UNIXON SYSTEMS CO., LTD, a leading software development company in the television industry, has been providing innovative solutions to various sectors for decades. Facing challenges in hiring local engineers due to time constraints and rising costs, UNIXON sought a solution to expand its development resources. This article explores their collaboration with NAL Solutions and showcases their feedback regarding the partnership.
The Story:
UNIXON SYSTEMS CO., LTD found themselves at a crossroads, striving to achieve profitability while facing difficulties recruiting local engineers. The growing number of projects made it challenging to secure a steady supply of skilled developers. Determined to reduce costs and maintain their development capabilities, they set their sights on offshore development.
Impressions during the Development Process:
To meet their development needs, UNIXON SYSTEMS CO., LTD decided to partner with NAL Solutions, a company under the Mynavi Group. Mr. Junichi Bingo, General Manager of the System Development Department, shares his impressions during the development process.
“NAL Solutions already recruited many staff with Japanese abilities, so communicating in Japanese is not a problem. When recruiting fresh graduates, it takes at least 3 years to master the job, and even when hiring mid-term employees, the skill level is uneven. Therefore, it is very important that the NAL provides stable skills. In addition, having MyNavi in between participating in the regulation and listening to us gave us a sense of peace of mind.”
Mr. Bingo’s feedback highlights the effective communication and collaboration fostered by NAL Solutions, leading to a successful and productive development process.
Feedback after Delivery:
Mr. Matsuda Hirotaka, Head of Production Department DX at UNIXON SYSTEMS CO., LTD, is satisfied with the delivered results.
“In typical offshore projects, only documents are used to communicate all job requirements. However, with NAL Solutions, we engage in frequent communication where they ask questions and propose ideas based on existing documents. They often ask, “In this case, there are a few methods, which one is suitable?”
In conclusion, UNIXON is extremely pleased with the outcome of the collaboration with NAL Solutions. We have proven to be a reliable and proficient partner, and they look forward to working with us on more significant projects in the future. NAL Solutions’ exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to excellence have made us a dependable and results-oriented partner for their software development needs.
The interview with UNIXON SYSTEMS CO
Interviewer: Can you please tell me about your company’s business field?
Mr. Matsuda: We specialize in software development, primarily serving clients in the media industry, such as television stations. Recently, we’ve noticed that clients from various sectors, including finance and legal industries, have also shown interest in our products and services. We plan, develop, and operate systems used by our clients.
Interviewer: Why did you consider outsourcing software development?
Mr. Bingo: Hiring engineers from local companies posed challenges such as time-consuming selection processes and gaps in required skills. Moreover, in recent years, the cost of hiring locally has significantly increased, making it more expensive than internal hiring. To maintain profitability and handle an increasing number of projects, we sought to reduce costs and supplement our resources by exploring offshore development options. Hence, we decided to find a company capable of offshore development.
Interviewer: How did your collaboration with NAL Solutions come about?
Mr. Bingo: When searching for offshore partners or outsourcing companies, I received various recommendations. By chance, I received a contact from NAL Solutions’ offshore sales department at MyNavi. Some of the projects I managed required an additional workforce, so I decided to request their assistance. In 2021, we contracted NAL Solutions in Vietnam to modify an existing system with approximately 1.5 million yen for 2-3 engineers. After that, we assigned them to another project and continued the long-term working relationship.
Mr. Matsuda: Before Mr. Bingo joined the company, we had used offshore services in China. However, there were some unsuccessful experiences, and some people in the company had negative reactions to offshore services.
Interviewer: You had a negative experience in the past. What should companies consider when selecting an offshore development company?
Mr. Bingo: The most critical factor is the cost. However, effective communication is also essential because poor communication may lead to unnecessary expenses. When we requested NAL Solutions’ assistance, they had many staff members proficient in Japanese, ensuring smooth communication. Hiring fresh graduates takes at least three years for them to become skilled, and even hiring mid-career professionals doesn’t guarantee consistent skill levels. Therefore, stable skills provided by NAL Solutions were crucial.
Mr. Matsuda: We acknowledged that there were some communication shortcomings from our end during the process. But we understand that with proper communication, we can get what we want. The cost of hiring engineers with Japanese proficiency may add some expenses, but it’s also a way to increase the number of engineers. So, it’s not a significant issue.
Interviewer: You are continuing your cooperation; can you tell us what aspects you find particularly favorable?
Mr. Matsuda: In typical offshore projects, only documents are used to communicate all job requirements. However, with NAL Solutions, we engage in frequent communication where they ask questions and propose ideas based on existing documents. They often ask, “In this case, there are a few methods, which one is suitable?”
Mr. Bingo: During the process, we realized there were some aspects of communication we needed to improve. However, with tight communication, we can achieve what we desire. Working with engineers proficient in Japanese may involve additional costs, but it’s also a way to increase the number of engineers. So, it’s not a major concern. We want to work together on bigger projects and continue to develop a fruitful partnership.
Conclusion:
The collaboration between UNIXON SYSTEMS CO., LTD and NAL Solutions has proven to be a rewarding partnership for both parties. The efficient communication and seamless development process enabled UNIXON to overcome their resource constraints and deliver high-quality solutions to their clients. The positive feedback from both Mr. Bingo and Mr. Matsuda reflects the successful outcome of the collaboration.