UPDATA
UPDATA is a privately held Japanese software vendor (founded 2005) that builds Shadow Desktop (data-less client), Secure Back and Air Back (enterprise backup), and Takumi no AI (expert-knowledge AI/ML), selling via subscriptions, cloud services, direct enterprise sales, and channel partners to Japanese enterprises, public sector, and select APAC markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What UPDATA does
UPDATA Inc. (アップデータ株式会社), founded in March 2005 and headquartered in Tokyo (relocated to Kyobashi, Chuo-ku in November 2025), is a privately held Japanese domestic software manufacturer that has evolved from a backup-software specialist into what it calls a "data management manufacturer." Its core product lineup centers on Shadow Desktop, a data-less client that encrypts PC data and stores it in cloud or on-premises external storage while preserving local usability; Secure Back, a centrally managed enterprise backup platform for PCs and servers with proprietary bandwidth control and email differential backup; Air Back, a lightweight real-time backup tool; and 匠のAI (Takumi no AI), an AI/ML service that incorporates field-expert knowledge into prediction models via a proprietary "Takumi Data Transformation Engine" and exposes them through a REST API. Supporting offerings include My Note Cloud (electronic paper cloud storage), Suite Data Delete (a Forum 8-originated ADEC-certified HDD/SSD erasure tool that UPDATA distributes), and Secret Folder file protection.
UPDATA generates revenue through a mix of subscription licenses (introduced for Air Back and Secure Back in April 2020), perpetual licenses, managed cloud services (Shadow Desktop cloud console, Secure Back Cloud Option, Air Back Cloud, My Note Cloud), and professional services around Takumi no AI. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales backed by dedicated inquiry forms, channel/reseller partners (notably OFFICE110), technology integrations with Microsoft Japan and AWS (where UPDATA has been an APN Technology Partner since December 2016), and SI relationships including a co-developed NEC Cloud File Sync service launched in April 2022 and Ricoh Japan system integration engagements. Pricing is largely quote-based; disclosed reference points include Suite Data Delete at ¥1,320 one-time or ¥231,000/year.
UPDATA primarily serves Japanese enterprise IT/security departments, public sector/education (Wakayama Prefecture Board of Education: 3,000 PCs), and distributed-site industries such as construction, manufacturing, broadcasting, and translation services. Named customers include Toyota, Daikin, HOYA, Keio University, JTB, Takenaka Corporation, Kando Corporation, and TV Osaka. The company holds three patents (2011, 2014, 2019) covering backup and file-management technology, is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 / JIS Q 27001:2023, and operates offices in Tokyo, Osaka (opened April 2025), and Nagoya (opened September 2022), with active expansion into APAC (Smart Nation Expo 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, CIO Review APAC "Virtualization Company of the Year 2024").
UPDATA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UPDATA
- Legal name
- アップデータ株式会社 (UPDATA Inc.)
- Website
- https://updata.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- UPDATA is a privately held Japanese software vendor (founded 2005) that builds Shadow Desktop (data-less client), Secure Back and Air Back (enterprise backup), and Takumi no AI (expert-knowledge AI/ML), selling via subscriptions, cloud services, direct enterprise sales, and channel partners to Japanese enterprises, public sector, and select APAC markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UPDATA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Enterprise Data Protection & Backup Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & Secure Data Erasure (BPAEAOAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Training Data Management, Versioning & Lineage (HDAAALAD)
Keywords
Where UPDATA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
UPDATA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Software Licensing and Sales: UPDATA generates revenue primarily through the sale of software licenses for its product lineup including Shadow Desktop, Secure Back, Air Back, and Suite Data Delete. The company operates both one-time perpetual license models and subscription models. Subscription services for Air Back and Secure Back started in April 2020. Products are available in multiple tiers (Standard, Cloud, Premium) with various contract durations (1-year, 5-year). The company also offers cloud services (Secure Back Cloud Option, Air Back Cloud) as part of its software revenue.
- Cloud Services: UPDATA provides cloud-based services including Shadow Desktop cloud platform, Secure Back cloud option, Air Back Cloud, and My Note Cloud (e-paper cloud storage). The cloud options allow customers to use Updata's dedicated cloud environment as an external storage destination for backup redundancy. Cloud services are delivered as managed services with monthly/annual subscriptions.
