Tokyo, March 27, 2009
Fujitsu Limited and Fujitsu Frontech Limited today announced that beginning April 2009, the Fujitsu Group will gradually centralize the development and manufacture of technology solutions tying people and IT together, such as point of sales systems, automated ticket vending-refunding machines, RFID tags, and palm vein biometric authentication equipment, into the front-end technology business of Fujitsu Frontech.
In addition, sales and delivery capabilities will be enhanced by augmenting the sales activities of Fujitsu and establishing a new framework within Fujitsu Frontech enabling the development of new areas of business as well as providing customers with fine-tuned support that is responsive to changes in the business environment.
This move will allow the Fujitsu Group to enhance the competitiveness of its products and services through timely decision-making and increased operational efficiency, ensuring that Group can continue to rapidy deliver solutions that serve customer needs.
Products and Operations Affected
A wide range of Fujitsu Group products represent the interface between customers and information technology. These include retail system products that are directly used by the customer, such as point-of-sale systems and handheld terminals; specialty hardware, including automatic teller machines and automated ticket vending-refunding machines for sporting events; RFID tag readers and writers; palm vein biometric authentication equipment and other products using advanced technologies. Currently, Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech work together in Japan and internationally to develop and manufacture these products as well as to provide solutions, including related services. In order to support Fujitsu's Technology Solutions business sector and accelerate its growth in the future, these products need to be even more competitive and compelling.
Goals for Operational Improvements
Beginning in April 2009, the development and manufacture of these products which are currently interspersed through Fujitsu and other Group companies, will gradually be centralized under the Fujitsu Frontech Group. This is intended to eliminate redundancies, increase operational efficiency and speed, and improve product development and competitiveness. In addition to Fujitsu's own sales programs, Fujitsu Frontech will be creating a new sales organization, including sales partners, to strengthen its sales and delivery capabilities.
Implementation
1. Improved operations in retail system products for markets outside Japan, including POS equipment and handheld terminals (scheduled for April 2009)
The retail system development and manufacturing divisions of Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc.(1) will be transferred to Fujitsu Frontech North America(2) , a new company to be owned by Fujitsu Frontech. Sales and services will be merged under a new Fujitsu company that will manage the North American solutions businesses(3) .
2. A stronger network for automated ticket vending-refunding machines
Fujitsu will transfer its sales, service, and operating services for automated ticket vending-refunding machines used in sporting arenas to Fujitsu Frontech, which already handles the development and manufacture of these products. A one-stop lifecycle management system will be established for these products and services in order to increase their competitive edge as well as bolster the sales effectiveness of Fujitsu Frontech's sales force. Details are currently pending.
To strengthen operations, an expansion of the collaboration between Fujitsu and Fujitsu Frontech involving retail system products, RFID tag readers and writers, automated teller machines, palm vein biometric authentication equipment and other products in Japan is currently under review.
Building a stronger foundation under front-end technology business will enable Fujitsu to continue providing solutions that serve customer needs promptly, and enhance its competitiveness through timely decision-making and increased operational efficiency.
Comment from Kuniaki Nozoe, President of Fujitsu
The products and related services that tie our customers with IT play important roles in helping us realize a rewarding and secure future. By integrating the development and manufacture of key products and related services used in technology solutions within Fujitsu Frontech and enhancing our sales organization, we intend to make our operations more agile and efficient as well as strengthen the competitiveness of our products. These moves are the best way to strengthen the foundations of the Fujitsu Group's Technology Solutions business and deliver high-quality products to customers in a timely fashion.
Comment from Mitsuhiro Ebihara, Representative Director of Fujitsu Frontech
At Fujitsu Frontech, we focus our energies into our business activities based on the concept of "delivering products and services that tie people and IT together with the latest technology.” Centralizing the front-end technology business within a new framework at Fujitsu Frontech will enable us to provide products to our customers on a timely basis and at a lower cost, meet our customers' needs more precisely, and enhance our customer proposals. Through these efforts, we hope to strengthen the Fujitsu Group by concentrating on Fujitsu's main line of business—Technology Solutions—as well as increasing our sales and profits.
Attachment
Filing Documents for Tokyo Stock Exchange (52 KB)
