ICS Co., Ltd.: A Trusted Partner Supporting Manufacturing Sites for Over 40 Years

ICS Co., Ltd. has remained a close partner to the manufacturing industry for more than 40 years. Leveraging its extensive expertise in embedded software development and solutions that improve the efficiency of design and manufacturing operations, the company has helped numerous customers overcome complex business challenges.

In recent years, as demand for CAD utilization and drawing management has grown, ICS has focused on proposing cost optimization and operational improvements through BricsCAD. Rather than simply introducing software, the company provides end-to-end support, including customization and system integration tailored to each customer’s needs.

In this article, we explore how ICS approaches BricsCAD and helps customers improve the efficiency of their design operations through its unique expertise and customer-centric solutions.

We Spoke with ICS Co., Ltd.

First, could you tell us about your company?

We are ICS Co., Ltd. Founded in 1978, our company was established when the information systems department of our parent company, Sinfonia Technology, became an independent entity.

Since our founding, we have built a strong track record in embedded software development for industrial and manufacturing applications. In addition, we provide a wide range of solutions that contribute to the automation, streamlining, and efficiency of design and manufacturing operations for our customers in the manufacturing sector.

Our main products include:

• WMSics – a warehouse management system
• PDMics – a drawing and document management system
• CAD Automatic Drawing System

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What are your company's unique strengths and core values?

For over 40 years, we have worked closely with manufacturers to understand and solve challenges on the shop floor. The knowledge and experience we have accumulated enable us to propose optimal solutions tailored to each customer’s unique requirements.

What we value most is thorough interviews and on-site assessments. By gaining a clear understanding of actual workflows, operational challenges, and our customers' goals, we can recommend the most suitable solutions.

We do more than provide systems. From defining requirements based on real-world operations to designing smooth implementation processes and ensuring successful adoption after deployment, we support our customers every step of the way.

How did you become involved in the CAD and design field?

We began receiving an increasing number of inquiries from manufacturing customers regarding design process optimization and CAD utilization. This prompted us to enter the field, and for nearly 20 years we have been involved in CAD customization and productivity improvement initiatives.

What CAD products and solutions have you worked with?

We offer a CAD Automatic Drawing System that allows users to generate drawings simply by entering dimensions into Excel. We also provide our in-house PDM (Product Data Management) system for drawing management.

In addition, we have developed various solutions that support design operations, including bill-of-materials (BOM) creation systems and integrations with existing enterprise systems. Beyond implementing existing products, we frequently develop custom systems from the ground up to match our customers' specific workflows.

What are your areas of expertise and achievements in the CAD field?

One of our greatest strengths is the ability to propose and develop systems tailored to each customer's operational requirements while also integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise systems.

We are particularly skilled at delivering solutions in stages, carefully considering customers’ priorities, budgets, and the impact on day-to-day operations.

What led you to start offering BricsCAD?

At the time, more and more customers were asking about reducing costs and reviewing their CAD licensing expenses. Because BricsCAD offers functionality comparable to mainstream CAD platforms at a more affordable price, we began recommending it as a replacement option.

Another factor was requests from existing BricsCAD users for customization projects. We found that BricsCAD made it easier to propose customer-specific enhancements and custom development, which led to additional related opportunities.

What advantages do you see in BricsCAD compared to other CAD platforms?

One of BricsCAD’s biggest strengths is its high level of compatibility with other CAD software, combined with a price point that makes adoption easier.

Another advantage is its flexible licensing options. Customers can choose between subscription and perpetual licenses according to their policies and budgets. BricsCAD also supports network licensing, enabling flexible license management based on actual usage patterns.

In recent years, we have increasingly heard concerns such as:

• “Subscription costs keep rising year after year.”
• “License expenses continue to grow as the number of designers increases.”

Because CAD is an essential tool for design work, long-term affordability and sustainable operation are just as important as functionality.

In that respect, BricsCAD offers flexible options that help customers continue using CAD cost-effectively over the long term.

What feedback do users provide when you support BricsCAD implementations?

The most common feedback we receive is about its excellent compatibility.

Even users who had worked with other CAD systems for many years often tell us:

“It felt familiar right away.”

“The transition was smoother than expected.”

In many cases, customers are able to continue working without major disruptions after implementation, which we believe is one of BricsCAD’s greatest strengths.

What initiatives would you like to pursue with BricsCAD in the future, and what are your expectations?

1. Hosting Seminars

In May, ICS co-hosted a seminar featuring BricsCAD.

Previously, our sales representatives introduced BricsCAD individually to customers. With seminars, we now have a broader platform for sharing information with organizations considering a CAD migration.

During the seminar, we also introduced our drawing management system, PDMics, as a solution that integrates with BricsCAD. We received valuable feedback from attendees who expressed challenges related to managing engineering drawings.

Going forward, we plan to continue hosting similar events and provide information not only about CAD migration but also about ongoing operations and drawing management.

2. Expanding BricsCAD Customization Services

BricsCAD offers extensive customization capabilities.

We aim to continue proposing customizations and system integrations that align with customers' workflows and operational environments, helping them create CAD environments that fit their needs even more closely.

3. Promoting the Combination of BricsCAD and PDMics

Simply replacing a CAD platform does not solve drawing management issues such as:

• “I can't quickly find the drawing I need.”
• “It takes too much time to locate past drawings for reuse.”

For this reason, we recommend improving the overall design environment by combining BricsCAD with a drawing management system.

In particular, PDMics supports add-in integration with BricsCAD. Users can register drawings and retrieve attribute information directly within the BricsCAD interface, eliminating the need to switch between applications.

Because it offers a streamlined feature set, PDMics is also available at a competitive price.

As a result, the combination of BricsCAD and PDMics allows customers to reduce costs associated with both drawing creation and drawing management while improving overall design efficiency.

A Message to Readers

Implementing or replacing business systems is never a simple decision. Factors such as cost, functionality, ease of use, and long-term maintainability all need to be taken into consideration.

BricsCAD stands out by providing strong compatibility with other CAD platforms while maintaining a lower cost of ownership. Its flexible licensing options and user-friendly design make it an attractive solution for design professionals.

In addition, BricsCAD offers robust trial opportunities and post-implementation support, helping organizations feel confident both before and after migration.

If you are considering a CAD migration, we encourage you to include BricsCAD among your options.

And if you are interested in drawing management or broader productivity improvements, please feel free to contact ICS. We would be happy to discuss how we can support your business.

Closing Remarks

If you are facing challenges related to cost reduction, design process efficiency, or drawing management, consider consulting with ICS. With a strong commitment to understanding real-world operational needs and delivering flexible, tailored solutions, ICS is well-positioned to help manufacturers improve their engineering environments.

ICS Co., Ltd.
https://www.ise-ics.co.jp/contact/
contact@ise-ics.co.jp