#Japan #Kobe #Teachme Biz #Sumitomo Rubber #Teachme AI

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Embraces AI for Operational Standardization

In a notable move towards operational reform, Sumitomo Rubber Industries has embarked on a company-wide standardization project, leveraging AI technology to enhance their business processes. The collaboration with Studist Inc., a Tokyo-based company specializing in corporate software solutions, signifies a significant step in transforming how the organization manages its operational manuals.

Background and Objectives

Historically, the creation of operational procedures at Sumitomo Rubber has relied heavily on Excel and Word documents. This approach, however, has led to a lack of standardization in formats and inconsistencies in content quality. Additionally, while standard operating procedures (SOPs) existed, there was a strong reliance on on-the-job training (OJT), leading to challenges in effectively implementing standardized education and knowledge transfer.

To address these challenges head-on, Sumitomo Rubber decided to implement the manual creation and sharing system, Teachme Biz, as part of their digital transformation (DX) strategy in February 2024. Following this, in February 2025, they expanded their capabilities by integrating Teachme AI, an advanced function aimed at automating the manual creation process. This initiative is designed not only to improve knowledge sharing across departments but also to enhance training efficiencies for younger employees. Looking ahead, Sumitomo Rubber envisions disseminating its technical expertise and know-how to international branches as well.

Primary Uses of Teachme Biz

The introduction of Teachme Biz has broad applications within Sumitomo Rubber Industries, facilitating the sharing of procedures related to tire manufacturing, equipment operations, and management routines. Furthermore, it has proven extremely beneficial in documenting complex processes related to manufacturing golf balls, clubs, and tennis rackets, as well as experimental protocols in their research and development departments. The new system has quickly been adopted as a primary resource for initial training manuals, enabling new hires to autonomously progress in their tasks by referring to the organized procedures.

With the unification of manual formats specifically tailored to the characteristics of each departmental function, Sumitomo Rubber is making significant strides in both standardizing and enhancing operational efficiency across the entire organization.

Reasons for Choosing Teachme Biz

The decision to deploy Teachme Biz was influenced by several key factors:

• - Market Leadership: Teachme Biz holds the position of the number one manual creation tool in the domestic market, offering a sense of reliability.
• - Security Assurance: The system has received high marks for its security features.
• - Editing Flexibility: Users can easily incorporate videos and images, enhancing the content's clarity and engagement.
• - AI Automation: The incorporation of Teachme AI allows for efficient on-site manual creation, further driving adoption within the company.

Future Developments

Looking towards the future, Sumitomo Rubber Industries aims to transition approximately 400 manuals to Teachme Biz within its research departments by the autumn of 2026. There is also a strong objective to achieve 100% migration of existing manuals in the manufacturing department within the next three years.

Furthermore, by utilizing its 20,000 account licenses, the company plans to extend its reach to domestic and international locations, cultivating a culture where employees are encouraged to utilize Teachme Biz as their go-to resource when faced with uncertainties. This will facilitate a comprehensive realization of operational standardization and a robust knowledge-sharing framework across the organization.

Insights from Leadership

Kazuki Nojiri, the Manager of Research Planning at Sumitomo Rubber, expressed confidence in the capabilities brought by Teachme Biz and Teachme AI, affirming that these tools will optimize both the efficiency and quality of manual creation. He emphasized the intention to expand these practices to international subsidiaries, instilling a culture of reliance on Teachme Biz for knowledge acquisition and creating a solid knowledge base throughout the organization.

About Teachme Biz

Teachme Biz, a cloud-based manual creation and sharing system, enhances productivity, facilitates efficient human resource development, and improves customer satisfaction. With automated video editing and manual creation powered by AI, this solution is utilized by over 2,100 companies globally. Starting at about 59,800 yen per month (excluding tax), it has earned the top market share in the video manual creation support tool sector according to Deloitte Tohmatsu Research's survey on the deskless SaaS market in 2024.

For further information, visit Teachme Biz.

About Studist Inc.

Based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Studist Inc. was established on March 19, 2010, and offers cloud-based services and consulting solutions for corporations. They can be contacted at Studist Website.

For media inquiries, reach out to:

• - Studist Inc.
• - PR Contact: Asakura
• - Phone: 050-1744-3760
• - Email: pr@studist.jp