Takenaka Corporation

Challenges

Fewer workers and an aging population demand higher productivity
Siloed sites reduce data sharing and business continuity
IoT, big data, AI and robotics require a foundation for future use

Solution

Migrate main and branch office server functions to the cloud
Use high-speed technology to match on-premises data access speeds

Benefits

Data is accessible to employees and customers anywhere, any time
The cloud serves as a foundation for future digital transformation

Takenaka Corporation

Dr. Eng
General Manager
Group ICT Promotion Department
Head Office
Keizo Iwashita

“By establishing a fundamental base for sharing all kinds of data, I believe we have successfully taken the first step in driving digitization of the construction industry.”

Challenges

The distributed management system for each construction site restricted the sharing of documents and BIM data

Takenaka Corporation has always provided architecture in response to customer needs based on its management philosophy: “Contribute to society by passing on the best works to future generations.” Takenaka Corporation has worked on numerous buildings symbolic of their eras — including Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome, Abeno Harukas and more.

Takenaka Corporation is also known as a company that leads its industry in using advanced ICT. “As with other industries, the construction industry is facing major problems such as a human resources squeeze and the aging of skilled workers. It is now essential for companies to continue to pursue business efficiency and productivity in multiple directions. ICT is essential for solving these problems,” says Dr. Keizo Iwashita of Takenaka Corporation. Based on this thinking, in 2014 Takenaka Corporation established the Group ICT Promotion Department to comprehensively manage ICT for the Takenaka Group. Around 7,000 mobile terminals were distributed to sales, design and construction sites, and measures such as “Takenaka Smart Work” were developed to promptly respond to customer needs and improve productivity.

Recently, problems with using ICT have become evident. These problems concern the management and operation of data used at construction sites.

The company has around 500 major construction sites across Japan. Each site handles design and construction information, including documents, CAD and building information modeling (BIM) data, but they also maintain other forms of data such as contracts with partner companies and quality, cost, delivery, safety, environment (QCDSE) process charts. The company has conventionally promoted information sharing among workers and a paperless workflow by storing data on NAS file servers installed at each site.

“However, because this was ultimately a closed system at each site, it was difficult for workers to check data using mobile terminals when leaving the office, or when sharing information with the Osaka or Tokyo head offices, branch offices nationwide, or partner companies across Japan. When attending off-site meetings based on drawings, employees had to print out the data beforehand or send the data ahead of time, and if we wanted to check other data in the course of the meeting, we couldn’t do that,” reflects Dr. Iwashita.

This method also posed risks for data retention and business continuity in the event of a file server failure or natural disaster at a field site. Since this was an on-premises model, creating backups involved time, effort, and expense, as well as a lot of effort to restore data.

Solution

Migrate to a cloud file server, aiming to maintain similar response times to the on-premises model

Takenaka Corporation sought ways to manage essential data more easily and reliably. After considering the matter carefully, it decided to build a new file server environment in the cloud and concentrate data collectively.

“At this time, we thought about creating a mechanism enabling information to be viewed from the main offices and branch offices, partner companies and from mobile terminals — by consolidating all the documents, various forms of data, BIM data, and more, handled by the main offices and branch offices, in addition to the data at each site,” states Dr. Iwashita. By building in redundancy on the cloud side, restoration work in the wake of any disaster would become easier. The company decided this would solve all their problems, including unnecessary operational management of file server equipment.

For the data migration destination, Takenaka Corporation selected a private cloud environment proposed by NTT.

This cloud file server environment combines the Nexcenter data center service, Enterprise Cloud service and NTT Global Network Services among others. In making this selection, the company prioritized support for BIM data access times, a requirement peculiar to construction sites. Specifically, since BIM data handled on sites can exceed several hundred megabytes, display speed often becomes a restrictive bottleneck when using a general-purpose cloud environment. So, the ability to maintain the same level of usability as the original system was incorporated into the requirements.

“NTT responded to our request not simply by offering the WAN speed-up solution, but also by thoroughly speed-tuning the system.

Although we requested proposals from multiple vendors, it would have proved difficult to comprehensively investigate and eliminate the cause of this speed reduction without NTT’s ability to provide everything from cloud infrastructure to lines and networks as a single all-in-one provider,” said Dr. Iwashita.

Benefits

Established a cloud data-sharing infrastructure to serve as a foundation for digitizing construction sites

Takenaka Corporation is migrating the data from each of its sites, main offices and branch offices to the cloud. Work is still underway to migrate data from about 500 major sites, as well as main offices and branch offices, over a period of 2 years.

Sites that have performed the data migration have achieved the expected results. “Personnel at our company and partner companies can now check data at any time and any location their authority allows. During meetings held externally, they can also view drawings via mobile terminals, which certainly improves productivity,” says Dr. Iwashita. Response times for viewing BIM data are good, and the same level of usability as before has been achieved.

Business continuity has also improved. Transferring data to NTT’s data center makes it impossible for information to be lost even if a site office is struck by some disaster. At the same time, the cloud environment implements redundancy between physically remote data centers to ensure further security.

