Yamaha Motor is transforming fragmented global data into a unified asset by partnering with Informatica to boost decision-making, streamline operations and accelerate enterprise-wide Digital Transformation. Toyoto Ono, Chief General Manager, IT Center at Yamaha Motor, offers a ‘behind the scenes’ take of the implementation and reveals how the initiative is driving productivity gains across the organisation.
Yamaha Motor, a global leader in transportation equipment manufacturing, has implemented Informatica’s AI-powered Master Data Management (MDM) solution as part of the customer’s Digital Transformation strategy.
Yamaha Motor was faced with challenges of managing extensive and complex data and siloed systems across its manufacturing and business operations in different global locations. Furthermore, Yamaha Motor’s global ERP systems required the unification of data standards and data harmonisation from instances and contents which differ from region to region and the inability to share the same master data to each group company’s ERP systems and business systems further hindered operational efficiency of the businesses.
To overcome the challenges, Yamaha Motor is implementing Informatica’s industry-leading multidomain MDM SaaS solution, powered by Informatica’s CLAIRE AI engine, to streamline, centralise and automate cross-domain and cross-departmental data assets for a comprehensive, contextualised 360-degree view. This implementation helps enable the organisation to boost productivity, accelerate data discovery and deliver high-quality, consistent and accurate data for trusted insights.
“With the implementation of Informatica’s MDM, Yamaha Motor is creating an interface platform that seamlessly connects each region’s ERP systems with our proprietary scratch systems, enabling trusted master data management on a global scale,” said Toyoto Ono, Chief General Manager, IT Center at Yamaha Motor. “This platform enhances decision-making, forecasting and reporting processes, while driving productivity improvements and cost efficiencies through the effective ERP system deployment and maintenance. It represents a vital step in establishing a robust foundation to support our sustainable business growth and strengthen organisational resilience.”
“We are very pleased to partner with Yamaha Motor as it modernises its global data management infrastructure,” said Taito Kozawa, Country Manager and Vice President of Informatica Japan. “Together, we are supporting its goal to strengthen data-driven decision-making and accelerate AI and Digital Transformation. As many organisations in Japan pursue similar initiatives, we remain committed to working with our customers to help them realise meaningful business values through our AI-powered platform and capabilities.”
Toyoto Ono, Chief General Manager, IT Center at Yamaha Motor, reveals how the company worked with Informatica, a leader in enterprise AI-powered cloud data management, to achieve its business goals.
How impactful has Informatica’s solution been for Yamaha Motor?
At Yamaha Motor, we are building a global framework to centrally manage financial, non-financial and PSI (Production, Sales, Inventory) data under the principle of ‘One Fact One Place’. The implementation of Informatica’s Master Data Management (MDM) solution is a core initiative within this transformation and is currently underway.
By generating golden records, we expect a significant improvement in data reliability, which will enhance the accuracy and speed of decision-making. This is not merely an IT project; it’s a strategic reinforcement of our management foundation to deliver greater value to society as a Kando-creating company.
Furthermore, the MDM initiative directly contributes to strengthening global data governance. By standardising data definitions and management rules across regions and business units, we are improving data quality, consistency and transparency throughout the organisation, supporting better risk management and compliance.
In parallel, the implementation of a leading global ERP system has already delivered tangible results, including the unification of chart of accounts (CoA), standardisation of product codes and integration between development and manufacturing codes. These efforts are helping to optimise global operations and elevate data-driven decision-making.
How did you communicate the expected benefits of Informatica to Yamaha Motor employees?
We positioned the adoption of Informatica not as a system upgrade, but as a strategic transformation to enhance organisational decision-making capabilities.
We consistently communicated the message that ‘accurate data leads to accurate decisions and actions’, helping all employees to recognise the value of data. The concept of ‘One Fact One Place’ has become a shared language that connects frontline operations with executive decision-making.
By properly managing trusted data, we are accelerating the work of field scientists and data-driven professionals, enabling faster and more precise analysis and proposals. This is a critical driver of bottom-up Digital Transformation (DX) across the organisation.
Additionally, the successful experience of implementing a leading global ERP system has helped employees understand the impact of data standardisation and integration on their daily work, fostering greater understanding and anticipation for MDM. We are also cultivating a culture of transformation through shared purpose, recognition and empathy.
How do you envision the partnership with Informatica shaping Yamaha Motor’s future?
Our collaboration with Informatica is a vital partnership that supports Yamaha Motor’s mission to deliver greater value to society as a Kando-creating company.
We view data not just as an operational asset, but as a strategic resource for shaping the future. Through MDM, we are reinforcing global data governance and enhancing the quality and speed of decision-making based on trusted data.
At the same time, we are building an environment where field scientists and data professionals can quickly identify issues and execute solutions. This is essential for accelerating frontline-led DX.
Moreover, we expect Informatica’s technological innovation and rapid deployment of integrated new features to strongly support our DX initiatives from a technical foundation perspective. By leveraging these advanced capabilities, we are confident in realising a fast-paced Digital Transformation.
By combining Informatica’s technological strengths with Yamaha Motor’s operational excellence, we aim to achieve sustainable growth and maximise corporate value – ultimately delivering deeper Kando to society through data-driven innovation.
Taito Kozawa, Area Vice President – Japan, Informatica from Salesforce, shares his experience of the partnership so far and what the future holds.
What, if any, were the technical challenges inherent in implementing the Informatica solution with Yamaha Motor?
The primary concern for Yamaha Motor when adopting Informatica MDM SaaS was not so much the technical challenges but the compatibility with the on-site team’s ‘scratch development culture’. As they were accustomed to years of custom development, there was an initial concern about whether they could seamlessly operate their master data management processes using MDM SaaS.
To address this concern, Informatica conducted product training and a proof-of-concept (PoC) based on business requirements. This helped deepen the on-site team’s understanding and build their confidence that MDM SaaS could effectively support their operations.
Beyond the technical aspects, key factors for project success included defining clear governance and scope definition, specifically determining the appropriate scope for separating ‘global’ and ‘local’ master data and establishing the proper boundaries for the business processes that should be managed within MDM.
How did Informatica work with Yamaha Motor to implement the solution?
Informatica worked closely with Yamaha Motor to implement the solution through a phased approach and with the goal of enabling Yamaha Motor to achieve autonomous development and operation.
In the initial phase of the project, Informatica Professional Services (IPS) provided intensive hands-on support, design and configuration assistance and sample development, all aimed at enabling Yamaha Motor’s internal team to master the product knowledge. This established a foundation for the Yamaha Motor team to gain a thorough understanding of the Informatica MDM SaaS solution.
As the Yamaha Motor team’s proficiency increased and they became accustomed to the product operation and the interplay between their own business requirements and MDM SaaS, IPS gradually reduced its involvement. We supported the transition to a model where the customer’s in-house team could take the lead on development and modifications. This ‘Coaching and Mentoring’ approach (or ‘Running alongside’) ensured the establishment of a self-driving data governance framework and realised cost-effective, sustainable operation of the MDM solution.
What future technical requirements do you foresee evolving over the life of the partnership?
Informatica looks forward to partnering with Yamaha Motor to leverage AI agents in supporting business tasks. As such, it is essential to continuously provide clean, well-governed data to mininise the risk of AI agent inaccuracies. Informatica aims to be the platform delivering trusted, reliable and accurate data to these AI agents. By embedding AI capabilities into MDM SaaS, we aim to support Yamaha Motor in addressing its data challenges and improve operational efficiency.
Informatica set the goal of enabling Yamaha Motor to achieve independent development and operation and worked with the company to implement the solution through phased support.
