Alation joins forces with NTT DATA to enhance Japan's data intelligence

Alation, a data intelligence company based in Redwood City, California, has announced the expansion of its operations into Japan. This move includes a newly established reseller agreement with NTT DATA, a global digital business and IT services player. The partnership aims to meet the growing demand for data intelligence in Japanese enterprises and supports the accelerated execution of data and AI initiatives.

This strategic partnership with NTT DATA builds on Alation's existing success with NTT DOCOMO, a Japanese wireless voice and data communications provider. The collaboration will allow more Japanese businesses to leverage Alation’s capabilities to create AI-ready data, expediting digital transformations across various sectors. The Alation Data Intelligence Platform centralises metadata from multiple sources, making it easier for organisations to discover, manage, and trust their data assets, including business intelligence reports and AI models.

A report by IDC forecasts that by 2028, 80% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in Japanese organisations will adopt AI, automation, and analytics to speed up their digital transformation efforts, with a focus on cloud-first strategies. This trend is driving increased investment in modernising technology stacks to better utilise data for enhancing products, services, and business models. However, challenges such as data silos continue to restrict access and trust in data across businesses. Alation seeks to address these issues by providing a unified platform that enhances data discovery, governance, and management.

Kazumasa Taninaka, Head of the Design and Technology Sector at NTT DATA, highlighted the importance of this partnership: “Alation is a critical partner in addressing Japanese organisations’ surging demand for data intelligence. This collaboration enables more organisations to leverage data for reliable AI and decision-making, fostering smarter analysis, decisions, and strategic judgements.” He added that the partnership aims to break down data silos and equip organisations with essential tools for improved, data-driven decision-making.

Takashi Suzuki, General Manager of the Data Platform Department at NTT DOCOMO, also praised Alation’s platform, noting its ability to streamline analytics and foster a culture of collaboration. “The platform’s robust data search and discovery capabilities have notably improved our productivity in data utilisation, creating an environment where data analysts are more focused and efficient,” he said.

Since implementing Alation’s platform, NTT DOCOMO has seen significant improvements in self-service analytics and a 30% reduction in data analysts' workloads, which has facilitated faster decision-making and bolstered digital transformation efforts.

Eyal Mekler, General Manager of the Asia-Pacific region at Alation, stated, “Expanding our presence in Japan strengthens our global strategy to meet the rising demand for data intelligence as organisations strive to become data-driven and fast-track digital transformation.” He emphasised that the partnership with NTT DATA is part of a broader strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific market, which includes various recent milestones such as establishing reseller partnerships and inaugurating a data centre in Japan.

Alation's expansion in Japan is expected to help more organisations unlock the full potential of their data, maintain competitiveness, and accelerate AI and data initiatives. The company continues to be a significant presence in the data intelligence field, supporting over 550 enterprises globally, including 40% of Fortune 100 companies.