“Since we’re able to leave operational management to NTT, we’ve also been able to reduce the burden on employees who previously managed equipment and handled disaster response,” Dr. Iwashita adds. As these efforts have resulted in a certain level of success, the company intends to develop and expand similar systems across its Japanese group companies and sites in Europe, the USA and Asia.

“The construction industry worldwide has steadily steered its efforts toward digitization. As we have established our complete basic data-sharing infrastructure, we can now move forward with innovative improvements to productivity using digital fabrication, big data, AI and more, with a view toward Construction 4.0, which we have set as a future goal,” emphasizes Dr. Iwashita.

Takenaka Corporation’s efforts are set to continue as a core player in the Japanese construction industry.

Interview

You can see customer testimonial video.

Service

NTT Global Network Services

NTT Global Network Services is a new highly available broadband network that uses low latency submarine cable systems to let enterprises rapidly deploy reliable, low-cost, scalable cloud-based applications and data, across the globe.

Enterprise Cloud

Enterprise Cloud is a secure private cloud service that complements our data center, network and server solutions. We provide a versatile and secure IT cloud infrastructure to support core business applications. A wide range of options are available, including flexible resource provisioning.

Nexcenter

Nexcenter, the next generation data center service from NTT provides world-class quality and full support.

Company

Takenaka Corporation

Revenue: JPY 1,216.5 billion (as of March 31, 2017)

Business: Takenaka Corporation is a major construction company that worked on such buildings as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome and Abeno Harukas — buildings that symbolize the times and have become national landmarks of Japan. In recent years, working under the concept of Healthy Community Development, by striving to create spaces and urban communities that contribute to a society of longevity and health, Takenaka Corporation has sought to realize a sustainable society where people can live with peace of mind at all stages of urban development.

URL: http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/index.html

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Ricoh Japan Corp.

Challenges

The capital investment burdens of a growing service infrastructure
Increasing operational workload and IT skill shortage

Solution

Cloud service with on-demand adjustment of IT resources
Outsourcing IT operations to an expert team at NTT

Benefits

Smooth system migration without adversely affecting users
Reduced investment & management load with more focus on central goals.

Senior Corporate Officer Mr. Shinji Mizo

Ricoh Japan Corp.

Chief of IT Service Business Promotion Division
Business Solution Head Office
Mr. Shingo Hattori

“We decided to migrate to cloud service in a way that would not burden our customers. NTT’s proposal fully satisfied our requirements.”

Challenges

Investment and management loads related to IT service delivery

The Ricoh Group is renowned for delivering various types of office equipment and solutions including printers, multifunctional machines and copiers. In the IT service category, Ricoh Japan developed IT Keeper, which provides one-stop system infrastructure planning, installation and management/maintenance. The company also solves various issues related to IT utilization. Its service lineup includes NET Begin BB Pack Select service ( “BB Pack” hereafter), which provides comprehensive assistance ranging from introduction/installation of the Internet environment and mail/web server operations to hosting and on-site recovery measures. BB Pack has been popular among wide-ranging users, especially SOHO and other small businesses. Among the approximately 120,000 companies now using BB Pack, nearly 20,000 use the hosting service.

The increase in users was more rapid than expected since the service launch 15 years ago, and the increasing capital investment and human resources required to maintain high availability were beginning to become a burden.

“On-premise system operation required constant incremental improvement of facilities for the growing user base and constant education of personnel to keep pace with IT advances and systems growing in complexity. Too many resources were going toward maintaining the IT infrastructure, so it became harder for us to concentrate on business goals such as the enhancement of IT Keeper service quality,” reflected Mr. Shingo Hattori. So Ricoh Japan decided to stop running the facilities itself and instead utilize a cloud service provided by another company to create an environment where it could distribute IT resources in response to user requests on demand.

Solution

Service migration to the cloud with infrastructure run by NTT

Ricoh Japan approached several service providers with summaries of its requirements regarding service reliability, stability, security and migration. After carefully examining competitive proposals, the company chose NTT (NTT).

“In short, we chose NTT because of its unrivaled reliability. No matter how we provide services, whether through the cloud or not, we have to ensure that no trouble comes to our clients. NTT is one of Japan’s leading providers and the only Japanese provider with a Tier 1 IP backbone in Asia. We believe its business record and achievements speak for themselves,” said Mr. Hattori.

The company’s cloud migration requirements were another important consideration. Since its employees use various platforms and tools of different versions, securely migrating the complex system to a cloud-based environment without any failures would be an extremely challenging task.

Mr. Hattori stated with emphasis, “Other providers' proposals also met our system migration requests, but they required changes to our existing system. Only NTT clearly stated that we could migrate our system without any changes. We could sense their confidence and know-how backed by ample experience handling hosting services and migrating systems to the cloud under the OCN brand name.”

