About GlyphFeeds

Yamagami: GlyphFeeds is a cloud-based CMS (content management system) for the media, originally developed by FUTURE in 2019. Let me give you an example of how it is used. In a newspaper agency, all contents including news articles, photos, and images, can be consolidated and managed in a single database on GlyphFeeds, regardless of whether the final outcome is print or digital. Editing can be processed on any pc or tablet as long as they are hooked up to the system. GlyphFeeds was originally developed for the newspaper industry. And with the assumption that the system will be widely in demand from other media, we are currently adding more functions.

The Story Behind GlyphFeeds

Editorial Team: Why did GlyphFeeds initially target the newspaper industry

We wanted to redefine the value of content produced by newspaper agencies

Miyahara: We wanted to redefine the value of content produced by newspaper agencies. With the web-based advertising business model becoming a commonplace, readers are now able to read many articles for free. As a result, many readers shifted away from printed newspapers. This obviously led to the downturn of the newspaper agencies. We saw this timing as an opportunity to make the most out of the contents created by reporters and photographers, and to deliver them to the users with added value.
Also, the newspaper industry had long been closed to new IT venders, making it difficult to take on new challenges. We also wanted to break that old custom.

Editorial Team: Do you think many internal people working for newspaper agencies felt the same way?

Miyahara: No, not many at that time. There were some who felt a strong sense of urgency to shift to digital for survival, but it was still a minority. We think there was a high expectation to FUTURE to support the change in mindset and to transform the organization.

Case Study: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun’s Introduction of GlyphFeeds

Editorial Team: We understand that GlyphFeeds was initially developed from a viewpoint to maximize the value of content, rather than focusing on operational efficiency. Can you give us an example?

Yamagami: Let’s look into the case of Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (hereinafter referred to as Nikkan Kogyo). Nikkan Kogyo introduced GlyphFeeds in 2021. The Company’s main business is publishing a newspaper focusing on BtoB business for the manufacturing industry. They also publish magazines and books, organizes exhibitions and seminars, and is also act as a match maker connecting companies with other companies.
Nikkan Kogyo’s printed newspaper business was mature, just like the other newspaper agencies. This is the reason why Nikkan Kogyo has made up their mind to transform their business model and to set a mid-long-term goal to become a “platform provider for industrial information”

Editorial Team: What exactly was your role for this transformation?

GlyphFeeds enabled a business model, management system and workflow centered around the content

Yamagami: At the beginning, Nikkan Kogyo’s workflow and resources were still heavily allocated towards the print edition. The digital edition was released after the print edition. Articles and photos used were managed separately. There was no synergy among resources used in the print edition, digital edition, books and events. So, the Company decided to introduce a system, making efficient use of edited and processed content across multiple mediums possible. This is where GlyphFeeds came into the picture, enabling a business model, management system and workflow centered around the content.
With the introduction of GlyphFeeds, Nikkan Kogyo is now able to distribute the same contents to multi mediums such as print edition, digital edition, and events, making it possible to reach out to customers accordingly to their needs in a timely manner. They have also started a new business, selling articles and images on their e-commerce website.

Editorial Team: It seems like a quick move to start a new business. How was that possible?

Yamagami: Yes, it only took six months for Nikkan Kogyo to launch their new e-commerce website. This was possible because GlyphFeeds loosely couples each component of the system through APIs, and the cloud-based CMS and external systems can be connected smoothly. Trial and error is easy with GlyphFeeds with no need to reconfigure the entire system, so this is why it is suitable for a new business start-up.

Editorial Team: So, thanks to GlyphFeeds, the business model of Nikkan Kogyo has quickly transformed.

Miyahara: Yes, of course it was important for Nikkan Kogyo to centralize content management. However, it was critical for the Company to be able to add value to the content they already own, and to expand their reach to new sales channels. By quickly building a CMS with GlyphFeeds, the Company was able to focus on creating new business opportunities.

