Partner Introduction Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation

Since when has Yokogawa Solution Service been active as a partner of FLEXSCHE?

We started our relationship in December 2002, so it has been over 20 years now. Nowadays, when you think of FLEXSCHE, you often imagine FLEXSCHE GP, but at that time, FLEXSCHE GP had not yet been released, and the main product of FLEXSCHE was the platform "FLEXSCHE Components" (which is no longer sold) for building production scheduling systems.

It seems that our relationship started the year after our company was founded.

At that time, we were also exploring new business opportunities. We were discussing internally how to provide value to the manufacturing industry and felt the potential in production schedulers, which is when we encountered FLEXSCHE.

At that time, I believe there were other production schedulers besides FLEXSCHE. Why did you choose FLEXSCHE?

The reason we chose FLEXSCHE was undoubtedly its ease of function expansion and ease of integration with surrounding systems. The needs of the manufacturing industry were already diversifying at that time, and we felt that a system that could flexibly respond to those needs was required. In this regard, FLEXSCHE Components had an open API and was highly customizable, making it easy to handle with in-house development.

In addition, FLEXSCHE Components was a product designed for development, so it was also attractive in terms of price compared to other schedulers.

FLEXSCHE Components was a platform product premised on professional integration, so it might have been a good match with your high technical capabilities. The current main product of FLEXSCHE, "FLEXSCHE GP," is a general-purpose package software based on this FLEXSCHE Components. What do you think about it?

That's right. The high flexibility inherited from FLEXSCHE Components is still its greatest attraction. Depending on the case, customization can also be done flexibly. The "planning" envisioned by everyone in the manufacturing industry is truly broad, and no two are the same. I believe it is because of the flexibility of FLEXSCHE GP that everyone is satisfied.

Recently, I think the data interface has evolved considerably. In the past, FLEXSCHE required preprocessing such as processing data files for integration with other systems, but now it is often possible to handle integration with external systems using standard features.

I am also surprised by the evolution of the data interface. Personally, I like the "report output function" that allows direct data output from FLEXSCHE to Microsoft Excel. In the manufacturing field, many Microsoft Excel files are still used extensively, so the familiar Microsoft Excel is easily accepted on the field and is utilized by many customers.

This feature allows flexible setting of Microsoft Excel layouts, enabling fine adjustments to match the usage on the field, and it is attractive because it can be easily adopted even without programming or system development experience.

Could you tell us the number of FLEXSCHE implementations so far?

As of November 2023, including our own brand, the number of sales companies is 220, and the number of sales licenses is 361.

As expected of Yokogawa Solution Service! That's an impressive number. How about the market and industries you are dealing with?

We cover the entire country from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. In terms of the industries of our clients, based on sales performance, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are predominant, accounting for half of the total.

So you are strong in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

That's right. While the industries we deal with are quite broad, these two industries stand out. In recent years, due to the increasing demand for semiconductors, we have also seen an increase in inquiries from electronic component manufacturers.

I see. When proposing FLEXSCHE to customers, what do you think is your company's unique "strength"?

One of our company's characteristics is that our parent company is in the manufacturing industry. Being in the same manufacturing industry as the customers who need FLEXSCHE, we believe that having the perspective of the manufacturing industry is our strength. We can empathize with customers from a different perspective than a typical SIer, making it easier to deeply understand their business. We can also have conversations that go beyond what is visible on the desk, accompanied by real experiences, which tends to deepen the relationship with customers. When we talk from the perspective of the same manufacturing industry, we sometimes receive consultations beyond the system aspect.

When we can build such a deep relationship, it naturally becomes easier to hear the real voices of customers, and we can make a wide range of improvement proposals, often leading to long and deep relationships. I feel that the fact that many customers continue with maintenance is a reflection of this.

Your strength is being able to empathize with customers from the perspective of the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, I think the abundant implementation track record is also a characteristic of Yokogawa Solution Service. What do you think about this?

That's right. Having a track record means that we have experience in introducing our solutions to a wide variety of manufacturing industries, which is a strength of our company due to the know-how we have accumulated. We are often praised for the quality of Yokogawa Electric's products, but naturally, we are also expected to deliver the same quality and results. We have 20 years of experience and cultivated know-how to meet those expectations, so our customers can feel assured when consulting with us.