The company’s desire to decrease operational load, another major challenge, also pushed it toward choosing NTT. Ricoh Japan had been handling various system needs such as firmware updates for a RAID controller, required as a troubleshooting measure, and the implementation of security measures for virtual servers. “Another attractive feature of NTT was the sophisticated skills of its infrastructure operation team,” explained Mr. Hattori.

Benefits

Swift branch development and Asian market strategy support

Employing a cloud system that only a telecommunications carrier could provide, NTT seamlessly and securely migrated Ricoh Japan’s customer management systems from its on-premise environment to Enterprise Cloud (through NTT Global Network Services closed-network service). “Regarding operations in the new environment,” said Mr. Hattori, “we mainly handle applications while NTT handles infrastructure based on agreements on our defined management roles. This flexible approach has benefits.”

NTT provides two internally developed tools to support management of the new cloud environment. One is a “shelf registration tool” that can support the entire order receipt process of Ricoh’s BB Pack from acquisition of cloud IT resources to service delivery. The other is an “information collection tool” that enables system visualization of customer service.

Because of this cloud migration project, Ricoh Japan is now able to increase/decrease IT resources on demand, as well as largely reduce the burden of infrastructure management.

Capital investment on service provision changed from fixed to variable expenses, thus eliminating waste and enabling in-house engineers to concentrate on developing new services and applications — their central goal.

“The TCO reduction achieved through our new system will be paid back to customers by lowering service fees. Of course, this will give our IT Keeper service an even bigger competitive edge,” said Mr. Hattori.

As more and more corporate IT environments of all scales become cloud-based, and more companies employ cloud-based workstyles utilizing mobile devices and Wi-Fi networks, Ricoh Japan will collaborate with NTT to proactively deliver services that meet their needs.

Service

Enterprise Cloud

NTT Global Network Services

ANTT Global Network Services is a new highly available broadband network that uses low latency submarine cable systems to let enterprises rapidly deploy reliable, low-cost, scalable cloud-based applications and data, across the globe.

Company

Ricoh Japan Corp.

Revenue: JPY 589,690 million (as of March 2015)
Business: Ricoh Japan Corp. is an office automation solution company established through the integration of three sales-related domestic companies in the Ricoh Group (Ricoh Technosystems, Ricoh Business Expert and part of Ricoh IT Solutions). It proposes and provides optimal office solutions in response to client requests by combining products and services from Ricoh’s vast lineup.

URL: www.ricoh.co.jp

‘Ricoh Japan Corp.’ case study
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Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd.

Challenges

Build an applications supporting infrastracture, including SAP, for the US acquisition
Create an entire IT environment, including core system, network and IT support desk

Solution

Leverage hybrid cloud infrastructure, combing cloud and colocation for servers
Outsourced network, security, and help desk to NTT

Benefits

Rapid transition- Built IT infrastructure, transferred data and renewed system just 6 months after acquisition
Flexible- New IT infrastructure is ready to quickly expand and support future global initiatives

Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd.

Senior Corporate Officer
Mr. Shinji Mizo

“We are targeting Asia as the next step of our global business expansion, so it has been crucial for us to find a partner capable of providing total support.”

Mizkan Partners Co., Ltd.

Manager
Information Technology Department Business Management Division
Mr. Hiroshi Masuda

“Building IT infrastructure overseas multiplies the problems. Having a partner that can participate in the total problem-solving process is an invaluable asset.”

Mizkan Partners Co., Ltd.

Information Technology Department Business Management Division
Mr. Toshio Takeshima

“We deployed NTT’s help desk solution in UK to provide IT support for our European business units and thereby realize stronger governance. For standardization, we intend to deploy the same solution in our U.S. and Japanese offices.”

Challenges

Build IT infrastructure to support M&A and accelerate transition from centuries-old Japanese brand to global brand

Established in 1804, Mizkan is a widely known Japan-based food manufacturer, selling many products with deep brand value, including natto fermented soybeans and flavor enhancers such as vinegar, an essential ingredient in Japanese dishes such as sushi and stews. Mizkan is the proud purveyor of Japan’s No. 1 vinegar brand and the very popular natto brand.

The company has been accelerating its global expansion since its 200th anniversary in 2003. In recent years, it acquired the UK’s top vinegar brands, Sarson’s, Haywards and Branston. Then, in June 2014, it acquired the two market leading U.S. pasta sauce brands for $2.15 billion from Unilever – Ragu, the No.1 general pasta sauce, and Bertolli, the No.1 premium pasta sauce.

According to Mr. Mizo, “Mizkan’s ex-Japan sales ratio rose from 30% to 50% in 2014 as a result of M&A. While we were pleased to attain this key growth target earlier than expected, we were unable to establish the infrastructure and processes needed to keep pace with our fast growth.”

Mizkan required a foundation on which to build its infrastructure to integrate with its global businesses.

Solution

Starting from zero, build the needed IT infrastructure within just six months

Once the last acquisition was competed in June 2014, the Information Technology Department began planning to construct the company’s new IT infrastructure and integrate its new businesses. “There were limits to using legacy assets because the aquired companies were large and had different business environments,” said Mr. Masuda. So we had to start from zero when we developed the new IT infrastructure for our servers, network and IT support desk.”