- AI/ML Consulting and Development: AI and machine learning services under 'Takumi no AI' brand, providing consulting, development, and operational support for AI implementation. The service follows a PoC-to-production model with phases for planning, analysis, verification, implementation, and maintenance. Revenue is generated through project-based AI consulting and development services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Suite Data Delete One-time License (OS deletion option included) |
| Subscription | Annual | Suite Data Delete Annual Subscription (OS deletion option included) |
| Subscription | Annual | Shadow Desktop Standard/Premium On-premises 1-year |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Shadow Desktop Standard/Premium On-premises 5-year |
| Subscription | Annual | Air Back Standard/Cloud/Premium for PC and Server (1-year and 5-year packages) |
| Subscription | Annual | Secure Back Subscription (PC and Server clients) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
UPDATA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UPDATA Inc. develops and sells enterprise data protection and data management software in Japan, anchored by Shadow Desktop, a data-resident client that encrypts PC data and stores it in cloud or on-premises external storage so no actual data resides on the local PC while preserving normal user workflows. The portfolio is completed by centrally managed backup software (Secure Back, Air Back), the Takumi no AI (匠のAI) machine-learning service that incorporates expert know-how via a proprietary data-conversion engine, electronic-paper cloud storage (My Note Cloud), and HDD/SSD data-erasure software (Suite Data Delete).
Product overview
UPDATA is a Japanese domestic software manufacturer offering a portfolio of data protection and data management products. The product lineup centers on four core offerings: Shadow Desktop (data-less client for secure PC operations without local data storage, available as both SaaS and on-premises), Secure Back (centralized enterprise backup management for PCs and servers with optional cloud redundancy), Air Back (lightweight real-time backup for PCs and servers), and 匠のAI (Takumi no AI — AI/ML service applying expert domain knowledge to predictive analytics). Supporting products include My Note Cloud (electronic paper cloud storage), スイートデータ消去 (data erasure tool), Secret Folder (file protection), and add-on modules such as Shadow Desktop File Server Option, Secure Back Cloud Option, and Secure Back Enterprise Manager. The company positions itself as having evolved from a 'data protection manufacturer' to a 'data management manufacturer.'
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Shadow Desktop: Data-less client product that encrypts PC data and stores it in cloud external storage, enabling data-free local operation.
- Secure Back
- Air Back
- My Note Cloud
- 匠のAI (Takumi no AI)
- スイートデータ消去 (Suite Data Delete)
Quantifiable outcome
- Manufacturing estimation prediction: average error reduced to 1/5, variance to 1/8 compared to human expert estimates
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use UPDATA
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UPDATA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability3 records
Feature12 records
UPDATA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. (日本マイクソフト株式会社)coreMicrosoft Japan is listed as an alliance partner. UPDATA is a Microsoft certified partner (since July 2007) and develops products for Windows environments. Shadow Desktop, Secure Back, and Air Back all support Windows operating systems. Products integrate with Microsoft ecosystem including Azure and Windows Server environments.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreAWS Technology Partner under the APN (AWS Partner Network). UPDATA products support AWS cloud storage as a backend for Shadow Desktop and Secure Back cloud options. AWS partner since December 2016. Enables UPDATA to leverage AWS infrastructure for cloud-based services and provides co-marketing opportunities.
- OFFICE110coreOFFICE110 is listed as a partner on UPDATA's partner page, specializing in security solutions. They resell UPDATA products (Shadow Desktop, Secure Back, Air Back) with specialized security expertise to enterprise customers in Japan.
- BSI Group Japan Inc. (BSIグループジャパン株式会社)minorBSI Group Japan is the certification body for UPDATA's ISO/IEC 27001:2022 / JIS Q 27001:2023 information security certification (certification number IS 505934). BSI is accredited by ANAB and ISMS-AC.
- Software Association of Japan (SAJ / 一般社団法人ソフトウェア協会)coreUPDATA CEO Atsushi Ogawa serves as chairman (主査) of the SAJ Data-Resident Client Research Group, which conducts market research on data-resident clients and organizes industry events. UPDATA is a member of SAJ. This association positions UPDATA as a thought leader in the Japanese software industry.
- Japan Computer System Sales Association (JCSSA / 一般社団法人日本コンピュータシステム 지적했다販売協会)minorUPDATA is a member of JCSSA, a Japanese IT industry association.
- Forum 8 Co., Ltd. (株式会社フォーラムエイト)minorForum 8 is the developer/licensor of 'Suite Data Delete' product which UPDATA distributes. UPDATA resells this product as 'Suite Data Delete' under a licensing arrangement. The product provides HDD/SSD data deletion with ADEC-certified deletion certificates.
