Ekitan

Basic Information

Stock Code
3646
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 2003
Listing Year
March 2011
Official Website
https://ekitan.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
LIFULL, ITmedia, Cookpad, ASJ, Kakaku.com, M3, Ateam Holdings, MarkLines, Sharing Technology, Cluster, IGS, Bengoshi.com, Kamakura Shinsho

Overview

Ekitan is a major company in the information and communications industry, headquartered in Tokyo and established in 2003, with transportation information internet services as its core business.

Current Situation

Ekitan is known for its internet services providing transfer guides and transportation information. It has a stable business foundation with sales of approximately 2.8 billion yen in 2020. Its flagship transfer guide service is widely used mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and it also provides timetables for airplanes and buses to enhance customer satisfaction. The company focuses on technology development and, under a new management policy, is expanding into AI-based on-demand operation systems and MaaS-related industry-academia collaborations. It is diversifying its business areas through business alliances and subsidiary acquisitions to establish competitive advantages in transportation-related fields. It is also committed to sustainability, promoting service development that considers collaboration with local communities and the environment. In the future, against the backdrop of advancing digitalization and the expansion of the mobility market, it aims for further growth by planning to strengthen cloud services and data analysis functions.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Originates from a spun-off division of Toshiba, with a distinguished history.
  • Transfer guide service widely used in Tokyo metropolitan area with high recognition.
  • Mascot character 'Ekitan' is beloved.
  • Pioneering company utilizing AI for on-demand operations.
  • Top-class in the industry for multi-mode transportation information coverage.
  • Built information network with detailed data for 1,500 stations nationwide.
  • Early start in API provision for corporations, securing market superiority.
  • Possesses proprietary transportation big data analysis technology.
  • Active in industry-academia collaborations for expanding regional MaaS.
  • Consistent specialization in transportation information since business inception.
  • Operates real estate and cleaning information sites beyond transportation services.
  • Achieves high-efficiency IT operations with low employee count.
  • Major shareholders include stable investors like CE Holdings.
  • Veteran in transportation information industry headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
  • Transfer guide app highly rated on Android and iOS.

Hidden Connections

  • Benefits from technological foundation and trust as part of Toshiba Group.
  • Leverages cutting-edge technology through collaborations with AI-related companies like Mirai Share.
  • MaaS business features multifaceted partnerships with local governments and universities.
  • Real estate and cleaning information sites are strategies to expand customer touchpoints with transportation sites.
  • CE Holdings as largest shareholder ensures capital stability.
  • Ekitan PICKS series is an attempt at regionally integrated lifestyle platforms.
  • Shares IT domain connections with major competitors like M3 and Kakaku.com despite different industries.
  • Strengthened relationship with Toshiba Digital Solutions through equity acquisition.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of digital transportation market and increase in users.
  • Improvement of transfer and operation information services utilizing AI and IoT.
  • Active promotion of regional MaaS introductions.
  • Increased demand from smart city initiatives.
  • Expansion of usage opportunities through multi-channel and multi-service deployment.
  • Creation of new services through evolution of data analysis technology.
  • Demand for smart transportation support due to strengthened environmental regulations in transportation.
  • Increase in mobile users and smartphone app penetration.
  • Strengthening of revenue base through expansion of corporate API services.
  • Growing needs for improved convenience for public transportation users.
  • Increased demand for transportation services corresponding to aging society.
  • Growing importance of traffic accident and disaster information.

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 70% MaaS penetration rate in major regions nationwide.
  • Become nationwide leader in number of AI and on-demand operation system introductions.
  • Achieve annual sales of over 5 billion yen.
  • Build sustainable transportation service environment and strengthen ECO measures.
  • Construct transportation and lifestyle information platform through multi-field collaborations.
  • Expand corporate service revenue ratio to over 35%.
  • Exceed 2 million smartphone app users.
  • Strengthen collaborations with local communities and governments to solve transportation challenges.
  • Enhance personalized services through advanced utilization of customer data.
  • Promote employee diversity and work-life balance.