According to the transition service agreement (TSA) signed with the newly acquired company, Mizkan could use existing IT infrastructure for only half a year, so it had to transfer all systems and data by December. “In M&As, contractual time limits must be strictly observed, so it was critical for us to find a reliable partner since our IT human resources were limited. We looked at a number of carriers and vendors, but in the end we chose NTT based on their superior global experience and achievements,” explained Mr. Masuda.

Standardization and efficiency were crucial, since actual construction of the IT infrastructure had to be completed within one month of the start date and become operational by December. “In building the core system, including SAP, we minimized customization and add-ons because we decided that work procedures should be adapted to the new system. We chose a hybrid cloud for our servers, using both the cloud and colocation for speed and flexibility,” said Mr. Masuda. Explaining why they chose Enterprise Cloud, NTT’s private-cloud service, he said, “A private cloud assures strong security, which was vital because we had to transfer data fast and safely.”

Another crucial decision was choosing the right equipment for a network environment that would connect global offices, plants and distribution centers. Mr. Masuda noted, “NTT’s data centers are directly interconnected via a wide area network (WAN), so our network could be constructed quickly.” As with its WAN in Japan, Mizkan adopted NTT Global Network Services to connect its data center and global units. In particular, the company was attracted to the service’s low-latency connections between Japan and the United States.

Benefits

Strengthened global governance through a reliable, standardized IT infrastructure

Now that Mizkan’s new brands have been seamlessly integrated into the company’s global network, various systems are being operated on NTT’s hybrid cloud infrastructure. Looking to the future, however, the company still has some technical issues to address. “We must decide the best practices for our data center and network, including how to leverage the cloud for our entire group,” said Mr. Masuda. “We also want to further reinforce governance by establishing global security standards and standardizing various processes.”

Considering the importance of unified governance for global IT infrastructure, Mizkan elected to deploy NTT’s Super Help Desk to provide fully unified, multilingual IT support 24/7.

“It was too difficult to provide global IT support from Japan because of the time differences,” said Mr. Takeshima. “As the first step in resolving this problem, we deployed NTT’s help desk service to support our IT personnel in the UK. We are looking at using the service in the U.S. and Japan as well.”

Another key factor for Mizkan in selecting its IT partner was problem-solving capabilities. “Many issues had to be resolved to build our IT infrastructure from scratch,” said Mr. Masuda. “In NTT, we found a partner that could become totally involved in our problem-solving process, including balancing our needs with those of our new brands’ IT divisions.”

Mr. Mizo explained, “Looking ahead, we are planning to extend our global IT infrastructure in the Asia region, so for this kind of global expansion, we need a partner like NTT to offer us total support on a one-stop basis.”

While M&A is an effective means of accelerating global expansion, there are many cases of business integration being delayed by inadequacies in existing IT assets. This is why it is so important to choose a partner with proven global capabilities to leverage the cloud and quickly establish standardized IT infrastructure and systems.

Service

Enterprise Cloud

NTT Global Network Services

Company

Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd.

Revenue: Consolidated net sales: 214.1 billion yen (fiscal 2014)
Business: Established in 1804, Mizkan sells diverse products and foods that are staples of modern food culture. In keeping with its philosophy, “Offer Customers Only the Finest Products,” Mizkan provides products and foods that enrich dining tables.

URL: http://www.mizkan.net

‘Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd.’ case study
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Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Challenges

Insufficient collaboration among offices worldwide
Inconsistency in security levels at global offices

Solution

Integrate email & authentication platforms in a data center in Japan
Achieve secure connection via integrated Internet gateway

Benefits

Faster communication between offices in all countries
Centralized virus scanning and incident management

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

General Manager
OA and Network Group
Information Systems Division
Mr. Minehiro Akasaki

“We achieved the right infrastructure to become a global blue-chip company with high profits and high growth”

Challenges

Integrating independently implemented platforms

The Asahi Glass Company (AGC) was established in 1907 and has become one of the world’ s leading glass manufacturers for construction and automobiles and also provides glass panels for LCDs, components for electronics, and products such as fluorine for the chemical industry.

The company is striving for continuous growth under its new AGC Plus management policy. It aims to benefit all stakeholders by providing greater safety, security and comfort for society; by creating new value and functions for customers and business partners that build mutual trust; by enhancing job satisfaction among employees; and by increasing the Groups’ corporate value for investors.

While many companies are recently setting global business expansion as an objective, AGC has been actively expanding in overseas markets for over 50 years. However, its approach to expansion has changed dramatically over the years. In the past, AGC manufactured products locally because heavy glass products were unsuitable for export. This resulted in overseas affiliates becoming strongly independent. “But improvements in logistics now require greater collaboration between affiliates in all countries to enable sharing of production and product stock to meet demand,” explained Mr. Minehiro Akasaki of AGC.

