Interview
Please begin by introducing your company.
Mr. Sakamoto: Our company is Kushikatsu Tanaka Co., Ltd., and we operate the “Kushikatsu Tanaka” izakaya (Japanese-style pub) brand. Currently, we have 43 directly managed stores and 71 franchise stores. Seven years have passed since we launched the “Kushikatsu Tanaka” brand, and we now cover a wide range of areas from residential neighborhoods to the Tokyo metropolitan area. In the future, we plan to expand into suburban areas, with a goal of reaching 1,000 stores.
What made you start considering the implementation of GulfNet’s services?
Mr. Sakamoto: At the time, as the number of stores increased, it became more difficult to manage cash. We were struggling with issues such as theft, and that’s when we came across GulfNet.
How did you come to know about the service?
Mr. Sakamoto: I used to work as an accountant, and at that time one of our clients was using a cash deposit machine-based collection service. So, I was already familiar with the service. When we started considering it for our company, our bank also introduced us to some options, but we actually found GulfNet through an online search and decided to make an inquiry.
What were your selection criteria when evaluating the service?
Mr. Sakamoto: There were three main points: cost, quality of sales support and service flexibility, and the ease of obtaining data after inserting money into the cash deposit machine. We wanted to simplify our operations, and since GulfNet sends us deposit data daily, it’s easy to check whether deposits were made and whether there are any discrepancies in the balance. Until we had around 25 directly managed stores, employees were responsible for deposits, but that involved both risks and time. So we also valued the improvements in those aspects.
What made you ultimately decide to go with GulfNet’s system?
Mr. Teramoto: We had several requirements, such as “reducing administrative work at stores” and “analyzing the data from POS systems more effectively.” Since we were trying to solve these issues anyway, we thought, “Why not take it even further and accomplish things that other food service companies haven’t managed yet?”
Why did you choose GulfNet’s system?
Mr. Sakamoto: Because they were responsive to our diverse needs. Other companies and banks often said, “We can’t handle that,” or “We don’t have a solution for that.” For instance, with banks, we were required to purchase additional equipment or contract new internet lines for data communication with the deposit machines. Also, there were limitations on the times and days when cash collection was possible. In contrast, GulfNet negotiated with the security company on our behalf, and no extra network contract was needed for data transmission. Even when some existing store facilities couldn’t accommodate the system, they helped us find solutions. Their support in exploring the best path with us was something we really appreciated.
Were there any issues during implementation?
Mr. Sakamoto: Right after implementation, there was a bug where the actual deposited amount and the data didn’t match, but they quickly fixed it. Also, during installation, we found that the router was located far from the deposit machine, and additional wiring was necessary. GulfNet even handled coordination with the wiring contractors, which was very helpful.
What effects did the service implementation have?
Mr. Sakamoto: It improved operational efficiency by enhancing security and reducing working hours. Our staff felt a sense of relief, and the environment no longer allowed for fraud. Shortly after implementing the service, one of our stores experienced a theft from outside, but the cash stored inside the deposit machine was unharmed, minimizing the damage. We also saved labor costs by eliminating the need for store staff to go to the bank to make deposits.
Before implementation, our headquarters used to spend two hours a day checking each store’s deposit status, since every store had its own account. After the implementation, that time was significantly reduced, and we no longer needed to open separate bank accounts per store. The issues that existed between the head office and store operations were greatly improved.
Now that you’ve been working with GulfNet, could you share what you particularly appreciated?
Mr. Sakamoto: GulfNet is flexible and has strong proposal capabilities. With other providers, it’s often hard to reach the sales reps when you call, but GulfNet assigns a dedicated sales representative, so they respond promptly when issues arise. We really appreciate that.
Do you have any requests for GulfNet?
Mr. Sakamoto: I’m generally satisfied, but if I had to say something, I would wish for the deposit machines to become a little more affordable (laughs).
That concludes the interview. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
