Daitetsu and Ainet Launch Strategic Collaboration in SS and Propane Gas Sectors for Information Processing Services for the Oil Sales Industry

Daitetsu Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Tsuyoshi Ashihara, hereinafter "Daitetsu") announces that it has commenced a strategic collaboration with Ainet Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Tomomichi Saeki, hereinafter "Ainet") in the business fields for service stations (hereinafter, SS) and propane gas providers.

1. Background of Collaboration

The oil industry has undergone restructuring of oil wholesalers over the past 20 years, and the business environment surrounding the SS industry is facing a major turning point with expectations of population decline and shrinking fuel demand in the future. In this situation, system providers whose main customers are in the SS industry are required to break away from conventional sales and development structures and transition to more efficient and high-value-added business models.

Meanwhile, the propane gas industry is experiencing declining demand due to population decrease and the spread of all-electric homes, while the acceleration of business closures and M&A among small and medium-sized businesses is occurring due to the aging of management and labor shortages. In this environment, it is urgent to improve the efficiency of meter reading and delivery and to popularize sales management systems by utilizing IT technology.

Both companies have agreed to this collaboration, judging that by concentrating resources through collaboration rather than dispersing limited management resources (personnel, technology, funds), they can provide higher quality systems and services stably.

2. Strengths and Roles of Both Companies

Daitetsu, as an ENEOS designated calculation center, has its POS systems used at approximately 4,500 SS nationwide and ENEOS simple credit terminals at approximately 1,000 SS nationwide, and is well-versed in back-office operations at the site level.

Ainet, on the other hand, has provided commissioned calculation services for SS for approximately 50 years since its founding, and is currently used by approximately 6,000 SS nationwide. In addition, it has extensive experience in the energy industry, with its systems for propane gas sales companies adopted by approximately 300 companies.

By combining the strengths of these two companies, we will accelerate the resolution of issues facing the entire energy industry.

3. Overview of Collaboration

1 Collaboration in the SS Business

In this collaboration, Ainet will establish a system to handle Daitetsu's accounting system specialized for ENEOS-affiliated SS and its high-functionality, high-usability cloud product "NaviX Cloud SS" as a sales agent. We aim to introduce the system to 200 SS over the next five years, aiming to provide higher quality and more stable systems and services to ENEOS-affiliated SS and their operating stores.

2 Collaboration in the Propane Gas Business

A system will be established where Daitetsu will act as a sales agent for "Propanet," Ainet's core product, a cloud service for propane gas providers. We aim to introduce it to 50 companies over the next five years, with the goal of improving operational efficiency and strengthening management support for propane gas businesses.

4. Future Outlook

Through this collaboration, we will build a system that flexibly responds to changes in the energy industry, and by integrating the technologies, products, and sales channels cultivated by both companies, we will maximize the business value and achieve sustainable growth for SS and propane gas businesses, thereby contributing to the development of the entire industry.

<Overview of Daitetsu>

Company Name: Daitetsu Co., Ltd.

Location: Omori MH Building, 6-16-19 Minami-Ota, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Business: Development and operation of information processing services for the oil sales industry, development and sales of CAD for the construction industry,

Development and provision of cloud services for the housing industry, provision of construction IoT platforms

Official Website: https://www.daitec.co.jp/

<Overview of Ainet>

Company Name: Ainet Co., Ltd.

Location: Yokohama SymphoStage West Tower 13F, 5-1-2 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City

Business: Managed cloud, accounting systems for the oil sales industry, sales management systems for LP gas, finance

and distribution systems, IoT device development,

System design, inspection/testing, operation/evaluation of artificial satellites in space development

Official Website: https://www.inet.co.jp/