SOFTEM

What SOFTEM does

SOFTEM Co., Ltd. (株式会社ソフテム) is a privately-held Japanese corporation founded on March 5, 1986, and headquartered in Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo. The company operates two structurally distinct business divisions under a unified direct-sales model. The first is a software development division that builds management systems for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) primarily using Microsoft Access as the development platform. Its package product line includes the Okami-san series (a construction/builder edition with project ledgers and cost management, and a die-casting/manufacturing edition for job tracking and production cost), the Torikime! simple construction ledger, and the BOTTOM LINE individual production management system distributed in partnership with Various Systems Co., Ltd. The company also performs custom Access-based system development for accounting, payroll, sales, inventory, and industry-specific workflows, plus a fixed-price SME website creation service.

The second division develops and sells proprietary zinc-based anti-corrosion materials marketed under the Metal Guard brand. The product family includes Metal Guard Tape (high-purity zinc foil with conductive adhesive), Metal Guard Liquid (zinc-powder paint-type coating), and Metal Guard Solid (caulking-type filler), plus specialized applications such as Sasuketto (flange crevice-corrosion prevention), Pole Keeper (steel pole base protection), and Aqua Mate (anti-corrosion stickers for diving equipment). These products use sacrificial-anode galvanic protection and have been adopted in national projects, signaling government-level quality validation.

Revenue is generated through one-time perpetual software licenses (e.g., Okami-san Construction at 95,000 yen tax-inclusive), project-based custom development, quote-based hardware sales of anti-corrosion products, and fixed-price website creation services (105,000-210,000 yen). Distribution is exclusively direct: phone, FAX, and online inquiry forms, with software shipped nationwide for free. Custom development is concentrated in the Kanto region (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama), with remote development available when the client covers travel expenses. The company has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.

Name

SOFTEM

Legal name

株式会社ソフテム

Website

https://sofutemu.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SOFTEM Co., Ltd. is a privately-held Japanese corporation founded in 1986 that develops Microsoft Access-based management software for SMEs in construction and manufacturing, and sells proprietary zinc-based anti-corrosion products under the Metal Guard brand to industrial and infrastructure customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Custom System Development (オリジナルシステム開発): Custom Access-based management systems developed for individual SME clients, including accounting, payroll, production management, sales/inventory management, and industry-specific applications (die-casting, construction, painting, landscaping, real estate, medical association management, advertising). Revenue is project-based, one-time.
2. Package Software Sales (パッケージソフトウェア): Pre-built software products including the Okami-san series for construction and die-casting industries, and BOTTOM LINE for discrete manufacturing. Sold as perpetual licenses (one-time purchase).
3. Website Creation Services (ホームペ貞作成サービス): Low-cost website creation and renewal services for SMEs, offered at fixed price tiers (105,000 yen for 5–10 pages, 210,000 yen for 10–20 pages). One-time service revenue.
4. Zinc-Based Anti-Corrosion Products (亜鉛系防錆材): Sale of Metal Guard series products (tape, liquid, solid), Pole Keeper, Sasuketto, and Aqua Mate — physical products for rust prevention on steel structures, plants, and infrastructure. Revenue is product sales (one-time or repeat).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SOFTEM develops and sells Microsoft Access-based custom management systems and packaged software (Okami-san series, Torikime!, BOTTOM LINE) for small-to-medium enterprises in construction, die-casting, and discrete manufacturing. In parallel, the company manufactures and sells proprietary zinc-based anti-corrosion products (Metal Guard Tape, Metal Guard Liquid, Metal Guard Solid, Pole Keeper, Sasuketto, Aqua Mate) for protecting steel structures, plants, infrastructure, and diving equipment.

