Integrated
Report
2022
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022
ー表現
Five-Decade Journey of CTC
On April 1, 2022, ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding.
In this section, we look back at the past five decades, which we have walked together with our stakeholders, and discuss the next step forward on our journey.
1970s
Stable growth
Focus on energy and resource conservation
1980s
Japan's bubble economy Transition to a service-driven industry structure
1970 | First photochemical smog confirmed in Japan | 1980 | Release of ethernet specifications |
1971 | Establishment of the Ministry of the | 1982 | Introduction of telephone cards and public |
Environment | telephones using cards | ||
1973 | Introduction of the floating exchange | ||
rate system |
Development of a robust ecosystem with vendors by taking responsibility in the supply of technologies
1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of C. ITOH Data Systems | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution to the safety | Co., Ltd. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and rapid development of | Development of a nationwide service network | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
along with the supply of overseas products to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
society with sophisticated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japanese companies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
computing technologies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1958 | Conclusion of a sales agent contract | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
with Sun Microsystems, acquiring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of Tokyo Electronic | exclusive distributor rights for Sun | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Computing Service Co., Ltd. | Workstations, which led CTC to | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(later CRC Solutions Corp.) | become the world's largest reseller | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start of computer rental services using | of Sun Workstations in 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a small staff, and receipt of orders for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Evolution of sophisticated simulation technologies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
coordinate transformation devices nec- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
essary for aerial photogrammetry | 1975 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Receipt of an award for help with simula- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
tions for N rocket launches of the National | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Space Development Agency of Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution to government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
projects through contracts for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction of data utilization platforms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
engineering calculations for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the Tokaido Shinkansen and | for an IT infrastructure-based society | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
queue calculation for ticket | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1971 | 1980 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gates at Olympic event sites; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Creation of a thinktank division; | Introduction of the first CRAY-1, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
development of software for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
structural analysis of nuclear | transformation of the computa- | the world's fastest supercom- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
power facilities, bridges, sky- | tion center into a solution center | puter at the time, for commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
scrapers, roads, and ships | use in Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CTC's predecessors were commercializing scientific computation services when computers were still in their infancy. Undertakings over the years have included contributing to government projects with analytical technologies and computer simulation technologies to design the elevated tracks for the Tokaido Shinkansen, which started service in 1964. We also proceeded to acquire technologies in response to social issues, identify unmet needs, and thereby create markets. Examples of such efforts include the design of anti- pollution measures and skyscraper structures and the analysis of weather patterns, earthquakes, and tsunamis. This proactive approach can be traced back to our early days.
It is now taken for granted that government documents are printed by means of computers. This is because computers were introduced at municipal government agencies across Japan over the 1960s and 1970s. CTC supported the spread of computers by helping to digitize names and addresses, leading eventually to the development and supply of Japanese input systems (which added the functionality needed to type Japanese characters to input systems developed in the United States) as well as dedicated keyboards for use with the systems. Moreover, we established some
50 bases to support municipal government agencies in the input of such data, giving rise to CTC's reputation for supply maintenance and repair services after products were sold.
