Product introduction materials

ArielAirOne" is the groupware for large companies

With an intuitive, lean UI and personalization according to the IT literacy of the user, a wealth of functions can be easily used immediately after introduction.

Check it out now!

What is an infrastructure system?

First, an overview of the infrastructure system is explained.

The "foundation" of an infrastructure system refers to the "foundation needed to make things work," and in business, it generally refers to IT infrastructure and information system infrastructure. In other words, the foundation system (system infrastructure) is a system for controlling and optimizing the entire system for operating a company's business, and the functioning of the foundation system provides an optimal environment in which business applications can operate comfortably.

The following items are controlled by the infrastructure system.

• Business application
  A program developed to efficiently process company business by computer
  

• Server
  A computer running software that provides services in response to user requests
  

• Storage
  A place for long-term storage and storage of data, also called auxiliary storage device
  

• Network
  A connection technology that allows computers to exchange data with each other
  

• OS
  Basic software. It is the foundation for running various types of software.
  

• Database
  A collection of standardized data. Or a "box" that stores data.
  

• Others Various middleware
  Software positioned between OS and applications
  

Importance of infrastructure systems and areas of focus

The importance of infrastructure systems is being reevaluated due to the following factors.

First, companies are facing a very complex situation in recent years. As markets become increasingly globalized and companies diversify their operations to improve competitiveness, there is a need to strengthen leadership and internal controls across the entire corporate group. Company-wide unification of information systems will also be essential for modern companies. Achieving these measures will directly lead to measures to strengthen competitiveness.
Companies use different systems for different tasks in their various operations. The more systems are used, the more complex the configuration becomes, and the more time and effort is required for operation and maintenance. Therefore, an integrated and standardized system is necessary to rationally implement measures to strengthen corporate competitiveness.

Second is the importance of developing an infrastructure system as a corporate security and compliance measure.

Certain provisions of the "Financial Instruments and Exchange Law," known as the Japanese version of the SOX Act, contain strict regulations for companies and their management with the aim of ensuring the reliability of financial reporting. The law requires companies to prepare internal control reports related to financial reporting and to have internal control audits conducted by external auditors. In order to meet the increasingly strict requirements for corporate internal control, the integration of each business operation with a basic system is required.
Furthermore, cyber-terrorism against corporate information systems from outside has been increasing recently. It is important to develop an infrastructure system to ensure thorough system maintenance management and to protect corporate information resources from external threats.
However, as mentioned in the previous section, the scope of the infrastructure system covers a wide range of areas, so it is realistic to develop each area in order.

Recently, due to significant changes in work styles and environments, such as teleworking, there is a growing need for the maintenance and review of groupware and workflow infrastructure areas to strengthen control and improve productivity while responding to the changes.

In the next section, we will explain the groupware and workflow infrastructure.

Purpose of implementing a groupware/workflow infrastructure

The main purpose of introducing groupware and workflow infrastructure will be explained.

Streamlining and standardization of business operations

Reviewing workflow through the system will promote time saving and work efficiency. Standardization of business rules will be realized, which will be useful for strengthening internal control within the company.

In addition, the centralization of the system will enable reliable information sharing to all corners of the company. By selecting a flexible system that can be easily expanded with new functions, it will be easier to respond to business expansion and contribute to improved business efficiency within the company.

Speeding up business promotion

Centralized management of data enables rapid sharing among all business systems. Since the data is unified and updated in real time, there are no discrepancies between departments. It also encourages faster approvals and requests for approvals through the workflow system, which contributes to the promotion of external contracts and business.

Support for future business development

The renewal of the underlying system will provide the opportunity to select and discard systems that meet the needs of the company's business. By organizing and standardizing existing complex and decentralized systems, it is possible to establish a system that can accommodate future business development. Flexibility is brought to the development of business applications, providing a user-friendly environment according to the needs of the moment.

Common mistakes in the introduction of infrastructure systems

When implementing or reviewing an infrastructure system, there are cases where the system selection is mistaken. This section explains what types of selection mistakes can be made.

