Uluru

Basic Information

Stock Code
3979
Industry
Information and Communications
Category Detail
Professional Services for Businesses
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
August 2001
Listing Year
March 2017
Official Website
https://www.uluru.biz/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Yoji Katsudo Ken, Risk Monster, Fisco, Wills, SBI Global Asset Management, IR Japan Holdings, Virtualex, iFis Japan, Slogan, Beat Holdings Limited

Overview

Uluru is a specialist services company founded in 2001 in the information and communications industry, primarily engaged in crowdsourcing, BPO business, and bidding information services, with government and public offices as its main customers.

Current Situation

For the fiscal year ended March 2024, consolidated net sales were ¥5.9 billion and operating profit ¥1.3 billion, maintaining solid performance. The flagship crowdsourcing platform 'Shufti' connects home-based workers with companies, while the BPO business offers a variety of outsourcing services. It promotes efficiency through IT utilization in areas such as the public bidding rapid information service 'NJSS' for government offices and local governments, and qualification management for local governments. It also has a subsidiary in Indonesia and is exploring global expansion, while advancing innovations such as AI-supported bidding document creation. On the sustainability front, it focuses on regional job creation and strengthening information security, aiming for business diversification driven by growing DX demand in the future. It emphasizes management transparency and has established a sound governance structure as a company with a board of auditors. In recent years, it has been actively expanding the phone reception agency service 'fondesk' and developing new services.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Founded in 2001 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and grew after relocating headquarters to Tokyo.
  • One of the pioneers in BPO models utilizing cloud workers.
  • Rapid information bidding service adopted by numerous local governments nationwide.
  • Has a subsidiary in Indonesia and is expanding overseas BPO.
  • Utilizes crowdsourcing talent centered on housewives.
  • Gaining attention for public document creation support using generative AI.
  • Established a scan center in Komatsushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, contributing to the region.
  • Phone reception agency service 'fondesk' is supported in the industry.
  • Business expansion through cloud workers despite lean in-house staff.
  • Clear governance structure as a company with a board of auditors.
  • Also offers kindergarten photo sales management system 'En Photo'.
  • Approximately 20 years of history as a crowdsourcing pioneer.
  • High market share specialized in government procurement-related fields.
  • Appropriate management of disclosed information such as corporate number and capital.
  • Improved credibility in capital markets after listing on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.

Hidden Connections

  • Indirectly involved in bidding management systems for many local governments.
  • Participates in public projects for local revitalization with cloud utilization support.
  • Unique in industry for forming networks of housewives as cloud workers.
  • Strong and efficient business collaboration between Indonesia subsidiary and domestic headquarters.
  • Generative AI technology aligns with government digital promotion strategies.
  • Phone agency service noted as a fusion model of IT and human resources.
  • Photo sales network for early childhood education closely tied to educational sites.
  • Stock market valuation serves as one indicator for the cloud BPO industry.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for bidding and procurement support services due to expanding administrative DX needs.
  • Differentiation promotion through expanded business applications of AI and generative AI technologies.
  • BPO business expansion through expansion and diversification of cloud worker base.
  • Increase in local government qualification management and electronic procurement system introductions.
  • Ongoing increase in IT service demand accompanying local revitalization and regional activation.
  • Expansion of outsourcing market for phone agency and customer response operations.
  • Potential for further expansion of overseas BPO business such as in Indonesia.
  • Rising needs for business efficiency accompanying work style reforms.
  • Growth in IT-related products and services in the education sector.
  • Stable new investments leveraging solid financial foundation.

Strategic Goals

  • Establish top share level in administrative DX
  • Become industry leader in AI-introduced business support
  • Achieve over 20% sales ratio from overseas BPO business
  • Strengthen diverse cloud worker base and improve brand recognition
  • Deploy sustainable IT services considering environment and society
  • Develop new services aimed at supporting citizen life
  • Provide proactive DX promotion consulting services
  • Improve work environment for employees and partners
  • Maximize new customer acquisition and existing customer satisfaction
  • Maintain world-class governance and compliance

Business Segments

Services for Government and Local Authorities

Overview
Supports efficiency in procurement, qualification management, and other operations for government offices and local governments.
Competitiveness
High expertise in cloud services and track record for government offices
Customers
  • Local governments
  • Public institutions
  • Public bidding participant companies
  • Government agencies
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • Bidding Information Rapid Service (NJSS)
  • Local Government Qualification Management System
  • Public Document Digitization Support
  • Public Procurement Specification Creation Support

Call Center Agency Services

Overview
Business efficiency through phone reception agency utilizing cloud workers.
Competitiveness
High-quality response capabilities through flexible workforce utilization and IT integration
Customers
  • Corporate customer service departments
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • IT companies
  • Mail-order businesses
  • Service providers
Products
  • Phone Reception Agency (fondesk)
  • Cloud-based Call System
  • Customer Response Outsourcing

BPO Contracted Operations

Overview
Outsourcing and agency for indirect operations across diverse industries.
Competitiveness
Hybrid operation of cloud workers and in-house BPO
Customers
  • Large companies
  • Financial institutions
  • IT-related companies
  • Logistics companies
  • Government offices
Products
  • Data Entry Agency
  • Document Scanning Services
  • Information Processing Outsourcing
  • Translation Support Operations

Photo and Education System Services

Overview
IT support for photo management and sales in early childhood education institutions.
Competitiveness
Industry-specific system expertise
Customers
  • Kindergartens
  • Nurseries
  • Boards of education
  • School corporations
  • Parents
Products
  • En Photo (En Navi Photo)
  • Photo Sales System
  • IT Services for Educational Institutions

Crowdsourcing Platform Operation

Overview
Matching service connecting diverse workers and clients.
Competitiveness
Stable worker base centered on housewives
Customers
  • Home-based workers
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Sole proprietors
  • Ventures
  • Startups
Products
  • Shufti Platform
  • Micro-task Management System
  • Project Contract Support

