in-one IT service firm focused on implementing autonomous AI and cutting-edge cloud solutions, such as Microsoft technologies, covering design, development, and operational support. Recognizing the importance of a well-thought-out system design reflective of technological nuances, Sakreiss partners with clients as a strategic consultant, prioritizing initiatives that address immediate and future business challenges. The firm has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Growth Market since April 2022.

Company Details

• - Representative: Scott Sato, Chairman and CEO
• - Address: 6F Urban Net Nihonbashi Building, 2-1-3 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
• - Established: November 1, 2012

About Kobelco Environment Solutions

As a core company of the KOBELCO Group, Kobelco specializes in a full range of engineering services related to water treatment, waste management, and chemical equipment. The company aims to contribute to environmental problem-solving domestically and internationally, leveraging advanced technologies and extensive experience for the realization of a sustainable society.

Company Details

• - Representative: Hideki Okumura, President
• - Address: 1-4-78 Wakihama-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe
• - Established: 1954

Note: Microsoft is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. Information outlined in this news release reflects the state at the time of announcement and is subject to change without notice.