Buddycom Certified as a 'Recommended Product' by the Japan Anti-Shoplifting System Association (JEAS) - Contributing to Retail Security Measures through Live Frontline Communication and AI Facial Recognition Integration

Science Arts, Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Ryutaro Hiraoka) is pleased to announce that its live communication platform "Buddycom," which connects frontline workers, has passed the testing for system and operational certification standards established by the Japan Anti-Shoplifting System Association (hereinafter referred to as JEAS) and has been certified as a JEAS "Recommended Product."

Buddycom instantly notifies on-site staff of anomalies via "voice" through integration with systems such as AI facial recognition cameras and security sensors. It has been highly evaluated for its effectiveness as a security DX solution that achieves "frontline coordination that does not allow crimes," leading to this certification.

■ Background to Certification as a JEAS "Recommended Product"

In recent years, while the number of recognized shoplifting cases in Japan has been declining, organized and malicious methods aimed at cash conversion and resale, such as large-scale theft of goods in drugstores, have been occurring, seriously affecting retail store management. On the other hand, storefronts are facing severe labor shortages, and there is currently a limit to crime prevention through "monitoring" by individual staff members. Buddycom has traditionally been introduced in retail stores nationwide for the purpose of "improving customer service efficiency," but in recent years, its use for security purposes, such as "sending detection information from security cameras to on-site staff via voice," has been rapidly increasing.

■ Effectiveness in Crime Prevention, including Shoplifting Countermeasures

Speed from "Detection" to "Intervention"
The moment an AI facial recognition camera or security gate detects an anomaly, all group members are simultaneously notified via voice through Buddycom. This minimizes the time lag until a crime is deterred by having staff immediately rush to the scene or "intervene verbally."

Real-time Coordination between the Backyard and the Floor
Store managers checking security camera footage and staff on the floor can converse hands-free. They can share the movements of suspicious individuals in real-time and coordinate to track and monitor them.

"Quiet Security" that does not Intimidate the Store Environment
Through communication via earphone microphones, highly confidential security information can be shared only among staff without causing anxiety to other customers.

■ About the Japan Anti-Shoplifting System Association (JEAS)

Regarding shoplifting in Japan, while the number of recognized cases is on a downward trend, its proportion of all penal code offenses is increasing. It appears that methods recognized as being for cash conversion or resale, such as large quantities of goods being stolen at drugstores, are also occurring. *1

To improve and prevent this situation, it is an industry association of companies that manufacture, sell, and support anti-shoplifting systems. It operates in collaboration with administrative agencies and related industry associations to fulfill its industrial and social roles of promoting sound management in the distribution industry and preventing juvenile delinquency.

■ What is Buddycom?

"Buddycom," a live communication platform connecting frontline workers, is a service that enables simultaneous communication with multiple people like a transceiver or radio by installing an app on smartphones or tablets utilizing Internet communication networks (4G, 5G, Wi-Fi). In addition to voice, text chat, video, and location information (IoT), communication with digital assistants using AI is possible.

It is used across various industries, including aviation, railways, construction, welfare facilities, and distribution, as a means of communication.

■ About Science Arts, Inc.

Under the mission to "empower society with smiles by providing the future of DX to frontline workers," Science Arts develops and sells the live communication platform "Buddycom" that connects frontline workers. Listed on the TSE Mothers (currently transitioned to Growth) in 2021, it has achieved the No. 1 market share (*2) for five consecutive years. Moving forward, beyond communication among staff, we aim for a society where frontline workers can work brightly and with smiles by beautifully connecting staff with customers and staff with AI.

*1 Reference: "JEAS News Vol.41 (Summer 2024)

*2 Voice (Video) Communication Tool Shipment Value/Number of Companies (for non-desk workers) Deloitte Tohmatsu MIC Research Institute "Current Status and Outlook of the Deskless SaaS Market 2025 Edition"