This kind of know-how and experience comes in handy in various situations. When introducing FLEXSCHE, customers often have various requests, but I believe that continuously confirming and judging whether those requests are appropriate from the final landing point is not something just anyone can do. I think our ability to discern this is largely due to our know-how and experience.

That's right. It often happens that customers themselves cannot clearly imagine the specific landing point when introducing FLEXSCHE. Since FLEXSCHE can truly flexibly respond to customer requests, those requests can grow without limits. That's why we, with our know-how and experience, work together with customers to set specific goals, considering their budget and deadlines, and accompany them throughout the process. I believe that being able to carry out such activities is one of our strengths.

Being able to lead the introduction of FLEXSCHE to success through experience and know-how is also a strength of Yokogawa Solution Service. Could you share any feedback from customers who have introduced FLEXSCHE?

We often receive feedback that overtime hours have decreased. Recently, we heard that they were able to reduce the number of workers needed from three to two.

There were also customers who mentioned that the time required for planning has been shortened. Overall, we have received feedback that it has led to cost cuts, which is pleasing to hear.

I have received feedback that it has become easier to see the actual results against the plan, making internal sharing smoother. The effects of the introduction vary, but I feel that we are able to help move our customers' businesses forward.

It seems like you have a good relationship with your customers, Horikita-san?

That's right. I feel that a one-way interaction of "please make this" is not enough to create something good. Fortunately, I am able to create time to think together with the customers I am in charge of, so I think we are able to have close communication.

Do you notice any trends or tendencies in recent projects?

I have the impression that the need for production schedulers has increased with the promotion of manufacturing DX and the topic of labor shortages. This trend has continued in recent years and I think it will continue in the future.

Indeed, there are many discussions about proposing the introduction of FLEXSCHE. Since core systems and manufacturing execution systems are large systems, they require careful explanation, and it is not uncommon for proposals to take time to conclude. On the other hand, FLEXSCHE has the characteristic of being easily understood by those in the manufacturing industry just by showing a simple demo, so the negotiation time tends to be shorter compared to core systems and manufacturing execution systems. That's why it might start with "let's begin with the scheduler."

Even just by watching a demo, you can feel the visualized screen and the smooth operation of FLEXSCHE, which might make it easier to understand what the system is intended for.

That said, there are also times when we are approached as part of discussions about introducing core systems or large manufacturing execution system projects.

If you have any concerns about FLEXSCHE or requests for FLEXSCHE Corporation, could you please share them?

Compared to the old FLEXSCHE, I think it has evolved into a very beneficial software with more mechanisms and functions necessary for the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, we are required to master these mechanisms and functions, so it would be appreciated if you could think a little more concretely about the "learning method" regarding technical sharing and efficient introduction methods.

That's true. But actually, compared to other software, I think FLEXSCHE is relatively easy to understand.

Indeed, that's true.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, training has shifted to video viewing, and the "learning method" has become video-only... that might have an impact. In the past, we used to interact with FLEXSCHE's technical people face-to-face and ask questions interactively, so I think we were able to deepen our understanding more than now. I tell customers that the ultimate goal is to be able to ask questions on the "mailing list." That's why I feel that a "learning method" where you can ask questions on the spot and deepen your understanding is necessary, rather than just watching videos.

I learned FLEXSCHE through video training, but at first, I was scared and couldn't post on the "mailing list." If I had been able to ask questions face-to-face with technical people, I might have been able to post questions on the "mailing list" sooner. I would like to experience real training where I can actually ask questions.

Thank you. We will take this into consideration and review it in the future.

Finally, could you please give a message to the manufacturing industry considering the introduction of FLEXSCHE?

The good thing about FLEXSCHE is that the results of operations are visibly easy to understand. By inputting the customer's plan into FLEXSCHE and slightly tweaking the rules on the spot, the output results change. I would like you to experience how a small difference can lead to a significant difference in results.

When introducing FLEXSCHE, I would like you to consider it with a long-term commitment in mind. FLEXSCHE has abundant functions to realize customer requests. It demonstrates its true value by repeatedly refining and getting closer to the ideal form, rather than just aiming for immediate effects, so I would like you to engage in a committed operation.

If you are unsure about what will happen when you introduce a scheduler, please feel free to consult with us. As a package software, FLEXSCHE is more about "how to use it" than "what it can do." We will assist according to your requests, so please feel free to consult with us.