Hitachi, Ltd. announced on September 10th that it has begun a collaborative effort with KSK to develop digital transformation (DX) solutions for pharmaceutical delivery operations.
<Image of the collaborative project between KSK and Hitachi>
KSK, a pharmaceutical wholesaler, will utilize Hitachi's Lumada solution, "Hitachi Digital Solution for Logistics (HDSL)," to digitize delivery-related operations that were previously performed manually based on the experience and know-how of skilled workers on site. They will also centrally manage delivery and work performance data, aiming to improve the efficiency of the entire process, from inspection and delivery to final shipment by drivers.
At KSK's Osaka branch in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, a trial operation will begin in September 2025 to integrate HDSL with the integrated logistics management system "HITLUSTER" to digitize the sorting and inspection of goods in the warehouse during pharmaceutical shipments, as well as the receipt of goods at customers. This will also involve automating delivery planning and delivery management using performance data from warehouse and delivery operations, including these processes. By realizing a cyber-physical system that collects and analyzes centrally managed on-site data in real time, the company aims to improve the efficiency and quality of on-site work and enhance management operations.
In the future, KSK and Hitachi plan to expand the digitalization of inspection processes at the time of shipment of pharmaceuticals within the warehouse and the process of receiving goods from customers, which will be introduced at the Osaka branch, to all 32 of KSK's branches.
KSK views this collaborative creation as part of its efforts to promote the smartification of logistics, aiming for further efficiency and optimization of its operations. While building a logistics system that can adapt to changes in the external environment, KSK will further promote operational efficiency, digital transformation (DX), and the achievement of SDGs, aiming to provide value to society.
Hitachi plans to further utilize HDSL to optimize delivery plans across KSK's logistics centers, warehouses, sales offices, and customer logistics networks, thereby realizing sustainable logistics. Furthermore, it will evolve its services into Lumada 3.0, which uses Hitachi's domain knowledge and AI to transform data into value and address customer and societal challenges. By seamlessly connecting the entire supply chain in combination with various IT and OT (operational technology) solutions and products for logistics and delivery, Hitachi aims to contribute to improving the productivity and working styles of frontline workers and sustainable management.
