Toshiba Tec Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Toshiba Tec) provides a wide range of solutions, mainly for the distribution/retail, food and beverage, logistics/manufacturing, etc. In particular, the Retail Solutions Business Division handles everything from POS systems and small servers to distribution system packages and cloud services, providing total support for efficient and comfortable store operations tailored to the needs of each company.
While next-generation stores and electronic payments are attracting attention, there is also a growing need for strengthened security as a fundamental area. HULFT, which is included in the lineup as a means of transferring data from POS registers (stores) to mission-critical system, core system, meets this need. We are actively promoting it as a means of achieving more secure and stable data transfer.
Customer Issues
We want to meet the growing security needs of our client companies
Benefits of implementation
POS register・
Between mission-critical system, core system
For data transfer
HULFT provided
Secure
Stable
Data Transfer
Achieve
Development period
Reduced man-hours
In some cases,
As data utilization increases, security during data transfer becomes increasingly important
As the environment surrounding the retail and distribution industries changes dramatically with the shift to cashless payment methods, including various code payments, and inbound tourism support, Toshiba Tec's Retail Solutions Business Division offers a wide range of services, from POS registers installed in stores to distribution and store system packages and data centers. Amid various challenges, such as chronic labor shortages and work style reforms for employees, the company is developing solutions that utilize the latest technology to create better stores.
Retail Solutions Business Division Chubu Branch
Group Manager, Second Section of the Mass Retailer System Sales Department
Mr. Issei Ueda
"In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of cases of ransomware and leaks of personal and confidential information in the news, and as a result, more and more customers are placing importance on security. Data utilization has also become a major theme in the retail and distribution industries, with data collected by POS registers being efficiently linked to mission-critical system, core system and used for a variety of purposes, from inventory management to marketing. In addition to security when storing data in systems, how to ensure the security of this data transfer is also an issue," says Ueda.
HULFT is now available in the lineup, enabling secure and stable data transfer.
Retail Solutions Business Division Chubu Branch
Mass Retailer System Sales Department, Mass Retailer System 2
Mr. Reo Yamagishi
Toshiba Tec has therefore partnered with Hitachi Systems to provide a menu that uses HULFT for data transfer. While data is normally transferred using FTP, HULFT 's unique feature is that it provides a higher level of security. "In distribution systems, data transfers occur between POS registers and core systems, such as periodically sending sales information from POS registers to mission-critical system, core system, and conversely, sending maintenance data from mission-critical system, core system mission-critical system, core system to the POS register. Using HULFT here leads to stronger security," says Yamagishi.
HULFT not only provides encryption functionality as standard, but also performs all encryption automatically. It uses a proprietary encryption method using a private key, which allows for a highly secure environment. Another benefit is its high stability.
"HULFT is already equipped with a retry function in the event of a transfer error. Unlike FTP, there is no need to individually develop a process to resend only files that have failed to be transferred, which has the advantage of shortening the development time when building a new system," says Ueda.
Retail Industry Implementation Case: HULFT Used to Send POS Data to mission-critical system, core system
In fact, one of our customers in the retail industry has actually implemented this system. They had been using HULFT 7 for data transfer for some time, but decided to upgrade to HULFT 8 and continue using it when the relay server connecting the POS cash register and mission-critical system, core system was replaced due to aging hardware. The data sent from the POS cash register does not include personal information such as customer names, but it does include point card numbers. These, too, will be tied to names and addresses if the information is traced back to them, so they will need to be protected with enhanced security. The customer also appreciated the security and stability of HULFT (Mr. Yamagishi).
The HULFT test was completed smoothly in about a month, and it has been running without any issues since its release.
As the question of how to protect data becomes an issue, HULFT is an effective option.
Consumers are also becoming increasingly concerned about personal information leaks. Security is always a hot topic in the IT field, and how to protect data from the threat of cyber attacks is a key issue for many companies. "The need for security in the retail and distribution industry will likely continue to grow in the future. HULFT which can strengthen security in the data transfer section, has great benefits, so we would like to actively propose it to our customers," says Ueda.
Toshiba Tec Corporation
Toshiba Tec's management philosophy is "Create together, create the next. Anytime, anywhere, with our customers." We support work style reforms in various workplaces, including the retail and distribution industries and offices, globally, with a focus on the field. The world is currently facing social issues such as increased waste and CO₂ emissions, labor shortages, and work style reforms. We aim to become a "top global solution partner" that co-creates new value and solutions to social issues with customers and partners by leveraging our global network of bases and service structure.
Sales partner: Hitachi Systems, Ltd.
- The content of this case study is current as of the time of the interview. The content of this case study may change without notice.