2019 saw many changes in Japan. A new emperor ushered in the Reiwa Era, bringing the 30-year Heisei Era to an end. The consumption tax increased to 10%. Looking at changing trends in the cloud market, it was the year of cloud solution adoption among companies. In this article, we will examine the future of the cloud market in 2020 with a focus on the upcoming Olympic Games.
Full-scale in 2020? Cloud adoption by Japanese companies
In Japan, business use of the cloud has been less prolific than in Europe and the United States; however, this tide is likely to change this year. One indication of the adoption of cloud systems began in the central government. At the end of last year, the Japanese government announced a new policy to completely shift core systems used by ministries and agencies to the cloud. While the actual system change is scheduled to begin in the fall of this year, it is likely that this “endorsement” of cloud usage by the government will encourage large companies and local governments to follow suit.
The cloud is key to addressing labor shortage and improving productivity
As labor shortages will continue to be an issue in various industries in 2020, the cloud is attracting attention as a solution. The labor shortage problem in Japan has been increasing in recent years, and with the decreasing birthrate and aging population, dramatic improvement is not expected in the future. As a result, there is a growing need to increase productivity as a way to maintain and grow business – the key to that is the cloud.
By utilizing the cloud, it is now possible to automate and improve the efficiency of conventionally manual tasks or those that require a great deal of time and labor, something especially important for small and medium-sized companies that account for the majority of Japanese economy. According to the 2018 White Paper On Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan, the labor productivity of small and medium enterprises is about 56% in the manufacturing industry, about 64% in the information and communication industry, and about 57% in the specialized and technical services industry as compared to large enterprises.(*1) The cloud is expected to play a major role in overcoming this problem in 2020.
Growing importance of cyber security
As cloud adoption in companies is in full swing, the importance of cyber security has never been greater. In particular, a greater focus on Japan because of the Tokyo Olympics later this year may increase the risk of companies being targeted by cyber attacks, increasing the need for caution. In the past, the Rio Olympics and London Olympics saw a sharp increase in cyber attacks in the host countries. Every company will need to implement more thorough security measures in 2020 than ever before.
Tsukaeru’s Cloud solution: safe, easy, and convenient
As a pioneer in the industry, Tsukaeru has a long history of offering cloud products, providing popular solutions that combine the highest levels of security with simplicity and ease of use. For example, Tsukaeru Cloud Backup protects and preserves the entire system, including the OS, and quickly restores all data. It is an ideal solution for BCP and disaster recovery measures and has been adopted by many companies. Our simple and reasonable rate plans are also very attractive.
In order to increase work efficiency and productivity, we recommend using Tsukaeru Filebako, our secure cloud-based file server service. Make it easier for teams to work together, and allow employees to work with anyone, anytime, anywhere. With our 20-year track record of success, you can definitely count on use when it comes to cloud utilization.
Please visit the Tsukaeru website to contact us for more information.
(*1) 2018 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan (PDF – The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)
The active use of the cloud is spreading in various industries, and the medical and healthcare industries are no exception. In fact, these fields are in the limelight for cutting-edge cloud utilization. Let’s look at how the cloud is used in the industry and why it is being increasingly introduced.
Rapid expansion of cloud utilization in the medical and healthcare fields
Among the wide variety of cloud utilization in the medical and healthcare fields, the primary one is cloud backup. Medical institutions possess vast amounts of data vital for diagnosis and treatment, such as electronic medical records and CT scan images. However, that data is often stored only on location at medical institutions and can be at risk to damage or loss due to natural disasters. Cloud backup is attracting attention as the safest, most efficient, and cost-effective way to mitigate that risk.
In addition, venture and major IT companies are accelerating their entry into the “cloud x healthcare” field. Over the past few years, services, such as online medical examinations, cloud-based medical history books, and health management apps are providing new cloud-technology solutions for the medical and healthcare industries. There is a growing excitement for this cloud fever.
What is the reason for this increasing introduction of the cloud at medical institutions?
The background of this trend is the wave of computerization in medical institutions. The penetration rate of electronic medical records at medical facilities has reached 43% according to a Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare survey (2017) and is expected to increase to 63% in two years. As more and more medical information is digitized, the need to safely store data separately from the medical facility has never been greater.
As the majority of Japan’s population is quickly aging, the importance of the medical and healthcare industries is also driving IT companies to enter the market. In the United States, which also has an aging population, medicine and healthcare are already some of the hottest topics in the cloud industry.
Protect your medical information with Tsukaeru Cloud Backup
In response to the expanding needs for cloud backup at medical institutions, we have been making preparations for the handling of medical information with our “Tsukaeru Cloud Backup.”
