First Kitchen Introduces 'desknet's NEO' and 'AppSuite' as Information Sharing Platform for Stores and Headquarters

Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd. (Location: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director, President & CEO: Yutaka Abe) has supported First Kitchen Co., Ltd. (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Osamu Shikiseki) in the implementation of "desknet's NEO" and "AppSuite," groupware products from Neoமுகம் Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director, President & CEO: Masaki Saito).

Our company provides integrated support from server selection and procurement to initial setup and administrator training, supporting the company's business DX promotion.

Background of Implementation

First Kitchen urgently needed to replace its groupware system due to the announcement of the end of support for its current system. The previous system suffered from issues such as the inability to upload files due to server capacity limitations. Furthermore, the analog operation of application and reporting tasks, primarily using paper and spreadsheets, required a significant amount of time for aggregation work at the headquarters.

A robust information infrastructure was required to resolve these issues and contribute to the efficiency of operations for both stores and headquarters.

Deciding Factors for Selecting 'desknet's NEO'

With the groupware replacement as an opportunity, First Kitchen selected desknet's NEO primarily based on the following five points:

1. Complete Coverage of Existing Functions

All essential functions used in the previous system, such as bulletin boards, file sharing, schedule management, facility reservations, workflows, and simple applications, are standard features, enabling a smooth transition.

2. Intuitive Operability

An interface that allows on-site store staff to use it without hesitation, regardless of their IT literacy. Basic functions can be utilized immediately after implementation, minimizing training costs.

3. High Cost Performance

The perpetual license for the on-premise version allows for reduced initial investment and long-term operational cost savings. It offers a superior cost advantage compared to competing products.

4. Extensibility Enabling App Development by Headquarters Departments

The no-code tool 'AppSuite' was highly praised for its ability to flexibly systemize site-specific reporting flows and management tasks in-house, without relying on the IT department. This digitalizes tasks previously done with paper and spreadsheets, improving the efficiency of applications and submissions from stores and aggregation work at headquarters.

5. Proposal Capabilities and Partnership Based on Long-Term Support Experience

With a track record of supporting the company's IT environment for over 15 years, our deep understanding of their business characteristics and operational challenges was highly valued. We provide value beyond mere product provision through continuous support that looks ahead to operational adoption and improvement after implementation.

Expected Effects of Implementation

1. Improved Operational Efficiency and Promotion of Paperless Operations

Reporting tasks from stores to headquarters are digitized with 'AppSuite,' significantly reducing the time required for aggregation and analysis. This reduces the exchange of paper and spreadsheets, promoting visualization and transparency of operations.

2. Increased Speed and Reliability of Information Sharing

The bulletin board function allows for simultaneous distribution of headquarters notices and campaign information, and read status management improves the speed of information dissemination. This ensures thorough communication to all stores nationwide.

3. Personalized Schedule Management

Transitioning from shared store IDs to individual IDs enables personal schedule management. This also resolves login issues caused by unknown passwords during transfers.

4. Enhanced Communication Between Headquarters and Stores

Functions such as document management, user directories, address books, and direct messaging strengthen collaboration between headquarters and stores nationwide.

5. Focus on Core Store Operations

By improving the efficiency of administrative tasks, an environment is created where employees can focus on "core store operations" such as customer service and cooking, contributing to improved customer satisfaction.

Comments from First Kitchen Co., Ltd.

Miki Yagi, Manager, Store Support Department, Store Support Division, First Kitchen Co., Ltd.

We decided to adopt 'desknet's NEO' due to its wide range of necessary functions and its cost advantage. We will start by operating with the functions we used in our previous groupware, but since it also includes many new functions we want to utilize, we plan to gradually expand our usage scope and enhance convenience.

We also have high expectations for improved operational efficiency through the use of 'AppSuite.'

We will continue to make improvements optimized for our company's operations, referring to the case studies of other companies, to aim for the construction of a more productive work environment.

Implementation Support Partner: Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd. offers various solutions tailored to our customers, including 'desknet's NEO,' which we have handled for over 15 years, and 'AppSuite' and other inter-company linked solutions.

We can also propose integrated solutions combining our own products, such as the workflow system 'MAJOR FLOW' and video surveillance systems, which can be linked with 'desknet's NEO.' Leveraging our expertise as a system manufacturer, we provide services that cover the full system lifecycle.

Products Implemented This Time

[About desknet's NEO]

This is groupware equipped with a variety of applications that help improve organizational information sharing and communication, and enhance operational efficiency. With its no-code business app creation function that can infinitely expand its scope of use, it is utilized by organizations and groups of all industries and sizes, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations, local governments, and public offices, for purposes such as work style reform, telework, and DX promotion. Since its market entry in 1999, it boasts a sales record of over 5.4 million users as of March 2026*, and is recognized for its "high functionality" and "ease of use."

*Total of cloud version subscription users and cumulative package version sales users.

[About AppSuite]

This is a no-code business app creation tool that allows anyone to easily create web systems with mouse operations for inefficient business processes and management tasks currently performed using paper, fax, email, spreadsheets, etc. Based on abundant templates, it can also be customized to fit your company's business. Apps created with 'AppSuite' function as a feature of the groupware 'desknet's NEO.' It enables site-led business improvement from system design to construction and operation.

Company Profile of First Kitchen Co., Ltd.

Company Name: First Kitchen Co., Ltd. Representative: Osamu Shikiseki, Representative Director and President Headquarters: 2F, Nishi-Shinjuku IK Building, 4-5-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Stores: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Gunma, Nagano, Aichi, Gifu, Toyama, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Wakayama, Shiga, Fukuoka Established: September 1977 URL: https://www.first-kitchen.co.jp/company/

Company Profile of Neoமுகம் Co., Ltd.

Neoமுகம் Co., Ltd. is a software manufacturer that provides groupware "desknet's NEO," no-code business app creation tool "AppSuite," business chat "ChatLuck," and customer communication hub "NEOPORT." We support information sharing, communication activation, and operational efficiency for companies and local governments, contributing to DX promotion.

Company Name: Neoமுகம் Co., Ltd. (Code: 3921, TSE Prime Market) Representative: Masaki Saito, Representative Director and President Location: Yokohama Landmark Tower 10F, 2-2-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture Sales Offices: Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka Established: February 1992 URL: https://www.neo.co.jp/

Company Profile of Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd., with the motto "Making 'Life' and 'Work' Happy through Digital," creates digital value by integrating the advanced technologies and abundant know-how of the Panasonic Group. We aim to expand our contribution to the BtoB business (Life & Work) and provide IT solutions that cater to our customers' "life" and "work" by leveraging our experience in manufacturing DX, global ERP, and ICT infrastructure construction and operation services cultivated within the Panasonic Group.

Company Name: Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd. Representative: Yutaka Abe, Representative Director, President & CEO Osaka Headquarters: Panasonic XC OSAKA, 2-40 Suehirocho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, 530-0053 Tokyo Headquarters: Sumitomo Fudosan Shiodome Hamarikyu Building 23F, 8-21-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061 Established: February 1999 URL: https://service.digital.panasonic.co.jp

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

[Contact Information] <For Media Relations> Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd. E-mail: pd-press@ml.jp.panasonic.com

<For Product Inquiries> Panasonic Digital Co., Ltd. Contact: IT Infrastructure Solutions Section, Video & IT Solutions Department, Smart Infrastructure Solutions Division E-mail: ps-it@ml.jp.panasonic.com