UPDATA
Remote Work Made Secure and Seamless

The shift to remote work has accelerated innovation in cybersecurity, leading to more robust protective measures. Many research, however, highlights an opportunity for improvement, as employees often report that new security protocols affect their daily workflows.

This raises an important question: Is it possible to strengthen security without burdening the user experience, especially amid rising remote work environments?

UPDATA offers a promising answer with its innovative solution—Shadow Desktop.

Rooted in the innovative concept of a ‘dataless client,’ Shadow Desktop reimagines virtual desktops, balancing security with user autonomy. By leveraging cloud-based data storage, this solution ensures no sensitive information is ever stored on local devices. Even if equipment is lost or stolen, the data remains secure in the cloud, untouchable by unauthorized hands.

The beauty of Shadow Desktop lies in its seamless integration into everyday tasks. Employees enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted workflow—from simple mouse movements to routine actions like copying and pasting— without sacrificing security, allowing businesses to safeguard their assets while empowering their teams to work efficiently.

This has gained particular importance during and after the pandemic, when remote work surged. While existing solutions like virtual desktop interfaces (VDI) and work laptops strive to address the needs of remote workers, they often compromise on either security or user experience. By offering a solution that seamlessly combines the best of both worlds, UPDATA enables employees to work efficiently and securely, without sacrificing the familiar feel of a PC. Due to its numerous advantages over traditional solutions, Shadow Desktop has experienced explosive growth in Japan, rapidly gaining market share and positioning itself as the optimal post-VDI solution.

“With digital transformation accelerating, the demand for secure, flexible remote work solutions continues to grow,” says Ogawa Atsushi, CEO. “Our product is a breath of fresh air, offering a secure, efficient solution that truly meets the needs of today's remote workforce.”

Unlocking True Remote Potential

Shadow Desktop’s true power becomes evident when looking at real world use cases. Such was the case with a key client in the manufacturing services industry, which faced challenges in enabling secure and seamless remote work while adhering to strict data protection and industry regulations. The existing VDI solution, though providing a degree of security, experienced frequent performance issues, such as latency and slow data transfers due to server-side processing power constraints, hindering productivity.

Shadow Desktop solution proved pivotal in addressing this challenge. It maintained a desktop experience virtually indistinguishable from a traditional client PC. Applications ran locally on the user’s device, ensuring seamless operations and addressing usability concerns.

This success story demonstrates UPDATA’s ability to address complex challenges by combining innovative technologies, such as the dataless client architecture, with a deep understanding of client requirements and pain points.

A History of Innovation

Proactive security measures protect devices from today's threats, ensuring clients stay ahead of emerging trends and maximize productivity. UPDATA was one of the early adopters of generative AI and machine learning to enhance Shadow Desktop. This strategic move builds upon the company’s history of addressing evolving market needs.

Starting with data backup solutions like AirBack, it has consistently expanded its capabilities. The introduction of Shadow Desktop in 2016 marked a significant step into desktop virtualization. This progressive journey demonstrates UPDATA's ability to anticipate market trends and deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Bridging Human Expertise With Artificial Intelligence

After filling in the gaps in remote work solutions, UPDATA is focused on further improving work life balance. It developed Takumi AI, an innovative AI and machine learning service. The name ‘Takumi’ in Japanese refers to a master craftsman or artisan, reflecting the solution’s unique approach. True to its name, Takumi AI doesn’t rely solely on vast amounts of data and computational power. Instead, it leverages the expertise and know-how of seasoned professionals. This approach ensures that the AI models are usable by on-site personnel, avoiding the black-box dilemma often associated with such solutions.

By combining cutting-edge AI technologies with irreplaceable human experience and craftsmanship, Takumi no AI empowers organizations to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence while ensuring its practical applicability and alignment with real-world operations.

Walking The Talk

UPDATA’s innovative approach to remote work solutions is mirrored in its own organizational culture. The company’s flagship initiative, the ‘Super Free Address’ system, embodies its dedication to employee empowerment, treating remote and in-office work equally. Each employee can tailor their working situation based on personal preferences and circumstances, such as childcare or eldercare responsibilities. This flexibility allows team members to achieve optimal work-life balance, fostering a high-performance environment that directly translates to customer satisfaction.

“Embodying our core value of ‘Fun is the strongest,’ we cultivate an atmosphere where work is not only taken seriously but infused with joy, laughter and a genuine sense of fulfillment. We firmly believe that when individuals find their work enjoyable and engaging, they are more likely to continue growing, innovating and delivering outstanding results. This positive energy radiates throughout our teams, attracting like-minded individuals and fostering a supportive environment that translates into high performance,” says Ishihara Katsuya, CTO.

By fostering a culture of equality, respect and open communication, UPDATA encourages employees at all levels to voice their opinions freely, without hierarchical barriers. This flat organizational structure promotes candid discussions and empowers our team members to contribute their ideas and insights, leading to better decision-making and customer-centric solutions.

Empowering Businesses with Data-Driven Innovation

In 2023, UPDATA received the prestigious Asia Pacific-SaaS-Cloud Promotion Council (ASPIC) Cloud Award, cementing its reputation as a leader in cloud-based security and remote work solutions. The company’s leadership, spearheaded by visionaries Atsushi and Katsuya, has been pivotal in steering UPDATA from its origins as a data protection specialist to its current stature as a comprehensive provider of data management and secure remote work solutions.

For two decades, UPDATA has been pioneering innovations in data management and security solutions, driven by a vision to elevate the intrinsic value of data and catalyze societal transformation. By positioning data as a core business asset and facilitating its seamless, rapid usage for innovation and growth, UPDATA has evolved from a specialized ‘data protection manufacturer’ into a comprehensive ‘data empowerment enabler.’ This shift represents not just a change in services, but a fundamental reimagining of how data can be leveraged to drive business innovation and growth. By expanding its focus from merely safeguarding information to unlocking its full potential, UPDATA now stands at the forefront of the data revolution, helping businesses turn their data into a strategic asset for the digital age.