• Does not match the company's needs
  If the functions of the infrastructure system do not match the company's needs, there is a risk that the system will not cover the necessary requirements and some operations may not be usable. If the specifications do not allow for additional requirements, or if the system places an excessive burden on the person in charge, it will be difficult to continue operations.

• Inability to inherit the work content of the current system
  If work cannot be transferred from the current system or is difficult to transfer, it will be very difficult to do the work. If the specifications completely change from what you were used to seeing before and the field is confused, you may not be able to utilize the new system and may revert back to a partially analog system.

• Development of business applications is difficult.
  Even if it is possible to develop applications for each business, systems that require advanced knowledge will limit the number of personnel who can handle them. If applications cannot be developed for each business and are used in conjunction with other systems, the objective of unification will not be achieved, and the introduction of an infrastructure system will be meaningless.

How to Select an Infrastructure System

In order to avoid the mistakes mentioned above, we recommend that you select an infrastructure system with the following perspectives in mind

• A platform that can be easily developed to suit your company's needs
  allows for freedom of design, but also allows for non-programming and low-code design definitions, which eliminates the need for highly skilled technical personnel.

Consider that the ideal system should be flexible in function and be able to adapt to your company's needs.

• Adaptable to your company's business and corporate culture
  When systemizing workflows, it will be difficult to reform from the conventional business form if it is not possible to deal with complex flows unique to Japanese companies. The system must be able to freely handle the various branch settings and approver settings required in the application and authorization flows.

In addition, if the system enables integration with a variety of systems as needed, it will facilitate the smooth use of data in each business.

• Existing business content can be inherited.
  The system does not require any changes to the flow to match the system side at the time of system introduction, allowing for the transition of existing business processing without confusion. If the system can be operated intuitively and without discomfort, all employees will be able to utilize the system and promote business efficiency.

If it is possible to reproduce paper forms, various Excel documents, or similar forms on the system's forms, it will be even more convenient.

• Contributes to strengthening security measures and internal controls
  Measures to strengthen internal controls and improve security require a system that can set detailed access privileges. If operations are visualized and access logs and work update records are kept, the risk of unauthorized processing and information leaks will be reduced.

Ariel Case Study: Major airport-related company

Ariel is a groupware and workflow platform that can unify information sharing within a company. A major airport-related company has implemented Ariel to share information across 16 group companies, companies, departments, and positions.

All departments at the company use Ariel as a starting point to connect to business data and business systems. Groupware, customer management, accounting systems, and other systems are also centralized, serving as the gateway to business operations. Ariel also contributes to the facilitation of business operations by creating applications as needed, such as customer feedback, business performance maps, approval forms, and employee benefits, etc. A comprehensive internal system has been realized with Ariel.

Strengthening Corporate Strength with a New Infrastructure System

The infrastructure system serves as the central hub that collectively controls the company's information systems. By standardizing all business systems, information resources can be used efficiently and work can proceed smoothly. If there are any problems in the current status of the company, such as obstacles related to information sharing or workflow delays, a review of the underlying system is required.

ArielAirOne is designed to maximize the performance of the entire organization through comprehensive management of information. The intuitive UI helps improve business performance and also contributes to compliance enhancement and BCP measures. Please take a look at the introduction materials.

Product introduction materials

ArielAirOne" is the groupware for large companies

With an intuitive, lean UI and personalization according to the IT literacy of the user, a wealth of functions can be easily used immediately after introduction.

Check it out now!

ArielAirOne Framework (workflow development tool)" is a development tool that can be developed in low code and is highly customizable, so it can be used for complex corporate operations. Please consider using it if you are having trouble developing your own business applications. Please click below to view the introductory materials.

Product introduction materials

ArielAirOne Framework" workflow and development tool

The ArielAirOne Framework provides a platform for non-programming development of company-specific business applications with the advanced functionality required by major companies.

Check it out now!

Reference:

• System Infrastructure｜HIMACS
• Why Information System Infrastructure is Important
• Japanese SOX Act (J-SOX)