SITECH Japan

Challenge: Modernizing a Traditional Industry

The construction industry has long struggled with stagnant productivity, particularly in earthwork operations. With nearly one-third of skilled workers expected to retire within the next decade, SITECH Japan recognized that technology would be essential to closing the labor gap.

Government agencies like Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport began encouraging “full use of ICT” to improve efficiency and make construction more attractive to future generations. SITECH responded by seeking out solutions that could enhance productivity at the ground level without disrupting existing workflows.

Yet, one of the biggest hurdles was connectivity. Hundreds of machines on-site required real-time data transfer, but conventional SIMs were costly, slow to provision, and often unreliable in remote or rugged locations where many projects take place. SITECH needed an agile, scalable, and resilient solution that could keep construction projects on track.

Solution: Connecting Construction with IoT

To transform construction sites into connected environments, SITECH Japan integrated IoT-enabled sensors and displays into heavy machinery like excavators. These devices measure angles, GPS positions, and operational data, transmitting it in real time to SITECH’s cloud-based Trimble Connected Community platform (VISIONLINK).

Through VISIONLINK, supervisors gain unprecedented visibility into machinery performance and site progress. They can monitor excavation depth, track asset usage, and receive automated safety alerts. This level of oversight helps reduce delays, optimize workflows, and improve safety across worksites.

To make this ecosystem viable, SITECH turned to Soracom Air, which provided cellular IoT connectivity that was fast to deploy and reliable even in challenging environments. This ensured that every piece of machinery, regardless of location, could be seamlessly integrated into SITECH’s digital construction framework.

Why Soracom: Flexible, Scalable Connectivity

SITECH Japan found in Soracom a partner that understood the demands of IoT at scale. Traditional SIMs took up to 10 business days to provision, but with Soracom, SITECH could activate Air SIMs instantly via the Soracom User Console. This agility eliminated costly SIM inventories and allowed them to respond quickly to new projects or sudden client needs.

Equally valuable was Soracom’s flexibility in managing data transmission. Using the console, SITECH could adjust speeds on demand – choosing low-speed connections for transmitting GPS and machine logs, or high-speed connections for large 3D design files – without physically swapping SIMs. This reduced labor, minimized downtime, and simplified troubleshooting.

With Soracom’s cloud-integrated management tools, SITECH now operates with greater efficiency, ensuring their IoT-enabled construction sites deliver the productivity gains needed to address Japan’s labor challenges.

Future Plans: Building the Next Generation of Construction

SITECH Japan is committed to expanding its role in shaping the future of construction. With government initiatives mandating ICT adoption in 30% of machinery, SITECH plans to manage over 100,000 connected terminals within the next three years.

The company is exploring advanced IoT use cases such as autonomous piloting systems, construction navigation, and data-driven maintenance solutions. By continuously analyzing data from connected machinery, SITECH will further streamline workflows, improve safety, and accelerate project delivery.

Through IoT innovation, SITECH Japan is helping ensure that construction remains not only productive but also an attractive and sustainable career path for future generations.