Services & Scope
What software development services does Deerhold Japan provide?
Deerhold Japan provides end-to-end software development services including custom web application development, mobile application development, enterprise system integration, API development, cloud architecture design, and ongoing technical maintenance. We work with Japanese businesses of all scales, from established enterprises to growing mid-size companies.
Does Deerhold Japan develop software with Japanese-language support?
Yes. All software we develop is built with full Japanese-language support as standard, including proper handling of kanji, hiragana, and katakana, multi-byte character encoding (UTF-8), and locale-specific formatting for dates, currency, and postal codes. Japanese UI/UX considerations are incorporated from the initial design phase.
What industries does Deerhold Japan serve?
We serve clients across manufacturing, retail, finance, logistics, healthcare, and professional services. Each engagement is scoped with the regulatory and operational requirements of the client's industry in mind, including compliance with Japanese industry-specific standards where applicable.
Can Deerhold Japan integrate with our existing systems?
Yes. We have extensive experience integrating with enterprise systems commonly used in Japan, including ERP platforms, accounting systems, CRM tools, and industry-specific legacy software. We conduct a technical discovery and feasibility assessment prior to committing to an integration scope.
Development Process
How long does a software development project typically take?
Project timelines depend on scope and complexity. A standard web application typically requires 8 to 16 weeks from requirements gathering through to deployment. Enterprise integrations and larger platform builds may require 6 to 12 months. A detailed project schedule is provided following the initial consultation and requirements review.
What development methodology does Deerhold Japan follow?
We primarily follow Agile development methodology with iterative two-week sprints. Clients review progress at the end of each sprint and provide feedback before work continues. For clients with fixed-scope or regulatory requirements, we also accommodate Waterfall or hybrid approaches. The methodology is agreed upon during project scoping.
How is progress communicated during a project?
Each project is assigned a dedicated project manager who serves as the primary point of contact. Progress is communicated via weekly status reports, sprint review sessions, and a shared project management portal. All communications can be conducted in Japanese or English according to the client's preference.
Support & Maintenance
Does Deerhold Japan provide post-launch support?
Yes. We offer structured post-launch support packages covering bug resolution, performance monitoring, security updates, and feature enhancements. Support agreements are available on a monthly retainer or time-and-materials basis. All projects include a standard warranty period immediately following deployment.
What are the available support hours?
Standard support is available during Japanese business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 18:00 JST). Extended support coverage including evenings and weekends is available under premium support agreements for business-critical systems. Emergency response SLAs are defined in individual support contracts.
Security & Compliance
Is our business data and source code kept confidential?
Yes. All client engagements are covered under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) executed prior to project commencement. Source code, business logic, and data shared during the project are the intellectual property of the client unless otherwise agreed in writing. We comply fully with Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI).
Does Deerhold Japan comply with Japanese data protection laws?
Yes. All software developed by Deerhold Japan is designed with APPI compliance as a baseline requirement. Where applicable, we also consider alignment with international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and GDPR for clients with cross-border data obligations. Data handling practices are documented and reviewed at each project stage.
Key terminology used in software development engagements, with Japanese equivalents for reference.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Agile Developmentアジャイル開発 | An iterative software development methodology in which work is completed in short cycles called sprints. At the end of each sprint, deliverables are reviewed with the client, allowing requirements to be refined progressively rather than defined entirely upfront. |
| APIアプリケーションプログラミングインターフェース | A defined interface that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. APIs enable integration between systems — for example, connecting your e-commerce platform with a logistics or payment provider. |
| Cloud Architectureクラウドアーキテクチャ | The design of how software systems, databases, and services are hosted and operate on cloud infrastructure (such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) rather than on local on-premise servers. Cloud architecture decisions affect performance, scalability, cost, and security. |
| DevOpsデブオプス/インフラ構築 | A set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten development cycles and deliver software reliably. DevOps practices include automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous deployment (CI/CD). |
| ERP基幹業務システム | Integrated software that manages core business processes across departments including finance, procurement, manufacturing, and human resources within a single unified system. Common ERP platforms in Japan include SAP, Oracle, and locally developed systems. |
| Legacy Systemレガシーシステム | An older software system that remains in use despite being built on outdated technology. Legacy systems often require specialist integration work to connect with modern applications, and may be candidates for gradual modernisation or replacement. |
| Microservicesマイクロサービス | An architectural approach in which a software application is built as a collection of small, independently deployable services, each responsible for a specific function. Microservices architecture improves scalability and allows individual components to be updated without affecting the whole system. |
| MVP最小実用製品 | A version of a product with just enough features to be usable and to validate core assumptions with real users. Building an MVP allows organisations to test a concept in the market before committing to full-scale development, reducing time and investment risk. |
| Requirements Gathering要件定義 | The process of identifying, documenting, and agreeing upon the functional and non-functional requirements of a software project before development begins. Thorough requirements gathering reduces the risk of scope changes and misaligned expectations during development. |
| SLAサービスレベルアグリーメント | A formal agreement between a service provider and a client that defines the expected level of service, including response times, uptime guarantees, and escalation procedures. SLAs are typically included in post-launch support contracts. |
| UI/UX Designユーザーインターフェース・ユーザー体験設計 | UI (User Interface) design concerns the visual layout and interactive elements of a software application. UX (User Experience) design concerns the overall experience of using the product, including ease of navigation, clarity, and task completion. Both are integral to software quality and user adoption. |
| Waterfall Developmentウォーターフォール開発 | A sequential software development approach in which each phase (requirements, design, development, testing, deployment) is completed before the next begins. Waterfall is suited to projects with well-defined, stable requirements and is commonly used in regulated industries in Japan. |
