Crowd simulation specialist INCONTROL enters Japan
INCONTROL, an international provider of crowd simulation software, has earlier this month opened an office in Tokyo, Japan – its fifth globally.
Founded more than 20 years ago, INCONTROL is a firm that specialises in simulation solutions. The company provides clients with software that enables them to simulate large scale logistic systems and infrastructures. Among others airports (baggage handling systems), seaports (container terminals), train providers (train stations), municipalities (large events) and sport teams (stadiums) make use of its solutions to simulate and streamline movements of large crowds.
In recent years the interest in crowd management simulation technology in Japan has increased. The massive impact of the tsunami in 2011 has sparked a widespread debate in media and with politicians, and as a result the demand for a clear understanding in evacuations of large crowds has expanded considerably. Another important subject driving demand is public safety around the Olympic Games that will take place in Japan in 2020.
In the light of the growing market potential, INCONTROL has decided to establish an on-premise base in Japan, with the opening of an office in Tokyo the consequence. “The improvement of security at largely crowded places like train stations, airport terminals, sports facilities and urban infrastructures have a high priority for the Japanese Government. To achieve this, crowd simulation is seen as an indispensable tool”, comments Jeroen Steenbakkers, Division Manager Crowd Simulations EMEA at the firm.
Looking ahead, Steenbakkers is confident the company has what it takes to gain foothold. A key element of the firm’s competitive edge lies according to him in the steps the firm has taken to tailor its main products – Enterprise Dynamics, Pedestrian Dynamics and SportEvac – to suit the needs of local behaviour. Last year INCONTROL commissioned 28 Japanese universities to thoroughly test its software, as well as examined group behaviour of Japanese citizens, with the aim of unravelling local specifics. This behaviour was subsequently converted to algorithms and built into the software. “The cooperation with our Japanese partner and Japanese universities ensures that we have taken a solid step in order to bring our innovative Dutch technology to Japan,” comments Steenbakkers.
In the case Asian-based clients decide to adopt INCONTROL’s software, they will be able to tap into INCONTROL’s partner network for advisory and implementation services, which consists of among others FSC, PMC, NCS4 and Venue Intelligence. In parallel to the growth trajectory aspired for the local operations, the company in the coming months aims at further extending its local partner footprint.