Currently, our system and operation management are being improved to comply with the requirements of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, including the “Two Guidelines from Three Ministries” regarding the handling medical information electronically. Scheduled to be completed soon, these changes will make it possible to use Tsukaeru Cloud Backup at medical institutions while complying with all ministry guidelines.
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Tsukaeru will be exhibiting at the “Cloud Computing EXPO Japan Autumn” at Makuhari Messe from today until the 25th (Friday). Please stop by and learn about our popular cloud products, including Tsukaeru Cloud Backup. Please see the official website for event details.
When it comes to Business Continuity Planning (BCP), cloud backups have become a crucial component. As its many advantages become more well-known, an increasing number of companies have begun to utilize cloud backup services as replacements to on-premise data storage. What does this mean for the future of the cloud backup market? How much change will we see and what exactly is driving it?
The Cloud Backup Market Will Expand Significantly by 2025
According to a recent report from Verified Market Research, the cloud backup market was worth approximately $1.29 billion (¥ 139 billion) in 2016. This same report predicts that the market will rise to about $10.25 billion (¥ 1.1 trillion) by 2025. This means that from 2017 to 2025, the cloud backup market will have grown by an average of 25.9% every year.
Why this Rise in Popularity?
The growing demand for cloud backup can be ascribed to the rapidly increasing volume of data that must be processed by modern companies. Businesses across the globe are gradually becoming paperless and this means that data is now stored in electronic files. While many companies still use on-premise backup methods, the majority are beginning to recognize that this requires a much higher capital investment. On-premise backups see a spike in costs as soon as the capacity for data must be increased and there is a higher likelihood of seeing performance problems. With cloud backup, however, companies can increase or decrease their data capacity depending on their needs and this can be achieved flexibly, without incurring any large costs.
The benefits of cloud backup have also become more recognized among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startup companies – this has been a major driving factor behind the market expansion. Since SMEs do not have the same human and financial resources as large enterprises, cloud backup has become the most attractive and effective backup solution. Unlike on-premise methods, cloud backup does not require any server management or maintenance, and it doesn’t need significant initial investments.
Powerful Security Measures with Tsukaeru Cloud Backup
Tsukaeru Cloud Backup has proven to be a highly effective cloud backup solution, offering powerful security measures that even prevent data loss in the event of a disaster. Data centers are located a short distance from Tokyo and Kansai in the Nagano Prefecture, an area known to be resistant against tsunamis and other disasters. When emergency strikes, this location is the ideal place to store your important data.
This cloud backup solution is also equipped with Active Protection, the latest AI-based technology that protects data against malicious ransomware. Encryption is performed with AES-256 and data is transferred safely with only the highest level of security.
If you’re interested in the benefits of cloud backup, try a 30-day free trial of Tsukaeru Cloud Backup today.
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By now, you’re well aware of the importance of cloud backups – but you may be wondering, “How can I make a complete backup of all my company’s data and protect my business from data loss?” The process may seem daunting at first but the truth is, you can succeed with just a few simple steps.
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Back-Up your Data to a Familiar Device
If you do not make regular backups, it’s time to change this and start backing up now. The next logical question is “To where?” USB flash drives, external HDDs, DVDs, and other more rudimentary backup locations are perfectly acceptable. Making the backup at all will be hugely beneficial to you. These familiar devices make backing up quick and easy, making file-recovery a far more seamless process when a data loss incident occurs.
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Make This Backup Offsite
If you already have a local backup, consider making an offsite backup at the same time. When data is stored offsite, the risk of loss is significantly lower, making it an ideal backup solution for your BCP measures. Cloud backup services are the best choice for making offsite backups as all data is stored safely away from your company.
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Automate Backups
Many backup services offer the option of automatically backing up data at a fixed time. This requires no extra effort on your part. Tsukaeru Cloud Backup is one of these powerful backup solutions with an automatic backup function. When backups are automated, users do not risk losing data if they forget to backup manually. This feature makes backing up a lot more convenient and in the long run, it could save your business from disaster.
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Test the ‘Restore’ Function
After installing new backup software, it is highly advised that you test the ‘Restore’ function to ensure data can be restored correctly. There have been many cases where users were unable to restore their data because the original data has disappeared. To prevent future losses, make sure to test your software beforehand so you are fully aware of how it functions.
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Back-Up Applications
It is common for users to back-up files and folders, but what about frequently used business tools? For the most effective safety procedures, get in the habit of backing up entire applications. This way, if software installation discs get lost, there is no risk of losing this software as well as the data embedded in it.