Therefore, AGC launched the Global Communication Enhancement Project (GCEP) to create a system that would enhance communication between bases all over the world. For example, it aimed to fully integrate independently implemented email platforms in Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. “To integrate authentication platforms, our global business operations had to raise minimum security standards as well,” said Mr. Akasaki.

Solution

Entrusting important equipment to a reliable partner

AGC created its new global communication platform with support from NTT. First, it integrated email and authentication platforms in a domestic data center. Then it connected the email platform with global bases through Enterprise Cloud’s Internet gateway and included functions such as firewalls, IPS and load balancing for web access.

The company chose NTT as its partner because of its superb track record and superior proposal, which included greater data center robustness, higher operation monitoring quality, and higher reliability in handling important network equipment. AGC was already using NTT’s NTT Global Network Services for its global network and Enterprise Cloud as its operation platform for the front-end web server of its official websites and OMS.

“In our longstanding relationship with NTT, they have always been a dependable partner. The integration and operation of our global infrastructure would require difficult tasks such as the handling of local carriers in each region. With its bases in every region, NTT can respond with attentive care on a global scale. Whenever we need help, they can provide it right away. That’s what I call reassuring,” explained Mr. Akasaki. NTT’s service also offered an edge in facilitating the connection between closed networks and the Internet.

Benefits

Enhanced business continuity

By following through with its project, AGC dramatically improved its communication speed in Japan and throughout Asia. “Our unified address book covers the entire Asian region, allowing us to find key employees in Asia, even if we don’t know them personally, by inputting the country and division,” said Mr. Akasaki. Having the same email domain throughout Asia makes communication smoother because the address does not change with job title.

Infrastructure costs and operational workloads were also slashed by relieving each office of its email and authentication servers. More important, the main objective of the project to increase global security was achieved through central virus checking and incident management in Japan. “When a vulnerability issue arose in the SSL, for example, we reduced the risk by simultaneously changing every user’s browser settings from the central management console,” said Mr. Akasaki.

To optimize global business operations, AGC is committed to continuously improving its IT environment through such measures as shifting business application systems currently implemented on-premises to the cloud. For example, MDM tools on Enterprise Cloud allow AGC employees to seamlessly use the same smart devices at home and abroad.

From the business continuity standpoint, various measures are planned, including the use of Enterprise Cloud to secure redundancy in the currently centralized communication platform and Internet gateway. “We look forward to further support from NTT, with its versatile services and high reliability, toward the fulfillment of our project goals,” Mr. Akasaki emphasized.

Interview

You can see customer testimonial video.

Service

Enterprise Cloud

NTT Global Network Services

Company

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Revenue: JPY 1,326.3 billion (as of December 2015)

Business: One of the world’ s leading glass makers, with business operations centering on glass for construction, display panels and automobiles. Also expanding into electronics and chemicals.

URL: http://www.agc.com

‘Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.’ case study
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MITSUI & CO., LTD.

Challenges

Standardizing transmission quality and troubleshooting worldwide
Enhancing flexibility and scalability in our business foundation

Solution

Build a communication service infrastructure that serves all offices worldwide
Form a strong Project Promotion Team to promote standardization

Benefits

A standard IT environment for all 138 offices worldwide
A seamless environment that enables operational reform

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Associate Officer
General Manager of Information Technology
Promotion Division
Mr. Isao Ueda

“Even after the new IT infrastructure is constructed, this project will carry on for many years via operation and maintenance services. We selected NTT because we trust they are a reliable company with a dedication to security and will commit themselves to this long-term project.”

Challenges

Preparing for global optimization of the IT infrastructure
Further standardization of the communication infrastructure

Mistui & Co., Ltd. is Japan’s representative general trading company. Utilizing its network and information resources around the world, it pursues business ranging from product sales and worldwide logistics and financing to the development of major international projects around the world. To support its diverse business, Mitsui recently began renewing its complex IT infrastructure, which was separately constructed and operated by the head office and group companies, to create a single globally optimized IT infrastructure shared by the entire group.

General Manager Mr. Isao Ueda told us, “Our global network consists of approximately 138 offices and 462 subsidiaries and associated companies in 65 regions*1. As a general trading company, our mission is to meet the needs of society and connect countries with customers, people with things and business with information. Toward this end, it became necessary for us to seamlessly connect our offices and business hubs.”

In 2011, Mitsui began standardizing its communication network among overseas offices and centralizing management of local carriers. However, in some emerging countries there were unavoidable problems in the level of service, such as in the quality of telecommunications and troubleshooting.

“Our goal was to create an environment that gives all employees the same IT service around the world, wherever they work. To expand our global network and deal with post M&A alliances between companies, we needed an IT infrastructure that would swiftly self evolve in response to changing management environments. This explains why our IT infrastructure renovation project was launched,” says Mr. Ueda.

*1 As of October 1, 2016

Solution

Service covering all offices around the world
A multipolar project carried out at the same pace globally

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. required the new IT infrastructure to provide service for all offices and business hubs around the world with the highly reliable, uniform telecommunication quality required of a trading company. It also required a one-stop provider of all IT resources (applications, cloud, on-premise and network services, etc.) that would manage these services and become a business partner.

