G.C. Kikaku

Basic Information

Stock Code
4073
Industry
Information and Communications Industry
Category Detail
Systems & Software
Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
Establishment Year
September 1995
Listing Year
September 2021
Official Website
http://www.gck.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Celsys, Broadleaf, Intertrade, BeTrend, Plus Alpha Consulting, Appier Group, BeMap, Finatext Holdings, SmaReji, WingArc1st, Kaonavi, Sansan, Cybozu

Overview

G.C. Kikaku is a systems and software company in the information and communications industry, established in 1995. It primarily provides electronic payment systems tailored for the distribution sector and continues to grow through a focus on local markets and innovative technology.

Current Situation

G.C. Kikaku maintained steady sales growth in fiscal year 2023, solidifying its strong position particularly in electronic payment systems for the distribution industry. With nearly 30 years of history since its founding, it listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in September 2021. Its core electronic payment services combine security and ease of use, supporting numerous clients and achieving stable revenue. Recently, it has been diversifying payment agency services and transitioning to cloud-based systems, actively pursuing technological innovation. Aiming for sustainable operations, it is also addressing environmental impact reduction and social contributions. In the medium to long term, it focuses on developing new products leveraging AI and IoT technologies, positioning the expansion of the digital payment market as a key growth driver. It is accelerating collaborations and partnerships with competitors to expand its customer base. Moving forward, it aims to acquire new customers and enhance existing solutions amid the advancement of smartphone payments and a cashless society.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Over a quarter-century of history deeply rooted in the distribution industry
  • High customer satisfaction from diverse and flexible payment systems
  • Significantly improved recognition and trust following TSE Mothers listing
  • One of Japan's leading mid-sized system companies specialized in electronic payments
  • Merchant training programs highly regarded in the industry
  • Numerous patents in payment security
  • Management team includes many IT and finance experts
  • Cumulative installations across thousands of stores in Japan
  • Pioneering initiatives in cloud services
  • Leading the growth of Japan's domestic payment agency market
  • High in-house development rate with low dependence on overseas vendors
  • Top regional share in software for payment terminal integration
  • Known as a pioneer in multi-payment solutions
  • Self-developed sales management systems for merchants
  • High reliability through partnerships with financial institutions

Hidden Connections

  • Deeply involved as a business partner in building payment infrastructure for some major convenience store chains
  • Conducting joint development of payment services with domestic financial institutions
  • Participated as a key member in IT infrastructure projects for major distribution companies
  • Conducts collaborative training across industries in merchant education programs
  • Advanced payment security technology jointly developed with multiple university research institutions
  • Company's API adopted by major e-commerce systems
  • Utilized as core payment system in smart city social experiments
  • Connections with mid-sized spin-off companies receiving ongoing venture capital investment

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expansion of cashless payment adoption
  • Increasing IT investments in distribution
  • Growing demand for cloud services
  • Service sophistication through AI and big data utilization
  • New projects from smart city initiatives
  • Expansion of mobile payment usage
  • Diversification of multi-channel payment needs
  • Increased demand from strengthened security measures
  • Enhanced merchant training programs
  • Market expansion through overseas advancement
  • Expansion of API integration services
  • Sustainable management and improved ESG ratings

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve 20% share of domestic payment system market
  • Drive industry innovation with AI-enabled payment services
  • Achieve 50% reduction in environmental impact
  • Surpass 10 billion yen in annual sales
  • Full-scale expansion into Southeast Asia
  • Build network exceeding 10,000 merchants
  • Obtain top domestic cybersecurity certification
  • Complete full migration to cloud infrastructure
  • Achieve 70% ratio of contactless payment transactions
  • Maintain employee satisfaction above 90%

Business Segments

Electronic Payment System Development

Overview
Provides high-security, flexible electronic payment systems for the distribution industry to support business efficiency.
Competitiveness
Specialized expertise in distribution and security technology
Customers
  • Retail chains
  • Convenience stores
  • Small and medium-sized retailers
  • Payment agencies
  • Financial institutions
Products
  • Electronic payment platform
  • API integration system
  • Security authentication system
  • Cloud payment management service
  • Payment terminal integration software

Payment Agency Services Business

Overview
Provides payment agency services supporting diverse payment methods to promote cashless operations for businesses.
Competitiveness
Wide range of payment methods and reliable operational structure
Customers
  • E-commerce operators
  • Mail-order businesses
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Major retail chains
Products
  • Convenience store payment agency
  • Credit card agency
  • Electronic money payment agency
  • Invoice management system
  • Remittance agency service

