Fuji Xerox Launches ArcOWL
Knowledge Analysis Service

Fuji Xerox has developed ArcOWL Knowledge Analysis Service, which clarifies the disparity between operations and the system in use by focusing on people's activities within the organization or on a project related to information-use and collaborative work. The service was launched on November 18.

Along with this service, Fuji Xerox will also launch a new Internet-based integrated information management system called ArcSuite that enables the effective flow of various kinds of information both within and outside the company.

ArcOWL is a consulting service to maximize the effectiveness of ArcSuite. It is one part of the uniform solutions services offered by Fuji Xerox, that range from consulting services and various products to systems establishment.

There are often times when a company introduces a new information system but does not achieve expected improvements in terms of efficiency, or cannot meet desired results even after the implementation of the latest workflow system. Although knowledge management and business process reengineering contribute greatly to management efficiency, it is still not enough to guarantee smooth circulation of knowledge within an organization. ArcOWL Knowledge Analysis Service scientifically evaluates the "knowledge process" within the company and clarifies areas that require improvement.

Previous operations process analyses mainly focused on the flow of business processes or the state of information resources in use. In addition to these analyses, ArcOWL Knowledge Analysis Service evaluates the human "knowledge process," which includes personal networks, individual information resources and the flow of information gained through informal discussions, thus allowing people to see "the live circulation of information." This greatly aids in the comprehension of the actual flow of knowledge within the organization.

The service clarifies issues from a new "knowledge process" perspective. It also analyses questionnaires sent out at the divisional level regarding the current state of knowledge information sharing, and illustrates the data on various graphs to support easy understanding of tasks from a structural point of view.

• This service provides structural analysis of the individual's awareness of current competitors, potential future competitors and strengths and weaknesses of the company. The analysis also indicates differences in awareness among individuals and verifies their level of understanding of the business environment.

• The service investigates and indicates individual's priorities related to work and activities. The aim of such analyses is to increase work efficiency by determining "less important" activities that take longer than necessary and jobs that are at high importance but have not yet been addressed.

• The service investigates the whereabouts of important information, how certain information is accessed and the ease or difficulty of obtaining the information. At the same time, the analysis also provides data on Internet sites accessed within the company.

• This analysis provides data on interactions between people as well as "ba" where knowledge is created. In general, "ba" is not restricted to official meetings, but also include situations such as conversations with new staff, which are extremely effective places for information exchange. By pinpointing "ba" locations, the service can contribute to increased business performance.

• To effectively implement knowledge management, it is essential to have uniform awareness between individuals. This analysis supports understanding of individual attitudes toward work and learning, thus making it possible to reduce the awareness gap between individuals.