“It was also important for the provider to coordinate between our staff overseas while mainly working with our project team in Japan to promote this global standardization project. Mitsui is divided into four regions that operate independently. These are The Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia/Oceania, and the Far East. Each region requires certain differences in IT infrastructure, but to promote global optimization of our IT infrastructure we sought a solution that would provide consistency throughout the entire company while also allowing close contact between headquarters and local staff,” spoke Mr. Ueda.

After reviewing several vendors from this standpoint, Mitsui chose the total solution proposed by NTT. NTT Global Network Services is a VPN service that runs in 196 countries and connects all Mitsui offices worldwide. It would allow seamless access to Enterprise Cloud and Nexcenter data centers in many countries around the world. Through the partial introduction of NFV*2, the company could convert network appliance functions to services that deliver greater flexibility when expanding business. Moreover, Global Management One would make centralized system operation and monitoring/maintenance possible. These were the reasons Mitsui evaluated NTT highly and determined the company could handle its entire global network while providing unwavering high-quality service.

“Regarding the Project Promotion Team, NTT assigned four project leaders to exclusively work for each of the four regions as well as other personnel to take charge locally. Their staffing plan gave me confidence that Mitsui’s local subsidiaries and our Project HQ could work together at the same pace to carry out our standardization project. Deepening mutual trust and faith in their reliability were other reasons Mitsui mainly choose NTT as its partner,” Mr. Ueda said.

Benefits

Improved operational efficiency and enhanced technology
An infrastructure that supports significant operational reform

Once a new IT infrastructure is built to cover 138 Mitsui & Co., Ltd. offices worldwide, the launching of new businesses and offices will become more feasible and business mobility will be strengthened. Centralization through the customer portal and multi-language support through NTT’s Global Help Desk Service will no doubt help resolve many of the daily concerns of Mitsui employees. In addition to the new IT infrastructure, Mr. Ueda is greatly looking forward to the ability of NTT’s management service to swiftly implement advanced technologies.

In addition to the new IT infrastructure, Mr. Ueda is greatly looking forward to the ability of NTT’s management service to swiftly implement advanced technologies.

“The world of IT is changing so rapidly that new technologies are developed every second. I anticipate that NTT’s management service will operate our new IT infrastructure in a more stable, higher-level condition than our previous system and continually apply cutting-edge technology based on their professional judgment. I look forward to the long-term support of NTT,” said Mr. Ueda.

One specific outcome of the renovation of Mitsui’s IT infrastructure will be “workstyle reform” that seamlessly links all global offices in real time. The current IT infrastructure could only host limited participants in Web conferences between different offices because of disparities in transmission quality and connectivity in each country.

“But now, once you open your laptop in any country, you can instantly connect via Wi-Fi to the world-standard workplace. ID authentication is shared in the unified IT infrastructure. So wherever you are, whether in Tokyo, New York or even Myanmar, if you enter your password, you can join a Web meeting held between offices in different countries, confirm people’s in-or-out-of-office status and share files and images without any stress. The new IT infrastructure will increase the productivity of meetings, improve operation efficiency and accelerate workstyle reform,” Mr. Ueda emphasized.

Mitsui acquired a new business infrastructure. With a new IT infrastructure that seamlessly links all offices globally, it plans to develop new businesses and increase innovation.

*2 Abbreviation for Network Function Virtualization. A network architecture that uses virtualization technology to manage traditional network functions via software on a general-purpose server.

Interview

You can see customer testimonial video.

Service

NTT Global Network Services

Enterprise Cloud

Nexcenter

Nexcenter, the next generation data center service from NTT provides world-class quality and full support.

Global Management One

Global Management One provides one-stop and seamless management services for your entire IT ecosystem.

Company

MITSUI & CO., LTD.

Revenue: JPY 9,616,821 millions (as of March 31, 2016)

Japan’s leading general trading company that operates businesses around the world centering on six major business domains; metals, machinery & infrastructure, chemicals, energy, lifestyles, and innovation & corporate development.

URL: http://www.mitsui.com/jp/en/

‘MITSUI & CO., LTD.’ case study
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Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Challenges

Creating a globally standardized method of moving large data such as CAD
Realizing a flexible supplier network for business continuity even in emergency situations

Solution

Utilize NTT’s global datacenters and expansive network
Leverage NTT’s fast, secure transfer service for smoother data movement

Benefits

Shorten product development with an infrastructure for fast design data transfers
Lower total data transfer costs by 30%

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

ManagerSystem Service Division
Global Master Management Department
Mr. Mikiya Fujita

“With seamless global service, the strength of NTT, we achieved a globally standardized supplier network system, along with faster product development, procurement, and production.”

Challenges

Nonstandard data transfer protocols. Some suppliers used traditional mail service
Needed to transfer a large amount of design data more quickly

Honda produces and sells automobiles, motorcycles, agricultural equipment, snow throwers, outboard engines and other products globally. They excel at making “products that exceed customers’ expectations” and to do so, it is essential to develop products that foresee customer needs and to build a global supply chain that provides them quickly.

