Hitachi Real Estate Partners and MODE Confirm "91-Hour Annual Work Reduction" in DX Proof-of-Concept for Building Maintenance Operations

MODE, Inc. (Headquarters: California, USA; Japan Branch: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Gaku Ueda; hereinafter 'MODE'), a Silicon Valley startup that supports the utilization of on-site data, is pleased to announce that it has obtained effective results regarding operational efficiency in a proof-of-concept experiment for promoting DX in building maintenance operations, conducted jointly with Hitachi Real Estate Partners Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kenichi Tanaka; hereinafter 'Hitachi Real Estate Partners').

Overview of the Proof-of-Concept Results This experiment aimed to achieve efficient and high-quality maintenance management through remote monitoring. It verified the automatic accumulation of inspection data, automation of various report generations, and operational assistance for on-site workers by introducing the IoT platform 'BizStack' for manual patrol inspection tasks, which traditionally involve manual input on paper or tablets and 'five-sense inspections' (visual, auditory, olfactory, etc.). As the first phase of the experiment, we focused on improving the efficiency of analog meter reading and approval processes using AI meter-reading cameras and BizStack. As a result, the following effects were confirmed.

Efficiency of On-site Work The following efficiencies were confirmed in the meter reading and recording tasks traditionally performed by workers on-site: ・Meter reading and input to iPad: Approx. 7 minutes saved ・Travel time associated with meter reading: Approx. 8 minutes saved This resulted in a total work reduction of approximately 15 minutes per day.

Significance of the Results In recent years, against the backdrop of labor shortages due to a declining birthrate and aging population, operational efficiency and labor-saving are progressing. This includes consolidating facility data, previously dispersed across various locations, onto the cloud, enabling remote situation assessment and on-site response in case of abnormalities, or collaborating with external partners for swift action. This proof-of-concept confirmed the effectiveness of improving operational efficiency through automatic data acquisition, integration, and utilization in building maintenance operations that have traditionally relied on manual labor. It was also confirmed that data linkage between BizStack and other systems operating on Azure servers can be easily established.

Future Outlook Going forward, we will promote initiatives to centrally manage facility and maintenance data and various facility information dispersed across multiple locations on the IoT platform, aiming to realize efficient and high-quality operations from a remote location. We will support the construction of a usable infrastructure and contribute to the realization of a society where multiple locations can be managed efficiently even with limited personnel.

What is BizStack? 'BizStack' is an IoT platform that centrally integrates real-time on-site data and data from existing systems, realizing operational efficiency and safety improvements through intuitive operations utilizing AI. It connects diverse data generated in 'on-site' environments such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics, and can collect and analyze information from IoT data from sensors and cameras, existing business systems, and SaaS in real-time.

About MODE MODE is a Silicon Valley-based startup that develops and provides 'BizStack,' a platform that supports the integration of real-time on-site data. It assists many companies with their DX by addressing challenges such as labor shortages and task dependency in fields like construction, manufacturing, and logistics, using an approach based on digital technology and a deep understanding of on-site operations.