PR strategies of each FA company change from face-to-face to web (1/2)

While face-to-face sales are restricted due to COVID-19, FA companies has been promoting PR strategies using the web such as web exhibitions and webinars. The PR strategies of each company have changed from the face-to-face approach to the web.

e-learning educational services

Yamazaki Mazak started an educational service on the web “Mazak e-Learning” from July 1, 2020. The new service is provided through “Mazak iCONNECT,” the Internet of Things (IoT) service which uses the cloud. “Mazak iCONNECT” subscribers can use “Mazak e-Learning” free of charge. The subscribers can use their computers, tablet devices, and smartphones to take the lessons whenever they want.

Yamazaki Mazak has conventionally been instructing the way to making machining programs at its technical centers all over the world for the customers who have purchased the machine tools. However, Yamazaki Mazak has started e-learning service since face-to-face teaching has been getting difficult because of the influence of COVID-19. Yamazaki Mazak strengthens such education services on the web to help customers improve their machining skills and productivity.

Besides, the company works on strengthening its digital strategy, such as opening a web showroom, boosting digital contents such as product information and movies, and implementing the on-site witness digitally before the machine tools shipping.

To accelerate digital strategies

Some companies have set up department and facility which is dedicated for promoting digitalization to accelerate digital strategies.

Okuma established a department dedicated for digital, “Monozukuri DX Center,” on July 1, 2020, aiming to strengthen digital services. DX Center is responsible for providing various services using digital technologies, such as business meeting on the web, test cutting, and the digital on-site witness of the machine tools before it is shipped.

Okuma also opened a website for a web exhibition with the theme of mold machining on July 29, 2020. The website dispatches the information of products and machining technologies for the mold industry through videos and webinars.

CITIZEN MACHINERY opened the ” GLOBAL SOLUTION CENTER ” on July 7, 2020 in the head office. A part of the head office plant was renovated and 26 machine tools were installed at the center.

CITIZEN MACHINERY also promotes “alkapply solution”, a service that uses digital technologies, and “Low Frequency Vibration Cutting (LFV),” an original chip control technology.

Besides, CITIZEN MACHINERY has set up a website of ” ONLINE GLOBAL SOLUTION CENTER ” where users can browse the information of the machines which are exhibited at “GLOBAL SOLUTION CENTER” and videos of machining technology on the web. CITIZEN MACHINERY distributes events held at the center as digital content.