Cloud backups allow you to make a complete backup of your entire OS including apps, files, folders, user settings, and much more. In the event of hardware failure, all essential information can be restored to any hardware from a complete system image. This eliminates the need to reinstall your OS and applications. Tsukaeru Cloud Backup offers all these benefits so you can feel safe and assured at a low cost.
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The medical world today relies largely on electronic medical records. For many medical establishments, the days of relying solely on paper-based records are gone – and for good reason. Interest in the cloud has been ever-increasing, and in this article, we’ll explore why. What is cloud culture like in Japan? How popular is the cloud in the medical industry? And why the sudden spotlight on the medical cloud?
The Rise of the Medical Cloud
Electronic medical records have become so commonplace that new medical establishments rarely consider more outdated paper-based options. This said, how many medical institutions overall have actually migrated all data to the cloud? According to recent statistical surveys, this number is a surprisingly low 10%.
However, it’s important to note that there is a rising interest in cloud computing. This same statistical survey reported that roughly 40% of medical institutions responded that they plan to invest in cloud services at some point in the future. As cloud technology becomes increasingly advanced, it is likely that we will see the medical industry migrate all information to the secure cloud.
The Benefits of Cloud Storage for the Medical Industry
It is no wonder that interest in the cloud continues to rise – its services come with a wide range of benefits. With cloud computing, a large amount of data can be stored at a low cost and capacities can be scaled easily to accommodate any data increase. In recent years, the images from CT scans have advanced in quality, therefore increasing data usage, and without the cloud, this can mean bigger expenses. When relying solely on an on-premise server, institutions will need to pay significantly more for larger data servers. With the cloud, however, users can scale up to a larger data capacity for a much lower cost and with more ease.
Without the cloud, there is also a high risk of medical records being destroyed in the event of a natural disaster. Cloudized information, however, can completely avoid this risk.
Cloud Adoption in the Medical Industry
As previously mentioned, while usage of the cloud is low, cases of introduction are increasing nationwide. More medical personnel are becoming aware of its benefits, specifically its convenience and cost reduction. Many find the idea of the cloud appealing because it can be accessed from anywhere, and this means doctors can work from home. Tasks like diagnostic imaging can be performed away from the office, and this will allow doctors more time to care for their children.
Security of the Medical Cloud
Those without a decent knowledge of the cloud may be hesitant to migrate due to security concerns. It should be noted, however, that problems previously had with the cloud are being resolved rapidly across the industry. Most providers offer cloud services with strict security measures in place, and the technology available to respond to cyber attacks evolves day by day.
In addition to this, Japan has established clear security guidelines for the medical cloud. The number of services that comply with these guidelines continues to increase. It will be interesting to see how the medical cloud evolves, and watch as more institutions embrace the system.
Click here for Tsukaeru’s Cloud Backup, a popular cloud service complete with ransomware protection, DR and BCP measures, and all-around high security. It has also been lauded for its ease-of-use, so give it a try!
When we consider who the most common users of cloud backup might be, we think first of big companies and their employees – but the truth is, the cloud has reached a far larger audience than this. In recent years, cloud backup solutions have been introduced widely at various educational establishments, especially at universities, and today a significant portion of users are involved with an educational institution.
The Advantages of Cloud Storage at School
Cloud storage is common among educational institutions because it offers many advantages over traditional on-premise servers.
Compatibility with Smartphones
Needless to say, most students these days own a smartphone. Many students keep information such as notes, research files or homework on their devices and will need to access it easily. Unfortunately, on-premise backup systems, which are still used by many schools today, are usually not compatible with smartphones. By employing cloud storage services, both students and teachers can synch up easily to their smartphones, and access all necessary data to enrich the learning experience.
Reduced Operating Costs
Schools that transition to cloud backup will likely see a reduction in operating expenses. Since all data is secured off-site, there is no need to operate and manage on-premise servers. This is especially true for periods of increased traffic, such as the beginning of a new semester, when operating costs increase in preparation for this higher usage. Switching to the cloud will save schools this extra expense each semester.
Easy and Convenient File Sharing
Cloud storage allows for the use of shared folders. When files are placed in this shared folder, the process of co-editing and sharing data is much easier. In the cloud, all file changes are automatically synchronized, eliminating the need for tedious manual updates.
Cloud Backup Solves Problems
Cloud backup and storage also solve various problems that arise in modern education.
Seamless Storage and Sharing of Large Files
This need is especially pressing for colleges and universities as there is an increasing demand for students to exchange large files, such as videos. On-premise systems usually do not have sufficient storage capacity to allocate each student what they need for smooth file exchanges. With the cloud, however, schools can sign up for high-capacity storage at a low price. When students no longer have to worry about the difficulties of storing and sharing data, they can direct all attention towards their education.