1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collapse of the bubble economy | Emergence of the internet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IT revolution and dot-com bubble | Development of interpersonal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
communities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1990 Collapse of the bubble economy in Japan | 2001 Start of NTT DOCOMO's FOMA service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1993 Approval of commercial internet use by the | 2006 Launch of Amazon Web Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications | 2008 Release of the iPhone in Japan and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1994 Adoption of the United Nations Framework | the financial crisis of 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convention on Climate Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995 Release of Microsoft Windows 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 Management integration | System integration by the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition and evolution of | Reinforcement of service frameworks to develop a comprehensive | Cloud computing technology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
network technologies | lineup of IT services covering all layers of technology | and venturing into balancing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
scalability / security | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992 | 1995 | 1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start of sales of the net- | Full-fledged entry into the inter- | Support for early mobile | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
work products of Cisco | net business, with the start of | internet services for the | Commencement of R&D of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cloud technologies; start of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Systems, Inc., and the | supply of products of Netscape | telecom careers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
database products of | Communications Corporation | Cloud service initiatives begin- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oracle Corporation | ning with the launch of the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amid the internet boom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TechnoCUVIC public Cloud ser- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
vice utilizing CTC's data centers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1990 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of ITOCHU Technology, Inc.; creation of an R&D | Establishment of the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
base in the United States to research market trends, advanced | Technical Solution Center, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
technologies, services, and products; becoming a CTC subsidiary in | with a capability in compre- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012; focus on support of startup companies in their business | hensive technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
expansion in Japan and approach to Japanese companies | verification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exploration of climate change- and renewable energy-related technologies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992 | 1996 | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Receipt of Japan's 34th com- | Launch of Weather Eye, | Entry into wind and solar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
mercial meteorological fore- | Japan's first weather infor- | power businesses by utiliz- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
cast license and entry into | mation website, using a | ing meteorological forecast | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the weather forecast | proprietary meteorological | expertise; acquisition of a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
business | forecast model | patent for wind turbine loca- | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
tion selection methodology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1988 | 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening of the Yokohama | Opening of the Kobe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Computer Center prior to | Computer Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the era of open systems | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 1983, when the idea of networks was still new, CTC turned its attention to the Sun (Stanford University Network) Workstation developed by Stanford University. By writing UNIX instruction manuals for the Sun Workstation, our engineers helped to spread the use of this system in industrial and office settings. It was also around this time that we took part in an experiment to use the Sun Workstation in the telecommunications field. Later, in 1992, we entered into the network system field by concluding a sales agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc., before arranging a similar agreement with Netscape Communications Corporation in 1995, at the outset of the internet era. When the prevalence of personal computers began to grow rapidly, we undertook the verification of Intel
architecture and Windows operating systems, leading us to merge existing technologies and evolve into a multi-vendor that offered the products of numerous vendors.
The improving performance of microprocessors gave rise to a conception of virtual machines in which one computer would be shared among multiple users, a concept that became a reality for UNIX and Windows systems in the 2000s. CTC responded to this trend by becoming the first global system integrator to conclude a sales contract with VMware, Inc., in 2008. This relationship encompassed Cloud services, prompting us to launch our TechnoCUVIC proprietary Cloud services in 2008, before Amazon Web Services became a staple in Japan. Our services continue to evolve even today.
ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation Integrated Report 2022 02
Five-Decade Journey of CTC
2010s
Advancement of AI and digitalization Global transition toward sharing economies
2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
2015 Introduction of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Adoption of the Paris Agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
2016 Introduction of the personal identification number system in Japan 2017 Announcement of comprehensive 5G verification tests by the
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Creation of global structures in Asia
2013
Acquisition of two IT companies with broad customer bases and diverse technological capabilities in Singapore and Malaysia, to grow global operations and enhance global support for customers
2017
Acquisition of an IT company in Thailand to further strengthen operations in Southeast Asia
Development of new businesses through co-creative innovation
2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Opening of the CTC Security | |||||||||||||||||
Operations Center and launch of | |||||||||||||||||
managed security services | |||||||||||||||||
Exploration of renewable | |||||||||||||||||
energy-related technologies | |||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Launch of the E-PLSM Cloud service | Receipt of the New Energy | ||||||||||||||||
to support smart communities and | Foundation Chairman Award in the | ||||||||||||||||
contribute to the realization of a | New Energy Award program | ||||||||||||||||
low-carbon,energy-efficient society | together with Tohoku Electric | ||||||||||||||||
Power Co., Inc., for introducing a | |||||||||||||||||
wind power generation output pre- | |||||||||||||||||
diction system into power grid | |||||||||||||||||
management processes | |||||||||||||||||
2017
Establishment of the Institute of Open Innovation Research "MIRAI" to research and develop advanced technologies and create new business models, and opening of the DEJIMA dedicated space for innovation in Tokyo in October 2017, to respond to demand from customers seeking to develop new businesses
Anytime a turning point was reached with regard to IT, CTC was quick to respond together with customers. Since our founding, we have been driven continually by a sense of curiosity with regard to constantly evolving technologies, as well as a pioneering spirit that inspires us to combine technologies to contribute to resolving social issues. This outlook is imprinted in the very DNA of CTC.