“We develop our products globally with the aim of meeting varying local needs,” says Mr. Mikiya Fujita of Honda.

However, Honda was having issues establishing smooth collaboration with suppliers spread around the globe. When developing a new product, Honda’s product development team would first draw up a new mechanism, for example, and then the design would be passed on to suppliers. The suppliers would produce a prototype for mass production in 3D CAD and return it to Honda. Throughout parts testing and production, these large data files had to be sent back and forth.

There are supposedly between 20,000 to 30,000 parts in a car. Each part requires this kind of back and forth of data, and conventional exchange methods vary from region to region. A data transfer service was used in Japan and Thailand, but other regions used other media, mailing paper copies, and other methods.

“Mail could take up to a few weeks to be delivered, and it was affecting the speed of product development,” says Mr. Fujita.

This difficulty in sharing data across regions was causing issues in the flexible selection of suppliers for their global network to ensure stable supply lines.

“At the time of the earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan and the flood in Thailand, both in 2011, many suppliers were unable to operate, which had a huge impact on our production. We not only need to procure parts at optimum cost and speed during normal business operations, but in times of natural disasters as well, we need a global network of suppliers we can work closely with,” says Mr. Fujita.

Solution

Take advantage of a service area covering the globe
Craft an integrated infrastructure to leverage that global environment

To solve this issue, Honda began developing an integrated infrastructure to facilitate supplier cooperation called the Global Supplier Network (GSN) with NTT (NTT) as a partner.

It was absolutely categorical that GSN have highly reliable datacenters and a fast and stable global network to ensure smooth cross-regional transfers of gigabytes of data. “NTT boasts global network and provides datacenter services all around the globe. We were impressed with their globally standardized ICT infrastructure and their 24-7 helpdesk services,” says Mr. Fujita.

NTT also provided an integrated portal to manage the data transfer service and supplier information. Instead of creating a completely new system, GSN was put in place quickly and efficiently by utilizing NTT’s global platforms, such as the Biz Storage File Transfer service and Enterprise Cloud.

Measures to reduce data transfer time across regions were also taken, says Mr. Fujita. “Let’s say a design engineer in Southeast Asia sends data to a supplier in North America. If the supplier has to access a datacenter in Singapore via the internet to obtain the data, it takes a relatively long time. To counter this problem, we connected the datacenters to a backbone network which takes advantage of NTT services to swiftly transfer files between them. Anyone accessing the data will automatically be connected to the nearest datacenter as indicated by their registered ID.”

Benefits

Network will eventually link 10,000 suppliers
Drastic reduction in data transfer costs

GSN was completed in just 10 months, with datacenters in Japan and Singapore connected to the system, and it has been so successful that Honda plans to expand it by linking datacenters in Thailand, the UK, North America and other areas for even more global convenience, says Mr. Fujita

“We expect that 5,000 suppliers will be using this system within a couple of years, a number that will eventually double.”Biz Storage File Transfer has a convenient function that automatically restarts downloads in progress when connected, as well as security features such as one of the most effective data and communication encryptions available.

“Design data is a very important proprietary asset that supports Honda’s competitiveness. Security is an absolute imperative. However, when dealing with Chinese companies, we have to unencrypt data for legal reasons. This flexible service enables users to easily encrypt and unencrypt data for efficient data transfers,”says Mr. Fujita.

The system has also been effective in reducing costs. With the previous system, a fee was charged for each ID registered, so suppliers had to take on an additional cost burden, but GSN solved this issue with a flat fee.

“Overall operational costs for data transfer, including the costs incurred on the supplier side, have been reduced by about 30%.”

As GSN keeps detailed records about each supplier, including cost estimates, it allows unified management and for designers to choose appropriate suppliers through the portal. Honda intends to optimize its supply chain with the evolution of GSN and NTT will continue to support their efforts to create new products and technologies.

Interview

You can see customer testimonial video.

Service

Enterprise Cloud

Enterprise Cloud is a Private Cloud Service that customers have come to expect from a telecommunications carrier, in cooperation with Data Centers, Networks and Servers.

NTT provides the IT environment applicable to the core business, with flexible resource provision and variety of options that meet the customer’s demand.

Biz Storage File Transfer

This service enables users to transfer large files (up to 100GB per send) or highly confidential documents in safety and security. The operability is the same as that of e-mail. It is easy-to navigate and user friendly. By using this service, users will no longer need to split one large file into small files.

Company

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Address: 2-1-1 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Capital: ¥86 billion

Number of employees:198,561 (consolidated), 23,467 (nonconsolidated)

Business: With the slogan “The Power of Dreams” , Honda promotes development of products and technologies that are useful for our lives and dreams. In addition to the development of cars, motorcycles, and similar products, Honda has been actively pursuing new business areas such as the development of bipedal walking robots and small jet airliners.

