MakeLeaps Announces Survey Results on "The Ideal vs. Reality of Digitalizing Invoice Dispatch Operations" - One in Three Companies Implementing Tools Report Increased Burden Due to Dual Management of Digital and Paper

Makeleaps Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Tai Okada; hereinafter referred to as Makeleaps), a member of the Ricoh Group, has released the results of a "Survey on the Actual State of Invoice Dispatch Operations" conducted among 1,207 company employees and executives nationwide.

The results showed that approximately 70% (69.4%) of companies that have already introduced invoice management tools still spend more than 5 hours per month on dispatch operations, and one in three companies (34.2%) feel that their burden has actually increased due to the dual management of digital and paper formats. New inefficiencies are emerging in the field, despite the push for digitalization triggered by the invoice system.

This survey revealed that 34.2% of companies that have introduced tools feel an increased burden due to dual management, and more than half (52.7%) of companies issuing 301 or more invoices per month still retain analog processes.

◾️ Survey Background: The "Trap of Partial Optimization" Created by Superficial Digitalization

With the start of the invoice system in October 2023, many companies have moved towards electronic formats such as PDF dispatches. On the other hand, some companies that introduced tools early are reporting that "operations have become more complex."

The cause lies in the structure of "dual management," where some postal services and manual sorting remain outside the system, dispersing management points. More than half (52.7%) of companies issuing over 301 invoices per month are still engaged in printing, enclosing, and mailing operations, highlighting how analog processes slow down organizational speed as the number of business partners increases.

◾️ Summary: "Three Challenges" Lurking in Invoice Issuance Operations

1. The Misconception that Tool Implementation Equals Efficiency

It has become clear that over 40% (42.9%) of companies that have already introduced tools spend more than 16 hours per month (approximately 2 business days) on dispatch operations. Superficial digitalization alone cannot resolve operational stagnation.

Excerpt from P6. This refers to the survey result where respondents spend over 16 hours on tasks related to invoice dispatch operations.

2. "Dual Management" Complicates Operations

34.2% of companies that have introduced tools responded that their burden has "actually increased" due to the parallel operation of digital and paper formats. More than half (52.7%) of companies issuing over 301 invoices per month still retain manual tasks associated with postal services.

Excerpt from P7. This highlights the reality that tool introduction does not necessarily mean simplified operations, underscoring the importance of "integrated management."

3. Bottleneck for Business Growth and Security Concerns

As the number of business partners increases, analog processes become a "hindrance" that slows down the organization. It has become clear that many of those who have strong concerns about business growth also have concerns about security.

Excerpt from P11. The persistence of manual work highlights security issues such as mistaken sending and incorrect attachments when sending emails.

◾️ Conclusion: What is the "True Goal" for Digitalizing Invoice Issuance Operations?

What the field truly needs is not simply the ability to "send emails." It is an "integrated management system" that can collectively solve multiple analog processes such as postal agency services, automatic sorting, and bulk sending.

Points that were "should have been emphasized more" after tool implementation, following operability (36.1%), were security management (27.4%) and system integration (20.2%). A shift towards secure operations that do not involve manual work is now required.

Excerpt from P14. Hearing from users who have introduced tools revealed "operability," "security management," and "system integration" as top challenges.

◾️ About the Survey Report

Survey on the Ideal vs. Reality of Digitalization - Download Page

Survey Overview:

Survey Period: February 13 - February 20, 2026

Target Audience: 1,207 company employees and executives nationwide (male and female)

Survey Method: Internet research

Material Download:

https://www.makeleaps.com/library/digital-transformation-survey-findings/

◾️ Product Introduction: What is the Cloud-Based Invoice Management Service "MakeLeaps"?

"MakeLeaps," a cloud-based invoice management service, is a service that fundamentally solves the gap between the ideal and reality of "not becoming easier even after introducing a tool," as revealed by this survey.

It allows for the creation, dispatch, and management of 10 types of essential business documents, including estimates and invoices, in the cloud. It streamlines everything from document creation and approval workflows to postal agency services, electronic dispatch, and payment management in a one-stop solution, reducing cumbersome invoicing tasks by approximately 80%.

Since its service launch in 2011, it has been used by over 6,700 companies (※1) of various industries and sizes, from sole proprietors to medium-sized enterprises. It has obtained JIIMA certification, allowing for peace of mind in complying with the invoice system and the Act on Electronic Bookkeeping, and its intuitive operability, recognized with a Good Design Award, is highly praised. Furthermore, it boasts high trust and a proven track record, recently being ranked first overall in the invoice issuance system category of the "BOXIL Document Request Ranking H2 2025."

※1 As of April 2026, this figure represents contract実績 for "paid plan contracts only," excluding free plans.

◾️ Makeleaps Company Profile

Company Name: Makeleaps Co., Ltd.

Representative: Tai Okada, President and Representative Director

Headquarters: YK Nakameguro Bldg. 2F, 3-1-5 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Homepage: https://www.makeleaps.com

Business Activities: Development and operation of the cloud-based invoice management service "MakeLeaps" for businesses.

*Company names and service names mentioned in this release are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

*Information is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that it may differ from the latest information.

*Prices listed in the release are all exclusive of tax.