rakumo and AvePoint Japan Announce Third Joint Development Project: Add-on Product for Microsoft 365
rakumo Co., Ltd. and AvePoint Japan Co., Ltd. have started development of "rakumo Workflow for Microsoft 365" as their third joint project. Scheduled for release in Q4 2026, it aims to digitalize complex Japanese approval workflows within the Microsoft ecosystem.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 00:30
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rakumo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO: Koji Shimizu; hereinafter "rakumo"), which develops and provides SaaS services, and AvePoint Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Ken Shiomitsu; hereinafter "AvePoint Japan"), which provides corporate cloud data management, are pleased to announce the start of development for "rakumo Workflow for Microsoft 365" as the third phase of their joint development project.
The release of this product is targeted for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (October to December 2026).
■ Background and Purpose of Joint Development
rakumo and AvePoint Japan have been working on the joint development of the "rakumo for Microsoft 365" series under a strategic partnership to improve convenience in the Microsoft 365 environment. This "rakumo Workflow" is a major outcome of the joint development project, following the first and second phases.
The "rakumo Basic Pack," which has been well-received in its Google Workspace version, consists of four products: Calendar, Contacts, Board, and Workflow. Among these, we have received numerous requests from Microsoft 365 users to provide a Microsoft 365 version of "rakumo Workflow."
By jointly developing "rakumo Workflow" and launching it in the Microsoft 365 environment, we will achieve a powerful product lineup equivalent to the Google Workspace version for the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
■ Value Brought by This Joint Development
The introduction of rakumo Workflow will dramatically improve the convenience for companies utilizing Microsoft 365.
Completion of the "rakumo Basic Pack" Lineup
With the addition of Workflow to Calendar, Contacts, and Board, everything from daily schedule management to internal approvals can be completed within an integrated and intuitive UI.
Product Development Integrating the Strengths of Both Companies
AvePoint Japan's advanced technological capabilities are fused with the "design tailored to Japanese corporate business practices" that rakumo has cultivated. We will smoothly digitalize complex approval flows unique to Japan that cannot be covered by the standard features of Microsoft 365 alone.
■ Overview of "rakumo Workflow for Microsoft 365"
"rakumo Workflow" is an electronic approval and workflow system characterized by intuitive operability, optimized for Japan's unique organizational structures and business practices. The development of this Microsoft 365 version will also include the following key features:
UI/UX that anyone can use intuitively
Provides a user-friendly interface that allows for applications and approvals without a manual. Optimized for operation from smartphones as well as PCs.
Support for complex approval flows unique to Japan
Flexible, non-programming configuration of complex operational rules of Japanese companies, such as conditional branching, proxy approvals, consensus building, and multi-stage approvals.
Business efficiency improvement utilizing AI (Planned)
We are considering AI features provided in the Google Workspace version, such as support for creating application draft templates and AI-supported search for application templates. This contributes to speeding up preparation before implementation, reducing search time, and minimizing selection errors.
Seamless integration with other services
Pursuing convenience within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, such as notification integration with Microsoft Teams, to speed up business operations.
[Reference] "rakumo Workflow for Google Workspace"
■ Comment from Koji Shimizu, President and Group CEO, rakumo Co., Ltd.
"I am extremely pleased that we can finally begin development of 'rakumo Workflow' as our third joint project with AvePoint Japan. With the addition of this product, which has been the most requested by Microsoft 365 users, we are finally ready to deliver all products in the 'rakumo Basic Pack.' We will continue to make every effort to deliver the value of 'rakumo,' which makes the way Japanese companies work easier and more enjoyable, to a wider range of customers."
■ Comment from Ken Shiomitsu, President, AvePoint Japan Co., Ltd.
"Through our strong partnership with rakumo, following the first and second phases, we are very... (comment truncated in source)
The release of this product is targeted for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (October to December 2026).
■ Background and Purpose of Joint Development
rakumo and AvePoint Japan have been working on the joint development of the "rakumo for Microsoft 365" series under a strategic partnership to improve convenience in the Microsoft 365 environment. This "rakumo Workflow" is a major outcome of the joint development project, following the first and second phases.
The "rakumo Basic Pack," which has been well-received in its Google Workspace version, consists of four products: Calendar, Contacts, Board, and Workflow. Among these, we have received numerous requests from Microsoft 365 users to provide a Microsoft 365 version of "rakumo Workflow."
By jointly developing "rakumo Workflow" and launching it in the Microsoft 365 environment, we will achieve a powerful product lineup equivalent to the Google Workspace version for the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
■ Value Brought by This Joint Development
The introduction of rakumo Workflow will dramatically improve the convenience for companies utilizing Microsoft 365.
Completion of the "rakumo Basic Pack" Lineup
With the addition of Workflow to Calendar, Contacts, and Board, everything from daily schedule management to internal approvals can be completed within an integrated and intuitive UI.
Product Development Integrating the Strengths of Both Companies
AvePoint Japan's advanced technological capabilities are fused with the "design tailored to Japanese corporate business practices" that rakumo has cultivated. We will smoothly digitalize complex approval flows unique to Japan that cannot be covered by the standard features of Microsoft 365 alone.
■ Overview of "rakumo Workflow for Microsoft 365"
"rakumo Workflow" is an electronic approval and workflow system characterized by intuitive operability, optimized for Japan's unique organizational structures and business practices. The development of this Microsoft 365 version will also include the following key features:
UI/UX that anyone can use intuitively
Provides a user-friendly interface that allows for applications and approvals without a manual. Optimized for operation from smartphones as well as PCs.
Support for complex approval flows unique to Japan
Flexible, non-programming configuration of complex operational rules of Japanese companies, such as conditional branching, proxy approvals, consensus building, and multi-stage approvals.
Business efficiency improvement utilizing AI (Planned)
We are considering AI features provided in the Google Workspace version, such as support for creating application draft templates and AI-supported search for application templates. This contributes to speeding up preparation before implementation, reducing search time, and minimizing selection errors.
Seamless integration with other services
Pursuing convenience within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, such as notification integration with Microsoft Teams, to speed up business operations.
[Reference] "rakumo Workflow for Google Workspace"
■ Comment from Koji Shimizu, President and Group CEO, rakumo Co., Ltd.
"I am extremely pleased that we can finally begin development of 'rakumo Workflow' as our third joint project with AvePoint Japan. With the addition of this product, which has been the most requested by Microsoft 365 users, we are finally ready to deliver all products in the 'rakumo Basic Pack.' We will continue to make every effort to deliver the value of 'rakumo,' which makes the way Japanese companies work easier and more enjoyable, to a wider range of customers."
■ Comment from Ken Shiomitsu, President, AvePoint Japan Co., Ltd.
"Through our strong partnership with rakumo, following the first and second phases, we are very... (comment truncated in source)