System Maintenance and Operations Support

Overview
Provides maintenance and monitoring support to ensure stable operation of payment systems.
Competitiveness
Rapid response and high system stability
Customers
  • Financial institutions
  • Major retail companies
  • Local governments
  • Merchant networks
Products
  • System monitoring service
  • Troubleshooting service
  • Security update operations
  • Operations support tools

Customer Data Analysis and Marketing Support

Overview
Provides marketing improvement and customer insight services utilizing payment data.
Competitiveness
Integration of proprietary analysis technology and industry knowledge
Customers
  • Distribution industry
  • Mail-order operators
  • Financial services
  • Advertising agencies
Products
  • Payment data analysis tool
  • Customer behavior prediction system
  • Promotion support platform

Merchant Training and Education Services

Overview
Provides education on payment system usage and safety measures for merchants to maximize operational efficiency.
Competitiveness
Customized training provided by experts
Customers
  • Payment merchants
  • Retail stores
  • Service industry
Products
  • Payment system operation training
  • Security education program
  • Store operation improvement support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Deep expertise specialized for the distribution industry
  • Robust security technology
  • Strong capability to provide diverse payment methods
  • Flexible cloud-based systems
  • Comprehensive customer support structure
  • Rapid system operations and maintenance capabilities
  • High market recognition and reliability
  • Well-developed merchant training programs
  • API compatibility for integration with other systems
  • Stable financial foundation
  • Proactive technological innovation
  • Enhanced credibility from TSE listing
  • Broad sales channel network
  • Value creation through customer data analysis
  • Commitment to differentiation from competitors

Competitive Advantages

  • Product lineup specialized for distribution payment needs
  • High-level information security and audit systems
  • Rapid and flexible customization capabilities
  • Hybrid offerings supporting both cloud and on-premises
  • One-stop provision of diverse payment methods
  • Comprehensive customer support and training programs
  • Strong partnerships with merchants
  • Swift adoption and operation of cutting-edge technologies
  • Operational structure maintaining high system uptime
  • Business support and improvement proposals via data analysis
  • Trust and audit systems as a listed TSE company
  • Accumulated unique business know-how centered on distribution
  • Active adoption of advanced contactless payment technology
  • International competitiveness through multi-currency support
  • Rapid service improvements from integrated operations and development

Threats

  • Intensifying competition in the cashless payment market
  • Risk of obsolescence due to rapid technological evolution
  • Expanding threats from cyberattacks and data breaches
  • Declining market share from increasing new entrants
  • Frequent changes in laws and payment regulations
  • Unstable payment demand due to economic fluctuations
  • Sales fluctuations from changes in major clients' business environment
  • Reputation damage risk from system failures
  • Increased management burden from complex merchant coordination
  • Price competition pressure from rivals
  • Pressure to lower payment fees
  • Lagging technological innovation due to global competition

Innovations

2024: Introduction of Next-Generation AI Payment Authentication System

Overview
Developed and introduced high-precision payment authentication technology using artificial intelligence.
Impact
Improved security and significantly faster payment processing

2023: Complete Overhaul of Cloud Payment Platform

Overview
Migrated to the latest cloud infrastructure with flexibility and scalability.
Impact
Enhanced system stability and scalability, improving customer satisfaction

2022: Expansion of Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Payment Functions

Overview
Strengthened multi-language support and multi-currency payment functions with international expansion in mind.
Impact
Contributes to acquiring new overseas customers

2021: Introduction of QR Code Payment Service

Overview
Launched new QR code generation service for smartphone payments.
Impact
Promotes acquisition of younger customers and merchant expansion

2020: Launch of API-Based Payment Integration Service

Overview
Developed API-linked payment functions compatible with external systems.
Impact
Improved convenience of system integration, increasing adoptions

Sustainability

  • Adoption of energy-efficient data centers
  • Promotion of paperless invoicing systems
  • Internal awareness campaigns to strengthen eco-consciousness
  • Promotion of low-environmental-impact system development
  • Sustainable expansion through collaboration with local communities
  • Respect for employees' work-life balance
  • Reduction of plastic packaging
  • CO2 emission reductions via cloud technology
  • Enhanced environmental considerations in the supply chain
  • Establishment and compliance with green procurement standards