SoftBank and NEC have agreed to a strategic partnership focused on biometric authentication in order to promote DX for companies and local governments.

2024年7月9日
ソフトバンク株式会社
日本電気株式会社

ソフトバンク株式会社(以下「ソフトバンク」)と日本電気株式会社(以下「NEC」)は、企業や自治体のDX(デジタルトランスフォーメーション)の推進を目指して、生体認証領域を中心とした戦略的提携(以下「本提携」)に合意しました。両社は本提携を通して、NECが提供する「Bio-IDiom Services(バイオイディオムサービシーズ)」などの生体認証ソリューションと、ソフトバンクが提供する5G(第5世代移動通信システム)をはじめとする通信ネットワークやセキュリティーサービスなどの各種ソリューションを組み合わせて、さまざまな業種のお客さまに合わせたサービスの提案および販売を相互に行い、企業や自治体のDXを推進していきます。

ソフトバンクは、スマートビルディング領域をはじめ、企業のDX支援における豊富な実績と強固な法人顧客基盤を持っています。一方、NECは、世界トップクラスの高精度な生体認証技術を生かしたソリューションを、世界約70の国・地域の幅広い業種に提供しています。スマートビルなどの入退館やセキュリティーエリアにおいて、生体認証は高いニーズがあることを背景に、両社の強みを組み合わせて顧客基盤の拡大を図っていきます。2024年秋以降、ソフトバンクは、NECの生体認証ソリューションを国内の企業や自治体などのお客さまへ積極的に提案して販売します。
また、NECが、お客さまを未来へ導く価値創造モデル「BluStellar(ブルーステラ)」の下で推進する「共創パートナープログラム／Digital ID」(注)にソフトバンクが参画し、NECやその他の参画パートナー企業と各種ソリューションの連携を検討していきます。
主な連携内容として、ソフトバンクとNECは、NECの「Bio-IDiom Services」やマルチモーダル生体認証などの生体認証ソリューションと、ソフトバンクの通信ネットワークや各種ソリューションを組み合わせて、それぞれのお客さまへ積極的に提案して販売します。また、業種やユースケースに合わせて生体認証のソリューションを提案することで、企業や自治体のニーズに応えるとともに課題解決を支援するなど、生体認証を起点としたDXの市場を拡大するための共創を推進していきます。
ソフトバンク株式会社専務執行役員法人統括の桜井勇人は、次のように述べています。
「このたびNECとソフトバンクが、DX推進に向けた戦略的提携に合意したことをうれしく思います。ソフトバンクは、AI(人工知能)や5G、IoT(モノのインターネット)などの先端テクノロジーの活用によりお客さまの課題解決を図り、企業のDX支援に取り組んでいます。このたびの提携により、世界トップクラスの精度を誇るNECの生体認証技術と、スマートビルディングやセキュリティー領域をはじめとするソフトバンクの多彩なソリューションを組み合わせて、新たな価値を創出できることを確信しています。両社で革新的なソリューションを展開し、日本の企業や自治体のお客さまのDXをさらに加速させていきます。」
日本電気株式会社執行役 Corporate Senior EVP 兼 CDO 兼デジタルプラットフォームビジネスユニット長の吉崎敏文は、次のように述べています。
「このたびソフトバンクとNECが、DX共創パートナーとしての連携を発表できることを大変うれしく思います。NECは、新ブランド『BluStellar』の下、共創プログラムの進化を進めており、NECが注力している生体認証領域におけるソフトバンクとの協業は、この取り組みのさらなる加速につながると確信しています。今回の協業により、ソフトバンクが持つ豊富なソリューションノウハウと、NECの日本およびグローバルで高い実績を誇る生体認証技術、そしてセキュリティー技術を組み合わせることで、お客さまに価値を提供していきたいと考えています。NECはこれからも、ソフトバンクと共にさまざまなお客さまのDXを推進していきます。」
ソフトバンクとNECは今後、生体認証以外のDX領域の協業も検討しており、企業や社会のDX推進を通じて日本の成長に貢献していきます。

