In January 2011, Asahi Breweries started a project with the goal of 'Increasing Productivity in the Sales Environment'; for this project, the company adopted iPads as a tool to reform both 'quality' and 'quantity' in the sales environment. The Sales Division Vice-Chief of Asahi Breweries Digital Communications Strategy Office & General Sales Group, Kanako Morimoto, explained the details:

'Before the adoption of iPads, sales representatives with clients who managed bars and restaurants had been using laptops. However, due to reasons such as taking a long time to start up, using laptops on location was very rare. Faced with this situation, we decided to acquire new tools to facilitate efficiency. We didnʼt specifically decide on iPads from the start, but approached the problem from various angles to find a solution by posing these questions:

'What kind of sales approach would be most effective for the specific work characteristics of bars and restaurants?' 'What is the defining factor to close a negotiation?'

'How can the area representatives make their rounds more efficiently?'

'What is the key to increasing the number of visits?'

'Would it be worthwhile to overhaul the existing sales activity style?'

Upon analysis, the iPad was ultimately chosen for its fast startup time, portability, easy operability, and visualization that lends strength to presentations. Presently, there are roughly 300 iPads being used at our Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka sales locations.'

'After deploying the iPads, the role it played in increasing productivity in the workplace was strongly felt in terms of both 'quality' and 'quantity'.'

Vice-chief Morimoto explained further on the increase in productivity in terms of 'quality' and 'quantity' in the workplace.

'For example, digital data such as proposals and product brochures could be shared among sales representatives, as well as searched and displayed on the iPad. As a result, we could make proposals to our customers faster, and negotiation opportunities also grew since promotional videos could be played while chatting. Sales material could be accessed anywhere and everywhere, and with the capability to check emails and write reports, there are some sales representatives who call it 'Doraemonʼs Pocket'. The implementation of the iPad is revolutionizing the style of sales as we know it, and is boosting up 'quality'.'

'On the other hand, the 'quantity' effect we were aiming for was 'creating time for client visits'. Our goal was to increase the amount of time sales representatives spent in their designated area, and raise the number of client visits. Before implementation of the iPad, representatives had to return to the office during the day to check emails or submit daily reports, and would return to their designated fields in the evening when their clients' businesses were opening.

To change this system, we integrated CACHATTO, and became able to check e-mails and schedules outside of the office. To access the daily reports and client database from outside of the office, we created an internal site called 'iPad Portal'. As a result, sales representatives no longer needed to return to the office during the day, which created more time to remain in the field. Being able to assign that time to clients led to an increase in client visits, thus enabling the increase in 'quantity' that we desired.'

Asahi Professional Management Co., Ltd.ʼs Administrative Group Supervising Director Yusuke Mitsunobu shared insight on CACHATTO usage that led to the increase in available time.

'When looking at the CACHATTO user access logs, it is shown that usage is highest between 14 and 17 oʼ clock. Any spare time is now used productively to check emails.'

Group Chief Morimoto further explained departmental distribution of iPads: 'More and more departments have been requesting iPads after hearing about them being used in the Sales Department. Although trial usage is limited, it is difficult to justify distribution to those who are not currently working offsite.'

Being able to analyze the situation carefully to determine the projectʼs course of action is certainly admirable.

Administrative Group Vice-Chief Ota shared her thoughts on CACHATTO.

'CACHATTO gives you peace of mind since it doesnʼt leave browsing data on the device; from a security perspective, it is very reassuring. Currently, we are using a VPN to access the companyʼs web system from outside the company. Instead we would like to integrate this system into CACHATTO for strengthened security and better usability. We look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve that.'

Furthermore, she continued with a request.

'We would like to be able to take photos with the iPad and send them as email attachments. We could then take pictures of the clientʼs store displays and share the photos amongst the other sales representatives for the next product promotion. If we could do this then the negotiation speed would increase, which would be well received by those in the field.'*

This request has been made by other customers following Asahi Breweries Ltd., and a portion of this feature is already in development, while the rest is included in the developmental roadmap. With a strengthening CACHATTO reflecting the “live” opinions of its users and by powering up the sales force and fieldwork, Asahi Breweries Ltd. will be able to quench the peopleʼs thirst even more.