Takara Standard Co., Ltd. developed the world’s first enamel kitchen in 1962. Since then, the company has led the industry by providing system kitchens, system baths, and other products built around its core high-grade enamel technology. In 2017, coinciding with the start of Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) usage, the company implemented Single Sign-On (SSO) through HENNGE One Identity Edition to improve convenience and enforced security via global IP access control. The system has continued to operate stably ever since.
For this case study, we spoke with Mr. Yasuhisa Hizume, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Information Systems Department, TDX Promotion Division; Mr. Yasuyuki Kubo, Chief Manager of the Infrastructure Group, Information Systems Department, TDX Promotion Division; and Mr. Shunsuke Asai, Leader in the Information Systems Department, TDX Promotion Division.
TDX Strategy and Security Challenges at the Time of Implementation
— Could you tell us about your current Digital Transformation (DX) strategy?
Mr. Hizume: Under our medium-to-long-term strategy, we have established three core pillars: profit structure reform, financial strategy, and sustainability strategy, aiming to realize our long-term vision for 2032. To drive these forward, “TDX” (Takara Digital Transformation) is positioned as a vital company-wide initiative. TDX focuses on three primary areas: improving human productivity, reducing inventory and logistics costs, and restructuring our sales infrastructure. By leveraging digital technology, we aim to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and create new value. Through TDX, we aim to simultaneously achieve enhanced customer experience, cost reduction, and contributions to sustainability, thereby increasing our corporate value.
— Could you describe the circumstances that led to the implementation of HENNGE One Identity Edition (hereafter “Identity Edition”)?
Mr. Kubo: When we decided to adopt Office 365 in 2017, our primary security concern was connections from unmanaged areas, such as hotels or internet cafes. We wanted to enforce global IP-based access control to ensure the platform could only be used securely within our office locations or via company-provided mobile connections. However, we found that the Office 365 licenses we held at the time could not support this requirement. Our implementation partner then introduced us to Identity Edition.
Evaluating and Selecting Identity Edition for its Balance of Cost-Effectiveness and Convenience
— What were the key factors in your decision to select Identity Edition?
Mr. Kubo: First and foremost was the high cost-performance ratio. It was more cost-effective than upgrading to higher-tier Office 365 licenses, allowing us to stay within our original budget. Furthermore, we decided on the implementation because it promised to improve user convenience through SSO.
— How was the internal rollout of Identity Edition?
Mr. Kubo: We deployed Identity Edition company-wide about two months after starting with Office 365. After the rollout, the user experience became much more seamless thanks to SSO. During the initial phase, we customized the authentication screen to clearly state “Office 365” so users understood it was a necessary step for accessing their tools. This small adjustment helped ensure a smooth transition.
Experiencing Enhanced Security and Convenience Through Stable Operation
— It has been about eight years since the implementation. What is the current status?
Mr. Asai: Approximately 5,000 employees—including sales, administrative, and design staff using company-issued devices, as well as advisors in our showrooms nationwide (in Japan)—utilize Identity Edition. Everyone accesses the system securely without having to be conscious of the underlying technology. Throughout this period, we have experienced no major connectivity issues, and the service has remained exceptionally stable.
— How would you evaluate the management console and our support services?
Mr. Asai: I use the management console frequently for daily operations. The interface is highly intuitive, allowing for smooth operation even without consulting a manual. When responding to user inquiries, the ability to search logs and isolate the cause of issues makes our response much faster. On the rare occasions we have contacted the support desk, their responses have been both prompt and professional.
— How are you currently utilizing the SSO capabilities?
Mr. Kubo: Initially, it was only integrated with Office 365. Since then, we have added integrations for other SaaS platforms, such as our expense reimbursement system and e-learning tools. Although the e-learning system we use was not a standard integration at the time, the HENNGE team responded quickly to our request to make it work, for which we are very grateful.
— Why did you choose to continue using the service after the 2024 price revision?
Mr. Kubo: We conducted a comparative study, including switching to other services or upgrading our Microsoft 365 licenses. Ultimately, we concluded that staying with Identity Edition was the optimal choice. Selecting a service that is “just right” for our current needs—rather than a multi-functional one—has helped us achieve cost optimization.
Aiming for Further Evolution with Zero Trust x IDaaS Optimized for Changing Sales Styles
— Lastly, what are your future plans and expectations for HENNGE?
Mr. Asai: As our DX initiatives progress, we expect to expand our use of various SaaS tools. We plan to rapidly integrate these with Identity Edition to balance convenience through SSO with robust security. We look forward to your continued support as we navigate these integrations.
Mr. Hizume: The housing equipment industry is shifting from a focus on new construction to a focus on renovations. While our strength lies in our extensive nationwide network of showrooms, our challenge is to maintain high security while utilizing IT to adapt to these changing sales styles. We are currently working toward Zero Trust security frameworks, including SASE.
Mr. Kubo: With these changes in sales styles, there is a growing demand for an integrated authentication infrastructure that includes external users. From an IDaaS perspective, external user collaboration will be crucial. We expect HENNGE to continue providing valuable information and services that offer both cost-effectiveness and high utility.