以上

(注)NECが推進するパートナープログラムで、パートナーが保有するビジネスソリューションとNECの生体認証／Digital IDを組み合わせた新たなソリューションの共創により、社会課題の解決や生活に関わる場面において体験価値を向上させることを目指します。

SoftBankおよびソフトバンクの名称、ロゴは、日本国およびその他の国におけるソフトバンクグループ株式会社の登録商標または商標です。
その他、このプレスリリースに記載されている会社名および製品・サービス名は、各社の登録商標または商標です。

本件に関するお客さまからのお問い合わせ先

ソフトバンク
E-Mail：grp-biometrics-service@g.softbank.co.jp
NEC バイオメトリクス・ビジョンAI統括部
E-Mail：dpf-pr@dpf.jp.nec.com

NECは、安全・安心・公平・効率という社会価値を創造し、
誰もが人間性を十分に発揮できる持続可能な社会の実現を目指します。

July 9, 2024.
SoftBank Group Corp.
NEC Corporation.

SoftBank Corp. (hereinafter referred to as "SoftBank") and NEC Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "NEC") have agreed on a strategic partnership (hereinafter referred to as "this partnership") centered on the biometric authentication field to promote corporate and municipal DX (digital transformation). Through this partnership, the two companies will combine the biometric authentication solutions such as "Bio-IDiom Services" provided by NEC and various solutions such as 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system), communication networks, and security services provided by SoftBank to propose and sell customized services to customers in various industries, and promote corporate and municipal DX. SoftBank has a solid track record and strong corporate customer base in supporting companies' DX, including in the smart building field. Meanwhile, NEC provides solutions leveraging world-class high-precision biometric authentication technologies to a wide range of industries in approximately 70 countries and regions around the world. Based on the high demand for biometric authentication in entering and leaving buildings such as smart buildings and security areas, the two companies will leverage their respective strengths to expand their customer base. Starting in autumn 2024, SoftBank will proactively propose and sell NEC's biometric authentication solutions to domestic companies and municipal customers. Additionally, SoftBank will participate in NEC's "co-creation partner program/Digital ID" (note), which aims to create value creation models that lead customers to the future under the "BluStellar" brand, and will explore collaboration with NEC and other participating partner companies on various solutions.

