Background of Implementation: Addressing the Burden of Client Management Tasks

Generally, when initiating new B2B transactions, it is essential to register information regarding the partner company into an ERP (core information system) such as SAP. For Sumitomo Corporation and the companies using the standard Sumitomo Corporation Group ERP system, streamlining the process of registering data into these ERP (client database) systems had become a significant challenge.

For example, when a new client registration request was submitted, it was necessary to perform tasks such as checking the internal database for any history of previous transactions and manually verifying detailed information about the applicant company via external websites according to established procedures.

The IT Planning & Promotion Department at Sumitomo Corporation implemented uSonar's corporate database with the goal of eliminating these manual efforts, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the accuracy of data entry. The new system has now been successfully launched.

Data Integration Overview

uSonar's corporate database is one of Japan's largest, covering 12.5 million business locations with our proprietary LBC code. By linking LBC to Sumitomo Corporation's client database, the process for registering new business partners has become significantly faster. Moving forward, operational efficiency is expected to improve across Sumitomo Corporation and the 26 companies utilizing the Sumitomo Corporation Group's standard ERP system.

1. LBC is one of Japan's largest corporate databases, built by uSonar, covering nearly all 12.5 million business locations nationwide.
2. An 11-digit LBC management code is assigned to every business location, with constant maintenance to reflect status changes such as new incorporations or bankruptcies.
3. Beyond corporate attributes like corporate numbers, industry, and revenue scale, LBC enables the identification of capital relationships and headquarters-branch connections through its coding structure.
4. Through API integration with ERP systems, LBC corporate attributes are automatically populated when group companies submit new client registration requests.

We are grateful to uSonar for providing dedicated and consistent support from the initial evaluation phase through to the system release. Regarding the LBC service we have implemented, we intend to leverage its full potential, starting with the streamlining of client information registration and extending to its application across various business units within our group.

This department is responsible for strategic planning and execution in the corporate IT sector for Sumitomo Corporation and its group, as well as managing the IT infrastructure for the entire group. As part of the DX Center organization, we are accelerating the digital transformation of the Sumitomo Corporation Group.