Distribution of the Booklet 'AI Shikujiri Hitori Joshisu' (AI Blunders of a Solo IT Manager)

The Solo IT Manager Association (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Secretariat: Hiroshi Shimizu), with the sponsorship of Neos Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Masafumi Ikeda), a group company of Techmira Holdings, has created a 125-page booklet titled 'AI Shikujiri Hitori Joshisu' (AI Blunders of a Solo IT Manager). The book compiles five case studies of actual blunders experienced by solo IT managers at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the implementation of generative AI (RAG). This book is a learning resource that provides practical knowledge edited from the real voices of those in the field. A limited run of 200 copies will be distributed for free at the Neos Corporation booth during Japan DX Week Spring, held at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 10, 2026.

### ■ Background of Publication It has been about three years since the emergence of generative AI, including ChatGPT. The use of generative AI is spreading rapidly not only in large corporations but also in SMEs. According to a survey conducted by the Solo IT Manager Association (targeting SMEs with 500 or fewer employees), while 78.3% of companies consider AI utilization essential, it has become clear that many managers face unpredictable challenges during actual implementation.

However, the labor shortage is progressing without delay, and many companies are looking to AI as a solution, with a strong interest in RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), which can be implemented using existing internal data. At the same time, we have received requests for reference cases.

In particular, in 'solo IT manager' environments where there is a lack of abundant IT personnel, the individual is often responsible for everything from the decision to introduce AI to its operation, and there have been limited opportunities for sharing failure cases or cross-sectional learning. This book is a compilation of wisdom condensed from the candid accounts of such field personnel who actually 'blundered,' helping others avoid the same pitfalls. As all these projects are ongoing, readers can experience realistic interim reports.

### ■ Features of This Book **[1] Real-world failure cases across industries** Includes blunders (failures) encountered during RAG implementation projects for generative AI in five types of SMEs: food manufacturing/sales (180 employees), wholesale (140), manufacturing (160), medical/nursing care (180), and construction (85). The content is structured according to actual business scenarios, including how they dealt with issues and the flow of promoting implementation in the field.

**[2] Practical format clearly stating 'blunder points' and 'lessons'** Each case is organized in a format that includes the project overview, occurrence of the problem, analysis of the cause of the blunder, lessons learned, as well as the solo IT manager's blunder points, management's reflections, and the current status, making it easy to simulate the experience for one's own company. The content allows readers to verify 'why it failed' and 'how it should have been handled.'

**[3] Content that also considers dialogue with management and organizational change** Includes numerous cases that faced not only technical failures of AI tools but also the difficulty of reaching consensus with management, resistance from the field, and organizational contradictions. We believe this content is useful not only for IT personnel but also for management and those involved in AI promotion.

### ■ Booklet Overview Title: 'AI Shikujiri Hitori Joshisu' - Interim Report on SME Generative AI (RAG) Projects Production: Solo IT Manager Association Sponsorship: Neos Corporation Page count: 125 pages Target audience: IT personnel in SMEs, solo IT managers, AI promotion staff, business owners

### ■ Distribution Locations **[1] Limited free distribution of 200 copies at the Neos Corporation booth at Japan DX Week Spring** Held at Tokyo Big Sight from Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 10, 2026. The Neos Corporation booth will be located in East Exhibition Hall 7 (Booth Number: E35-24).

Additionally, the booth will feature 'OfficeAI Shain,' an AI agent that powerfully supports the daily tasks of solo IT managers, including help desk support.

<Examples of issues that OfficeAI Shain can solve> - Chasing inquiries and unable to proceed with actual work - Receiving the same questions repeatedly, making responses routine - Internal intranet is maintained but rarely utilized As a hint to solving the above problems, operation demos to grasp the post-implementation image on the spot and mini-seminars within the booth are also planned. Please feel free to stop by.

**[2] Distributed as a supplementary reader for the Solo IT Manager University** It will be distributed to participants as a supplementary reader for the Solo IT Manager University, which is scheduled to enter its 6th year in fiscal 2026. The curriculum has been revised for fiscal 2026, expanding the lecture content on AI. Furthermore, it has been updated with the latest information on cybersecurity measures, which are becoming more threatening every year, and common internal troubles for solo IT managers.

[Schedule of sessions omitted for brevity]

<Target Audience> - Beginner IT managers with less than 3 years of experience in the manufacturing industry - Small-group IT staff in SMEs with up to 500 employees - Solo (small-group) IT managers who want to relearn from the basics - Those scheduled to take on a solo (small-group) IT manager role soon - Candidates for the 'second person' to support a solo IT manager - Those who have transferred to the IT department of a large company and want to understand the role of IT management

### ■ Sales Locations Available for purchase on Amazon.co.jp. Kindle version: From March 30, 2026, at a price of 1,580 yen Paperback version: From April 10, 2026, at a price of 1,780 yen https://amzn.asia/d/097ui1zp *The content differs slightly from the free distribution version. Please check the content description section.

### ■ Reader Feedback [Testimonials omitted for brevity: Readers praise the book for its honesty, focus on organizational issues over technical ones, and the comfort of knowing they are not alone in their struggles.]

### ■ Lecture Requests We conduct lectures for management, solo IT managers, and distributors on the trends and realities of solo IT managers in SMEs, themed around 'AI Shikujiri Hitori Joshisu' and 'Solo IT Manager Fact-Finding Survey.' Please contact us via the inquiry link below.

We will also be speaking at the Japan IT Week Spring Conference held at Tokyo Big Sight from April 8 (Wed) to 10 (Fri), 2026, where we will share episodes from 'AI Shikujiri Hitori Joshisu.'

Date: April 10, 2026 (Fri) 12:00 - 12:45 Seminar Number: ITW-46 Lecture Theme: The Return of the 'Solo IT Manager': The Future of SMEs Blocked by the 2025 Cliff? Speaker: Hiroshi Shimizu, Secretariat, Solo IT Manager Association

### ■ Inquiries Solo IT Manager Association, Public Relations URL: https://promit.gr.jp/inquiry/