DX Promotion
The OS Group’s Digital Transformation: ERP System "Ameios Navi"
An ERP System for Organic Supply Chain Management (SCM) Connecting Customers, Group Companies, and Suppliers
Since introducing our first online core system in 1992—nearly 30 years ago—the OS Group has actively focused on utilizing IT to operate our internal corporate systems. Today, our operations are powered by "Ameios Navi," our third-generation core system launched in 2019. The operational challenges we face are identical to those experienced by many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For this reason, "Ameios Navi" continues to evolve daily so that we can extend our IT support and system architecture expertise to stakeholders who face hurdles in their own DX journeys.
Our Vision
One of the primary goals of Ameios Navi is to enhance web-based services for our business partners. It features a comprehensive Supply Chain Management (SCM) system that organically connects the OS Group with customers and suppliers online—integrating the planning, operation, and management of every process from raw material procurement to final product delivery. Furthermore, it serves as a unified platform managing critical groupware components such as finance, accounting, HR, procurement, manufacturing, quality control, inventory, quoting, sales, logistics, and installation management. We continuously update this ERP system to drive visibility and efficiency across our entire business. All data is securely managed via Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing to ensure exceptionally stable operation.
Background Behind the Introduction of Ameios Navi
Foreseeing since the 1990s that Japan’s shrinking population (labor shortages) and siloed tasks dependent on specific veteran individuals would become severe managerial challenges, we have invested continuously in our ERP architecture for over 30 years. To execute our corporate strategy of transforming from a domestic AV company into a global comprehensive AI (AV x IoE) system group, we aggressively pushed forward operational reforms. The result is "Ameios Navi," our third-generation core system designed to provide powerful IT-driven support.
Practical Applications of Ameios Navi
Innovation in Sales, Engineering, and Operations
- Project Management
- Quotation Management
- Production Management
- Quality Control
- Logistics Management
- Data Analysis
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
- EDI Transactions
- Customer Web Services
Innovation in Sales, Engineering, and Operations
Project Management
Incorporating Activity-Based Costing (ABC) principles, the system tracks every stage from initial inquiry to project completion under a single project number. Man-hours from sales meetings or engineering site surveys are logged into Ameios Navi and billed to the specific project. Breaking down vague indirect overheads into precise activity-based costs enables us to accurately monitor and control product, procurement, logistics, and installation costs.
Quotation Management
Product specs, logistics, and installation pricing are pre-registered in our database, minimizing manual data entry during quote creation and drastically reducing input errors. Price structures expand automatically upon product selection, allowing any employee—regardless of experience—to easily generate consistent, accurate quotes with minimal time and effort.
Production Management
To optimize Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD), production planning, order management, inventory tracking, and factory scheduling are shared seamlessly online. This interconnected system allows us to flexibly accommodate small-lot and prototype custom orders across our diverse business lines, including screens, LED displays, mechanical devices, solar power, and battery storage.
Quality Control
Inspections are conducted across the entire production line—from pre-process parts acceptance to post-process pre-shipment checks—to eliminate variations in quality. Pre-shipment records are securely archived online to ensure high-quality products are delivered on schedule. Every product is assigned a unique serial number for full traceability, linking sales and production teams on a shared data foundation to protect the core of our manufacturing quality and expedite resolution of any customer feedback.
Logistics Management
Operating integrated shipping and material warehouses, all data regarding product shipments and parts disbursement during manufacturing is digitized. "Inbound, inventory, and outbound management" are synchronized in real time to support procurement, production, and logistics. Order-to-shipment processing functions as a single, uninterrupted thread, preventing mis-shipments and achieving shorter lead times via direct delivery.
Data Analysis
The system rapidly aggregates core database records to form a robust analytics foundation. In-depth data analysis—covering sales/purchase analysis, pipeline project tracking, PSI (Production, Sales, Inventory) management, marketing effectiveness, budgeting, and accounts receivable/payable—strongly empowers strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
EDI Transactions
The system seamlessly processes order receipts, shipments, accounts receivable logging, and billing for clients, alongside purchase ordering, delivery confirmations, arrivals, accounts payable logging, and payment notifications for suppliers. This drives process efficiency, slashes administrative costs, and instantly determines outstanding credits/debts to optimize cash flow.
Customer Web Services
We are currently developing a 24/7 web portal allowing clients to view product data, pricing, and delivery timelines without time or location constraints. Beyond boosting customer convenience and deepening client-company relationships, analyzing user metrics helps us understand behavioral trends and priorities to further refine our services.
Benefits Delivered by Ameios Navi
A Unified ERP System Shared Across Group Companies
A defining feature of the system is its ability to bridge multiple group companies and departments in a single click—seamlessly transitioning from quote creation to order generation, manufacturing/shipping/work instructions, and final billing. All domestic group companies (6 firms in total) utilize this shared platform and database structure rather than building siloed systems. This centralized data ecosystem eliminates duplicate architecture costs for subsidiaries, elevates security through unified access controls and standards, enhances cross-company collaboration, and sharpens our collective competitive edge.
Elevating In-House IT Literacy Through DX
Rather than leaving the administration and maintenance of Ameios Navi entirely to external IT vendors or specialized isolated departments, we utilize an internal "Ameios Navi Promotion Team" comprised of selected staff from sales, engineering, operations, and administrative divisions. Sharing the group’s overarching vision, they continuously update the platform. Treating Ameios Navi as an "IT learning tool" through practical DX execution has proven highly effective in upskilling and reskilling our personnel to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Adopted AWS for stable system operations.
Background to Cloud Adoption
Previously, we maintained on-premises servers distributed across three locations—Osaka (head office), Tokyo (headquarters), and Hyogo (factory)—but this setup presented several issues.
One issue was the high cost associated with server operations, such as hardware malfunctions and routine maintenance. Furthermore, because the servers were geographically dispersed, addressing hardware failures from a remote location was difficult and repairs could be time-consuming, thereby increasing the risk of operational downtime or delays. There were also concerns regarding Business Continuity Planning (BCP); in the event of a disaster, recovering data and maintaining business operations would have been difficult, potentially jeopardizing the company's long-term viability.
Leveraging the Cloud to Solve Challenges
We successfully achieved a dramatic reduction in costs associated with the operation, maintenance, and recovery of physical servers—areas that had previously been significant challenges. Furthermore, the adoption of the cloud enhanced system update flexibility and scalability, while substantially strengthening security and business continuity planning (BCP) measures.
These achievements have significantly contributed to accelerating digital transformation (DX), enabling more efficient and rapid business processes and establishing an environment that fosters new innovation.
*We utilize AWS for our cloud infrastructure and place a strong emphasis on Business Continuity Planning (BCP) measures.