TOKYO - Seven-Eleven Japan has completed a large-scale overhaul of the store system used by about 21,000 outlets nationwide, five years after the project was conceived. The new system represents a major step in digital transformation, replacing the company’s traditional infrastructure with a cloud-based model designed to enhance efficiency and service.
Previously, stores relied on specialized terminals such as scanners and tablets developed exclusively for Seven-Eleven, with data sent through a back-office store computer known as the “store con” before being transmitted to headquarters. The new system abolishes dedicated hardware, shifting functions to the cloud. Now, all data, including customer purchase information and orders entered by staff, is transmitted in real time.
At the core of the upgrade is the adoption of microservices, a technology that breaks down functions into individual services, making it easier to add or modify applications. Data is consolidated on a new platform called “7 Central,” where it can be analyzed and linked with both internal and external systems as needed. Google Cloud was chosen as the foundation, with executive officer Nishimura citing its ability to handle massive transaction volumes, along with reliability and security.
The overhaul has already generated new services, including “Seven Delivery,” which allows employees to pick products directly from store inventory and deliver them to customers’ homes or workplaces. The real-time inventory management made possible by the new system is central to this service. It is also improving head office operations: a new disaster response system, “7 Vision,” displays information such as store power outages and delivery vehicle conditions on maps, eliminating the need for on-site visits or phone checks during emergencies.
By replacing specialized devices with widely available tablets such as iPads and Android models, Seven-Eleven has also cut costs and gained flexibility. The company expects the reforms to strengthen its competitiveness in an increasingly digital retail environment.
Source: テレ東BIZ