Safe Data Extraction
Before the cloud, the use of USB drives was highly common for transferring data between home and campus. While many continue to rely on USB drives, users have decreased overall. Unfortunately, data loss and security problems are inevitable with USB memory. Replacing your USB with the cloud means that you can easily retrieve and upload files without worrying about a potential loss.
Transferring Information & Mail to the Cloud
Not only are storage and backup systems transferred to the cloud, but emails and all other information are as well. A complete cloud migration provides students and staff with a much more convenient working environment, reducing the burden of server management and promoting a paperless approach to work.
Easy & Affordable Cloud Backup
Tsukaeru’s Cloud Backup is a popular cloud backup solution that is both extremely affordable and easy to use. This highly reliable service also provides top security to all users, including but not limited to ransomware protection. If you are considering a transition to the cloud, take a look at Tsukaeru’s Cloud Backup.
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March 31st marks World Backup Day, a day that is used to spread global awareness about the importance of data protection. As the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology for work and everyday life, data backup has become ever more vital. Ideally, all companies and employees should be backing up their data on a regular or daily basis. We take for granted the ease with which we access all our files – but out-of-the-blue, this access can be taken away.
Why World Backup Day?
The idea to create World Backup Day stemmed from within the online community in 2011. Its prime intention was to prevent data loss caused by careless neglect and to motivate everyone to take protective measures immediately. Now it is recognized globally, and even big technology corporations are participating. Since March 31st falls the day before April Fool’s Day, it is important to note that, unlike an April Fool’s joke, data loss can be permanent and not a temporary trick.
Why is Backup So Important?
Data that you’ve saved to your computer or smartphone is not as safe as you might think. Evidence has shown that every 40 seconds, a ransomware attack occurs against a company and that 1 in 10 computers becomes infected with a virus every month.
It should also be noted that all hard discs have a lifetime and will eventually expire. However, it is not uncommon for hard discs to begin breaking down even before its predicted expiry date. So unless all data is safely backed up, a complete loss is still possible. If you do not have a backup feature on your current device, we highly advise that you find one today.
Cloud Backup Benefits
There are numerous options for backing up data, but Cloud Backup is especially suited for protecting all files and information belonging to a business. In fact, more and more companies are switching from an on-premise backup method to the Cloud. As awareness spreads about the dangers of data loss, more companies are choosing to take all precautions necessary.
The first advantage of Cloud Backup is its ease of use and management. Since all data is secured on the cloud, it is not necessary to operate an in-house server, significantly reducing the effort and cost of management. Backup settings can also be configured easily from the management screen, allowing companies to tweak certain aspects to their satisfaction.
Secondly, Cloud Backup is an ideal choice for security measures against viruses and ransomware. If an in-house computer becomes infected with a virus, all company data is completely safe, as it is secured on a different network. Cloud Backup secures all information in a data center that is separated geographically, meaning that BCP protection measures are fully accounted for.
Limited Time Sale for Tsukaeru Cloud Backup
In honor of World Backup Day, Tsukaeru’s popular Cloud Backup service is having a limited time sale. Our backup service is simple, highly secure, and extremely affordable. Our discount campaign will last the weekend from 3/29 (Friday) to 4/1 (Monday). All applications during this campaign period will be subjected to a whopping 50% discount for the initial contract period of a Basic plan. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity!
Simply enter the promo code WBD2019 for your purchase.
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Ever since the words were first spoken by an aerospace engineer, Murphy’s Law has had a strong influence on the common mentality towards life and work. In fact, its lesson is so universal that its teachings often form the basis of modern risk management. The well-known adage states that “Things will go wrong in any given situation if given the chance,” or put more simply: “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.”
Murphy’s Law in the IT Industry
In the IT world, the lesson of Murphy’s Law applies heavily to data protection. It theorizes that:
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You’ll only remember to protect your data when your hard drive begins to break down.
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If you back up your data regularly, your hard drive will function as usual – but as soon as you forget, a hard drive crash will likely take place.
Those who aren’t accustomed to making backups will suddenly be struck by the idea when the computer begins to act abnormally – unfortunately, by the time they have the thought “I should back up my data at once!” it is likely too late, and data loss has already occurred.
What’s the Average Lifetime of an HDD?
If your computer’s hard drive crashes, you will want to try and recover your data immediately, but this is not always possible. HDDs, which are still used for data storage on many PCs, are notorious for being prone to failure. Some experts claim that four to five years is the average life expectancy of an HDD, but those who are unlucky may find it malfunctioning much sooner.
