Overview of Zenetec <4492> Business
2. Engineering Solution Business
In the engineering solution business, we provide optimal solutions for "making things" with a focus on customer satisfaction. Since acquiring the right to import and act as a representative of Mastercam, the world's most widely used 3D CAD/CAM system, in Japan in 1990, we have been contributing to solving manufacturing issues based on a wealth of technical expertise and proposal power from a customer perspective. In addition, we provide services tailored to customer needs through a nationwide sales and support network. The main products offered include the following.
Mastercam: The world's most widely used 3D CAD/CAM system.
FlexSim: 3D simulation software that can be used in various fields such as manufacturing and logistics.
VISUAL COMPONENTS Robotics OLP: Offline teaching software for industrial robots developed by Visual Components, headquartered in Finland.
GC Monitor: Monitoring and managing machine tools.
Mastercam can respond to various industries and processing such as molds, prototyping, and component processing by combining modules such as CAD, 2-axis CAM, 3-axis CAM, 5-axis CAM, lathe CAM, wire CAM, blade processing dedicated CAM, port processing dedicated CAM . It also has excellent compatibility with various CAD software. The company has a wealth of experience in creating post-processors for various machine tools, and can support both input and output.
FlexSim is a 3D simulation software that is ideal for improving productivity and efficiency in manufacturing plants and logistics warehouses. It visualizes the flow, layout, and operation of people, things, and equipment in a digital twin, and supports the shift from individual optimization to overall optimization by using AI technology. FlexSim is used to solve various problems such as simulation design and improvement of manufacturing lines, design and improvement of logistics systems, optimization of personnel allocation, and optimization of inventory management. It has intuitive operation and advanced visualization functions, and can display simulation results in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing everyone from field staff to management to understand the problem from the same perspective and discuss solutions.
GC Monitor is a monitoring tool for factory equipment operating conditions, which visualizes detailed operating conditions of machines that were previously invisible, and is a tool for analysis and improvement. It can monitor all equipment even in mixed sites of old and new manufacturers, and can be easily installed by attaching a current sensor to the operating signal wiring of machine tools. introduction of GC Monitor can lead to increased sales due to increased production equipment operating rates, increased profit margins, and elimination of delayed delivery. In addition, it is possible to avoid sudden failures and reduce machine failure time and defective products by grasping the timing of various machine maintenance, and to reduce maintenance costs. Furthermore, by directly comparing the data of the operation monitoring system with FlexSim, real-time simulation is possible. This makes it possible to confirm current performance and compare it with the best performance of current equipment and systems, layout changes, and the like to improve the performance of the entire factory.
3. GPS Business
In the GPS business, the company provides mainly the "Kokodayo" app, which is a disaster prevention and monitoring application developed based on the company's own patented technology. Kokodayo is a disaster prevention smartphone app that automatically notifies the location of family members and important people instantly in response to a disaster warning. In case of a disaster, it automatically shares the location information of group members, supporting safety check. In addition, a chat bulletin board is available within the group, and can be used as a monitoring and communication tool. Furthermore, it has a location information sharing function, so in normal times, the app can verify the location of small children and the elderly as a monitoring app on an internal map. In case of disaster, it supports rapid notification of the previous location to the pre-set recipient for safety confirmation, and has a function to share remaining battery power with each other, allowing for estimation of contact frequency and reasons for inability to contact.
4. Company's Strengths
In the system solution business, it boasts 40 years of history as a veteran in the field of embedded software that controls machinery such as consumer electronics and industrial equipment based on its own patented technology. Competing companies include Fuji Soft <9749> and Vitz <4440>, and companies that develop software primarily while also expanding into other areas are more easily compared. Companies entrusted with development of embedded software are surprisingly numerous, but it is not uncommon for them to subcontract as second or third parties. However, the company has direct dealings with Tier 1 supermajor companies, such as Sony Group <6758> in digital consumer electronics and Panasonic Holdings <6752> in automotive-related fields. In addition, as the company develops both software and hardware, it is capable of responding to requests such as prototype production for circuit systems and substrates, and there are not many companies that can handle all these needs. It has a rich OEM support as a Tier 1 supplier, accumulating know-how from upstream to downstream at the same level as manufacturers, which we see as the greatest strength of the company.
On the other hand, if a company only handles the aforementioned fields, and is put in the position of second or third party due to some event, it is estimated that significant impact will occur on business performance. Therefore, the company provides engineering solutions as its second pillar, offering solutions using software such as 3D CAD/CAM software "Mastercam", which is used by many cutting machine operators. In the field of space development, etc., small and medium-sized companies called "machinery factory" in Japan are exhibiting their technical power. However, many of them depend on veteran craftsmen's experience, making it difficult to accumulate know-how. In the engineering solution business, it quantifies the expertise of veteran craftsmen and enables accurate technology transfer by controlling machines with software. In addition, as the third pillar, in the GPS business, it develops and provides smartphone apps such as "Kokodayo". We see these segments as the company's major features and strengths, which can grow in each field, while allowing for synergies.
(Author: FISCO Guest Analyst Ryoji Mogi)