URL: http://world.honda.com/

‘Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’ case study
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NXP Semiconductors

Challenges

Support a sharp rise in internet traffic

Solution

A cloud-ready corporate network

Benefits

Stability, Security, Scalability

NXP Semiconductors

Senior Director
Infrastructure IT Solution
Maurice Arntz

“We wanted a well-priced, reliable and scalable network from a provider that could ensure consistent global delivery. The NTT proposal for an MPLS network and internet access service fitted perfectly. “

Challenges

Support a sharp rise in internet traffic

The corporate network in place at the time was around six years old – too old to have been designed with access to cloud applications in mind. Every site had a network connection to its nearest NXP regional data centre in Europe, Asia and the Americas; internet breakout was available only at the data centres.

“That worked fine while the majority of our IT services were hosted locally and network traffic was mostly intra-company,” says Maurice Arntz, Senior Director, Infrastructure IT Solutions at NXP. “But as we ramped up our use of cloud applications, the network struggled to support the sharp rise in internet traffic.”

As the contract with NXP’s connectivity provider approached renewal time, Arntz seized the opportunity to refresh the network architecture and optimise it for consumption of cloud services.

Solution

A cloud-ready corporate network

The redesigned network architecture provides for immediate breakout to the internet at every site, bypassing the regional data centres. Each site has its own connection to the internet, which is separate from its connection to the corporate network. Larger sites have duplicate connections for added resilience.

As part of the transformation, Arntz went out to tender for a new connectivity provider. “We wanted a well-priced, reliable and scalable network from a provider that could ensure consistent global delivery,” says Arntz. “The NTT proposal for an MPLS network and internet access service fitted perfectly. We were convinced by their ability to help us realise our network transformation, and their readiness to build a good working relationship with us.”

The NTT MPLS network would also give NXP the option to converge voice and data and reduce outgoing call costs by making the transition to IP voice.

Just before contract signature, however, a new requirement arose. NXP acquired Freescale Semiconductors, which doubled the size of NXP, creating a company with $10 billion of annual revenues. “The acquisition added a whole new dimension to our network transformation, as we had to integrate the two companies onto a single network at the same time as rolling out the new architecture to every site.” says Arntz. “NTT accommodated our expanded requirements seamlessly into the contract.”

NXP and NTT agreed a multi-phase project for rolling out the entire network, including the Freescale integration. “Business had to continue as normal throughout,” points out Arntz. “In particular, all our design centres and factories operate 24/7. Halting design and production for a network renewal was out of the question.”

To avoid interruptions, NTT added and tested the new connections at each site before disconnecting the old ones. “A key member of the NTT team was our dedicated project manager, who provided excellent support for what was a complex network transformation,” says Arntz. “Overall project governance was very effective, and NTT maintained engagement with us at all levels. It truly felt like a collaborative journey.”

Arntz also cites NTT’s ability to find creative solutions to unexpected problems, such as when damage to cables at a site in the UK took out both its internet and corporate network connectivity. “NTT quickly installed temporary wireless connections at the site while the subcontractor replaced the cabled connections,” recalls Arntz. “It’s an approach that also proved useful as a backup at other sites when, for example, major roadworks in the area risked disrupting in-ground cables.”

Benefits

Stability, Security, Scalability

The redesigned architecture and move to NTT have given NXP a more stable and resilient network than before. “And of course, now that every site has its own internet access, we have the bandwidth we need to use cloud applications efficiently,” says Arntz. In addition, NTT implemented SIP trunking, which enables the two largest NXP sites in the Netherlands to make and receive voice calls over the MPLS network

The NTT solution incorporates enhanced monitoring capabilities, which provide increased network visibility. “We have more insight into our network, and can quickly flag any issues,” says Arntz. “At the same time, NTT is very proactive around incident handling and resolution. That means far fewer outages affecting network performance.”

In addition, the new network is much more secure. “The nature of our business makes us a prime target for cybercriminals,” explains Arntz. As a matter of course, NXP rigorously protects its intellectual property, and ensures its development and manufacturing environments are highly secure. “We’ve now ring fenced our company through the security features in the network design and on the network itself,” says Arntz.

He’s also confident that NTT can handle the network-related implications that come with NXP’s dynamic agenda of mergers, acquisitions and divestments. Having incorporated the Freescale acquisition onto the network at the start of the contract, a year later NTT helped NXP’s divestment of its Standard Products business line run to plan, with a network separation project. “NTT smoothly carved out the network supporting Standard Products’ five factories and approximately 10,000 employees,” says Arntz. “They’ve proved they can easily support this type of business activity that’s so common in the technology industry.”

Besides the NTT network solution itself, Arntz appreciates the harmonious working relationship between the two companies. “As well as being capable, the NTT people are a pleasure to work with, which really matters with a big contract like this,” says Arntz. “NTT scores well on our internal supplier ratings. Everyone is happy with them as a key global supplier to NXP.”

Service

Enterprise Cloud

Company

NXP Semiconductors

Business: The global leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP focuses on the automotive sector (including driverless cars), the internet of things, and wireless infrastructures.

URL: https://www.nxp.com/

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