The SaaS Source: July 2024
This month’s roundup of news in Japan’s SaaS industry covers significant advancements in AI SaaS platforms, new payment technologies and notable industry awards.
AI SaaS Platform Storepad to be Showcased at Store and EC DXPO Tokyo ’24 Exhibition
Ixius Co., Ltd. announced that its AI-powered SaaS platform, Storepad, will be showcased at the “Store and Commercial Facility Support Exhibition” during the “Store and EC DXPO Tokyo ’24 [Summer] Exhibition” at Tokyo Big Sight on July 25-26, 2024, according to Jiji (in Japanese). Storepad boosts store operations by linking with 23 media channels to connect stores with customers through a comprehensive information dissemination and analysis platform. The exhibition will feature live demonstrations of Storepad’s capabilities, allowing attendees to experience its potential to streamline operations and boost customer attraction. Ixius Co., Ltd. is also actively recruiting new team members, with more details available on their recruitment page.
Stripe Japan Unveils New Payment Solutions at Tokyo Event
On July 18, 2024, Stripe Japan hosted the “Stripe Tour Tokyo 2024” to showcase its advancements in payment solutions and its strategic focus for the Japanese market. My Navi News reports (in Japanese) that CEO Mitsuru Hiraga highlighted Japan’s growing digital economy and Stripe’s commitment to enhancing financial services through its software-defined approach. Stripe aims to build a platform with real-time, programmable funds and AI-driven insights, focusing on integrating advanced features into its SaaS offerings. Key announcements included the introduction of “Stripe Identity” for identity verification, direct connection to Mastercard, and new card installment payment options. The company emphasized its intention to support multi-cloud environments and cross-border payments.
Think-cell Japan Celebrates Fifth Consecutive Win in IT Review Grid Award
A PRTimes report (in Japanese) from July 17 announced that Think-cell Japan Inc. has been recognized for the fifth consecutive term in the IT review Grid Award 2024 Summer, winning in three categories on Japan’s largest IT product and SaaS review site. CEO Nobukuni Matsuzuka received the Leader award in graph creation tools / software and Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 extensions, as well as the High Performer award in the presentation category. The awards are based on user reviews that highlight Think-cell’s SaaS capabilities in enhancing productivity and improving business communication through effective data visualization. As a Microsoft Powerpoint extension, Think-cell enables users to create complex charts and graphs easily, and is highly popular with business professionals and consultants, including all top 10 consulting firms globally.
Oracle Japan CEO Highlights AI as Key Driver for SaaS Evolution
In a recent press conference, Oracle Japan President and CEO Tomomitsu Misawa highlighted the pivotal role of AI in advancing SaaS applications. ZDNET reports (in Japanese) Misawa’s strategy for fiscal 2025 includes providing a robust cloud infrastructure and promoting AI integration for customers. He outlined three key initiatives: offering a powerful GPU environment for AI in Japan; deploying generative AI solutions for enterprises; and embedding AI in SaaS. Misawa stressed that Oracle’s unique advantage lies in its proprietary cloud infrastructure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), which enhances cost-competitiveness and supports the continuous evolution of SaaS. Oracle also promotes a multi-cloud strategy to broaden the use of its flagship Oracle Database across different cloud platforms.
