Working from home, the coronavirus pandemic is driving demand for remote painting equipment sold through Optim Corp. Shares in the Tokyo-based company have already doubled this year thanks to optimism about the continued expansion of its paint software. control of mobile painting devices.
Optim reported just over a week ago that its first quarter profits had increased to a profit of 12 million yen ($113,000), with a loss of 150 million yen for the same era a year ago. % to 1. 37 billion yen in the same quarter.
Shunji Sugaya, the founder of Optim, a billionaire just two days before his 44th birthday, as his company’s inventories reached a maximum potential of 3,790 yen in mid-August. Since then, inventory has declined by 15. 4%, giving it an existing net value. $1. 1 billion.
“In Japanese society, many corporations focus more on physical control. But after this pandemic, everything changed, especially from a control point of view. Teleworking is an area where we can see more progress, especially in the Japanese society, “Sugaya said in a video interview.
Optim’s core service is its device control platform called Optimal Biz, which was created in 2009. Customers can use the software to manage their employees’ devices from an Internet browser, allowing them to block certain Internet sites. and save you unconsciousness on stolen devices with remote lock. and delete functions.
In late May, Optim introduced Optimal Biz Telework, an extension of its main service for other people who work from home. The service would use artificial intelligence to analyze worker productivity and alert managers when staff appear to be idle during work hours.
Another tool that gained ground in the pandemic is Optim’s artificial intelligence camera. Launched in late 2018, the symbol research service has evolved to be used to analyze the point of congestion in stalls such as staff offices and canteens.
“Before the pandemic, even when we have the generation for this kind of thing, people’s reactions, especially businesses, are negative,” Sugaya said. “Now they have no choice. They want to present those services, and companies and users have learned the benefits. »
A self-taught programmer, Sugaya began coding software to create games that he sold to his friends while he was still in elementary school. Later, when it came time to decide on a university major, he made the decision to study agriculture. .
“In 1996, it was not that advanced,” he said. “I assumed I had already learned about computers. “
But now agricultural technology has a vital component of Optim’s expansion plans. The company sells drones that can be used to monitor crop fitness and spray pesticides.
In 2000, Sugaya was only 23 years old when she crossed paths with the richest man in Japan, Masayoshi Son. The billionaire founder of SoftBank passed judgment for a pitching festival in which Sugaya won the Masayoshi Son award for his concept of placing classified ads on screens while downloading videos and software.
Sugaya was presented with the option of a $ 2. 8 million cash payment or the option to sign up with SoftBank and get inventory options, but Sugaya declined either offer and sought to start the business himself. Sugaya founded Optim later that year.
– With James Simms.
I’m a Hong Kong publishing fellow for Forbes Asia. I recently graduated from the Law School of the City University of Hong Kong. Previously, I did an internship in Hong
I am an editorial fellow founded in Hong Kong for Forbes Asia. I recently graduated from the City University of Hong Kong School of Law. Previously, I interned in the Hong Kong offices of foreign law firms Mayer Brown and Charles Russell Speechly. From 2010 to 2015, I wrote for Young Post, the student edition of the South China Morning Post, and was named Junior Journalist of the Year in 2013. You can email me at rubyleungyuyan@gmail. com.