The first computer introduced into Kobayashi Pharmaceutical was the "Burroughs B2500" in October 1970. This computer had a core memory of 30KB on a SMDISK2MB disk. Kobayashi later upgraded to the B3500 in July 1973 and the B2800 in 1979, and in 1980 began to automate salary calculations. In 1980, B92 office computers were introduced in Tokyo and Osaka, and the company went on-line.

Test operation of the DSP began in May 1980, with formal operation beginning immediately afterward. Couplers (handy terminals) were introduced in February 1983. Even when business managers did not return to the office, notable progress was achieved with the explosion of laborsaving devices such as direct computer inputs over public lines (ordinary telephone line).

The wholesale industry is based on concentrated labor operational conditions. Arrangements cannot get started if salesmen do not call on customers. In order to turn around a potentially fatal circumstance, one only has to use a computer.

Aware of this, Kobayashi Pharmaceutical took the first and second steps of the initiative toward computerization. DSP, which began operation in 1980, was a project undertaken to zeroize the bench stock at branch and office levels. At the Ibaraki Distribution Center, which commenced operation in May 1980, a 28,110 ft2 warehouse stands on a 56,930 ft2 lot. Based on information sent from the host computer at the head office, ordered goods are selected and packed automatically and delivered to their appointed place early in the morning the day following order placement. The same work previously accomplished manually was concentrated and automated at each operating location.

The KICS System put into practice in the summer of 1986 utilized computers even further. The first KICS product, the "Kobayashi POS Register KICS5000", consisted of a display, keyboard, bar code reader, printer, cash drawer, and other components. This system could provide daily balances, daily product option reports, sales performance tables by supervisor, daily appointed-goods sales reports, daily segmental-sales reports, daily time zone option reports, and other reports. As a result, sales management, stock management, order rationalization, improved register sale efficiency, profit control, etc. could be accomplished quickly and accurately. This system was a detailed response to the medical products industry and prepared for comprehensive deployment into an informationalized society, which has become the global trend. Apart from this, moreover, the research and development of a new SCS system is in progress in the Manufacturing Department as well.

DSP is a back-up system for salesmen, and KICS is a VAN for pharmacies and drug stores. With these two systems and the SCS beginning operation in the Wholesale Department, it is now possible to follow the total merits of distribution and management. Additionally, the workload of salesmen has been reduced, and an environment enabling salesmen to accomplish their best work has been put into place.

Computer-driven changes in logistics and increases in managerial efficiency are indispensable to the survival of any industry. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical paid close heed to this early on and has been tackling the challenges of computerization since the era of the adding machine.