Hitachi High-Tech Selects Exa as Implementation Partner for Centric PXM to Enhance Global CX and Expand Business

Exa Corporation (Headquarters: Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, President & CEO: Yuta Hayashi, hereinafter Exa) is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the implementation partner for a project by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Headquarters: Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Yoshimitsu Takagi, hereinafter Hitachi High-Tech). This project aims to centrally manage service parts information for Hitachi High-Tech's key products, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electron microscopes, and medical diagnostic equipment. Leveraging its extensive experience and technical expertise in PIM/DAM for the manufacturing industry, Exa will lead the implementation of Centric Software's product information management solution, "Centric PXM," and will drive Hitachi High-Tech's future-oriented DX initiatives over the medium to long term.

Resolving Distributed Management Issues to Improve Operational Efficiency and CX

Hitachi High-Tech offers a diverse range of high-performance products such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, electron microscopes, and medical diagnostic equipment. Previously, service parts information for each product was managed separately. This resulted in time-consuming data consolidation and inconsistencies in linking related information, such as product images. Furthermore, managing information quality and freshness, as well as securing resources for information preparation, posed significant challenges. This project was launched to address these issues, aiming to achieve company-wide operational efficiency and improve CX (Customer Experience) and customer loyalty through centralized management and speedy information provision.

Centric PXM's Flexibility and Exa's Extensive Manufacturing Experience Recognized

Among numerous systems and IT vendors, Centric PXM was chosen for its excellent functionality and scalability as a solution, and Exa was selected as the implementation partner for its extensive knowledge and supportive approach. This comprehensive evaluation led to the selection.

Solution: Points Evaluated for "Centric PXM"

● Comprehensive PIM/DAM Functionality: Ability to centrally manage information from product models to service parts, as well as files such as photos and documents.

● Realization of Small & Quick Start: SaaS-based, requiring no server construction, and enabling short-term implementation with a "Fit to Standard" approach.

● Rich Standard Features and Excellent Usability: Data management and business workflows can be built with standard functions without special customization. GUI-based configuration allows for timely changes.

Implementation Partner: Points Evaluated for Exa

Extensive Implementation Experience and Supportive Partnership in PIM/DAM for Manufacturing: Ability to provide a "supportive partnership from the highest level" that looks ahead to operational adoption and future global expansion, utilizing know-how and assets accumulated from over 10 implementation projects, including those with major manufacturers.

Accelerating Information Provision and Optimizing Management Operations

Through the full operation of this system, Hitachi High-Tech aims to achieve the following goals. Exa will strongly promote the realization of these goals by fully leveraging its long-cultivated project execution capabilities and integration technology.

● Integration of Parts Information into Information Provision Platform: Consolidating and publishing existing service parts information to reduce inquiries from within and outside the company, thereby creating an environment where personnel can focus on their core responsibilities (high-value-added tasks).

● Early Launch and Phased Expansion of Information Provision Platform: Rapid establishment of the platform leveraging the benefits of SaaS, followed by phased expansion of target data and enhancement of functions.

● Streamlining and Visualization of Registration and Management Operations: Establishing a system for registering and updating service parts information, allowing for timely confirmation of data completeness and linkage status on a dashboard to quickly determine necessary tasks.

Aiming for Early Launch and Future Global Deployment

Hitachi High-Tech plans to launch the system with a minimum set of practical functions for early service commencement, and to gradually improve data and expand functions while reflecting user needs. Following the initial domestic launch, future plans include expanding to service parts information for all models during their maintenance service period, and global deployment, including overseas. Furthermore, they are considering data integration with CRM, e-commerce sites, and QR code utilization to further enhance business operations and service value.

As an IT partner co-creating Hitachi High-Tech's business transformation, Exa will continue to contribute to the company's DX promotion and further improvement of customer value.

【Related Solutions】

Product Information Management Solution Centric PXM (formerly Contentserv) Service Page: https://digital-business.exa-corp.co.jp/products/contentserv.html

【Company Overview】

Exa Corporation

Exa Corporation is an IT service company with JFE Steel as its parent company and Kindred Japan as its parent company. Valuing technical capabilities and empathy for customers, it provides comprehensive services ranging from upstream consulting to development, construction, operation, and maintenance. Homepage: https://www.exa-corp.co.jp/

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation

Hitachi High-Tech, with its corporate vision "Changing the world and the future with the power of knowledge," contributes to a sustainable global environment, healthy and safe living, and the sustainable development of science and industry by providing cutting-edge technologies, products, and services to society and customers. The company manufactures and sells medical diagnostic equipment, bio-related products, and radiation therapy systems in the healthcare field; semiconductor manufacturing and inspection equipment in the semiconductor field; and analytical and inspection equipment used in environmental and materials research. It also operates globally in a wide range of business areas, providing high-value-added solutions in industrial and social infrastructure fields such as batteries, communication infrastructure, railway inspection, and digital. Homepage: https://www.hitachi-hightech.com/jp/ja/

Centric Software, Inc.

Centric Software® provides an AI-powered platform that supports product planning through product commercialization and market launch. Through its flagship solutions Centric PLMTM, Centric Planning & PricingTM, Centric Market IntelligenceTM, and Centric PXMTM, which integrates PIM/DAM, content delivery, and digital shelf analytics, the company supports the digital transformation of manufacturing, retail, and brand companies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, it has been adopted by over 20,000 brands and manufacturers worldwide. Homepage: https://www.centricsoftware.com/ja

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Exa Corporation 2F Yokohama i-Mark Place, 4-4-5 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-8560 E-mail: sol-promo@exa-corp.co.jp

*Company names and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. *The contents of this article are as of the time of publication.