Addressing Labor-Saving and Automation in Logistics Operations

「In addition, we are establishing a delivery structure for advanced inventory-handling solutions that support companies’ digital transformation through seamless integration with logistics equipment such as robots and material-handling equipment, as well as standard data integration with core systems and peripheral systems.」

「Meanwhile, the logistics industry, our main customer base, is continuing to introduce technologies that contribute to higher work productivity as part of its efforts to address the chronic labor shortage.」

「We are establishing a structure for providing advanced inventory-handling solutions that support companies' digital transformation through seamless connectivity with logistics equipment, including robots and material-handling equipment, and standardized data connectivity with core and peripheral systems.」

「Although the logistics industry continues to operate in an environment where cargo volumes are difficult to forecast because of rising prices, it is introducing technologies that contribute to higher operational productivity to address chronic labor shortages and is advancing initiatives to respond to the 2024 issue.」

「Under these conditions, we have pursued initiatives based on ① growing WMS demand among B2B businesses, ② the automation trend mitigating labor shortages, and ③ the smart transformation of stores and their integration with online channels.」

「By promoting product connectivity with providers of logistics robots and products for e-commerce operators, we have enhanced the appeal of our Group's products and services while addressing customers' needs for labor savings and automation. We will continue to promote connectivity with logistics robots and third-party products, expand customer convenience, and address technologies such as RFID (※1) that are expected to be introduced in logistics operations in the future.」

「During the nine-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we expanded the range of logistics robots supported for reducing warehouse workloads and made it possible to provide standard connectivity to users. We also continued to actively add functions to Logizard ZERO for connectivity with third-party applications for e-commerce businesses, seeking to improve the service's practical value. Research and development expenses for the nine-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year totaled ¥12.175 million, mainly comprising the costs of R&D on RFID technology capable of scanning information on multiple products at once.」

「During the six-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we expanded the range of logistics robots supported for reducing warehouse workloads and made it possible to provide standard connectivity to users. We also continued to actively add functions to Logizard ZERO for connectivity with third-party applications for e-commerce businesses, seeking to improve the service's practical value.」

「We expanded the range of logistics robots supported for labor-saving applications and made it possible to provide standard connectivity with some robots to users. We also continued to actively add functions to Logizard ZERO for connectivity with third-party applications for e-commerce businesses, thereby seeking to improve service convenience.」

「Research and development expenses for the consolidated fiscal year totaled ¥8.171 million. These expenses mainly comprised the costs of jointly developing with Akita University a system supporting picking operations and the costs of developing RFID technology that can scan information on multiple products at once.」

「Against this backdrop, during the nine-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we added functions contributing to automation and labor savings to Logizard ZERO, including connectivity with AGVs and convenience-store payment systems for e-commerce payments.」

「Against this backdrop, during the six-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we added to Logizard ZERO functions related to automation and labor savings, including connectivity with AGVs and convenience-store payment systems for e-commerce payments, as well as support for the reduced consumption tax rate.」

「Against this backdrop, during the three-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we added to Logizard ZERO functions related to automation and labor savings, including connectivity with AGVs and convenience-store payment systems for e-commerce payments, as well as support for the reduced consumption tax rate.」

「Capital expenditure during the consolidated fiscal year totaled ¥99.509 million, of which ¥88.947 million was primarily invested in the basic functions and upgrade-related additions to Logizard ZERO.」

「Against this backdrop, during the nine-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we continued adding functions to Logizard ZERO and established a department specializing in planning and development that will lead to the launch of new services in the future, thereby building a structure for ongoing product and service development.」

「Against this backdrop, during the six-month period of the current consolidated fiscal year, we developed APIs (※3) for Logizard ZERO, the core product, to support connectivity with on-site equipment and external systems, and added functions for handheld terminals and subscription-based e-commerce. At the end of the second quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year, property, plant and equipment increased by ¥21.698 million from the end of the previous consolidated fiscal year to ¥209.887 million. This was mainly due to the recognition of software under development following an upgrade to Logizard ZERO, the core product.」

「Against this backdrop, during the first quarter of the current consolidated fiscal year, we developed APIs for the core Logizard ZERO product to support connectivity with on-site equipment and external systems, and added functions for handheld terminals and subscription-based e-commerce.」

「In addition to incorporating new recognition technologies such as RFID and image recognition into our products, enabling multiple items to be processed together by scanning equipment, we are actively promoting standardized data connectivity with material-handling and other logistics equipment, as well as core systems and peripheral systems, with the aim of providing services that are more attractive to companies seeking labor savings and automation.」