The Uniqueness of GlyphFeeds

One of FUTURE’s strength is the technology to build brand new systems and services yet to be seen anywhere in the world

Yamagami: GlyphFeeds is a highly versatile database that can accumulate various types of data. This is why GlyphFeeds has the potential to reach out to other industries besides the newspaper in the future. On top of that, GlyphFeeds is the one and only web-based vertical writing editor that supports the unique vertical writing style of the Japanese language and can withstand the demands of editing work that requires speed.

Editorial Team: It is true that web-based services basically correspond only to writing horizontally. I now understand that one of FUTURE’s strength is the technology to build brand new systems and services yet to be seen anywhere in the world.

The Social Transformational Impact of GlyphFeeds

Editorial Team: What do you think is the significance of GlyphFeeds from a social transformational perspective?

Miyahara: Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, many companies have promoted diverse workstyles including remote work. Before the pandemic, those who work for newspaper agencies were said to be one of the hardest workers, working around the clock. However, with the introduction of GlyphFeeds, reporters are able to submit data on mobile devices from anywhere, and I believe this has greatly contributed to flexible workstyle. We also often hear from newspaper publishers who have adopted GlyphFeeds that their desks used to be filled with piles of paper, but now, that had all gone away.
We hope to support Japanese journalism through GlyphFeeds. The system is easy to access from corners of the world through cloud service, so reporters can continue coverage and transmission in the toughest situations such as natural disasters and conflicts around the globe. The reports can be easily submitted on mobile devices.

Future Possibilities of GlyphFeeds

Editorial Team: Let’s now talk about the future. What further changes do you think GlyphFeeds can bring to journalism?

Create environment for media to be sustainable

Miyahara: Journalism is indispensable, but in order for it to be sustainable, I think it is about time to change the way reporters and journalists work. Content centered thinking, redefining the value of contents is essential. I think in the future, GlyphFeeds can also bring value to community-based media around Japan.

Editorial Team: We hear that it normally takes two to three years to build a CMS, but with GlyphFeeds, there are cases where the system can be up and running in 10 months.
I understand that GlyphFeeds is a standardized system, so it saves both cost and time compared to building a unique system from scratch. Do you think GlyphFeeds can support local media and eventually contribute to vitalizing the local areas?

Miyahara: Yes, GlyphFeeds needs to be adjusted and developed further, so it will be easier for smaller agencies around Japan to implement. Conventional newspapers are published twice a day in the morning and in the evening, for the convenience of the publisher. I believe GlyphFeeds has the potential to change this, so the information becomes reader centered. If the required information reaches the readers at their convenience with the right amount of detail, media can become a part of people’s lifecycle, proving information to enrich their lives.

Editorial Team: So, I understand that your challenge is to make a system to deliver the right information to the readers at the right timing. The last question to you is GlyphFeeds’s potential beyond newspaper agencies. Can you conclude by elaborating on the further market potential of GlyphFeeds?

GlyphFeeds can be extended to other media like publishers of books and magazines, and also to the web media

Miyahara: The contents centered system of GlyphFeeds can be extended to other media like publishers of books and magazines, and also to the web media. Also, the system can further be applied to legal work, and intellectual property and patent management where a vast amount of text needs to be managed.

Editorial Team: I can also envision using GlyphFeeds to share knowledge within in a corporate setting.

Yamagami: Yes, that is another area to look into. We have tried to improve the search function of GlyphFeeds by importing a large number of documents such as PowerPoint presentations into the system, and we would like to explore further possibilities.

Editorial Team: It is clear that GlyphFeeds has potential beyond the newspaper industry. We look forward to the future evolution of GlyphFeeds. Thank you for your time today.

This concludes the story about GlyphFeeds, an example related to one of FUTURE GROUP’s key themes; “Social Reform”. The case illustrates how business innovation through the use of technology can lead not only to industry reform, but also has the potential to contribute to revitalizing the local areas. We hope this story becomes a spark to enhance discussions to think about the “future” of the FUTURE GROUP.