Obic Business Consultants

Basic Information

Stock Code: 4733
Industry: Information and Communications
Category Detail: Systems & Software
Prefecture: Tokyo
Establishment Year: December 1980
Listing Year: October 1999
Official Website: https://www.obc.co.jp/
TSE Information: TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance: Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies: Proship, eBASE, Abant Group, NeoJapan, Money Forward, freee, Obic, Oracle Japan, Otsuka Corporation, Human Technologies, PCA, TKC, Miroku Information Service

Overview

Obic Business Consultants is an IT company founded in 1980 with a high market share in ERP software development in the information and communications industry.

Current Situation

Obic Business Consultants achieved consolidated sales of approximately 42 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2024, maintaining a high market share in the SMB ERP market. Its flagship 'Houyou' series products have been adopted by approximately 720,000 companies, with about 50% of IPO companies as customers. In 2018, it completed a large-scale shift from on-premises products to a SaaS model and is strengthening its cloud infrastructure. The latest 'Houyou V ERP Cloud' covers core operations for various industries and received top ratings in customer satisfaction rankings for 2022-2023. In 2025, it was certified as a White 500 Health Management Excellence Corporation, focusing on corporate sustainability. While adapting to changing market conditions, it continues technology development and service expansion, leveraging digital transformation demand as a tailwind for growth. Moving forward, it aims to expand its mid- to long-term business foundation through strengthened collaboration with partner companies and global expansion.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

Accountant's Houyou is one of the oldest accounting software in Japan
Successfully expanded market share with TV commercials featuring Kyuzo Nakamura
Approximately half of IPO companies have adopted its software
First released financial accounting software for MS-DOS in 1983
Completed full shift to SaaS products in 2018
Focuses on health management for employees and certified as White 500 company
Head office located in Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Oak Tower
Representative Director Narufumi Wada is an accountant from Obara Bookkeeping School
Collaboration track record with Microsoft Japan on cloud operations
Houyou Cloud Series adopted by approximately 720,000 companies
Accountant's Houyou for Windows 95 served as starting point for market expansion
Strength in long-term customer trust and high satisfaction within the industry
One of the pioneering companies in cloud ERP migration
First certified as Health Management Excellence Corporation by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Sales network utilizing both online and offline channels

Hidden Connections

Parent company Obic holds 36.2% of shares and exerts influence on management
Strategic partnership with Microsoft Japan on cloud operations for core business systems
Strengthens IPO company support, indirectly contributing to emerging company growth
History evolved from former name Big System Consultant Group
Representative from Obara Bookkeeping lineage with strong industry network
'Houyou' brand has permeated the industry as synonymous with business software
Head office in Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Oak Tower, located in Nishi-Shinjuku business district
Advanced IT company successful in migrating products from on-premises to SaaS

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

Growing demand for business efficiency among SMEs
Surge in cloud ERP adoption due to DX promotion
Active application of AI and automation technologies
Expansion of health management and sustainability awareness
Support from government IT investment promotion policies
Expansion of upsell demand from existing customers
Sales growth through strengthened partner collaborations
Evolution of cloud security technologies
Development of solutions for diversifying industries
Market expansion opportunities through global advancement
Ongoing expansion of SaaS software sales
Strengthened repeat rate through improved customer satisfaction

Strategic Goals

Maintain top market share for domestic SMBs
Achieve over 90% sales ratio from cloud business
Develop next-generation business support products using AI
Certified as domestic leader in sustainable management
Increase new customer acquisitions by over 10% annually
Steadily advance core business software into overseas markets
Enhance product sophistication and scalability such as IoT integration
Promote diversity-respecting organizational culture and talent development
Continuously implement advanced security measures
Deepen partner ecosystem building

Business Segments

Core Business Systems for SMEs

Overview

Provides systems to support efficiency in SMEs' finance, sales, payroll, and other core operations.

Competitiveness

High customer satisfaction and long-term usage track record

Customers

SME Manufacturers
Wholesalers
Service Industries
Accounting Firms
Retailers

Products

Houyou Cloud Series
Accountant's Houyou
Commerce Houyou
Payroll Houyou

Cloud Infrastructure Provision and Operation

Overview

Provides operational support for business software using self-developed cloud infrastructure.