Business Segments

Transportation-Related Data Provision

Overview
Provides transportation information data such as railways, buses, and airlines to diverse customers to support the efficiency of transportation services.
Competitiveness
Competitive edge through high-accuracy data covering diverse transportation modes and technological capabilities.
Customers
  • Railway companies
  • Bus operators
  • Airlines
  • Local governments
  • Travel agencies
  • IT companies
  • Advertising agencies
  • Real estate companies
  • Government offices
  • Transportation IC card operators
  • Mobile carriers
  • System development companies
Products
  • Transfer Guide API
  • Real-time Operation Information Data
  • Timetable Data Provision
  • Route Map Data
  • MaaS Platform
  • Data Analysis Service
  • Customizable Transportation Information Solutions
  • AI On-Demand Operation System
  • Regional Transportation Network Support
  • Transportation-Related Consulting
  • Mobile App Integration Service
  • Marketing Data Provision

MaaS and Smart Mobility Support

Overview
Supports the introduction and operation of next-generation transportation services utilizing AI and ICT.
Competitiveness
Advanced technology introduction through business partnerships and regionally focused deployment.
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Transportation operators
  • IT vendors
  • Universities and research institutions
  • Industry-academia collaboration projects
  • Public transportation users
  • Mobility service companies
  • AI technology development companies
Products
  • AI-Based On-Demand Bus System
  • MaaS Implementation Consulting
  • Passenger Demand Analysis Service
  • Real-Time Operation Management System
  • Regional Collaboration Platform

Mobile App Provision

Overview
Develops and provides smartphone apps for transfers and transportation information, along with ad monetization.
Competitiveness
Highly usable multifunctional apps with a large user base.
Customers
  • General users
  • Business partners
  • Advertisers
  • Transportation companies
  • Travel-related services
Products
  • Transfer Guide Smartphone App
  • Transportation Information Notification Service
  • Ad-Linked Services
  • Customer Management Solutions

Related Specialized Information Site Operations

Overview
Operates specialized sites for real estate, house cleaning, etc., linked with transportation information.
Competitiveness
Site operation expertise with customer attraction power through multifaceted information provision.
Customers
  • Real estate companies
  • Cleaning companies
  • General consumers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Local companies
Products
  • Ekitan PICKS Real Estate
  • Ekitan PICKS House Cleaning

Corporate Customization Services

Overview
Provides transportation-related system customization and technical support tailored to customer needs.
Competitiveness
Flexible responsiveness and experienced technical staff.
Customers
  • Corporate IT departments
  • Transportation industry-related businesses
  • Local governments
  • Educational institutions
  • Public institutions
Products
  • System Customization
  • Data Integration Support
  • Technical Consulting
  • User Support

Transportation Marketing Services

Overview
Supports marketing strategies utilizing transportation data and provides ad services.
Competitiveness
Precise analytical capabilities leveraging transportation-specific data.
Customers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Transportation operators
  • Commercial facilities
  • Telecom carriers
  • Event organizers
Products
  • User Data Analysis
  • Ad Delivery Platform
  • Promotion Planning Support
  • Customer Behavior Analysis

AI and Data Analysis Solutions

Overview
Provides analysis solutions for transportation demand and congestion relief using AI technology.
Competitiveness
High-precision analysis through in-house developed AI technology.
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Transportation-related companies
  • Research institutions
  • IT companies
Products
  • AI Demand Forecasting
  • Congestion Analysis
  • Optimal Route Calculation
  • Data Visualization Tools

On-Demand Transportation Operation Support

Overview
Deploys on-demand operation support services aimed at improving regional transportation efficiency.
Competitiveness
Implementation support strength through business partnerships and track record.
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Small-scale transportation operators
  • New transportation service operators
Products
  • On-Demand Operation App
  • Reservation Management System
  • Operation Optimization Service

Advertising and Media Collaboration

Overview
Advertising and promotion collaboration business utilizing transportation information sites.
Competitiveness
High visitor numbers and targeting accuracy.
Customers
  • Advertisers
  • Media companies
  • Transportation-related services
Products
  • Transportation Information-Linked Ads
  • Partner Media Distribution
  • Campaign Planning

System Integration

Overview
Total support from design and development to operation of transportation-related systems.
Competitiveness
Comprehensive technological capabilities from infrastructure to apps.
Customers
  • Corporate IT departments
  • Transportation operators
  • Development partners
Products
  • System Design
  • Development Support
  • Operation and Maintenance