In recent years, however, the use of more-durable SSDs has become much more prevalent while HDD usage has declined. SSDs have gained popularity largely due to the high speed at which they read and write data, but still, there are uncertainties about their suitability for long-term storage. Whichever you choose, it is vital that data is backed up on a regular basis.
An Important Rule: Make Frequent Data Backups
Every now and then, you may feel, “I’ll just backup another time,” but on these occasions, it is important to remember Murphy’s Law: if it can go wrong, it will. This is exactly when a hard drive crash might occur. To prevent the loss of valuable data, backups must be made on a frequent or daily basis. If you have never backed up your computer’s data, start today. This is especially vital for those using an HDD as the chance for failure is extremely high.
To ensure all backups are up-to-date, software with an automatic backup function is strongly recommended.
Protect your Data with Secure Cloud Backups
For an affordable and easy-to-use backup solution, why not consider Tsukaeru Cloud Backup? Complete data protection is provided, not only for files and folders used for business but the entire OS, including all applications and user settings that are easy to overlook.
As the system is completely cloud-based, no setup fee is required, and no expensive appliances must be purchased. Whenever needed, our dedicated staff and experienced engineers will provide on-demand assistance, and can be contacted by phone, email or chat, at any time.
A free trial is available for this service, so please contact us if you’re interested.
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Teleworking could play a vital role in efforts to reform Japan’s work culture. By diversifying working styles through the introduction of teleworking and use of satellite offices, the nation can expect to see a decrease in commute times, a greater work-life balance, and an overall productivity boost.
Awareness about the teleworking lifestyle has increased significantly over the past few years, yet it is still not a popular practice. In this article, we’ll be discussing the realities of teleworking in Japan, and the issues that many people face. We will also consider important factors to improve the efficiency of teleworking in the future.
Slow Adoption
The nation has been slow to adopt the teleworking lifestyle. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the introduction rate of teleworking in 2017 was approximately 13.9%. Despite its slight increase from 11.5% in 2012, figures have dropped in comparison to 2015, when the introduction rate stood at 16.2%. Furthermore, according to statistics of the Tokyo Metropolitan government, only 6.8% of the Tokyo working population adopted teleworking in 2017 and more than 80% of businesses have stated they have no plan to introduce teleworking in the future.
Although opportunities for teleworking seem to be on the rise globally, data shows that the nation’s adoption of this new working style has not seen much progress. A lack of interest, on the part of the corporate world, seems to be the culprit.
Impeding Factors
So, what are the factors preventing the dissemination of this new working style? According to the Communication Utilization Trend Survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, approximately 70% of businesses reported their belief that “no job is suitable for teleworking.” The traditional Japanese working style is likely a major contributing factor.
In Japan, it is rare that the duties for each individual are determined far in advance. The scope of work often changes case-by-case and employees must work directly with each other to coordinate duties. Since teleworking is done at home, direct communication is not a possibility, and all conversations must take place online. This presents a problem to the Japanese working style – unless workers are able to communicate freely and directly, necessary adjustments to the scope of each job will not be clearly outlined and therefore, cannot be done successfully.
Meanwhile, in the United States, teleworking is extremely common, as it is normal for the duties of each job to be pre-determined. If Japan’s employment philosophy is “allocate work to people,” it may be said that America’s philosophy is “assign people to work.” Since the scope of work for each individual is clearly outlined, it is easy to plan for what tasks can be done at home vs. what can be done at the office.
Potential Inefficiencies
If the implementation of teleworking is not carried out well, it may lead to further inefficiencies within the business. When tasks are done from home, communication between workers can become strained, leading to an increase in mistakes and a decline in productivity. In some cases, the boundaries between one’s work life and private life can become ambiguous, and those who work from home may find that this leads to a lack of focus and a deteriorated work-life balance.
An Important Perspective for Success
To reap the complete benefits of teleworking and successfully introduce it into the working culture, companies must reform and evolve the way they work. Adopting this new working style into an unchanged system will likely lead to the problems listed above, but all companies can make necessary changes to avoid this outcome.
First of all, businesses must find ways to review workflow on a digital platform, and duties should be manualized and isolated so they can be completed away from the office. It is also important to change the work mentalities of employees through effective training, ultimately reforming their idea of a working culture. Moving forward, companies should also ensure all managerial staff possess the appropriate skills and mindsets to lead in this renewed system, as this can often determine the success or failure of the endeavor.
In addition to the above, it is highly recommended that companies install convenient and easy-to-use tools that are suitable for teleworking. For example, with Tsukaeru’s Dokodemo Office, you can access the same working environment at any time and on any device. Extra features include easy setup and high security. For a free trial of the application, please contact us.
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