Competitiveness

Proprietary cloud technology and enhanced security

Customers

SMEs
Accounting Firms
IT Service Providers

Products

Houyou V ERP Cloud
Cloud Infrastructure Service

Partner Collaboration and OEM Provision

Overview

Provides business software to partner companies and supports sales.

Competitiveness

Flexible integration and customization capabilities

Customers

IT Solution Companies
Sales Agents
System Integrators

Products

Houyou Series OEM
Integration Tools

Support Systems for Accounting Firms

Overview

Provides software for efficient accounting and tax processing along with support.

Competitiveness

Highly reliable systems specialized for accounting and tax

Customers

SME Accounting Firms
Tax Accountant Corporations

Products

Houyou Tax Declaration Software
Integrated Cloud Services

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

Overwhelming adoption record in core business software for SMEs
High stability and scalability through self-developed cloud infrastructure
Brand power of the product lineup 'Houyou Series'
Comprehensive ongoing product improvements and customer support
Continuous No. 1 awards in customer satisfaction rankings
Balanced strong sales channels and direct sales system
Approximately 50% of IPO companies use as customers
Corporate reliability from Health Management Excellence certification
Rich product lineup and wide range of supported industries
Strong partnerships across public and private sectors
Rapid SaaS rollout responding to market needs
Cutting-edge capabilities from continuous cloud technology investment
Leadership and management stability from the representative director
Organizational strengthening through mid- to long-term management strategy
Credibility as a Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market-listed company

Competitive Advantages

Competitive edge in ERP product suite specialized for SMB market
High linkage functionality and operability of Houyou Series
Numerous successful cases of migration from on-premises to cloud
High-level support system and customer training programs
Flexible customizability aligned with customer needs
Dominant share and brand power in domestic market
Sustainable growth backed by stable financial base
Powerful sales network with partner companies
Industry-leading customer satisfaction track record
High-quality product design leveraging years of know-how
Rapid market response and frequent new feature releases
Thorough security and compliance measures
Cloud infrastructure optimization through advanced technology
Abundant engineers strong in specialized fields
Clear vision and short-term reforms led by management

Threats

Intensifying competition from major IT companies and foreign ERP vendors
Risk of system obsolescence due to rapid technological innovation
New cloud security threats and strengthened regulations
Customer caution or delays in cloud migration
Intensifying competition for talent acquisition and development
Risk of IT investment slowdown due to economic fluctuations
Price competition pressure from other SaaS providers
Potential slowdown in SME market growth
Increased burden from strengthened IT laws and privacy protections
Difficulty responding to diversification of customer DX plans
Disruptive technologies from new entrant ventures
Impact from global IT material supply issues

Innovations

2023: Houyou V ERP Cloud Launch

Overview: Released new product as next-generation cloud core business package.
Impact: Successfully expanded customer base and promoted cloud migration.

2022: Cloud Infrastructure Enhancement and High-Speed Support

Overview: Implemented performance upgrades and new features for self-developed cloud infrastructure.
Impact: Improved user satisfaction and system stability.

2021: Development of AI-Powered Business Efficiency Features

Overview: Enhanced automation functions for accounting and payroll using AI technology.
Impact: Contributed to reducing customer operation time.

2024: Cloud Security Enhancement Initiatives

Overview: Established strict security management system to reduce risks.
Impact: Improved customer trust and strengthened compliance.

2020: User Interface Refresh

Overview: Significantly improved UI/UX for better operability.
Impact: Boosted satisfaction for new and existing customers.

Sustainability

Certified as White 500 Health Management Excellence Corporation
Promoting paperless operations to reduce environmental impact
Introducing measures to improve employee work-life balance
Strengthening information security for customer data protection
Promoting in-house energy-saving measures and recycling activities
Conducting social contribution activities in collaboration with local communities
Thorough implementation of diversity-respecting talent recruitment and development policies
Reducing environmental impact through remote work promotion
Active response to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Proper handling and recycling of IT waste