When searching for ways that CTC can contribute to the future, one option we have identified is to provide infrastructure that allows for the exhaustive use of Cloud-native technologies. Virtual machines and the associated virtualization technologies have become commonplace, but these technologies emerged originally with the goal of helping use the finite resource that is a computer in
the most efficient way possible. Installing multiple operating systems on a single computer is more efficient than giving everyone their own high-spec computer. These technologies are based on the principle of sharing resources to boost efficiency. Cloud-native environments allow users to take advantage of the services they need only when they need them, meaning that services can be provided in smaller increments. This approach is significantly more efficient and affordable than assigning everyone a virtual machine that includes both an operating system and applications. This approach also allows for a massive increase in the number of users sharing a single system.
03 ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation Integrated Report 2022
Our journey of taking on new challenges will continue over the next five decades
2020s
Resolution of issues pertaining to the environment, globalization, population aging, and birthrate declines through society-wideco-creation
2020 Global COVID-19 pandemic
Popularization of teleworking and remote meetings
2021 Announcement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of a goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from the fiscal 2013 level by fiscal 2030
Semiconductor shortages sparked by lockdowns in China
2022 Rising energy prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of two IT companies in Indonesia to | ||||||||||||||||||||||
install system integration structures that | ||||||||||||||||||||||
comprehensively encompass the ASEAN | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
region, which is expected to see rapid growth in | Enhancement of the "OneCUVIC" Cloud service; collaboration | |||||||||||||||||||||
the IT industry | with IBM Japan, Ltd., to improve flexibility and security in the | |||||||||||||||||||||
service application field | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Start of the provision of local 5G verifica- | ||||||||||||||||||||||
tion testing infrastructure | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Opening of a dedicated space in Tokyo and | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Aichi Prefecture as part of initiatives to expe- | Establishment of the Business Innovation & Digital | |||||||||||||||||||||
dite development processes and achieve flexible | Transformation; creation of new business models together with | |||||||||||||||||||||
and agile development, giving rise to CTC's | customers, while supporting their digital transformation by utiliz- | |||||||||||||||||||||
reputation for using agile development to | ing DX and open innovation business development insight | |||||||||||||||||||||
respond to the needs of customers seeking | ||||||||||||||||||||||
timely releases of applications | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commencement of the verification of aggregation business | ||||||||||||||||||||||
encompassing the prediction of generation volumes for solar | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cultivation of human resources to support the future | ||||||||||||||||||||||
power, wind power, and other forms of renewable energy and | ||||||||||||||||||||||
supply to business operators | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of the ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Future Foundation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
as one facet of efforts to develop human resources to shape the | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
future of IT and contribute to society through business activities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Conclusion of a partnership agreement with data center | ||||||||||||||||||||||
business operators to evolve data center businesses | ||||||||||||||||||||||
If society comes to trust Cloud-native environments, it could create a new use for cryptocurrency as well as for the conventional currencies that reflect the nation's value. Moreover, a sufficient reduction in the costs of using such infrastructure would conceivably make these systems more accessible to people who currently lack access to IT, thereby helping to reduce the digital divide. Accordingly, CTC believes that the society of the future will come to be defined by words such as "sharing economies," "barrier-free," and "universal."
If Cloud-native technologies are utilized in the true sense, this is expected to expand the number of people with access to IT as well
as the number of services provided on a segment basis. This situation will create a greater need for environments that guarantee user safety and peace of mind. Thus, it will be vital for CTC to continually monitor all of the services it provides to supply maintenance and improvement functions when necessary.
In the future, therefore, we expect that CTC will need to offer observability services that allow for the monitoring of entire environments while providing the IT infrastructure that supports soci- ety. This is how CTC will evolve in its journey to respond to the needs of society.
ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation Integrated Report 2022 04
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Itochu Techno-Solutions Corporation published this content on 16 September 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 16 September 2022 09:29:01 UTC.