Negotiation Automation Platform
tasks effectively . The type of system needed to manage this information and its level of flexibility varies between companies . If that system is sufficiently flexible , integrating with NAP is achievable ; otherwise , modifications to existing systems or introducing RPA ( Robotic Process Automation ) may be required . In some cases , essential information may not be system-managed but held only by human negotiators , necessitating the digitization of information management .
Furthermore , network externalities concerning the value of NAP solutions present additional challenges . Network externalities refer to the dependence of a solution ' s value on its performance and prevalence , as in the case of telephones and email . Similar to how telephones and email become more beneficial as more acquaintances use them , NAP solutions also become increasingly efficient at coordination as more trading partners adopt them . Raising the adoption rate of these solutions is one of the challenges that must be overcome to increase their added value .
4.2 PROMOTION OF NAP
As mentioned in the previous section , due to network externalities , the value users gain from the solution may vary depending on the number of adopters and the effectiveness of their negotiations . This section discusses some activities aimed at increasing user value from this perspective .
4.2.1 INDUSTRY IOT CONSORTIUM ( IICONSORTIUM . ORG )
The Industry IoT Consortium ( IIC ) is an international organization committed to driving the advancement of industrial IoT initiatives . As a vendor-neutral association , the IIC focuses on promoting the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies across various industries . Our principal activities in IIC involve showcasing the usefulness of the technology and its business prospects .
NAP is proposed as an IIC testbed 5 which became an approved testbed in August 2019 . The members of the NAP testbed include NEC , Fraunhofer IOSB , KETI , BIRD INITIATIVE , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology , TOYOTA TSUSHO , and OKI Electric Industry Corporation . Quarterly , we have reported business and technology progress .
In cooperation with the IIC , we held an Automated Negotiation demonstration ( coordination among Dealer / CarMaker / PartsVendor ) at the Smart Factory Expo 2020 and provided a podcast interview . The IIC awarded NAP for IIRA-compliant design , AI analytics utilization , and testbed activities . The NAP testbed is presented on the IIC web page " Tech Showcase " ( Figure 4-1 ).
5 https :// www . iiconsortium . org / technology-showcases / negotiation-automation-platform / 66
August 2023