Product overview

SOFTEM operates two distinct business divisions: (1) Software Development Division offering the Okamisan series of package software for construction companies and mold manufacturers, custom Access-based system development, and website creation services; (2) Anti-Corrosion Division manufacturing and selling the Metal Guard series of zinc-based rust prevention products including tape, liquid coating, solid filler, pole keepers, flange protectors (Sasuketto), and diving equipment seals (Aqua Mate). The software products include Okamisan Construction Version (工事台帳・原価管理), Okamisan Manufacturing Version (金型原価管理), Torikime! project ledger, and BOTTOM LINE production management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• おかみさん (Okamisan): Package software series for small business management including construction industry version (おかみさん建筑业・工委店版) and manufacturing/mold industry version (おかみさん製造業・金型・単品加工版). Provides production management, cost control, and business administration functionality.
• トリ決め！
• BOTTOM LINE
• メタルガード (Metal Guard)

Products and services

• Okamisan Construction/Builder Version (おかみさん 建設用地・建房店版) Package software for small-to-medium construction companies and builders, providing project ledgers (工事台帳), cost management (原价管理), customer management, sales tracking, and profit analysis by project. Supports ISO9001 documentation. Intended for SME construction firm owners and office managers.
• Okamisan Manufacturing Version (おかみさん 製造業版) Production management software for mold manufacturing and single-item processing companies, enabling real-time cost tracking, profit analysis, work reporting, and supplier/material management. Designed for small-to-medium die-casting and discrete manufacturing firms.
• Easy Project Ledger Torikime! (かんたん工事台帳 トリ決め！) Simple project ledger software for construction companies, designed for easy tracking of projects, costs, customer information, and profits. Targeted at small construction firms needing lightweight construction records.
• BOTTOM LINE (製造業の個別生産管理) Individual production management software for small-lot mold manufacturing and single-item processing industries, providing individual cost management and production tracking. Distributed through Various Systems Co., Ltd. and referenced alongside SOFTEM's product lineup.
• Access Development Custom Systems (Access開発 オリジナルシステム) Custom system development service using Microsoft Access for small-to-medium enterprises, covering accounting software, payroll systems, sales management, inventory management, production management, and industry-specific solutions (die-casting, construction, painting, landscaping, real estate, medical association, advertising). Quote-based project engagement.
• Metal Guard Tape (メタルガードテープ) Zinc-based anti-corrosion tape (0.1-0.2mm thickness) with conductive adhesive, providing rust prevention equivalent to hot-dip galvanizing. Available in widths 25mm-200mm and 20m length rolls. Provides approximately 5 years of maintenance-free rust protection in standard environments.
• Metal Guard Liquid (メタルガードリキッド) Zinc-based paint-type rust preventive coating combining high-purity zinc powder with weather-resistant butyl rubber adhesive. Provides sacrificial anode protection equivalent to hot-dip galvanizing. Sold in 750ml cans for steel structures and infrastructure.
• Metal Guard Solid (メタルガードソリッド) Calking-type zinc-based filling material for corroded areas, functioning as a filling zinc galvanizing solution for damaged or pitted metal surfaces. Used for steel structure repair and corrosion remediation.
• Pole Keeper (ポールキーパー) Ring-type protection device for steel pole foundations, preventing corrosion at the base of signposts, fences, and other steel structures to prevent collapse. Addresses root and base corrosion of steel poles.
• Sasuketto (サスケット) Ultra-thin high-purity zinc anode gasket designed to prevent crevice corrosion on flanges, particularly stainless steel pipe connections. Features electrically conductive adhesive backing for easy application.
• Aqua Mate (アクアメイト) Anti-corrosion seal stickers for scuba diving equipment, particularly steel tanks. Made of zinc that sacrifices itself to protect diving gear from galvanic corrosion. Available in dolphin, manta ray, manatee, angelfish, and butterfly fish designs.
• Website Creation Service (中小企業向けホームページ作成) Low-cost website creation and renewal services for small and medium enterprises, including planning, design, and implementation of business websites. Offered at fixed-price tiers: 105,000 yen (5-10 pages) and 210,000 yen (10-20 pages), with customer supplying photos and text data.