As the main collaborative content, SoftBank and NEC will proactively propose and sell biometric authentication solutions such as NEC's "Bio-IDiom Services" and multimodal biometric authentication solutions in combination with SoftBank's communication networks and various solutions to their respective customers. In addition, the two companies will promote co-creation to expand the market for DX centered on biometric authentication, such as by proposing biometric authentication solutions tailored to the needs of companies and municipalities to support problem solving. SoftBank's Executive Officer and Corporate Head Yuto Sakurai said, "We are pleased to announce that NEC and SoftBank have agreed on a strategic partnership for promoting DX. SoftBank is working on supporting corporate DX by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), 5G and IoT (Internet of Things) to solve customer challenges. Through this partnership, I am confident that we can create new value by combining NEC's world-class high-precision biometric authentication technology with SoftBank's various solutions, including smart buildings and security fields. We will develop innovative solutions together and accelerate the DX of Japanese companies and municipal customers."
In addition, SoftBank will participate in the co-creation partner program/Digital ID under NEC's BluStellar brand to explore collaboration on various solutions with NEC and other participating partner companies. Under the main collaboration content, SoftBank and NEC will proactively propose and sell biometric authentication solutions such as NEC's "Bio-IDiom Services" and multimodal biometric authentication solutions in combination with SoftBank's communication networks and various solutions to their respective customers. By proposing biometric authentication solutions tailored to the needs of companies and municipalities, the two companies will expand the market for DX centered on biometric authentication and support problem solving.
The main collaboration content involves SoftBank and NEC proactively proposing and selling biometric authentication solutions such as NEC's "Bio-IDiom Services" and multimodal biometric authentication solutions in combination with SoftBank's communication networks and various solutions to their respective customers. In addition, by proposing biometric authentication solutions tailored to the needs of industries and use cases, the two companies will expand the market for DX centered on biometric authentication and promote co-creation. SoftBank Executive Officer and Corporate Head Yuto Sakurai said, "We are pleased to announce that NEC and SoftBank have agreed on a strategic partnership for promoting DX. SoftBank is working on supporting corporate DX by utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), 5G and IoT (Internet of Things) to solve customer challenges. Through this partnership, I am confident that we can create new value by combining NEC's world-class high-precision biometric authentication technology with SoftBank's various solutions, including smart buildings and security fields. We will develop innovative solutions together and accelerate the DX of Japanese companies and municipal customers."
Sakurai Yuto, SoftBank Corp.'s Executive Officer and Corporate Head, stated: "I am pleased to announce that SoftBank and NEC have agreed on a strategic partnership to promote DX. SoftBank is working to support companies' DX by utilizing advanced technologies such as AI, 5G, and IoT. Through this partnership, we will be able to create new value by combining NEC's world-class biometric authentication technology with SoftBank's various solutions, including smart buildings and security. We will work on developing innovative solutions together to accelerate the DX of Japanese companies and municipalities."
SoftBank Corp., EMBA and Chief Strategy Officer, Sakura Yuji said: "We are pleased to announce that SoftBank and NEC have agreed on a strategic partnership to promote DX. SoftBank provides solutions for solving customer issues using cutting-edge technologies such as AI, 5G, and IoT. Through this partnership, I am confident that we can create new value by combining NEC's world-class high-precision biometric authentication technology with SoftBank's various solutions, including smart buildings and security fields. By developing innovative and groundbreaking solutions, we will accelerate DX for Japanese businesses and local governments."
Toshifumi Yoshizaki, Corp. Sr. EVP, CDO, Digital Platform Business Unit Head at NEC Corporation said: "NEC is thrilled to announce its collaboration on a DX Co-creation Partner program with SoftBank. Under our newly launched brand "BluStellar," we are focused on moving our co-creation program forward. The collaboration with SoftBank in the biometric authentication field, an area that NEC is committed to, will accelerate our program in numerous ways. By combining SoftBank's extensive solutions know-how with NEC's globally established technological capabilities and security technology in the biometric field, we aim to deliver value to our customers. NEC will continue to promote DX with SoftBank for various customers."
Toshifumi Yoshizaki, Corp. Sr. EVP, CDO, Digital Platform Business Unit Head at NEC Corporation said: "NEC is thrilled to announce its collaboration on a DX Co-creation Partner program with SoftBank. Under our newly launched brand BluStellar, we are focused on moving our co-creation program forward. The collaboration with SoftBank in the biometric authentication field, an area that NEC is committed to, will accelerate our program in numerous ways. By combining SoftBank's extensive solutions know-how with NEC's globally established technological capabilities and security technology in the biometric field, we aim to deliver value to our customers. NEC will continue to promote DX with SoftBank for various customers."
Softbank and NEC are also considering collaborative efforts in DX areas other than biometric authentication, and through promoting DX in companies and society, they will contribute to Japan's growth.

Above.

(Note) Through the partner program promoted by NEC, we aim to improve the experiential value in scenes related to solving social issues and daily life by combining partner business solutions with NEC biometric authentication/Digital ID.

The names and logos of SoftBank and SoftBank Group Co., Ltd. are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries.
Other company names and product/service names described in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

Contact information for inquiries related to this matter: SoftBank.

E-Mail: grp-biometrics-service@g.softbank.co.jp
NEC Biometrics and Vision AI Business Division.
E-Mail: dpf-pr@dpf.jp.nec.com
NEC aims to create social value of safety, security, fairness, and efficiency, and achieve a sustainable society where everyone can fully demonstrate their humanity.

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ソフトバンクとNEC、企業や自治体のDX推進に向けて生体認証領域を中心とした戦略的提携に合意

SoftBank and NEC have agreed to a strategic partnership focused on biometric authentication in order to promote DX for companies and local governments.

本件に関するお客さまからのお問い合わせ先

Contact information for inquiries related to this matter: SoftBank.

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