AI and IT Solution Development

Overview
Provides business efficiency solutions utilizing AI technology.
Competitiveness
Advanced business automation support through generative AI applications
Customers
  • Government agencies
  • Private companies
  • IT vendors
  • Startups
  • Research institutions
Products
  • AI Log Analysis Tool
  • Procurement Specification Auto-Generation
  • Tablet Form System (Kamimage)

Overseas BPO Business

Overview
Low-cost BPO centered on Indonesia subsidiary.
Competitiveness
Diverse talent and cost competitiveness through collaboration with overseas bases
Customers
  • Domestic companies
  • Multinational companies
  • IT service providers
  • Local companies
  • Partner companies
Products
  • Data Processing at Indonesia Base
  • Overseas Call Center Operations
  • Multilingual Services

Information Management and Security Services

Overview
Supports data management with advanced security standards.
Competitiveness
Reliable security operation expertise
Customers
  • Government offices
  • Financial institutions
  • Large companies
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Medical institutions
Products
  • Information Security Management System Construction
  • Data Access Rights Management
  • Confidential Document Management

Online Marketing Support

Overview
Supports promotion and information dissemination utilizing the internet.
Competitiveness
Data-driven marketing expertise
Customers
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Startups
  • EC businesses
  • Educational institutions
  • Government
Products
  • Digital Content Production Support
  • Advertising Operation Support
  • SEO Consulting

Education and Training Services

Overview
Education business aimed at improving IT literacy of workers.
Competitiveness
Provision of practical linked curricula
Customers
  • Companies
  • Local governments
  • Educational institutions
  • Individuals
  • Industry associations
Products
  • Crowdsourcing Utilization Training
  • IT Skills Education Programs
  • Business Efficiency Seminars

DX Promotion Support Services

Overview
Support to accelerate digital transformation.
Competitiveness
Driving force through broad industry coverage and IT skills
Customers
  • Medium-sized companies
  • Government offices
  • Startups
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Large companies
Products
  • Business Process Analysis
  • IT System Construction Support
  • Cloud Migration Consulting

Translation and Multilingual Services

Overview
Translation and multilingual support services to aid global operations.
Competitiveness
High-quality specialized translation and support for numerous languages
Customers
  • Import/export companies
  • International organizations
  • Multinational companies
  • Tourism-related businesses
  • Educational institutions
Products
  • Specialized Document Translation
  • Multilingual Site Construction
  • Overseas Customer Support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Proven track record in specialist services for government and local authorities
  • Flexible business structure utilizing cloud workers
  • Extensive experience in crowdsourcing platform operations
  • Drive for business efficiency through AI technology utilization
  • Robust governance structure and management transparency
  • Global expansion via overseas subsidiaries
  • Capability to provide diverse BPO services
  • Specialist photo sales and education services
  • Reliable information security management
  • Utilization of diverse sales channels
  • Superior position in government procurement operations
  • Proprietary cloud worker community
  • IT solution development specialized in specific fields
  • Flexible and rapid customer response capabilities
  • Social recognition through regional job creation

Competitive Advantages

  • Extensive service lineup specialized for government and local authorities
  • Cost-efficient BPO system through cloud worker utilization
  • Advanced bidding information processing services incorporating AI technology
  • Low-cost overseas BPO operations utilizing Indonesia subsidiary
  • Stable talent base centered on housewives with 'Shufti' at the core
  • Revenue stability through diversified business structure
  • Market superiority secured through bidding participation qualification unified management service
  • Pioneer in document creation support systems using generative AI
  • High-quality document management via regionally integrated scan center
  • Comprehensive IT outsourcing service provision capabilities
  • Long-term business stability backed by solid financial foundation
  • Flexible service deployment to diverse customer needs
  • Efficient business management through dedicated platforms
  • Trust gained through strong governance
  • High expertise in procurement solutions for public institutions

Threats

  • Intensifying competition from new crowdsourcing providers
  • Risks from changes in government procurement policies
  • Risk of service obsolescence due to rapid AI technology advancements
  • Strengthened legal regulations on personal information and data security breaches
  • Intensifying cost competition in overseas BPO markets
  • Social environmental changes affecting workforce securing
  • Decrease in orders due to local government budget cuts
  • Risk of increased funding burden from technology investments
  • Risk of business suspension due to natural disasters
  • Challenges in business adaptation due to social conditions and legal amendments

Innovations

2024: Development of Bidding Information Creation Support System Using Generative AI

Overview
Launched automated creation support for public procurement specifications and bidding-related documents using generative AI technology.
Impact
Significantly improves efficiency of administrative operations.

2023: Major Functional Expansion of fondesk Phone Reception Agency System

Overview
Improved service quality of cloud worker-linked call agency services.
Impact
Contributes to improved customer satisfaction for client companies.

2022: Launch of Bidding Participation Qualification Management Service Using AI

Overview
Introduced digitization of qualification management for local governments and technology to prevent update omissions.
Impact
Achieved reduction in errors and improved management efficiency.

2021: Strengthened Document Digitization with New Scan Center Establishment

Overview
Opened new center in Komatsushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, to provide advanced document processing.
Impact
Improved quality and productivity of BPO operations.

2020: Development of Handwriting-Compatible Tablet Form System 'Kamimage'

Overview
Introduced new IT system to improve efficiency in document digitization.
Impact
Supports customers' digital shift in operations.

Sustainability

  • Regional employment creation through scan center operations
  • Strengthening personal information protection and information security measures
  • Social contribution through support for local governments' DX promotion
  • Support for work-life balance through promotion of diverse work styles
  • Environmentally conscious office operations and business efficiency improvements