Quantifiable outcome

• Some customers have been using SOFTEM systems continuously for approximately 10 years.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• 株式会社アズマ (Azuma Co., Ltd.)minorOthersListed as a business transaction partner (取引先) of SOFTEM. Industry: unknown based on available data.
• キザイ株式会社 (Kizai Co., Ltd.)minorOthersListed as a business transaction partner (取引先) of SOFTEM. Industry: chemical/materials based on domain (kizai-chem.co.jp).
• 増幸クローム精鍍株式会社 (Masuko Chrome Seichrome Co., Ltd.)minorOthersListed as a business transaction partner (取引先) of SOFTEM. Industry: chrome plating / metal finishing.
• 山田電化皮膜工業株式会社 (Yamada Denka Hifuku Kogyo Co., Ltd.)minorOthersListed as a business transaction partner (取引先) of SOFTEM. Industry: metal surface treatment / plating.
• 株式会社ヨシミツ理化 (Yosimitsu Rika Co., Ltd.)minorOthersListed as a business transaction partner (取引先) of SOFTEM. Industry: scientific / laboratory equipment.
• National Projects (国家プロジェクト)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOFTEM's anti-corrosion products (Metal Guard series) have been adopted in national projects, indicating government-level recognition of the product's quality and reliability.
• 建築駐在所21 (Kenchiku Chūzaisho 21)minorOthersA cooperative/support circle for construction companies (木工店のお手伝いサークル) that recommends and partners with SOFTEM's Okami-san construction software.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• freee K.K. freee delivers cloud accounting, payroll, and HR software for Japanese SMEs. It competes with SOFTEM's custom Access-based management systems by offering a SaaS alternative with strong onboarding and brand recognition among small businesses.
• Yayoi Co., Ltd. (弥生株式会社): Yayoi provides accounting and back-office software (Yayoi Accounting, Aoki) targeting Japanese SMEs and sole proprietors. It targets the same SME/Japanese market as SOFTEM's Okami-san and Auto-Journal Entry system, and is a close functional substitute for SOFTEM's accounting-oriented offerings.
• Money Forward, Inc. (株式会社マネーフォワード): Money Forward offers a cloud business platform (accounting, payroll, expense, ERP) for SMBs and personal finance users in Japan. It targets the same SME digital-back-office needs as SOFTEM's Okami-san/Access custom development.
• ZRC Worldwide: ZRC Worldwide manufactures zinc-rich galvanizing compounds and coatings for cold-application corrosion protection of steel. It is a direct product substitute for SOFTEM's Metal Guard Liquid/Tape range, addressing the same sacrificial-anode anti-rust use case.

Broad incumbents

• AkzoNobel: AkzoNobel's International Paint and protective-coatings brands serve marine, infrastructure, and industrial anti-corrosion markets globally. The International brand overlaps directly with SOFTEM's Metal Guard product line as a broader incumbent with established certification in national-infrastructure projects.
• PPG Industries: PPG is a large global industrial coatings supplier with protective and marine product lines that overlap with SOFTEM's Metal Guard offering. As a broad incumbent, PPG dwarfs SOFTEM on R&D, certifications, and distribution but addresses the same end-use corrosion-protection problem.
• Hempel A/S: Hempel is a global coatings manufacturer supplying protective and marine coatings to industrial/infrastructure customers. It competes broadly with SOFTEM's Metal Guard anti-corrosion line in the steel/infrastructure protection category, although Hempel operates at much larger scale and across many chemistries.
• TKC Corporation: TKC provides accounting, tax, and ERP software largely through a Japanese accountant/CPA channel. It is a broader incumbent than SOFTEM, but overlaps on accounting/inventory software and auto-journal-entry functionality for SMEs.
• OBIC Co., Ltd. / OBIC Business Consultants: OBIC supplies mid-market and SME ERP/payroll systems (via OBIC7 and partner OBBC accounting firms) in Japan, with overlap to SOFTEM's accounting/payroll custom Access development work.

Emerging players

• Nihon Unisys / CSAJ members (Japanese SME management software vendors): Nihon Unisys and other Japanese IT vendors offer vertical management systems for manufacturing and construction SMEs; they compete with parts of SOFTEM's Okami-san Construction/Die-casting range with broader portfolios but typically larger target accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOFTEM