Sharp Fukuyama Laser

How Sharp Fukuyama Laser Reduced Operating Costs by 90% with Verkada

Sadao Inoue, General Manager of the IT Promotion Department

Cameras Intercom Access control Platform

Metrics:

90% Reduction in Operating Costs
50% Reduction in Installation Costs
Hours to Minutes for Incident Investigations

Background

Sharp Fukuyama Laser, a leader in semiconductor and laser manufacturing, has modernized security at its Fukuyama plant by adopting Verkada's integrated platform. Moving away from a labor-intensive, human-centered approach, the company has achieved significant cost savings while enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

The Challenge

Historically, Sharp Fukuyama Laser relied on outsourced security personnel for patrols and monitoring. However, rising costs and limitations of human-centric systems prompted a reevaluation.

“Security guards cannot monitor all locations simultaneously, and costs are increasing due to labor shortages. We needed a technology-driven solution to reduce costs and improve safety,” said Sadao Inoue, General Manager of the IT Promotion Department.

The company aimed to implement a solution that could efficiently track individuals and vehicles, enable real-time incident response, and centralize security management across its extensive premises.

Why Verkada: A Unified Security System

After comparing solutions from multiple vendors, Sharp Fukuyama Laser chose Verkada for its advanced capabilities and cost-effectiveness.

Key Benefits:

Advanced Analytics: Verkada cameras allow the team to filter footage based on clothing color, appearance, or vehicle license plates. “We can quickly track actions and routes without sifting through hours of footage,” noted Inoue.
Reduced Installation Costs: By leveraging existing LAN infrastructure and eliminating the need for network video recorders (NVRs), the company cut installation costs by over 50%.
Centralized Management: A single platform integrates cameras, access control, and intercoms, simplifying operations and reducing reliance on manual processes.

Demonstrating Return on Investment (ROI)

The transition to Verkada has transformed the company’s approach to security:

Labor Savings: Tasks previously managed by external security staff were brought in-house without adding to the General Affairs Department’s workload. “The user-friendly interface makes management seamless. No one has complained about additional responsibilities,” said Hirotaka Nishida, General Manager of the General Affairs Department.
Operating Costs Reduced by 90%: By minimizing reliance on outsourced services, Sharp Fukuyama Laser significantly cut costs while maintaining a high level of security.
Improved Incident Response: Real-time tracking and analytics have shortened investigation times from hours to minutes.
Enhanced Privacy Management: Verkada’s Privacy and Security Checklist supports compliance with personal information policies, earning the trust of security staff.

Looking Ahead

Sharp Fukuyama Laser plans to fully transition its legacy security systems to Verkada, further improving efficiency. The company is also exploring Verkada’s air quality sensors to monitor environmental factors like TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), CO2, humidity, and temperature.

“We see potential for integrating video data with production systems to optimize factory operations. Verkada’s solutions extend beyond security, supporting both environmental and operational goals,” added Inoue.

About Sharp Fukuyama Laser

Located in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Sharp Fukuyama Laser continues to innovate in the semiconductor and laser industries. By leveraging Verkada's integrated technology, the company has set a benchmark for combining security, efficiency, and cost savings: https://sfl.jp.sharp/