Uniweb begins collaboration with Sync8, which supports automation and efficiency of e-commerce operations using AI.

2024/12/26

Kiva Corporation (headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Kota Nojiri, hereinafter referred to as Kiva) announces the commencement of collaboration with Sync8 Corporation (Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, CEO: Toru Yoshida, hereinafter referred to as Sync8) for the web accessibility tool 'Uniweb'.

 

■Background of Collaboration

Web accessibility means that anyone, including the elderly and people with disabilities, can use the information and functions provided on websites without hindrance (according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 'Accessibility for Public Organizations on Websites').

As of April 1, 2024, the revised Act on the Elimination of Disability Discrimination (*1) has made the provision of reasonable accommodations (*2) mandatory for businesses, whereas previously it was mandatory for government agencies and a matter of effort for businesses. Web accessibility has become a necessary effort to accurately provide these reasonable accommodations, prompting more e-commerce sites to focus on improving web accessibility.

The web accessibility tool 'Uniweb' allows the elderly and those with disabilities to easily select and change options such as text-to-speech, contrast adjustment, and font size to correctly understand information on websites.

Various businesses across industries and sectors are seeking to improve web accessibility, and since launching Uniweb in December last year, it has been incorporated into numerous websites.

 

※1 Act on the Elimination of Disability Discrimination
A law aimed at promoting the elimination of discrimination based on disability and realizing a society where all citizens coexist while mutually respecting each other's personalities and individualities without discrimination based on the presence or absence of disability.
※2 Provision of Reasonable Accommodations
If a person with a disability expresses the desire to 'remove social barriers', then necessary and reasonable measures should be taken to remove those barriers within a range that does not impose an excessive burden.

 

◾️Benefits of Introducing Uniweb

• Improving Customer Satisfaction
  By ensuring that all users, including the elderly and people with disabilities, can accurately understand information on the website, it is possible to enhance usability and customer satisfaction.
• Gaining Trust and Confidence as a Company
  By showcasing a commitment to creating websites that consider web accessibility, companies can enhance their image and increase brand value as trustworthy brands. Among them, 'Uniweb' offers extensive customization that does not compromise brand identity or worldview.
• Web Accessibility Assessment Report
  Based on accessibility standards (WCAG), the web accessibility assessment will identify issues on the website (such as missing alternative text for images, contrast issues) and suggest specific correction methods. It allows for real-time evaluation of updates or changes to web pages, thereby providing a consistently user-friendly environment for diverse users.
• Effective for SEO Measures of E-commerce Sites
  'Uniweb' includes features such as automatic alt text generation and automatic optimization of website structure. By ensuring correct tag settings and markup, it contributes to improved SEO, which can lead to increased site traffic.

 

◾️What is Web Accessibility?

It is not a special accommodation only for the disabled or elderly, but anyone can be in the same situation as a disabled person.

• Temporary injury or illness (e.g., car accident with arm in cast and unable to use arm, eye disease with eye patch and blindness, etc.)
• Age-related changes
• Age-related vision loss (presbyopia, lens changes (yellowish, dark, blurred vision, etc.))
• Eye diseases common in middle-aged and older adults (cataracts, glaucoma, etc.)
  *About half of the patients in their late 70s have cataracts with yellowing changes.
• Age-related hearing loss
• Foreign travelers (if a foreigner who does not understand Japanese is struck by an earthquake while traveling, can he/she obtain evacuation information, etc.)

Reference: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Accessibility of Websites, etc. Required of Public Organizations
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000543284.pdf

 

◾️About UniWeb

Uniweb supports web accessibility features on the 'day of implementation' by simply adding one line of code to all web services.

In order to achieve equal website services for all, we want to put users in various situations, such as those with visual impairments or those who temporarily lose the use of their hands due to injury, in a position to understand correct information through various uses such as voice reading and contrast changes.

 

◾️About Sync8

Sync8 aims to create a world where anyone can take on challenges by providing AI commerce assistants and BPO services. While many e-commerce businesses understand that addressing accessibility leads to long-term trust and improved customer satisfaction, the costs of these improvements do not often translate directly into immediate sales increases, leading them to fall behind amid a backlog of daily operational tasks. In particular, the effort and lack of expertise required to address finer details such as reviewing site structure and optimizing image text have become significant hurdles in advancing accessibility improvements.

Through this collaboration, we will create an environment where e-commerce operators can address these challenges head-on by combining Sync8's AI commerce assistant with Uniweb's accessibility tools. This not only expands functionalities but also integrates accessibility smoothly into standard operational processes, facilitating every store's easier step towards enhancing customer experience.

Sync8 Corporation
Representative: CEO Toru Yoshida
Location: 2-3-10 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Tenjin Pinecrest 719
URL :https://sync8.net/
Business :

• Development and operation of AI x Human E-commerce Optimization Service 'Sync8'.
• Development and operation of E-commerce Human Resources Education Program 'EC Academia'.

 

◾️ Kiva Corporation

Representative: Kota Nojiri, President and Representative Director
Location : 3-12-5 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo +SHIFT TSUKIJI 7F
URL :https://kiva.co.jp/
Business :

• Warranty service for worry-free purchase ".protectDevelopment and operation of
• Web Accessibility Service 'UniWebDevelopment and operation of