Smart City-Related Support

Overview
Supports ICT platform construction and service provision for next-generation urban transportation.
Competitiveness
Proven track record of multifaceted collaborations in the MaaS field.
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Urban development companies
  • Public project operators
Products
  • Transportation Data Integration Platform
  • Public Transportation Information Integration
  • Smart Mobility Planning

Customer Support and Training Services

Overview
Provides operation guidance and ongoing technical support services for customers.
Competitiveness
Thorough support by specialized staff.
Customers
  • Client companies
  • End users
  • Transportation industry workers
Products
  • Operation Training
  • Technical Training
  • Help Desk

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Nationwide transportation information network and multifunctional services
  • Technological capabilities and reliability derived from Toshiba
  • Data provision covering diverse transportation modes
  • Strong business alliance network
  • Proactive stance on technology development
  • Flexible response to customer needs
  • High usability of smartphone apps
  • Advanced initiatives in the MaaS field
  • Synergistic effects with specialized information sites
  • Stable financial base
  • Experienced management team and technical staff
  • Real-time data provision capabilities
  • Service deployment to a wide range of customer segments
  • Continuous customer support system
  • Rapid business alliances and expansion

Competitive Advantages

  • Established brand trust as a veteran company
  • High market share in transfer guide services
  • Comprehensiveness and accuracy of transportation data
  • Advanced AI-utilizing on-demand operation system
  • Expansion of user touchpoints through multi-channel deployment
  • Differentiation through integration of transportation, real estate, and cleaning information
  • Technology supplementation and extensibility through business partnerships
  • Corporate solutions via abundant APIs
  • Rapid and accurate real-time information provision system
  • Diversified deployment of housing, transportation, and lifestyle-related services
  • Strong constitution for investments due to solid finances
  • Service improvements emphasizing user satisfaction
  • Trust secured through regionally focused service deployment
  • Management strategy flexibly responding to industry trends
  • MaaS new technology development through industry-academia collaborations

Threats

  • Intensification of similar services by competitors
  • Challenges in information updates due to transportation infrastructure changes
  • Risks in responding to the speed of technological innovation
  • Concerns over market fragmentation by new entrants
  • Impact of strengthened personal information protection laws
  • Difficulties in transportation information provision due to natural disasters
  • Uncertain growth trends in the MaaS market
  • Burden of responding to diversifying user needs
  • Importance of maintaining data accuracy and reliability
  • Increasing cyber security risks
  • Risk of rising IT infrastructure costs
  • Impact from management changes in client companies

Innovations

2020: Business Alliance for AI On-Demand Operation System

Overview
Launched AI-utilizing on-demand bus operation system through business alliance with Mirai Share.
Impact
Contributes to improved convenience of regional transportation and transportation efficiency.

2020: Industry-Academia Collaboration for Hokkaido MaaS Business Expansion

Overview
Promoting collaboration among five parties including universities, local governments, and transportation operators for MaaS business in Hokkaido region.
Impact
Realizes practical application of next-generation transportation service technologies.

2021: Enhanced Functionality of Transfer Guide App

Overview
Significantly improved information accuracy and operability to enhance user experience.
Impact
Achieved increase in users and improved customer satisfaction.

2022: Introduction of New Management Policy 'From the Stations'

Overview
Formulated new business concept aiming to expand transportation and lifestyle services starting from stations.
Impact
Established foundation for diversified business expansion.

2023: Expansion of Corporate Transportation Data Services via API Provision

Overview
Expanded high-accuracy transportation data APIs for corporations to promote integration with various systems.
Impact
Succeeded in expanding customer base and diversifying revenue.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of public transportation use through regional MaaS introduction
  • Promotion of smart mobility contributing to reduced transportation environmental impact
  • Telework promotion considering work-style reforms
  • Contribution to congestion relief through transportation data utilization
  • Improved transportation access through strengthened collaboration with local communities
  • Reduced environmental impact through improved server power efficiency
  • Thorough protection of customer data privacy
  • Investment in building sustainable IT infrastructure
  • Promotion of employee diversity and creating a comfortable workplace
  • Initiatives to promote employment of people with disabilities