Material Issue 8
To transform markets through DX and innovation
Material Issue 8
Material Issue 8
To transform markets through DX and innovation
Enhancing economic efficiency and added value through business transformation brought about by DX and innovation.
Related SDGs
Basic Policy
In the fields of forestry and wooden construction business, where tradition and experience have been emphasized, it is necessary to raise economic efficiency and increase added value through market reforms such as DX and innovation, in view of the situation such as decrease and aging of main players, technological advancement and globalization, and future demand expansion. Global acceleration of digitalization in procurement, design and construction of buildings, utilization of technology and AI technology, and digitalization of end consumers, delayed responses can result in cost disadvantages compared to competitors and can lead to loss of customer contact and opportunities to win new customers.
The Sumitomo Forestry Group aims to ensure quality and quantity of wood resources and provide them with high added value by improving efficiency of sales activities and supply chains through DX and innovation. In the field of elderly care business, which faces similar challenges, we will introduce innovations to increase added value and improve operational efficiency, such as user safety and security.
Impact on Society and the Environment
| Material Issue 8 | Impact (Opportunities) | Impact (Risks) |
|---|---|---|
| To transform markets through DX and innovation Enhancing economic efficiency and added value through business transformation brought about by DX and innovation. |
|
|
Management of Material Issue 8 (FY2024)
In Mid-Term Sustainability Targets 2024, Material Issue 8 is divided into 3 evaluation indicators, and management is carried out by incorporating them into annual activity policies and measures of the management department. We also assess the impacts that the material issue has on society and the environment.
DX related
In the timber and building materials distribution sector, delivery slips are sent to customers, and we are working to reduce the use of paper delivery slips and improve the efficiency of paperwork in line with the shift to electric transmission.
In fiscal 2024, 967 companies (introduction rate of 69%) introduced the system, compared to the planned 820 companies (introduction rate of 59%). In the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the need to work in a telework system environment increased employee awareness of data transmission, contributing to higher adoption rates. Reduction of simple input work for documents like delivery slips through the use of digital technologies such as RPA and OCR also progressed steadily. We are currently promoting "RPA Citizen Developer," which allows non-specialist employees to develop RPA systems that were previously developed by professionals with specialized knowledge. IT division is playing a central role in training employees for RPA development.
In fiscal 2025, we will continue to promote digitalization more actively than before. For RPA, we aim to further improve operational efficiency by increasing the number of participants in regular training programs from 20 to 30, and by appointing dedicated supporters within business divisions to independently develop and train personnel.
The number of facilities with sensor equipment installed in the elderly care business increased by two to a total of 21 with the opening of new facilities in fiscal 2024. (All facilities are now equipped.) From fiscal 2025 onward, we will continue to maintain sensor coverage across all facilities by ensuring the installation of monitoring sensors at the time of each new facility opening.
Results
Ratings in the table below
Achieved: ◯ Not achieved but improved from previous year: △ Not achieved and declined compared to previous year: ✕
| Indicators for Evaluation | Managing department | FY2024 target |
FY2024 result |
FY2024 value |
FY2025 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data linkage with customer (company) Adoption rate (%) |
Timber and Building Materials Division (IT Solutions Department) | 820 59.0 |
967 69.0 |
〇 | 1,260 90 |
| RPA and OCR adoption rate (%) | 100 | Change of evaluation criteria | － | － | |
| Number of facilities that have introduced sensor equipment in elderly care business | Lifestyle Service Division | 19 | 21 | 〇 | － |
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Mid-Term Sustainability Targets Phase 2 (2025–2027)
Management of Material Issue 8
In "Mid-Term Sustainability Targets Phase 2 (2025–2027)," Material Issue 8 is primarily categorized as follows, and management is carried out by incorporating it into the annual activity policies and measures of the responsible departments.
DX related
| Indicators for Evaluation | Managing department | FY2024 result |
FY2025 target |
FY2026 target |
FY2027 target |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of RPA Citizen Developers (persons) | IT Solutions Department | － | 260 | 380 | 500 | |
| Digital Transformation of Business Management | Development of the Forestry Management System | Environment and Resources Division | － | Functionality Expansion | Functionality Expansion | Standardization |
| Implementation of the Inventory and Forestry Management System | － | Start of Development | Implementation | Standardization | ||
| Number of Facilities That Have Introduced Sensor Equipment in Elderly Care Business | Sumirin Fill Care | Lifestyle Service Division | － | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Sumirin Care Life | － | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||
| Number of Contract IDs through the "JUCORE Estimation" Service* | Timber and Building Materials Division | － | 1,070 | 2,714 | 3,674 | |
| Improved Efficiency and Accuracy in Sustainability Information Collection | Sustainability Department | － | Grasp of Non-Financial Information and Consideration of System Integration | Pilot Test Execution and System Integration | Start of System Operation | |
* Initiatives for Building a Platform to Restructure the Wood and Building Materials Industry / Quotation Support System