| Expert Calls | Japan

| Interview Date: June 2024

Context

A medium-sized Japanese manufacturer was developing a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system for its overseas production facilities. To ensure the system matched on-the-ground needs, the company needed first-hand perspectives from local factory staff in Thailand. Arches was brought in to connect the client with the right experts at speed.

Key Insights

• Local operations uncovered: Direct input from factory managers, HR staff, and accounting teams revealed day-to-day challenges that ERP systems must address.
  
• Speed matters: Within one week, Arches arranged eight interviews with qualified experts, accelerating project timelines.
  
• Tailored support: From securing a Thai moderator and interpreter to delivering meeting notes in Japanese, Arches made cross-border research seamless.
  
• Depth through diversity: The mix of Japanese and Thai experts provided a holistic view of operations and management needs.
  

Client Perspective

Q: What challenge led you to undertake this research?

 “We needed to understand the actual operations and challenges at our overseas factory in Thailand to build a new ERP system. Local perspectives were critical, so we turned to Arches.”

Q: What kind of research was conducted?

“We wanted to understand how local factories actually operate, so we spoke directly with the people on the ground. Within a week, we interviewed eight experts — from a Japanese factory manager to Thai staff in production, HR, and accounting. Hearing their real experiences gave us a much clearer view of day-to-day operations than we’d ever been able to capture before.”

Q: What was most valuable about the experience?

 “Speed and completeness. Not only did Arches arrange the interviews, but they also provided an interpreter, a Thai moderator, and meeting notes in Japanese. It made the process smooth and effective.”

Outcome

With Arches’ support, the client gathered practical, ground-level insights that became the foundation for ERP system design. The speed and depth of expert input gave the company confidence that its new system would address real operational needs in overseas production sites.

About Arches’ Expert Calls

We connect you with vetted, hand-picked experts. Each conversation is private, focused, and tailored to your business needs. Get actionable data points and real-world perspectives to support critical decisions.