- Nippon Electric Co., Ltd. (日本電気株式会社 / NEC)coreUPDATA collaborated with NEC to co-develop and launch 'NEC Cloud File Sync' service in April 2022. This represents a strategic co-development partnership where UPDATA's technology is white-labeled or integrated into NEC's cloud service offering, significantly expanding market reach through NEC's enterprise sales channels.
- Ricoh Japan Co., Ltd. (理光 Japan株式会社)coreRicoh Japan co-implemented Secure Back solutions with UPDATA. Ricoh Japan's system integration capabilities combined with UPDATA's backup technology. Ricoh is referenced as a key partner in case studies (e.g., TV Osaka implementation through Ricoh Japan).
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
UPDATA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Veeam Software: Enterprise backup software vendor providing data protection across virtual, physical, and cloud environments. Directly comparable to UPDATA's Secure Back and Air Back in the centralized enterprise backup category.
- Druva: Cloud-native data protection and backup SaaS delivered as a 100% subscription model. Directly comparable to UPDATA's Secure Back Cloud Option and Air Back Cloud for cloud-based backup.
- Acronis: Backup and cyber protection software vendor combining data protection with anti-ransomware. Directly comparable to UPDATA's backup and data protection portfolio targeting SMEs and enterprises.
- Barracuda Networks: Backup and data protection vendor (Barracuda Backup, Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup). Directly comparable to UPDATA's backup products in the SMB and mid-market segment.
Broad incumbents
- Veritas Technologies: Enterprise data protection and information management vendor (NetBackup, Backup Exec). Broad incumbent in the same category as UPDATA's Secure Back for large enterprise deployments.
- Citrix (Cloud Software Group): Major VDI and digital workspace vendor (Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, Citrix DaaS). Competes with UPDATA's Shadow Desktop in the broader endpoint virtualization and remote work security space.
- Microsoft (Azure Virtual Desktop): Provides cloud-based VDI and endpoint management via Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 Cloud PC, integrated with Microsoft 365 and Azure infrastructure. Directly competitive with Shadow Desktop and a major source of competitive pressure for UPDATA.
- VMware (Dell Technologies): VDI and digital workspace platform (VMware Horizon, VMware Workspace ONE) and a broad enterprise IT vendor. Competes with UPDATA's Shadow Desktop data-less client proposition within the broader VDI/endpoint market.
Regional players
- NS Solutions: Japanese system integrator providing enterprise IT solutions, data management, and system integration services to large Japanese enterprises. Comparable regional player in Japanese enterprise IT and data protection.
- IIJ (Internet Initiative Japan): Japanese IT services and network provider offering security, cloud, and managed services to Japanese enterprises. Comparable regional player in the Japanese enterprise data management and security market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UPDATA social profiles
Digital presenceUPDATA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
UPDATA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UPDATA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
UPDATA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UPDATA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UPDATA
What does UPDATA do?
UPDATA Inc. develops and sells enterprise data protection and data management software in Japan, anchored by Shadow Desktop, a data-resident client that encrypts PC data and stores it in cloud or on-premises external storage so no actual data resides on the local PC while preserving normal user workflows. The portfolio is completed by centrally managed backup software (Secure Back, Air Back), the Takumi no AI (匠のAI) machine-learning service that incorporates expert know-how via a proprietary data-conversion engine, electronic-paper cloud storage (My Note Cloud), and HDD/SSD data-erasure software (Suite Data Delete).
Is UPDATA a public or private company?
UPDATA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was UPDATA founded?
UPDATA was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UPDATA based?
UPDATA is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does UPDATA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are cloud Services and AI/ML Consulting and Development.
Who are UPDATA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Veeam Software, Druva, Acronis and Barracuda Networks. Broad incumbents are Veritas Technologies, Citrix (Cloud Software Group), Microsoft (Azure Virtual Desktop) and VMware (Dell Technologies). Regional players are NS Solutions and IIJ (Internet Initiative Japan).
Does UPDATA have an API?
Yes. The AI/ML service "Takumi no AI (匠のAI)" provides an API enabling real-time one-question-one-answer predictions and batch processing predictions for multiple data records. The API is designed to be easily usable even without AI expertise, and is accessible via a REST API server.
What industry is UPDATA in?
UPDATA's product category is Enterprise Data Protection & Backup Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAOAK, IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & Secure Data Erasure, with a secondary code of HDAAALAD, Training Data Management, Versioning & Lineage. Its NAICS code is 51821 and its SIC code is 7370.